FootballSpeakers.net

 

 
 

Perry GrovesPerry Groves

Former Arsenal Footballer and supporters favourite.

 

Perry Groves is known chiefly for his time at Arsenal, where he remains a fans' favourite to this day.

He was a fast-paced player who usually played as winger, and occasionally as a striker.

Perry had a trial with Wolves as a schoolboy before signing as an apprentice for Colchester United in 1981. He turned professional a year later and over the next four seasons he played 142 league games for the U's, scoring 26 goals.

In September 1986 he signed for Arsenal for £75,000, becoming the first signing by new manager George Graham. In his first season at the club he helped set up Charlie Nicholas for the winner in the 1987 League Cup final, dribbling past three Liverpool players before laying the ball off.

Noted for his enthusiasm and hard work, he started most of Arsenal's games in the 1987-88 season, helping the Gunners reach a second League Cup final the following season by scoring the only goal of the away leg of the semi-final against Everton; Arsenal however lost the final to Luton Town. Although Perry made 46 appearances in all competitions that season, the arrival of Brian Marwood reduced his opportunities to play, and he was mainly used as a substitute in Arsenal's title-winning 1988-89 season, coming off the bench 15 times during the league campaign, on top of 6 starts.

Although an injury to Marwood opened the door for him again in 1989-90, he had to return to the bench after Marwood recovered. This did not however stop him from winning a second league title winners' medal in 1990-91, again with most of his appearances coming as a sub.

As Graham's Arsenal became more defensive Perry found himself in the team less and less, and after making only 13 league appearances in 1991-92 he was sold to Southampton.

He moved to Southampton in 1992 for £750,000 but only played 15 times in two years before retiring from professional football at the age of 28, following two serious Achilles tendon injuries.

He then played four games in the Conferencefor Dagenham & Redbridgebefore ending his playing career completely.

Perry now appears for Arsenal in the London Mastersfootball tournament, Perry also features on a regular basis on s Talksport Radio.

Perry became a cult player among Arsenal fans, who commemorate him with the chant "We all live in a Perry Groves World", which listed Perry in every position from 1 to 12.

He still has a large following, with a fan club and website devoted to him. Perry has also published his autobiography in 2006, entitled We All Live In A Perry Groves World.

Back to Speakers

 

 


To contact us about Perry, please fill in this form:

Name:
Address:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Speaker(s) I am interested in:
Line of enquiry, type of event etc.:
Validation: What is ?