Remember Paul Davis?

Read more: http://www.arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=517513#ixzz1gVh1ZiOU

One of the more infamous incidents involving an Arsenal player. In March 1988, Arsenal locked horns with Southampton at the notoriously hostile Dell for a gritty league encounter.

The game ended in an uneventful 1-1 draw, which was forgettable enough but for one off the ball incident. Arsenal`s silky, cultured midfielder Paul Davis had been subjected to some, ahem, "treatment" by the Saints moustachioed, be-mulleted midfield hard man Glenn Cockerill, which led to some verbal sparring between the two. Glen Cockerill takes the story up,

"We`d been exchanging words throughout the game, that`s probably how the media would put it. But it was nothing too unusual, until the punch and the next thing I knew I was on the ground." Davis obviously took umbrage to Cockerill`s potty mouth and swung a powerful haymaker in the direction of the Saints midfielder, breaking his jaw in two places. The referee and the linesmen all missed the incident completely, so Davis became the first player in history to be punished retrospectively on video evidence, earning himself a 9 match ban and a then record £3,000 fine.

In truth, Davis was fortunate that the F.A. were the only authority that chose to get involved. Off the ball fisticuffs were no rare occurrence in the days before football grounds were awash with television cameras- members of my family tell me of a time when Charlie George once lifted a Newcastle defender off the ground by his throat- but the severity of the injury incurred forced the F.A`s collective hand.

But what was really most peculiar about the event was that one could scarcely think of a more affable, placid character to play for Arsenal in the 1980s than Paul Davis. It would be the modern day equivalent of Gilberto Silva ripping off his shirt pub car park stylee before aiming a Romford kiss square on the nose of Lee Bowyer.

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Looks like this incident messed up his England career, he didn't have one!

Look at Glenn Cockerills face:

http://www.redimps.co.uk/javaImages/9e/6a/0,,10440~3304094,00.jpg

Now tell me you wouldn't want to smack him!

i was a toddler then i can't remember, sounds funny though

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

it is alleged that Cockerill called him a racist name and Paul punched him. good for him I say...

He was a good player for Arsenal actually.

it is alleged that Cockerill called him a racist name and Paul punched him. good for him I say...
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I never heard that but it must've been bad for him to react like that.

I never heard that but it must've been bad for him to react like that.
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Glenn must have called him 'Blind'

Paul Davis and then Vieira have been the two main reasons why we won trophies over the last 30 years. In an era when NONE of our midfielders could pass the ball, he was the only one who had the skill to link the play and also defend when necessary. And thats why both of them are TRUE legends.

And the OP is wrong why he wasn't picked for England. The main reason was that he is black. The only black player at that time to be picked (John Barnes) had to be the so much better than the rest that there would be no questioning of his selection. Paul Davis had Bryan Robson ahead of him.

That kind of a player is vital if you want to be successful. Song is developing into a similar presence in midfield. But he has a way to go to match those two.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)



Remember him well - was gutted when he was allowed to go by Graham. Graham never really had my support after he got rid of Rocastle and Davis..

Was the club's first non-white capatin too if I remember right.

@Jenius99 - I never knew that, I will ask my brothers opinion.

If my memory serves me correct Arsenal FC were the pioneers of having more than the average amount of black players at the club in comparison to the other 1st division clubs.