90 seconds with Paul ‘Davo’ Davis

Talented midfield man Paul Davis spent almost all of his career at Arsenal FC where he amassed a staggering 447 appearances and bagged 37 goals in his 15 years at Highbury. During that time the England B international played a major role in The Gunners success in the late 80’s and early 90’s, helping them to lift two league titles, two league cups, an FA Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup.

90 seconds, 11 Q&A with Paul Davis:-

1) Childhood team growing up? After watching Arsenal lift the FA Cup at Wembley in 1971 I became an avid Gooner. It was a real honour to play for so long for my boyhood team.
2) First pair of football boots owned? A pair of classic Puma Kings.
3) Did you have a nickname in the dressing room and how did you get it? ‘Davo’ which came courtesy of Kevin Campbell singing Harry Belafonte’s hit track ‘The Banana Boat Song’ and Day-O was replaced by ‘Dav-O, daylight come and I want to go home‘. They said I looked like him too so Davo stuck with me throughout my career.
4) Favourite teammate? That’s a real tough one as I generally got on with everyone but I was pretty close with Michael Thomas, Alan Smith, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, David Rocastle, Chris Whyte, Ian Wright and Kevin Campbell during my days at Highbury.
5) Toughest opponent? I’d say for physicality Liverpool’s Graeme Souness but for ability it would have to be Tottenham‘s Glenn Hoddle. What a midfield partnership that would have been.
6) Which player do you wish you’d had the chance to play with? I would love to have played with Diego Maradona or alongside Glenn Hoddle.
7) Favourite football shirt you’ve played in? It would probably be the famous bruised banana shirt from 1993, I hated it at first but it’s become iconic now. My favourite shirt of all time has to be the classic Arsenal 1971 shirt, simple but brilliant.
8) Best stadium for atmosphere? I’d say Everton‘s Goodison Park, followed by West Ham United‘s Upton Park and Sunderland‘s Roker Park.
9) Biggest influence on your career? Without doubt George Graham who arrived in 1987 and delivered trophies during his time as manager. He style of management was a very old school disciplinarian approach which I sometimes saw the wrong side of.
10) Most prized possessions from your playing days? Probably just the memories of playing for my boyhood team for so many years and winning a few trophies along the way. Unfortunately my European Cup Winners Cup medal has been stolen and the ransom hasn’t been paid.
11) What keeps you busy these days? I’ve been really busy with my book launch of late but after leaving the game I’ve stayed in coaching and I’m currently a FA senior coach that specialises in transitioning ex-professional players into coaches.