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Fitzsimons played over 200 times for Middlesbrough after joining the club in 1949.

'He was a true gentleman' - FAI lead tributes to former Ireland international Arthur Fitzsimons

Fitzsimons made 25 appearances for his country and later managed Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has led tributes to former international and Middlesborough footballer Arthur Fitzsimons, who has passed away aged 88.

The Dubliner, who was inducted into the FAIโ€™s Hall of Fame in 2009, made over 200 appearances for Boro in a playing career which began at Shelbourne and featured 15 years in England.

Later managing both Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers in the late 1960s, FAI CEO John Delaney highlighted Fitzsimonsโ€™ deep ties to the League of Ireland speaking this afternoon.

โ€œArthur was a proud League of Ireland man and maintained his connection to the domestic game throughout his career,โ€ he said.

โ€œThe name of Arthur Fitzsimons belongs on the list of great Irish football men. He grew up with Shelbourne in his blood and went on to play for them before his successful move to England.โ€

Born in the shadow of Shelbourne Park in Ringsend, Fitzsimons began his career with the Reds before a move to Ayresome Park, where his team-mates included Brian Clough and Wilf Mannion at Middesborough.

He later took in spells at Lincoln City, Mansfield Town and Crusaders, before a return home saw him play and later manage Drogheda.

The player also made 26 appearances for Ireland, making his debut in 3-0 victory against Finland at Dalymount Park in 1949, scoring seven goals during a decade-long international career.

โ€œWe send our deepest condolences to Arthurโ€™s family and friends at this time and we will remember Arthur at an international game that is suitable for his family,โ€ added Delaney.

โ€œHe was a true gentleman.โ€

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    Mute Barry Smyth
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    Aug 16th 2013, 4:24 PM

    Given as your sub keeper kind of makes a mockery of the whole article

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    Mute Prunes Harkin
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    Aug 16th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Never make a defender Captainโ€ฆ Itโ€™s a GOLDEN RULE, even if he has a double games week or is a potent goal scorer like Gary โ€œThe Docโ€ Doherty, you never make him a captainโ€ฆ
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    But good luck with itโ€ฆ

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    Mute Fionn
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    Aug 16th 2013, 9:26 PM

    Goalkeeper: Gordon banks

    Defenders: cafu. Maldini. Roberto Carlos. Beckenbauer

    Midfield: Ronaldo. Ronaldinho. Kaka. Zico

    Strikers Messi. Pele. Real Ronaldo. Maradona And Fionn Dillon Kelly
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    What do you think???

    13
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    Mute Declan Mccarthy
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    Aug 16th 2013, 5:52 PM

    It is not as simple as Rvp is worth two Ricky van Wolfswinkel. you still need another two forwards. Having Rvp means something like Rvp or Anelka over Soldado and Negredo/Benteke/Sturridge. I know which one i prefer. The second one is cheaper too

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    Benteke, Soldado, Lukaku

    9
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    Mute Gavin Ahern
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    Aug 16th 2013, 7:13 PM

    Foster
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    7
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    Mute Owen Slattery
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    Aug 16th 2013, 8:39 PM

    Mata isnโ€™t fully fit, despite being left out of the Spain squad, I doubt he will play both games in the double gameweek, Hazard is probably a better option.

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    Mute Paul Morrissey
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    Aug 16th 2013, 5:16 PM

    Cech(V)
    Baines, Jagielka, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto
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    Vorn, Rodallega, Diame, Oโ€™Shea

    6
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    Mute SlyLad
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    Aug 16th 2013, 3:33 PM

    Alvaro Negredo I think.

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    Mute SlyLad
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    Aug 16th 2013, 3:35 PM

    My team:

    Vorm azoplicueta kompany agger dembele kagawa coutinho Michu
    Rvp dzeko bony

    8
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    Mute Rory MacClancy
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    Aug 16th 2013, 5:04 PM

    Boruc
    Baker, Martin, Baines,
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    5
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    Mute Colin Byrne
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    Aug 16th 2013, 5:45 PM

    Mignolet; Riether, Coleman, Zabaleta; Coutinho (v), Downing, Snodgrass, Hazard (c); Anelka, Sturridge, RvP.

    5
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    Mute Adam Everard
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    Aug 16th 2013, 4:52 PM

    thatโ€™s a brutal team.
    cech
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    dzeko giroud.

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    Mute Allan O'Connor
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    Aug 16th 2013, 10:16 PM

    Mignolet Zabaleta Mertesacker Ivanovic(V) Azpillicuta Fellaini Hazard(C) Coutinho Anelka Aspas & RVP(natch).

    2
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    Mute Kevin Buston
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    Aug 16th 2013, 11:41 PM

    Gk mignolet

    Ivanovic vidic whittaker zabletta

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    Rvp Capt podolski

    Subs boruc baker shelvey anelka

    2
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    Mute Giller
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    Aug 17th 2013, 12:45 AM

    Here goes.

    Marshall (GKP)
    Baines (DEF)
    Ivanovic (DEF)
    Zabaleta (DEF)
    Shelvey (MID)
    Mata (MID)
    Coutinho (MID) vc
    Santi Cazorla (MID)
    Ba (FWD) cpt
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    Subs
    Boruc (GKP)
    Figueroa (DEF)
    Kim (MID)
    Diakitรฉ (DEF)

    2
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    Mute Anto Golden
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    Aug 16th 2013, 6:20 PM

    Lloris

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    Dzeko Benteke (V) Bony

    Given Mertszacker Cabaye Snodgrass

    2
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    Mute Robert O'Sullivan
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    Aug 17th 2013, 12:55 AM

    Mignolet

    Williams. Kompany Baines

    Santi Cazorla,Gerrard,Cabaye,Hazard,

    V.Wonswinkel, Benteke, Berbatov

    2
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    Mute David O'Sullivan
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    Aug 16th 2013, 5:44 PM

    Mannone.
    Ivanovic, Riether, Evans.
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    Mute Stef Ruddell
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    Aug 16th 2013, 8:55 PM

    Begovic

    Baines Williams Luis Lugano

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    Vydra (C)Van Persie Lukaku

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    Mute Aaron Dillonโ„ข
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    Aug 16th 2013, 10:55 PM

    Starting 11:
    Lloris
    Vidic G.Johnson Luiz
    Nolan Walcott Essien Yaya Toure
    Lambert Rooney Podolski

    Subs : Davis Redmond Shaw Garrido

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    Mute Fionn
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    Aug 16th 2013, 10:59 PM

    Nice team lad

    2
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