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Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 3 July 2008

Loyal fan Geoffrey Gilbert

Fond memories of ‘effervescent’ Gunner

ONE of Arsenal’s oldest supporters spoke of his sadness this week after finding out that former striker Derek Tapscott had passed away.
Having followed the club for almost 70 years, Geoffrey Gilbert, who lives in St John’s Wood, has seen his fair share of players come and go at Arsenal. But the 76-year-old said he’d never forget the “effervescent character” that Tapscott brought to the game.
“He was a wonderful player. He was very small, very quick and a fantastic finisher. I remember when he joined the club he hit the ground running. The fans took to him straight away because he was a real live wire, the type that covered every blade of grass during a game.”
Tapscott passed away on June 12, just weeks before his 76th birthday. Affectionately known as Tappy, the Welsh international joined Arsenal from Barry Town in a deal worth just £2,000. He went on to score 68 goals in 132 appearances before being sold to Cardiff City.
Tapscott’s initial wages were £11 a game in the winter, and £9 in the summer, with a bonus £2 for a win and £1 for a draw. There was also a £10 signing-on fee.
Singing his name from the terraces, Gilbert, a former administration officer for Middlesex County Cricket Club, believes that Arsenal allowed their star striker to leave the club too early.
“He was a great goalscorer in a poor Arsenal team. Arsenal shouldn’t have sold him. I can remember watching him against Manchester United back in 1958. Although Arsenal lost 5-4, he had an outstanding game and scored a cracking goal. Of course what we didn’t know then is that it was to prove the end of the era for United. It was the last time that the Busby Babes were ever to play on English soil.
“It was also one of the last times that Tappy played for the first team.” he added.

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