Bob Wilson enjoyed an 11-year playing career at Arsenal after becoming the first amateur player in footballing history to command a transfer fee when he moved to Arsenal from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £7500.
A goalkeeper by trade, Bob was a highly-rated yet raw talent when he first debuted between the sticks for The Gunners. It took him four years to prize the number one shirt off of Jim Furnell. But when he did he seized the opportunity with both hands. That chance came midway through the 1967-68 season when he displaced Furnell after an FA Cup mistake.
Bob stayed in the side throughout the 1968-69 season, proving himself to be a key player. He helped the side to the 1969 League Cup Final before losing to Swindon Town. In the 1969-70 season, Bob recovered from an arm break to help take Arsenal to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup - setting the scene for a period of immense success for the club.
Bob was a crucial component of the double winning Arsenal side of 1971, playing every single game as they won the League Football Cup and FA Cup double over rivals Liverpool. He was recognised as the Player of the Year. The same year, Bob would make his debut for Scotland after a change of rules allowed him to play for his parent's native country.
He would remain an integral part of the Arsenal team until his early retirement at the age of 32. Amazingly he would spend the next 28 years as the Arsenal goalkeeping coach, helping the side to two further doubles in 1997-98 and 2001-02 - cementing his status as an undisputed club legend.
In addition to his achievements as a player and coach, Bob has featured as a TV presenter and pundit on a regular basis, appearing on Match of the Day, Football Focus, The World Cup and Premier League matches across the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, and GMTV.
