Former Arsenal winger dies aged 80

A former Arsenal winger has died [Courtesy]

Former Arsenal winger Alan Skirton has died at the age of 80.

Skirton, who was Arsenal’s first ever substitute, earned the nickname “Highbury Express” due to his sheer strength and pace.

He scored 53 goals in 153 appearances for the Gunners.

Alan Skirton [Courtesy]

He was Arsenal's top scorer in the 1961/62 season, bagging 19 goals in 38 appearances.

He will remain in history as the player to score Arsenal’s first goal at the Highbury Stadium in a competitive European fixture.

After he retired from the sport, he went to work as a commercial manager in Weymouth, Yeovil Town and Bath.

He was Arsenal's top scorer in the 1961/62 season [Courtesy]

 "He was a huge personality who touched so many, and he will be sorely missed by his wife Jane, sons Andrew, Paul and Simon, and daughter Debbie. He meant so much to his brothers Mick, Colin and Gordon and their families, his grandchildren and their families, and his great-grandchild Tobias, who was recently welcomed into the Skirton family. Alan will be remembered as a true gentleman and we will all miss him. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly for those wishing to pay their respects," a club statement read.

Yeovil also paid tribute to the Arsenal legend:

"On top of masterminding the revolution at YTFC which saw millions of pounds raised during his time in command, Alan became the voice of matchday for Town fans and an integral part of things at the club. In charge of the tannoy at the old Huish the much-loved staff member was part of the move to the new ground in his second decade at the club before retiring in 2002. Still working on a consultancy basis afterward, Alan was still a regular on matchdays and was in the stands as the green and whites ended a 108-year wait to enter the Football League in 2003. Staying in close contact with many figures at Huish Park, the thoughts of everyone at Yeovil Town Football Club are with Alan's wife Jane, his son Andrew and all of the Skirton family," wrote Yeovil.