Arthur Graham

Arthur Graham (born 26 October 1952) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a left winger for Aberdeen, Leeds United, Manchester United, Bradford City and the Scotland national team.

Club career Graham was raised in the Castlemilk district of Glasgow. One of 11 siblings, he attended St Margaret Mary's Secondary School and supported Celtic as a child.

After a short spell in the Junior grade with Cambuslang Rangers (which had quickly escalated from a casual kickaround with workmates at the nearby steel works), in early 1970 he was signed by Aberdeen whose scout Bobby Calder offered generous terms to persuade him to move north with Celtic also showing interest. He played in five league matches during his first season with the club, and despite his inexperience, he was given a place in the starting line-up for the 1970 Scottish Cup Final by manager Eddie Turnbull. Aberdeen defeated Celtic 3–1 with 17-year-old Graham making two assists via left-wing crosses. He played a total of 298 matches for The Dons, scoring 45 goals.

However, Leeds were relegated to the Second Division in the 1981–82 season and failed to regain their status in the top flight in 1982–83. Graham was subsequently sold to Manchester United for £45,000 in August 1983. Graham's international career seemed to be over prematurely when he was one of a group of squad players (including Billy Bremner and Joe Harper) 'banned for life' after an incident in Copenhagen in 1975. He was later reprieved, and won a total of 11 full international caps for Scotland while playing for Leeds, making his debut against East Germany in 1977. He scored twice at international level, against Argentina and Northern Ireland – both in 1979.

Personal life and post-playing activities Graham has five children: Angela, Lucy, Daniel, James and Helen Graham. He cited Jimmy Johnstone as his favourite player and Aberdeen as one of his favourite teams. He said Danny McGrain was his most difficult opponent. He said that beating Celtic in the 1970 Scottish Cup Final was his most memorable moment and cited being banned by Scotland as his biggest disappointment. He cited his schoolteacher, Eddie Turnbull, Teddy Scott, Jimmy Bonthrone and Ally MacLeod as having the biggest influences on his career. He enjoys golf, television and pop music and said that he disliked waiting for various things. He said Top of the Pops was his favourite television show and said the Beatles and Elton John are his favourite musicians. He said that if he was not a football player, he would have just stayed a football fan.

Graham has spent time coaching youngsters at the Leeds United Academy and at football schools in the Wetherby area where he settled

In popular culture Graham is frequently mentioned in the letters page of the comic Viz. In every edition, there will be a recommendation from a 'reader' that Graham is the only man to be considered for a range of positions. Graham has been recommended for a host of unlikely positions, such as taking over from Jeremy Clarkson as host of Top Gear, mediating peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, taking the editor's position at the London Evening Standard ahead of George Osborne, and presenting The Great British Bake Off.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Graham goal

Honours Aberdeen Scottish Cup: 1969–70 Scottish League Cup: 1976–77

Manchester United FA Charity Shield: 1983