One particular former Arsenal ace surprises fans by signing for the new Gunners non league breakaway club Dial Square FC.
The team, who play in the Guildford & Woking Alliance League, have achieved another milestone by bringing in a club favourite to turn out for them.
47-year-old midfielder Ian Selley, who made 42 appearances for the Gunners in a five-year spell from 1992, and one of them came under Arsene Wenger.
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CLUB STATEMENT:
It gives us the greatest pleasure here at Dial Square FC to be able to announce the signing of Ex-Arsenal midfielder, Ian Selley.
Starting off as an academy product in 1990 at the age of 16, Ian got his senior call up just two years later. Making a total of 42 appearances across a 5 year span. His professional aspirations were cut short by a number of serious injuries. During his time with the Gunners, Ian made 3 appearances for the England U-21’s, winning a bronze medal at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1993. He made his first team debut for The Gunners in a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at the age of 18.
Selley’s most notable appearance for The Gunners was in the 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final victory over Parma. He scored two goals for Arsenal, both in the Cup Winners’ Cup. The 1st coming against Standard Liege in 93-94 & his second against Brondby, the next.
In February 1995, Selley suffered from a leg break which forced him out for most of the 96-97 season and was sold for £500,000 to Fulham. He ended his playing career in the summer of 2012 and has since been a former academy Head-Coach at Arsenals Dubai centre, with him now heading his own performance academy ‘Ian Selley Pro Performance Academy’.
We can’t wait to start working with Ian Selley, who is also heading the role of ‘Honorary Club President’, helping to take the club to the next level.
Club Chairman Stuart Morgan stated “This is a great signing for Dial Square Football Club. Ian has totally embraced the project and what we are trying to do. His ability is still their for all to see. I personally can’t wait to see him in the club colours and I would like to thank Simon Martin for his hard work in getting Ian on board”
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Selley made his debut for Dial Square on the 25th of September to help them to a thrilling derby victory over Chertsey Old Salesians, winning 6-4.
The ex-Arsenal star proved throughout the 90 minutes, why he had played at the highest level in football, making some impressive assists.
IAN SELLEY’S CAREER:
Youth career
1990–1992 – Arsenal
Senior career
1992–1997 – Arsenal – 59 games all comps, 42 league games (1 goal)
1996–1997 → Southend United (loan) – 4 games (0 goals)
1997–2000 – Fulham – 3 games (0 goals)
2000–2003 – Wimbledon – 4 games (0 goals)
2002 → Southend United (loan) – 14 games (0 goals)
2002 → Southend United (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2003–2007 – Woking – 97 games (19 goals)
2007 – Lewes
2007–2008 – Grays Athletic – 4 games (0 goals)
2008 – Maidstone United
2008–2009 – Croydon Athletic
2009–2010 – Dorchester Town – 15 games (1 goal)
2010–2011 – Havant & Waterlooville
2011–2012 – Kingstonian
2011–2012 → Chertsey Town (loan)
2012 → Whyteleafe (loan)
National team
1994 – England U21 – 3 games (0 goals)
🗞 MATCH REPORT 🗞@Ian_Selley shines on his Dial Square debut ⭐️
🖥 https://t.co/5w3AKcyxIj ⚽️#DialSquareReborn @Love_non_league @AFSCLondon @GoonerFanzine @SemiProFooty @NonLeagueCrowd @thecoldend @TonyIncenzo @NonLeaguePaper @TheGunnersPub pic.twitter.com/mEKXPpMeGQ
— Dial Square F.C (@DialSquareFC1) September 26, 2021
Fans reacted as the former Arsenal ace surprises by signing for the new Gunners non league breakaway club…
Tony Lee: 47 years old, looks 37 and is probably better than most 27’s. Fantastic signing.
Dave Nathan: Great signing, an old school maestro who can ping a ball onto a sixpence Up the Dial
Eddie Mckinlay: Something for me that playing alongside guy I used to watch every week growing up!!! Can’t wait to get back
Andrew McFarlane: Hope he can achieve more medals
Daniel Eicke: What a signing 🔥🔥
Brian Sheldon: Great signing be great to watch Ian again
Paul Nevin: Good luck mate. I’ll run the ice bath now.
Paul Mummery: Great stuff. One of us 😀
Nic Donaldson: Buzzin’ mate 🙏🏽❤️ ⚽️ And you got into that warm up top alright 😂
Oh my. If Merse signed I’d be at your ground weekly just to view a legend. Same with wrighty
— Stuart Webb (@s_webb83) September 23, 2021
@lomekian: Such a shame about his injuries. Was an underrated player, and with better luck might have had some Arsene time
@Eddiemc10: Excellent
@DaveNathan15: Great signing, an old school maestro who can ping a ball onto a sixpence
@Anthony61071838: Good man Ian Selley
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