Already winningfootball cups. David aged eleven scoops the major sporting prizes at Gilesgate New Junior School. The Middlesbrough scouts were already closing in.

Secretary Harry Green fails to suppress a devilish grin as I sign my first professional contract with Middlesbrough in 1972 aged 17. What made him smile was me agreeing to accept £20 a week.

We didn’t get many photographers at Middlesbrough youth matches. But one managed to capture me as a 16-year-old lashing a goal past York City’s goalkeeper.

Middlesbrough’s full squad to include juniors and staff pictured in 1970. The young Armstrong, complete with hair, is in the front row on the right, not yet senior enough to earn a seat.

My mentor and lifestyle guide George Wardle at a Middlesbrough testimonial dinner. I owed so much to George and gave him one of my early England shirts to thank him.

Middlesbrough’s first team squad in the John Neal era. Neal is on the far left and the ‘Boro squad were in Jersey preparing for an FA Cup match.

David Armstrong aged 21 and looking pleased with life. So I should. I was established in the Middlesbrough team and was an England under 23 international.

The family gather at my testimonial at Middlesbrough. Left to right: My brother John, Dad Jack, Jack Charlton, and brothers Joseph and Billy.

Dad Jack, Mam Nora, and sisters Susan and Jeanette at my Middlesbrough testimonial reception. We were a close family then and we still are.

My close friend and later best man, Bobby Kerr should have been marking me as I score for Middlesbrough against Sunderland, my favourite team as I was growing up.

One against one takes on a whole new meaning here. I have somehow managed to evade my marker and every other player on the pitch while scoring this goal for Middlesbrough. Had they all gone home?

Middlesbrough v Arsenal at Highbury. John Hollins is on the ground and Liam Brady and team-mate Irving Nattrass can only admire my skill.

Studying the pre-match menu, or is it one of Jack Charlton’s famous dossiers on our next opponents? Looking suitably unsure alongside myself are (from left) Peter Bickerstaff, Brian Taylor and Malcolm Smith.

Bobby Kerr and myself are pictured with James Bond. That really was his name. Note Bobby’s Newcastle Brown Ale, shaken and not stirred.

Stuart Boam, the backbone of the Middlesbrough defence for years, shares my success in winning the North East player of the year award and wishes it was him.

The perfect penalty. The Sunderland goalkeeper is fooled by my smooth approach and goes the wrong way. Middlesbrough are a goal to the good and Roker Park, where I stood as a child, goes silent.

The three lions. Kevin Keegan, David Armstrong and Alan Ball in jovial mood.

England’s squad of 1980. I’m in the second row on the left, pictured at a get-together at West Lodge, Cockfosters, London.

Lawrie McMenemy, later to sign me for Southampton, presents me with the first North East Football Writers’ Association player of the year award in my home town. What could be better?

Bobby Robson leads an England training session. As usual with Bobby, I’m on the edge. Ray Wilkins, Alan Devonshire, Bryan Robson, Trevor Francis and Ricky Hill listen attentively, hoping he gets their names right. (BOB THOMAS PICTURE)

The England team which faced West Germany at Wembley in October, 1982. Back row (l to r): Shilton, Butcher, Thompson, Mabbutt, Regis, Devonshire. Front: Mariner, Wilkins, Armstrong, Sansom, Hill. (BOB THOMAS PICTURE)

England’s squad go in search of divine help at the foot of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city. It worked for John Barnes. (BOB THOMAS PICTURES)

Peter Shilton, later a Southampton colleague but then playing for Nottingham Forest, is beaten by my header. It hit the bar and I scored from the rebound.

When I retired from playing, I worked in Bournemouth’s football-in-the-community office. Here I’m attending a seminar with Alan Curtis on the left and the former Blackpool and Coventry and Scottish international winger Tommy Hutchison in the centre.

This match was memorable because it was the first televised Match of the Day live on a Friday night. Southampton were playing Blackburn in the FA Cup. Here I’m scoring past sprawling ex-Saints goalkeeper Terry Gennoe. Glenn Keeley and Danny Wallace watch.

Ipswich were always a strong side in my time, credit to Bobby Robson. Left to right: Paul Cooper, Keegan, Stuart McCall, Mick Mills, Terry Butcher and Roger Osborne.

England v Denmark in Copenhagen, 22 September 1982. From the left in the England dug-out are Tony Woodcock, myself, Alvin Martin, Ricky Hill, Ray Clemence, Don Howe, Bobby Robson and Fred Street, our physio. I didn’t get any action, again. (BOB THOMAS PIX)

Always proud to represent my country. This picture is dear to me because it was taken at what I consider to be the peak of my career.

Beating Manchester United was always special. This is my last-minute winner at the Dell. Paddy Roche is the goalkeeper and Gordon McQueen (6) is in the wrong place.

I say this was a diving headed goal against Arsenal. Or was it just a strong wind that day?

Rising to the occasion. Manchester United defenders Kevin Moran and Gordon McQueen (in the wrong place again) fail to stop me scoring with a header. Look how high I jumped.

Give me the ball. One of us is a Southampton all-time great. The other is Matt Le Tissier.

In my later role as charity dinner organiser. This one was the Wessex Cancer Trust’s inaugural dinner. Some of the famous names (left to right) are Matt Le Tissier, Kevin Keegan, author Leslie Thomas and Tim Flowers. In the second row on the right is ex-referee Neil Midgeley.

With the family: David in the summer of 2013 with (clockwise from top left) Christian, Justin, Kate, David and Maureen.