It’s with shock and immense sadness we have learnt of the death of Geoff Bedingfield.
A founder member of AISA in 2000, he has been its only Treasurer, and in that time helped to shape the Association’s purpose, supported good causes, and challenged the club to do better by its fans.
Well-respected, much valued, kind and caring, he will be greatly missed by us all.
A TRIBUTE
Geoff was born on 21st Sept 1958 at the City of London Maternity Hospital Islington and spent his whole life living near Highbury/The Emirates.
He supported the team throughout his life and was an “Arsenal Man” through and through, long time season ticket holder at both grounds, and had travelled extensively (especially in Europe) following his beloved team with his group of pals.
His fondest football memory was from April 1970 when, as a young lad, he was at Highbury to see our 3-0 win in the Fairs Cup final against Anderlecht, when we turned round a 3-1 away leg defeat to lift the trophy.
Geoff was a founder member of AISA and indeed, its only Treasurer, up to his date of passing on 14th Oct 2023 due to a heart attack. An obvious choice, as a Chartered Accountant by profession & a partner with several practices. He was highly intelligent and analytical but would always give advice and a lending hand freely, to his friends and associates. In later years and amongst many such “good duties”, he became a School Governor to help his old primary school in Holloway.
He was also a talented musician and played several instruments incl the guitar, clarinet, piano and saxophone and in his earlier years, played in many local bands.
Always proud of his British/Maltese heritage, Geoffrey came from one of the few families that can trace their ancestry back to William the Conqueror in 1066.
Geoff was loved and respected by so many and will be sorely missed by all though especially, his family and friends.
Tony Ward, November 2023
I am so sad to hear this news. As a committee member and former chair , I worked with Geoff or many years and always found him to be fierce champion of supporter’s rights.
We shared a love of Arsenal, North London, and The Clash, and while in recent times he had been afflicted with very poor health, he always performed his Treasurer’s duties professionally and efficiently.
He is going to be very much missed.
RIP Geoff,
Drew