Andrew Linighan: Meet Arsenal FA Cup Hero Now Working as Plumber

• Andrew Linighan spent seven years with Arsenal between 1990 and 1997
• The greatest highlight of the ex-defender's career at the club was in 1993
• He retired in 2002 after stints with QPR, Oxford United, and St Albans City

Andrew Linighan was part of the Arsenal squad that made history in 1993 when the Gunners became the first English team to win the Cup double.

At the time, the north Londoners endured a bit of a mixed-bag campaign, offering contrasting fortunes across competitions.

The George Graham-tutored side finished 10th in the league at the time, averaging just one goal per game through the season.

However, despite the league struggles, the English giants enjoyed significant success in cup competitions, winning both the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Arsenal lifted the League Cup after beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the final before winning by a similar scoreline in the FA Cup final against Sheffield Wednesday.

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However, their FA Cup triumph could not have come to the fore were it not for one man - Andrew Linighan.

According to Daily Star, Linighan scored a last-minute winner in the FA Cup to deliver the title to the Gunners.

The publication reports that the former defender played the better part of the game with a broken nose but still managed to see out the remainder of the encounter.

Linighan rose high to head home a Paul Merson corner to help his side seal a memorable win.

But who is Andrew Linighan?

The former England international started his playing career with Smith's Dock in 1979 before he made his senior debut for Hartlepool United a year later.

Linighan went on to play for the likes of Leeds United, Oldham Athletic, and Norwich City before sealing a dream move to Arsenal in 1990.

The 61-year-old spent seven years with the Gunners, leaving for Crystal Palace in 1997 after he fell further down the pecking order under Arsene Wenger.

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After stints with Queen's Park Rangers, Oxford United, and St Albans City, Linighan called time on his football career in 2002.

While many footballers opt for careers within the game, Linighan opted for a rather bizarre direction when he hung his boots.

The former defender set up a plumbing business instead, a trade he learned as a teenager before he made it as a footballer.

So proud Linighan was with this career direction that he coined the motto "average footballer, excellent plumber."

It was initially rumoured that he had this tagline on his van, a rumour that he has since quashed.

"I bumped into Ray Parlour at the last game at Highbury [in 2006]," Linighan divulged to The Sun.

"I think I made a joke or something about this van and sign and the next thing talkSPORT are calling to ask if it’s true," he added.

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Arsenal set unwanted record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Arsenal have set an unwanted record following their FA Cup defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Gunners have endured a frustrating run of form and results recently that has seen them go four matches without a victory.