The bridges, which before today were known as the ‘North Bridge’ and ‘South Bridge’, have been renamed to mark the two men’s huge contribution to Arsenal Football Club.
Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood today unveiled commemorative plaques on the two bridges during a ceremony at Emirates Stadium, which was attended by the Arsenal Board of Directors, Arsène Wenger and many Club employees.
Today’s ceremony was overshadowed with the death of Danny Fiszman, who passed away on Wednesday, following a long battle with illness. Danny was 66.
Danny, who joined the Board of Directors in 1992, was a much loved and respected figure at the Club and will be deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues at Arsenal.
The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are Danny’s family and friends at the difficult time.
It was Danny’s instruction to continue with the event and therefore the Club honoured its dear friend’s wish.
As well as serving on the Arsenal Board of Directors for a combined total of more than 55 years, Friar and Fiszman led the project team in the Club’s successful move from Highbury to the new stadium.
The pair were the driving force behind delivering the Club’s new stadium on time and within budget in July 2006, during a project which took many years of hard work and dedication.
Peter Hill-Wood said: “These two men have had a huge impact on Arsenal Football Club. This is a small way of recognising their efforts and ensuring their passion and commitment to this great football club will be remembered through time.”
The North Bridge, which joins Emirates Stadium to Drayton Park, close to Arsenal tube station, has been renamed ‘The Ken Friar Bridge’ in tribute to Club Director Ken Friar OBE.
Ken Friar (76), has worked for Arsenal since 1950. Starting his Arsenal career working in the Matchday Ticket Office, ‘Mr Friar’ as he is affectionately known by all Club employees, became Club Secretary in 1973. Ten years later, he was promoted to Managing Director, a position he held until 2000, when he took on the role as co-ordinator of the stadium move.
The South Bridge, which contains the iconic giant ‘ARSENAL’ letters at one end, has been renamed ‘The Danny Fiszman Bridge’ in tribute to Club Director Danny Fiszman.
Life-long Arsenal fan Fiszman , a highly successful businessman, was a leading influence at the Club since joining the Board of Directors in 1992.
The renaming of the bridges at Emirates Stadium is another development in the Club’s drive to celebrate its rich history. This has included illustrating key players and events on walls and displays designed to turn Emirates Stadium into a visible stronghold of all things Arsenal.
These initiatives in and around Emirates Stadium include: 32 giant illustrations of Arsenal Legends on the outside of the stadium; the renaming of the stands to re-introduce the ‘North Bank’ and ‘Clock End’; the original ‘Clock End clock’ being installed outside the stadium; the creation of the WM Club; a clock once again being installed inside the stadium; two cannons located outside the Armoury Store; The ‘Spirit of Highbury’ image outside the stadium; and both upper and lower concourses being decorated with artwork depicting great Arsenal moments.