Sir Arthur South was one of Norwich's most dedicated public servants
and the man who helped rescue the city's football club from financial
ruin. He died on January 28th 2003 aged 89.
Born in Norwich in 1914, he attended the City of Norwich School
and first came to prominence in politics in 1935 when, aged 21,
he became Britain's youngest councillor, representing the then
Catton ward. He went on to become Labour leader of the council,
holding the position for 18 years.
War interrupted Sir Arthur's municipal service, and after joining
the RAF in 1940 he was seconded to the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
After returning to the council in 1946, he made housing his special
interest. By 1956 he had notched up another first when he became
the youngest Lord Mayor in the history of Norwich. And it was
during his term as mayor that he championed a successful £25,000
public appeal on behalf of the Canaries to save the then Division
Three South side from financial ruin.
He also served the city as Sheriff in 1953-54. Knighted in 1974
and made a Freeman of Norwich in 1977, his contribution to the
city ranged from campaigning for a better health service and roads
to the founding of the University of East Anglia. Among his many
and varied roles, he was also chairman of the East Anglian Regional
Health Authority and a member of the UEA council from 1964 to
1980.
His involvement with Norwich City began in 1966 when he was
made a director and it was when Geoffrey Watling stood down as
chairman that Sir Arthur succeeded him on August 30, 1973.
He served as chairman throughout John
Bond's managerial term and also that of Ken
Brown, but boardrooom unrest connected with the building of
a new City Stand in the autumn of 1985 led to the resignation
of the entire board and Sir Arthur was replaced by the controversial
figure of Robert Chase.
Mr Brown said he was deeply saddened at the death of the man
who gave him his first managerial job. He remembered him coming
into the dressing room after matches and sitting beside his favourite
player - striker Mike Channon. "I
had some lovely experiences with him and he was the best chairman
I ever worked for.. We have been talking recently about legends
and he was a legend as far as Norwich City is concerned."
John Bond, who managed the Canaries from 1973 to 1980, said Sir
Arthur was forthright and could be ruthless, but remembered him
with fondness. "I got on absolutely famous with him and
I always said that if I never had a father of my own, I would
have wanted it to have been him. I loved him - he was as straight
as a die. If he thought I was doing things wrong, he would tell
me. He never held grudges and he was a top man to work for. To
this day I can't believe I ever left him, really. He was a good
man and such a good person to be with."
Quotes taken from the Pink
Un website