Remembering Danny Fiszman 1945-2011

We at YouAreMyArsenal.com join Arsenal, fans, playes and management in expressing our sadness at the passing of Director Danny Fiszman. It was widely known that Danny was seriously ill suffering from cancer and that a down turn in his health had been the impetus in Stan Kroenke purchasing his remaining 16% if Arsenal shares.

Danny was and is remembered first and foremost as an Arsenal supporter. He was born in Willesden North London. He made his fortune through his own Star Diamonds Group which specialized in selling rough Diamonds. He sold his company in order to drive the development of the Emirates stadium.

Fiszman got involved with Arsenal in 1999 by purchasing about 8% of Arsenal shares from David Dein. Through the years Danny increased his stake in the club topping off at 25% by 2007.  Danny will always be remembered as the driving force behind the club’s move from Highbury to the Emirates stadium it was his singular focus and fought against Dein’s desire to move the club to the New Wembley. The fact that Emirates was done on time and on budget is a testament to his desire to see the job done right with as minimal impact on the club as possible.

In 2007 Fiszman has decided that Stan Kroenke was a safe enough bet that he sold 699 to Kroenke via his KSE venture. By selling this block, Fiszman lowered his stake and thus removed his ability to veto any major decisions effecting the club. It also raised concern that a director who had so much passion for the club was losing interest. However that was not the case as he stated in this interview with Arsenal.com:

“That certainly is not the case. Above all, I’m a passionate Arsenal supporter and have been all my life. I attend the majority of our home and away matches and my love for the Club has always been and will continue to be a matter of the heart. I am present at all Board meetings and very much enjoy my involvement in the Club”.

“During the planning and construction of Emirates Stadium, I devoted a significant amount of time to the Club and am extremely proud of our achievements in producing a world-class stadium on time and within budget. Although the stadium has now been successfully completed, a great deal of my time is still devoted to the Club and that’s how I intend to continue for the foreseeable future.”

He was devoted to the club and to its fans. It says alot about how much he felt about the club that his last act – as best we can tell – was to sell his remaining shares to someone who had the best interests of the club at heart. It’s clear that had Danny not been riddled with his condition he would still be somehow involved in the club. It was only due to poor health and eventual death that he decided to relinquish that involvement.

Danny deserves to be remembered in the pantheon of great names of Arsenal. People who above all loved this great club. I hope that Gunners know what we have lost in Danny. He shall never be forgot for his vision or his love of Arsenal.

Peter Hill-Wood’s statement on the passing of Danny Fiszman:

“Danny Fiszman was a visionary Director, a gentleman and a true Arsenal fan.

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Danny. His voice, wisdom and presence around the football club he so dearly loved will be sorely missed.

“Arsenal Football Club will forever be indebted to Danny for his invaluable foresight and contribution during the move from Highbury to our new stadium.

“Our thoughts at this time are with Danny’s wife Sally, family and friends. We have lost a much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend.”