Pat Rice

Full name:
Patrick James Rice

Born:
Belfast, Northern Ireland, 17 March 1949

Position:
Right-back

Height/weight:
5 ft. 8¼ in./12 st. 3 lb.

Joined Arsenal:
December 1964

Clubs:
Arsenal (1964–81)
Watford

First Arsenal appearance:
League Cup vs Burnley, 5 December 1967 (2–1)

Last Arsenal appearance:
League (sub) vs Liverpool, 25 October 1980 (1–1)

International matches:
49 caps for Northern Ireland

International debut:
10 September 1968 against Israel (3–2)

	League		FA Cup		FL Cup		Ch.Shld		Europe		Total
Season	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls
1967–68	2+4	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	3+4	-
1968–69	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1969–70	7	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	9	1
1970–71	41	-	9	-	5	-	-	-	8	-	63	-
1971–72	42	1	9	1	4	-	-	-	6	-	61	2
1972–73	39	2	7	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	50	2
1973–74	41	1	3	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	45	1
1974–75	32	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	-
1975–76	42	1	1	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	45	1
1976–77	42	3	3	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	51	3
1977–78	38	2	6	-	7	-	-	-	-	-	51	2
1978–79	39	1	11	-	1	-	-	-	6	-	57	1
1979–80	26	-	10	-	4	-	1	-	5+1	-	46+1	-
1980–81	0+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0+2	-
Total	391+6	12	67	1	36	-	1	-	26+1	-	521+7	13

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My comments

From the 1971 FA Cup Final programme:

Irish international defender for whom Wembley today is the climax of the finest season of his young career. Though born in Belfast, he grew up living close to Arsenal Stadium. Signed as an apprentice in December 1964, professional since March 1966. Fifteen first-team appearances before this season.

Your comments

Adrian Tan wrote:

Rice was clearly steadfast in Arsenal's defense, and perhaps one of the best Captains Arsenal ever had. Lifted the FA Cup for Arsenal in 1979. Rice's leadership quality was second to none. You can literally hear his voice through the crowd, shouting inspiration and instructions to his players. Worked extremely well with Sammy Nelson.