
Arthur Lightening was the fans’ hero, a brash, arrogant South African who could lighten up a dull Saturday afternoon with his spectacular goalkeeping. Flash, his nickname amongst City fans was perfect, flash by name and flash by nature.
In 1956 he got the chance to come to England and play for Nottingham Forest but in two years at the City Ground he played only six first team games. In 1958 City’s manager Billy Frith spotted Arthur and his Forest team mate, Ron Farmer, playing for Forest’s reserves at St Andrews. Frith signed them both to bolster City’s Fourth division promotion challenge and they would play a major part in the club’s progress over the next few years.
City lost only five of the 25 games after Lightening made his debut and deservedly won promotion to Division Three. The following season he was an ever-present in the side as City finished a creditable 5th in the higher league. He proved to be one of the most popular players at Highfield Road and such was his brilliance that comparisons were even made with the great Reg Matthews.
Between December 1958 and August 1962 he was a virtual ever-present, making 160 first team appearances. In August 1962 new manager Jimmy Hill decided he did not want Arthur and accepted a bid of £11,000 from Second Division Middlesbrough.
In May 1963, Middlesbrough gave him permission to attend a family wedding in South Africa, he sailed off and never returned. "I though it strange that he only booked a single ticket," the travel agent later told an investigating reporter. He played only 15 games for Boro.
Back in South Africa he did play for Durban United until about 1969 and lived in the Glenwood area of Durban. He was closely involved with Stella F.C., and did some coaching for them.
Later in life Arthur was not a well man and suffered from diabetes for a number of years and also had several toes amputated after a boating accident. He died in 2001, aged 64.
Penalties faced (20 - 1 saved)
1958-59
24 January 1959 v Watford A, missed
7 March 1959 v Northampton Town A, scored
4 April 1959 v Port Vale A, scored
20 April 1959 v Millwall A, scored
1959-60
5 September 1959 v Swindon Town H, scored
24 October 1959 v Southampton A, scored x2
26 October 1959 v Southend United H, missed, hit post
18 November 1959 v Southampton A, scored
18 January 1960 v Fulham H, scored
20 February 1960 v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A, scored
4 April 1960 v Mansfield Town A, scored
1960-61
3 September 1960 v Colchester United A, scored
12 September 1960 v Queens Park Rangers A, scored
2 November 1960 v Portsmouth A, missed
5 November 1960 v Worcester City A, scored
27 December 1960 v Notts County A, scored
1961-62
17 November 1961 v Crystal Palace H, scored
23 December 1961 v Newport County A, missed - hit post
10 April 1962 v Grimsby Town A, saved
Own goals (2)
1959-60
30 April 1960 v Reading H
1961-62
14 October 1961 v Lincoln City A































































































































































































































































































































































