Coach Samuel Hemans Arday, commonly known to the Hearts of Oak family as Coach Arday or the ‘Multi System Man’ was an open and honest man who deserves recognition for his services to the club and the game of football.
He was the natural choice to become the Hearts manager between 1988 and 1991 and did this to the pinnacle of a hugely successful coaching career.
The Hearts of Oak family admits that it was a sad and dark day after hearing the bad news of his passing. We were deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Coach Arday’s passing since we were in constant touch with him and never ever imagined this sad event could occur anytime soon.
We shared an unbreakable bond since we first met and that continued till his untimely death. We went on an incredible journey together and it will stay with us forever.
His deep and true love for the Rainbow Club never died and would never die. Anytime his team (WAFA) defeated Hearts of Oak he would display his open happiness for a good orchestration by his team but felt calm and worried inwardly because his beloved Hearts of Oak had lost and would always make a gently but appealing comment like, “Is this my Hearts of Oak” which clearly depicted his true Phobia feelings.
He took our beloved Accra Hearts of Oak team from the depths not winning the Premiership trophy after 1985 to unchartered territory and into Africa.
Hearts of Oak once again become a leading Ghanaian club because of his managerial wisdom and genius. This is a sad and dark day for the club. We will cherish Coach Arday and drown our sorrows in the many brilliant memories he gave us as guiding principles both in and out of the game.
Coach Arday will be best remembered for his spell in charge of our dear club from 1989 to 1991. He was our head coach between that eventful period, helping the club to win the double (Premier League and FA Cup titles).
Samuel Hemans Arday led Hearts of Oak into the Champions League (Africa Clubs Cup) Competition but unfortunately the team was eliminated at the quarter final stage by Tunisian side Club Africaine on penalties.
Coach Arday produced some of the best players Hearts of Oak and Ghana has ever had in the history of our game. Wonder boy Shamo Quaye, Ablade Kuma the Sabato, Joe Addo the Governor, Emmanuel Armah (I seal the way, Senegal), Ezekiel Alamu amongst others.
In the 1989/90 Ghana Premier League decider, Coach Ardey led his famous Hearts of Oak team beaming with confidence and displaying their multi system tactics on the day at the Kumasi Sports Stadium to demolish arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko with brilliant goals from Shame Quaye and Anthony Tieko.
Parading a squad of Abass Ceaser, Anyetei Sowah, Eben Dugbatey, Thomas Quaye, Emmanuel Armah, Ablade Kuma, Yaw Preko, Shamo Quaye, Sam Johnson, Anthony Tieko and Mohammed Ahmed Polo, Ardey’s team mesmerised and demolished their opponents who were only looking for a draw to win the League and succeeded in smashing their egos to hand Phobia another bragging right by winning the title that season.
His midfield made up of Ezekiel Alamu, Shamo Quaye, Ablade Kuma and Mohammed Polo was and would continue to be one of the best the team has ever produced.
The great humble son of the Oak tree was well remembered by his players anytime the going got tough for his team he would should out to Papa Shamo, Ablade Kuma and Ezekiel Alamu with the following instructions in Ga which read, ‘Nyo Fia Nyo Nio Ekoo’, literally meaning Do Your Own Thing Again. From this moment, the midfield trio would shift to top gears and that was how his team won several games including that famous one against Kotoko in Kumasi which won us the League title.
The 71 year old Police Superintendent brought great joy and sweetness to the Hearts of Oak family. He was approachable, open and honest. If he could help you in any way, he always would. Wewere really shocked by this terrible news andour deepest condolences goes to his family.
There are so many people who will miss you. Your life touched so many people, who became your friends along the way. We, including them want you to know we love you, too. And are filled with sadness and grief. No one really wants to say goodbye, so we will just wish you eternal peace.
Phooooobia, Coach Arday, Rest In Perfect Peace.