George Watkins at his birthday celebration with friends from the Drover Activity Centre

LIFELONG Arsenal supporter and youth coach George Watkins celebrated being 100 years young on Monday.

The retired print worker celebrated in style as more than 50 friends and family gathered to wish him a happy birthday.

His daughter Jenny Watkins, 73, said he was “made up” about turning 100, adding: “It’s something that happens to other people!”

Mr Watkins was particularly chuffed with a video message from former Arsenal player Alan Smith, adding: “Up The Reds!”

“My advice to youngsters, about how to live well,” he said, “would be to have worthwhile interests and hobbies outside of work. That, I feel, has given me a very good quality of life.”

Asked if he had any regrets, he said: “I wish I had been less worried about money at work but if I could change anything I would have taken advice only from people who were better informed and knowledgeable.”

He was born in Rodney Street, King’s Cross, and lived for decades in Fulbeck House; he now lives with his daughter in Haringey.

He put his long life down to a “mixture of luck, family genes and a loving family” before describing some near misses. “I was lucky to escape with my life when I was run over by a lorry at the age of 10, and I was also lucky in the Second World War to accompany an experienced corporal who ordered me to evacuate a farm house in Italy minutes before it was shelled to rubble,” he said.

Katie Skea of Age UK Islington – who popped in to drop off a cake – called him “inspirational” adding: “He is a lovely gent who has many friends among the clients and staff.”

As someone who saw active service driving an armoured car, he saw friends around him die, his daughter said, and felt he wanted to “give back” when he returned home, first coaching a boys’ football club called the Os in Finsbury Park before doing voluntary reading with children as a pensioner.

“I think he valued the chances he’d been given,” said Jenny. “Some children don’t get any chances and I think dad felt that he had. Kids need chances – I think Dad thinks that.”