Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Whilst put into context the troubles of a football club obviously pale into insignificance compared to the other wider effects of World War II, there is no doubt that the war had a devastating effect on Arsenal. Although a fair amount of money had been spent on players, that was nothing compared to the spending on Highbury itself. Home crowds in excess of 40,000 had been needed just to break even.
Because the details rarely appear in print many people assume that football came to a complete halt during the war, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although the actual Football League was suspended after a few games of the 1939/40 season, as was the FA Cup, other (often regionalised due to the obvious difficulties with travel) competitions were held to replace them. Apart from regionalisation there were two main changes. The first affected all teams and regarded players. Although clubs still held their players registrations, the rules were greatly relaxed to allow players to play for other teams. Many players, whether through location or situation, were able to continue playing for their clubs. Many others played as ‘guest’ players for whichever club their postings allowed them to get to (such as Stanley Matthews and others playing for Arsenal). The second was more specific to Arsenal, and involved us playing our home games at White Hart Lane! Highbury was being used as a stronghold for ARP (air raid precautions) and rather than 40 yard passes, the only thing to float over the pitch were barrage balloons. It should be noted that after the war the Arsenal directors presented their counterparts in N17 with a plaque as thanks for their hospitality (although there is probably no truth in the rumour they held an open topped bus parade to celebrate getting a trophy).
During the war we won the ‘league’ three times and the cup once. Surprisingly crowds were very large as football was encouraged by the authorities as being good for morale, a practice mirrored virtually all across Europe. There still exists footage of us drawing the War Cup Final 1-1 against Preston in front of a packed Wembley. Unfortunately the replay was lost 1-2.
The saddest result of the conflict in relation to Arsenal was the loss of the lives of eight members of the playing staff and one of the ground staff (the highest player losses of any club – 42 out of the 44 registered professionals at the start of the war had joined the forces). Those men were: Henry Cook, Bobby Daniel, William Dene, Hugh Gloss, Leslie Lack, William Parr, Sidney Pugh, Herbie Roberts and Cyril Tooze.
Post war the League and FA Cup resumed, and attendances boomed. Although a massive amount of maintenance was required at Highbury due to its war usage, the only major damage was to the roof over the North Bank, which was destroyed by five incendiary bombs on the 16th April 1941. According to Tom Whittakers ‘Arsenal Story’ the goal posts (which had been left in situ) at that end of the ground were also destroyed, which sent George Allison on a difficult search for goal posts so Highbury would be ready for the resumption of football since the specialist manufacturers had been co-opted to war work.
In 1947 George Allison retired. He had virtually single handedly run Arsenal during the war years, rather fitting for a man who had covered virtually every role within the club except player. Having been a local supporter of Woolwich Arsenal as a boy, when he left school and found a job as a cub reporter on a local paper he was only too happy to take on the job of reporting on his team, despite all the transport difficulties he would have to endure. His reports were so well written and insightful that they were soon syndicated, firstly through the London papers and then the nationals. Thus he set upon a career that would win him universal approval as a journalist, broadcasting pioneer, and gentleman. As regards to broadcasting, he commented on the BBCs first ever broadcast football match (Arsenal v Sheffield United, 22/01/1927), and the first ever broadcast of an FA Cup Final a few months later. He proceeded to invent and popularise the concept of identifying the players’ positions by which ‘square’ they were in (the pitch was ‘split’ into eight equal squares for this). In Arsenal terms he became a Director and proved to be the perfect foil for Chapman ‘upstairs’. When Chapman decided he wanted a player, Allison ensured the funds were available at a board level. On assuming the post of Secretary-Manager following the death of Herbert Chapman he had firmly pursued Chapmans’ policy of ‘Only the best for Arsenal’. Whilst not blessed with Chapmans’ football genius he knew (and had learnt) enough to ensure that trophies continued to arrive at Highbury. Keeping everything in house on his retirement, Joe Shaw continued as ‘coach’. He had held the post since Chapmans’ days and indeed was officially responsible for team affairs for the remainder of the season following Chapmans’ death, so had in fact won the League as manager. And the job of Secretary-Manager was added to the title of the Physio.
However, Tom Whittaker was no ordinary physio. He started at Highbury in 1919 as a wing-half and converted to full back. After his career was ended by injury on an FA trip to Australia, he assumed the job of Assistant Trainer to George Hardy, and set about studying everything relevant to the job. By the time Chapman took over in 1925 he was an expert in his field. Chapman was obviously impressed and in 1927 chose to have him replace Hardy, who was found a job at White Hart Lane. Since the 1930’s he had been recognised as the absolute leader in his field. As well as the Arsenal players, his treatment room at Highbury was regularly visited by other top players, alongside leaders in many other sports (such as multi Wimbledon winner Fred Perry), and even royalty and the aristocracy!
He was not unsuccessful as Secretary-Manager either. He won the League in 1948, with Ronnie Rooke scoring 33 goals. Signed from Fulham for £1000 after the war (at the age of 35) he was top scorer in the division, and in his three years at Highbury scored 69 goals in 93 games. Success continued with the FA Cup win of 1950 (beating Liverpool 2-0). The final at Wembley was the longest trip the Arsenal players had to make during the cup run, having been drawn at home in every round and playing two semis at White Hart Lane (beating Chelsea 3-0 in the final).
In 1952 we reached the final again, but this time (against Newcastle United) luck deserted us. In the days before substitutes Wally Barnes injured his knee so badly he wasn’t able to continue. The team had already been weakened by injury before the game but battled heroically against the odds. Then, with 6 minutes left and Captain Joe Mercer shouting at the ref to stop play as two more Arsenal players (Holton and Roper) were down injured Newcastle scored the goal that would win the cup. There was still time for Arsenal to hit the bar, but Newcastle took the cup (although it could be said they used up too much luck in Cup Finals against Arsenal as the haven’t won a domestic trophy since). Joe Mercer was quoted in a speech at the dinner that night as saying ‘I thought footballs greatest honour was to captain England. I was wrong. It was to captain Arsenal today.’
The Arsenal spirit was undoubtedly the key to the era. In 1953 an ageing team was to pip Preston North End to the title. With Preston having completed their programme we had to win our final game of the season at home to Burnley (who would finish 6th). Despite going a goal down early on we won the game 3-2, although it was a tense finish. With 15 minutes to go Burnley scored their second and proceeded to lay siege to our goal, where only some fine goalkeeping from George Swindin kept them out. Finishing level with Preston, we won the title on goal average by 0.01 of a goal!
Whittaker had once commented ‘Someone has to drive himself too hard for Arsenal. Herbert Chapman worked himself to death for this club, and if it to be my fate I am happy to accept it.’ These words proved sadly prophetic, as on Wednesday the 24th October 1956 he passed away.
Following his death the job of Secretary-Manager was forever split in two. Jack Crayston became the manager, with Bob Wall assuming the post of secretary.
