Not just six seasons without silverware back then but closer to seventeen. At the time it was written however Arsenal were still in their pomp thanks to their recent past history and the massive crowds football experienced following the war. The Gunners had been hard hit by the Second World War, returning to a damaged stadium from which they'd been exiled for seven seasons. That said they still had that aura induced by Chapman's magnificent contribution to the Club, which saw them reach some very giddy heights indeed. On reading this well written and anecdotal laden title you would imagine that Arsenal were possibly the most famous Club side in the world at point when it was written. And at the time they probably were, certainly so far as author Brian Glanville was concerned.
Being one of the early club histories means that it is quite probable that many Arsenal tomes since have drawn from this well research title and yet it has rarely been acknowledged in bibliographies. Never having personally owned an original 1952 version, as published by Convoy, it is a pleasure to find so much anecdotal stuff that has remained largely forgotten. For example: Bill Shankley playing for Arsenal and missing an open goal in a Cup semi-final. Bobby Templeton with his immaculate hair, the original Kop at Plumstead - then known as the Spion Kop, Charlie Satterthwaite, our 26-1 win against Parisian opposition, Dr. Leigh Richmond Roose, the Officers Mess in the tropics con, a six-week ground suspension imposed because our crowd assaulted a referee. All this and much more before even reaching chapter two.
I like to think I know a fair bit about Arsenal's history but its always good to be reminded of it, or even discover some new historical gems. Did you know that in the early Twenties it was the norm to play each Club in the league home and away on consequtive weeks? Have you any idea what Bob Turnbull and Cliff Holton had in common? Do you know why Jock Rutherford allegedly refused the captaincy? Or why Jimmy Hopkins was held by German Customs on tour? Or what tragedy occured to the unfortunate Bob Benson? Any idea why our amateur winger Doctor J A Paterson ran down the wing holding a bunch of daffodils? I'm guessing that was mostly don't knows, as I said earlier the anecdotel stuff is endless and this chronical of the Club is all the better for it.
The book is illustrated but the numerous reproduced photographs, though interesting, are of fairly poor quality. There are eight chapters in all: Woolwich Days, Knighton and Norris, A Hundred Pounds a Goal, Great Days at Highbury, "Lucky" Arsenal, Exiled, Back to Highbury, and The Arsenal Spirit. All of which I feel should be fairly self-explanatory to any student of Arsenal's illustrious history. If they're not you will almost certainly learn quite a lot about the Club from this volume. In the absense of very much happening publication wise on the Arsenal front these days its good to find something new to read, even if it was written almost sixty years ago. One tip: if you're buying a copy it is a whole lot cheaper on the publishers website than elsewhere.
The author Brian Glanville is well known and these days is one of the countries most respected and indeed well followed football journalists. Although perhaps better know to football fans in general for his appearances on Sky TV. Aged just nineteen Glanville persueded Cliff Bastin to let him ghost-write his autobiography Cliff Bastin Remembers a book I've reviewed elsewhere. Two years later he wrote this delightful Club history and I think his obvious enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through rather well.
Arsenal Football Club from Woolwich to Whittaker
Brian Glanville
Paperback £12.95
Available from any good book store if you quote them the following reference: ISBN 978 0 9559211 7 9 Or direct from the publisher www.gcrbooks.co.uk at a large discount or of course all the usual online stores.