STOHE CITY u ARSEnAL

FA Cup Semi-Final Replay Wednesday, 31st March _1971 K.O. 7.45 p.m. Price 10p

thearsenalhistory.com The honour of scoring the goal that put Stoke City into their first FA Cup semi-final since 1899 could not have gone to a more deserving player than big John Ritchie. For the brave, hard-shooting centre forward had spent half of the season battling against a cartilage injury which needed surgery. He returned to the team just before the quarter-final against Hull City . .• and scored two goals as The Potters came from two down to eliminate the Second Division side. Our picture shows John's RITCHIE WINS IT reaction to the winner. Picture: Ed d ie Fuller (Newcastle Times). 2 3 thearsenalhistory.comJ the Eaptain STONE STONE the manager

Perhaps the First Division clubs of the Midlands have for a I think it is a measure of Banks' greatness that after long time cast envious eyes towards the North and the the 1966 World Cup in England, South when it has come to the matter of chasing league was moved to say: "If Gordon had been in the Hun­ THE MAN WHO titles. But over recent years the Midlands can take great garian goal they would have won the World Cup". And pride in possessing some of the finest goalkeepers in the certainly England would never have reached the final country and would assuredly still top a but for his magnificent saves in the semi final with Portu­ best of the world poll. gal. In Mexico last year his absence from the quarter GAMBLED­ It seems somehow ironic that this year Gordon and final with West Germany was a cruel blow and again it his old pal Frank McLintock should not only is a measure of his value that most people felt that had be opposing semi final skippers but also well in the he have played, England would have won. Banks himself AND WON running for "Footballer of the Year". felt that this view was unfair on , who was No player has been a greater credit to British soccer pitched into the Mexico game without any previous over the last ten years than the placid, but still so dedi­ experience in the competition. Waddington, whose own playing career with Crewe cated 33-year-old Banks, but he remains just as friendly But Banks has an uncanny knack of making saves that was halted by a knee injury, has always believed in foot­ and as modest as he was in his early days with Leicester few other goalkeepers would even think of attempting and balling principles. His beliefs have kept Stoke in the F~t City. his incredible reflex action to save from Pele last summer Division and given them time to catch up with the big must go down as one of the finest ever pieces of soccer boys, even if the success-starved Potteries supporters action. have not been so patient. Again this season Banks has, after an uncertain start But gradually, after a couple of basement scares, when he was still suffering some reaction from his Mexico Waddington has moulded a side of harder temperament illness, played a wonderful part in steering Stoke to the and character but still maintaining his pure Soccer semi final for the first time in this century, and he is outlook. certain to add to his record of 63 England caps. Waddington had deserved his moments of luck, like One example of Gordon's dedication springs to mind. the casual chat with a cattle buyer in a Crewe hotel It was a cold day at Leicester oddly enough against his that led to the £12,000 signing of . An present club, Stoke. Gordon made a stream of positively injury in a practice game saw , a raw left brilliant saves and I commented to him afterwards that winger, switched in an emergency to left-back. he must have made a really good impression on the But Waddington was shrewd enough to buy two of watching England boss Sir . Gordon mused: his biggest-ever bargains-England goalkeeper Gordon "Well maybe he liked my saves, but I don't think he Banks for £52,000 from Leicester and £30,000 for hot­ would be very pleased with my goalkicking. I hardly shot Aston Villa winger Harry Burrows. put one in the direction I wanted." ... man who rebuilt Stoke The development of determined young defenders like It is this attention to detail that has set Gordon apart Denis Smith, Pejic and Mike Bernard saw Waddington from the rest of the leading goalkeepers although Bob Big John Ritchie trotted happily off after plunging everything in the 'kitty' two years ago on Wilson of Arsenal has in the last couple of years followed steering Stoke City into the semi-final as a two-goal Birmingham City striker apd finding a a similar pattern. hero and commented: "I had to do well for the boss. little extra to sign big John Ritchie back to the Potteries Born in , Gordon failed to attract the atten­ He took a chance on me after my cartilage operation. from Hillsborougb. tion of the local clubs, but signed for Chesterfield and IT we had failed he would have been made the scapegoat." The double deal cost £125,000 but Waddington reckoned helped the club reach the FA Youth Cup final where the missing parts in his blueprint for success were finally they nearly beat United. But, then, Stoke Manager Tony Waddington has had to gamble to some extent during his ten-year spell at in place. Stoke just missed out on Europe /(lsf season. Now In 1960 he moved to Leicester for a modest £6,000. the . On Stoke's gates he has had little they are one step away from Wembley. He recalls that when he joined the staff, Leicester had option. He is not surprised by Stoke's appearance in tonight's four other goalkeepers and be thought it would be a semi-final. He said: "I thought this summer that we had tough battle getting through. But within a few weeks His biggest gamble was to sign Stan Matthews in 1961. one of our strongest-ever squads. But it has been a he had demonstrated his ability and by the end of his Matthews was then 46 on his hero's return from Black­ tremendous achievement by the players, many of whom first season he had played 32 games. He played in the pool to his native Potteries and, two years later, the have willingly played, and played well, even though they 1961 and 1962 cup finals and gained his first England maestro scored the goal that clinched the Second Division have not been 100 per cent fit. cap in May 1963 against Brazil at Wembley. Championship. Waddington is a sincere man, dedicated to his foot­ learned much under the tutorship of It began an era of star buying for Waddington, who balling principles, always ready to back up his players. Banks, but it was a surprise when Leicester decided to admits: "I exploited the transfer market. We were As said last week: "Here I am with a sell the England keeper to Stoke for £52,000 in April getting experienced performers at reasonable prices who broken leg. But if I had to break a leg I am glad it is with But it's worked out well for all concerned and when could still give us good service. I never regarded players Stoke rather than any other club." eventually, Gordon finishes playing for England nothing of 27 as old. We seemed to have this veteran image but TONY WADDINGTON HAS WAITED A LONG would give him greater pleasure than to see Peter take only Matthews was in this category. Look at the service over on a long term basis. But Sir Alf will still be saying we bad from Denis Viollet, while did a TIME FOR SUCCESS. PERHAPS HIS PATIENCE "A Gordon for me" for quite a time yet. tremendous job for us this season when he took over WILL BE REWARDED TONIGHT. from . ALAN WILLIAMS "But we could not afford to take chances by buying GORDON BANKS ... would be one of the most popular younger players who might not make it. Now, of course, PETER HEWITT Wembley Cup Finalists this type of transfer deal is out and we have to concen­ Daily Express trate on development of our younger players." Stoke Evening Sentinel thearsenalhistory.com 5 STOKE STILL SEEKING THAT

Fatethan tocan rob be a noteam more of a tantalisingWembley place in the last minute of an WEMBLEY PASS PO RT FA Cup Semi Final-especially when the equaliser condemning them to a replay is from the penalty spot. But the agony of Stoke's players when Peter adversity and upsets. How many of the crowd Even worse the Third D ivision again loomed close, Storey placed that penalty past Gordon Banks here tonight know that the pride of the Potteries bu t the promotion of Tony Waddington to manager was perhaps nothing to that shared by life-long are the second oldest Football League cl ub? They in 1960 set the Victoria Ground alive. supporters of the club. were fo unded in 1862 by a group of railway workers­ only a year after the formation of Notts County. Like their Trent-side neighbours from , Stoke were original members of the League in 1888, Down to basement level Closest ever but after only two years they failed to gain re-election. From the basement level of 8,000 crowds every­ NEVER BEFORE HAVE STOKE BEEN SO thing changed from the time CLOSE TO AN APPEARANCE AT WEMBLEY. They returned within a year, though still not for a returned from to his original club. permanent stay. In 1908 they resigned from the League Matthews' public appeal, coupled with Waddington's Indeed, their only previous Semi Final was seventy­ and did not reappear until 1919. astute buying set Stoke on an upward course, starting two years ago-and neither have they ever won with the Second Division Championship in 1963. the Football League Championship. An unsuccessful appearance in the 1964 League Not surprisingly, manager Tony Waddington Cup Final-when one Gordon Banks was playing stepped from the stilled dressing room at Hills­ Promotion from lnd Division for the winning Leicester side-was a bonus in the borough to say: "Yes, the players are terribly search for establishment. despondent. I need only tell you that Gordon Banks By 1922 they had won their first promotion from is looking as miserable as I've ever seen. And, you the Second Division as runners-up to Nottingham Forest, but only a year later the same two teams know,thearsenalhistory.com Gordon has had many disappointments, were threatened by relegation and it was Stoke including two losing Cup Finals with Leicester." One can understand and sympathise with the frus­ who went down. Future looks set fair tration that clung to the Stoke party as they left It took them ten years to return, but only by winning There were two seasons when relegation was Sheffield. Wembley, so near, and yet still ninety the championships of Division Three North and the imminent but concentration on youth has slowly minutes, or even two hours, away from their replay Second Division. brought dividends. Now the future looks set fair­ tonight. with Wembley, and Europe, beckoning the club Their emotions were shared by neutrals throughout that Tony Waddington lifted from near ruin. England, people who simply wanted to see a popular club reach the peak of its history. Best position in lst Division This period at the top lasted twenty years and in 1936 they recorded their best First Division position STOKE CITY, 1970-71 (Pictured above) . •• Back of fourth. This was equalled in the bitter winter of (from left): , John Ritchie, John Farmer, Outstanding chance 1947 when they missed the championship by a mere Gordon Banks, Alex Elder, Denis Smith. Middle: Mike two points. Pejic, , John Marsh, John Mahoney, Tony Of course, Stoke still have an outstanding chance Allen (11ow Bury). Front: Mike Bernard, Jimmy Green­ of lining up on football's greatest occasion on May Then a decline set in and in 1953 they were sen­ lzojf. Harry Burrrows, Peter Dobing, George East- ~ 8, but, as in their history, they always seem to face tenced to ten more years in the Second Division. ham, Terry Conroy. I TERRY CONROY is Stoke's top marksman this season and holds a regular place on the international scene with the Republic of Ireland. Terry, born in Dublin, started out in I The Captain the famous Home Farm nursery, where he won Eire caps at youth and amateur levels. He served an STONE A. B. C. apprenticeship in the printing trade and he was 20 before he turned part-time professional GORDON BANKS, generally recognised as the world's with Glentoran. But he was soon signed by Stoke and greatest goalkeeper, has won only one major honour as a the red-haired Irishman has blossomed as a forward of outstanding qualities. But Terry wondered if he was club footballer- a League Cup trophy while playing for Appearance Records to the end of last season. ever going to win an Irish cap. He was chosen three Leicester against Stoke. He also played in two losing FA times but was withdrawn for club games twice and then Cup Final teams at Leicester, but otherwise, the rewards wasn't picked when named in the squad. He finally made his debut in Prague, in October, 1969 ... just for his skills have been confined mainly to the England The man with one of soccer's most Most improved player in the Stoke 24 hours after playing a League match! League career: team, where he recently gained unenviable jobs is Stoke goalkeeper line-up is 23-year-old centre half Stoke apps 65 (6), Goals 9. JOHN FARMER ... he has to act DE IS SMITH, now ranked among his 63rd cap in Malta. Now at as deputy to the great Gordon Banks. the contenders for an England chance. 31, he is proud to hold the -born Farmer won an Born in the Potteries, Denis has England Under-23 cap against Wales proved himself a man of courage Stoke captaincy and hopes to in 1967, but since the arrival of Banks, by recovering from four serious leg finish his career with a Cup he has played only when the England injuries- two cracks in his left leg JOHN MAHONEY, son of a former winners' medal for the Potteries man was injured or on international as a schoolboy and two breaks in the Oldham player, has duty. Even then he cracked a rib at Everton last season right leg after joining Stoke. "I've never known anyone lived most of his life in England but club. Sheffield-born Gordon and was carried off. League career: Stoke apps 66. ' with such courage," says manager Waddington of the he was born in Cardiff and that started out in League soccer young defender who grabbed the No. 5 spot when Alan qualified him for Welsh caps in the with Chesterfield, once appear­ Bloor was injured two years ago. League career: Stoke Under-23 and senior teams. Yet, apps_54, Goals 4. when John was a 19-year-old striker ing for them in the FA Youth with Crewe, he thought he was English Cup Final against Manchester and wanted to wear the white shirt on This is JOHN MARSH'S third United, but soon moved on to season as a regular member of international duty. Even Crewe had his birthplace Stoke's defence and the local-born listed as Denton, Manchester! John later cost Stoke a Leicester, where he made over right back has established as one of ERIC SKEELS has only a Second £10,000 fee. League career: Crewe apps 16 (2), Goals 5; 300 appearances before being Division Championship medal to Stoke apps 63 (4), Goals 11. the steadiest defenders in the business. transferred for £52,000 on the emergence of Peter Shilton. John wears contact lenses, an aid he show for 12 years' service at the settled for two years ago when he Victoria Ground, but, at 31, he has League career: Chesterfield apps 23; Leicester apps 293; no regrets about devoting his soccer found difficulty in timing his tackles Stoke apps 111. under the lights at Halifax. He used life to Stoke City. He has never them for the first time in April, 1969, and found that wanted to move anywhere else and has always shown loyalty and 100 IlMMY GREENHOFF, signed for "I could read the game better." League career: Stoke £100,000 from Birmingham early apps 66 (3), Goals I. per cent effort in midfield or at full back. He says of the current team: "It's the best all-round last season, is Stoke's most expen­ side since I've been here." And the ever-reliable Skeels sive player. Fast and powerful, the should know. League career: Stoke apps 384 (2), Goals 6. Barnsley-born striker entered League soccer during the early years of Leeds' upsurge and played regularly for them in the European Fairs Cup. Then MIKE PEJIC, the 20-year-old son Stoke struck a bargain when they of a Yugoslav immigrant, won his he was sold to Birmingham for £70,000 and won four England Under-23 caps. But he signed hard-shooting winger HARRY way into First Division football the Local boy ALAN BLOOR was BURROWS from Aston Villa for hard way-by dislodging experienced was unhappy with Second Division football and wel­ playing so well at centre half a comed the move to the Potteries. League career: Leeds £30,000 six years ago. The Haydock­ Irish international Alex Elder from couple of years ago that Stoke born raider scored one of Villa 's the Stoke team. Mike, only 5 ft. 8 ins. supporters were expecting an England apps 89 (6), Goals 19 ; Birmingham apps 31, Goals 14: Stoke apps 33, Goals 9. goals in the first-ever League Cup tall, but powerful in the tackle, made call any day. Then Alan suffered a Final and won AA .Under-23 cap before his debut in 1968-69 and became a calf muscle injury and lost the No. 5 joining Stoke. League <;areer: Villa apps regular last season. Tipped for England job to Denis Smith. It took him 147, Goals 53; Stoke apps 196 (3), Under-23 honours. League career : Stoke apps 33, Goals 1. time to fight back and now he is Goals 63. playing as well as ever, but along­ side Smith in the back I ine. League career: Stoke apps Big centre forward JOHN RITCHIE 179 (3), Goals 7. has returned to first-team duty after a cartilage operation and scored twice MIKE BERNARD, the driving force at Hull to put them in the semi-final. ?f Stoke's midfield section, is enjoy­ He had scored ten goals when he mg the best season of his life­ dropped out of action and was display­ ing the form thattempted Stoke to buy and has won an Under-23 cap. Mike's ~toke ' s youth scheme has been producing good prospects m the last couple of years, and two young midfield him for the second time in his career. job is primarily to win the ball in John originally signed from Kettering Stoke have given first-team chances to two young for­ midfield and Sir Alf Ramsey recog­ players have emerged this season. Prestwich-born Town but after scoring a stack of goals was sold to wards this season. Local-born 18-year-old SEAN nised his ability by naming him as STEWART JUMP, an 18-year-old former Manchester Sheffield Wednesday for £60,000. He did well at Hills­ HASLEGRAVE is now holding a regular place, while substitute for the Under-23 games schoolboy player, was first to get into the team making 18-year-old, 6 ft. 2 ins. striker TERRY SMITH scored his de but at Coventry on February 6. TERRY LEES also borough too, but Stoke had to pay only £25,000 when against Germany and Sweden and then they bought him back last season. League career: on his first debut against Chelsea. Cheltenham-born ~iving 18 and born in Stoke, has also been pressing his him a cap against Wales at Wrexham. Born fo~ Stoke apps 110, Goals 64; Sheffield Wednesday apps Smith played Rugby and soccer at school and nearly m Shrewsbury. League career: Stoke apps 48 (12), chance. Terry's father used to play for Blackpool signed for Bristol City. goals 2. Reserves, but Terry has always supported Stoke City. 88 (1), Goals 35 ; Stoke apps 31 (2), Goals 14. 9 8 thearsenalhistory.com 1 1: aIm f [.j i· [IJ. j ~I ra1 l jl i Stoke City's hand . Hillsborough lookedo::'e half-time lead of 2--0 at ~ub to their first-ever F~ ~o t~~e the Staffordshire eter Storey, took a hand !'Pthanal-:untilthatman Arsenal. an e action for worried

Storey, later to claim th fi~si hdit the target in thee l:t~t-mi_nute equaliser pie e up the ball on th minute when h~ and let fly with a firm the Stoke area • sho~ JUS_ed~~ ans1de o! the upright. The picture on the left . Banks and Eric Skeels !,hows Mike Pejic, Gordon and accuracy of the A ell beaten by the speed rsenal man's drive Otherwise, Arsenal fou d . • f~m efficiency of Banks rn t~t hSrd to trouble the e • the world's most fa e toke goal. Below ~ov~r a header by forme:11~~I~ ·~eeper rises to ra. am and, below right B a orward George ~g~!n as he picks the 'bafi"k~shGows safe hands o ice that Stoke cent o raham's head !Noh.. 9) is back in defen~ee ~o;w~rd John Ritchi~ o 1s club skipper. give extra support Pictures : Dave Jones

thearsenalhistory.com II I: nIm fi, I;.111. j[I; G! [,jjj The goal that took the gripping Stoke v Arsenal semi-final to a replay at tonight came with only seconds of injury time remaining at Hillsborough last Saturday. THE SCORER: , netting for the second time in the game for Arsenal. THE INCI· DENT: a penalty which was awarded when Stoke's John Mahoney handled on the goal-line. In the white-hot tension of the moment, no-one could have envied Storey, or his opponent, goal­ keeper Gordon Banks. But the Arsenal wing half kept a cool head and slotted his shot to Banks' left without a movement by the England star (pictured below). The goal exploded scenes of wild excitement among Arsenal players who must have been prepared for their second exit from a major cup within a week and, left, you can see the gay Gun­ ners leaping into the air.

12 thearsenalhistory.com 13 IPICH OF THE PASTI Looking at Villa Park memories for Stoke and Arsenal

League-Division l League- Division l Saturday, February l 6th, Saturday, D ecember l4th, 195 2 1 935 Aston Villa 2, Stoke City 3 Aston Villa l , Arsenal 7

SCORESHEET: Villa-Martin (A) o.g., Walsh SCORESHEET: Villa- Palethorpe. Stoke-Sellars, Oscroft, Herod Arsenal-Drake 7 ATT: 40,000 VILLA: Morton; Blair, Cummings; Massie, Griffiths, Wood; VILLA: Martin (C); Lynn, Parkes; Blanchflower, Moss (F), Dorsett; Williams, Astley, Palethorpe, Dix, Houghton. Gibson, Thompson, Walsh, Dixon, Goffin. ARSENAL: Wilson; Male, Hapgood; Crayston, Roberts, Copping; STOKE: Herod; Mould, McCue; Martin (A), Mountford (F), Kirton; Malkin, Mountford (0), Sellars, Smyth, Oscroft. Rogers, Bowden, Drake, Bastin, Beasley.

Twenty years ago Villa were on the fringe of forcing Fourteen internationals turned out at Villa Park ten days themselves into the race for the First Division champion­ before Christmas in 1935--0ne of them was to write ship. As the 1951-52 season entered the run for home himself into soccer history when he scored all seven against Villa were well in touch in seventh place and manager Villa ! George Martin was taking a close interest in a budding Brentford star, . We refer, of course, to the immortal , the Arsenal and England centre forward who went within Villa never captured the now well-known TV personality inches of making it eight when he hit the woodwork in and neither did they enhance their championship the last few seconds. And the most amazing thing was prospects at the same time when lowly Stoke stole that Drake went within a fraction of not playing because two points that looked booked for Villa. of injury! With manager in hospital, There was disturbing evidence that the pride of Aston selection of the team was left to Tom Whittaker. He knew lacked the killer touch. They were toppled and on the that Drake was still pained by a twisted knee. wrong end of five goals ... BY THE BRAVERY OF A GOALKEEPER PLAYING ON THE RIGHT In the end, he left the decision to the player. Drake WING WITH A BROKEN ARM! said "yes" and Villa's troubles started. Bob Wall, the DENNIS HEROD Arsenal Secretary, put his finger on it in his book Arsenal Though the 'kid-glov6' treatment of Dennis Herod was from the Heart. commendable in one respect, Villa's defence was guilty TED DRAKE of one of the cardinal errors in the list of 'soccer sins'. After a first-half injury, an interval inspection by the He said: "Courage and centre forwards almost in­ club doctor revealed that Herod had a suspected variably go together". Well, on that December afternoon scrambled to re-organise after Sellars' drive had only fracture and before the introduction of substitutes Drake not only proved his bravery as he overcame his described as a "master man's goal". Bastin sent him been partially cleared. injury problem in incredible fashion-he also displayed Stoke gambled and played Herod for nuisance value haring ~n to a through ball and as Cummings and Griffiths on the wing. a tenacity and eye for a goal which has rarely been closed m, he held off both tackles and again a powerful There were mini-sized reprisals from Villa's attack and it matched. And through their own failings, Villa allowed this needed a Dorsett special, fizzing a fraction too high, drive was too much for Morton. 'nuisance' number to knock them out of the game with before Villa snapped into real action. Colin Gibson Stoke's third and winning goal after 50 minutes! slipped into top gear to suggest a recovery was on the The Sports Argus described it: "As easy as Shelling His next two goals-in the 34th and 46th minutes­ Peas" but there was far more to it than that. But Villa way but he lost control when he had Herod completely w:ere ~oth a trifle fortuitous. He was played on-side for Villa were just a pale shadow of the side that had pul­ beaten. men who saw it still maintain that the game was never as his third and for the next Griffiths misjudged his original verised Portsmouth the previous week. Regular spasms one sided as a 7-1 scoreline might suggest. The difference effort, thinking it was going outside, and Drake was able of uncertainty wrecked the vital links so necessary Stoke sagged under pressure and right half Martin put was Drake. to regain possession when the ball rebounded to him off between attack and defence. through his own goal to put Villa only one behind at the the upright. The midfield masters of last week, Blanchflower, Moss interval. But Villa's reluctance to treat the injured Herod A couple of Drake's goals had an element of luck about and Dorsett, were often a troubled trio against the with the same firmness as any other Stoke forward cost them but such was his d~termination and opportunism was playing a masterly role as Drake's foil swift and direct Stoke raids that were launched through them dear when the disabled goalkeeper smacked his that the -born leader made his own luck and another through pass left Drake to hammer home his the labonrs of half backs Alan Martin and Kirton. shot past Martin at the second attempt. more times than not. fifth in the 50th minute. Eight minutes later Morton could only stand and gape as another drive whipped past It took Stoke just 14 minutes to scamper off on the trail of It was a poor advert for the attack, and Villa's performance Still, it was in practically Arsenal's first attack after 15 him for the sixth. an illustrious 'double' that season when cec.tre forward in general, that it wasn't until the 89th minute that a minutes that he started his spree. Fed by Beasley out Villa forward found the net, Dave Walsh netting a Sellars cashed in when goalkeeper Con Martin dropped on the left, he slipped the ball between Griffiths' legs and Palethorpe pulled a consolation goal back in the 64th a cross from the right wing. token goal. Remarkably, Villa might have rescued a then fired in a terrific shot. point even at this late stage in the game, for seconds minute but a minute from time Drake crowned his Rugged Stoke rubbed it in with a second goal after 25 before the cmd, Tommy Thompson's snapshot scraped magnificent display with another, his seventh, again mins. when Oscroft converted as \:'illa"s«-- defence the paint on the wrong side of the- post. Thirteen minutes later came a score which the Argus from a Bastin pass. 14 thearsenalhistory.com 15 scene the image of the club slowly faded. Several But, strangely, Arsenal's Cup record is perhaps So Arsenal have held their share of the ups and Tonight's contest for a place at Wembley could go downs, and drama, of the magical FA Cup. But managers tried to revive former glories- including some way to completing the restoration of Arsenal's more famous for two matches which they lost! George Swindin, Jack Crayston and Billy Wright. The first was at Wembley in 1927 when Cardiff City it is as a League side that they built their immortal name among the greats of British football. reputation under the management of the great But not until the last three years have Arsenal became the first team to take the Cup outside reached for their old pinnacle. Under the management Not that they haven't remained one of the most England. . famous clubs in the world-but this is their first From 1930 to 1938, they won five of their seven of -assisted by former Albion and England appearance at this stage of the competition for The story of the goal that elated all Wales is told First Division Championships-including three full back -they infiltrated the top 19 years. by Geoffrey Greene, author of the Official History years in succession to equal the record of League clubs again. That is a long gap for a team which dominated of the FA Cup. He wrote: "The Welsh clans on the British club football for 20 years from 1930 to packed Wembley banks had little to sing about, but 1950-with only a break for the Second World sing they did, albeit in somewhat plaintive, minor key. o goals scored, seventeen minutes left, and Back: (from left) McNab, Storey, War. In all, this is their tenth semi-final and Simpson, Barnett, Wilson, Roberts, the others resulted this way: then suddenly out of the blue-the decisive stroke. 6UUUER5 Kennedy, Marinello, Don Howe (coach). Season Venue Result "The move started from a Cardiff throw-in. 1905-06 Stoke Arsenal 0, Newcastle 2 Ferguson, the centre forward, took a pass, trapped Front: George, Radford, Armstrong, 1906-07 St Andrew's Arsenal 1, Sheffield Wed 3 it, was hardly given a yard in which to move and so tried Sammels, Mclintock, Bertie Mee (manager), 1926-27 Stamford Bridge Arsenal 2, Southampton 1 a drive at goal. The shot was a hard one, low and PARADE Rice, Kelly, Graham, Nelson. 1927-28 Leicester Arsenal 0, Blackbum 1 diagonal. Lewis, in the Arsenal goal, appeared to on 1929-30 Leeds Arsenal 2, Hull 2 field it brilliantly, but, with Davies and Irving Villa Park Arsenal 1, Hull 0 challenging, he turned his back and shaped to 1931-32 Villa Park Arsenal 1, Man City 0 throw the ball away sideways. 1935-36 Huddersfield Arsenal 1, Grimsby 0 Huddersfield Town. In the same period, they Also, in each of the last three seasons, they reached 1949- 50 Arsenal 2, Chelsea 2 "In his own words, however, the ball twisted on his also finished runners-up and third. a Cup Final-though losing in successive League Arsenal 1, Chelsea 0 chest, and in grabbing it, he sent it trickling Aston Villa have cause to remember the greatness Cup occasions at Wembley to Leeds and Swindon. 1951-52 White Hart Lane Arsenal 1, Chelsea 1 slowly over the goal-line. It was a heart-rending of this Highbury side, for in 1930-31 Villa scored They broke 17 years without a major honour last Arsenal 3, Chelsea 0 moment for the goalkeeper and the helpless back J 28 goals to set a First Division record and even season when skipper Frank McLintock held the alongside-not to mention the rest of the Arsenal hammered Arsenal 5-1. BUT STILL THE Arsenal went on to win the trophy three times. European Fairs Cup aloft after victory over The first occasion was in 1930 when they toppled side." GUNNERS OUTPACED VILLA BY SEVEN Anderlecht, of Belgium. POINTS TO WIN THE TITLE! Huddersfield Town 3-0 with this team: Preedy; And so a shock was completed. But it sent up nothing This season, of course, has seen the continuation Parker, Hapgood; Baker, Seddon, John; Hulme, like the tremor which greeted a result in 1933. After the War, it appeared as if Arsenal were to of progress, but as they face Stoke City for the Jack, Lambert, James, Bastin. remain the club that every opposing supporter second time tonight, they must now be harrassed by Back to Geoffrey Greene for the story: "Mighty hated-but secretly had to admire. They won the doubts about falling between three stools. A solitary goal in the 1936 Final gave Arsenal Arsenal were drawn to play in the third round at First Division again in 1948 and five years later they Last week their chance of defending the Fairs Cup success over Sheffield United and on that occasion set a record by claiming their seventh title-a figure the line-up was : Wilson; Male, Hapgood; Crayston, Walsall. The outcome seemed as certain as Monday disappeared when the allowed morning itself I still catch the excited note in the since achieved by Everton, and Cologne to deprive them of a semi-final place. Tow Roberts, Copping; Hulme, Bowden, Drake, James, announcer's voice as the Cup-tie results came over Manchester United. Bastin. they must overcome Stoke to retain their best the wireless that evening. Walsal/ 2, Arsenal 01 There was also that Cup success in 1950 and chance of honours, for the task of closing the gap The Gunners' last Wembley triumph was in 1950 in 1952 they fell only to the Newcastle giants at "Even in an age when sensationalism had become on Leeds United gets less promising as the end of when Lewis scored both goals in the 2-0 defeat of Wembley-but might have won again had not the season approaches. Liverpool. The men who took the Cup back to the commonplace that was something that fairly Wally Barnes' serious injury left them with Highbury were: Swindin; Scott, Barnes; Forbes, rocked the country." And certainly, we suggest, ten men. Even so, no one should now doubt the stature of the Compton (L), Mercer; Cox, Logie, Goring, Lewis, one not equalled until this season ... Colchester The manager of the post-war Arsenal was Tom Arsenal of the Seventies. The Gunners are great Compton (D). 3, Leeds 2, and all that! Whittaker but on his departure from the Highbury once more. 16 thearsenalhistory.com 17 Arsenal ha\C quantit) and quality among their young forwards including PETER MARI ELLO, the brilliant Scot who suffered from the wave of publicity after his £100,000 move The Captain from Hibernian half way through last season. Marinello scored on his debut at . but that was his ARSEDAL A. B. C. only goal in an unsettled start. His When FRANK McLI TOCK was chaired off High­ ball-holding st) le sometimes clashed with tactical bury clutching the European Fairs Cup on April 28, requirements, and after playing against Dinamo Bacau, he was not just ending Arsenal's 17 years without a Roucn and Ajax, he was omitted from the two matches senior honour ... he was also killing an unwanted personal A11pcarance Records to the end of last season. in the Fairs Cup Final. League career: Hibernian apps record. "It was my fifth major Cup Final," saysMcLintock, 42 (3), Goals 5; Arsenal apps 14, Goals I. "And it was the first time I had finished on the winning side. It was a fantastic feeling." BOB WILSO , the patient man of 1cLintock, a brilliant Highbury, believes that goalkeepers Rice·s Arsenal opportunities haYc attacking wing half when reach their best after the age of 25- been stifled by the consistency of Arsenal paid Leicester City and no Gunners fan will deny that PETER STOREY, a former England £80,000 for his services in Derbyshire-born Wilson fits his own Schools cap from Farnham, Hants, October, 1964, achieYed the theory. Bob was 26 before he clinched who has been a first-team fixture first Cup medal of his career a regular place as an ever-present in since 1965-66. League career: apps GEORGE AR/llSTR01\G. t1 for111cr as a centre half. A Wembley the 1968-69 season and his progress to 182, Goals 2. E11gla11d Uuder-23 i111er11mio11al willi loser in two FA Cup Finals the top was more unusual than most. a 111ass of League experience, 11ith Leicester City, Scotland's He didn't leave school until he was 18 and then it was off regained !he No. 7 shirt fro111 J\ le Lintock was also dejected to Loughborough College for teacher training. Entered Mari11el/o late last term. Ar111- and beaten in two League Cup the League scene as an amateur with Wolves, then moved slro11g, a Durlta111 yo1mgs/er, ll'lto Finals with Arsenal. ow op­ to to follow his work, and joined Arsenal while , a product of the was 1111earllted al a club !rial ill erating at centre half 11 ith remaining a member of the unpaid ranks. It was several great soccer nursery, wore 1961, is a gritty nm-a11d-sl1001 lype great success. League career: Leicester apps 170, Goals vears before he turned professional and eventually won an Arsenal first-team jersey only 20 of' winger. League career: apps 252 (3 ), 25; Arsenal apps 207, Goals 18. the senior spot from . Biggest disappointment: times last season. Yet, in that time, Goals 36. losing to Swindon in the League Cup Final, but recko.ns the 18-ycar-old attacking wing half this \\'as more than compensated by the European Fairs won a European Fairs Cup medal, The Arsenal man \\ilh the highest Cup triumph. League career: Arsenal apps 92. convinced Arsenal that they could career total of goals is GEORGI:: afford to release former skipper Terry GRAHAM, a tall Scot who was eill to Hull City as player-manager. granted a mere eight League Wilson broke mz arm last September Kelly scored the first goal when Arsenal pulled back a appearances by Aston Villa before a11d this was the crisis that tempted 2- 0 deficit to beat Anderlecht in the Fairs Cup Final. they released him to Chelsea for A rse11a/ to pay a big fee to E1·ertoll League career: apps 14 (2). The main responsibility for goals £5,000! Graham was already a for former Youth i11tematio11al GEOFF rests on JOHN RADFORD, a \\cll­ Scottish Youth international and BA RN ETT. Nortl11viclz-bom Geoff· built Yorkshireman who burst on to went on to justify his early promise spent ffre-and-a-ha/fyears at Goodiso11. the senior scene with a hat-trick with a three-year spell in TommyDocherty's team. To sign So far his Arsenal first-team career against Wolves in only his third him from Chelsea Arsenal were estimated to have paid numbers fess than 20 matches­ League game over five years ago. £80,000 with Tommy Baldwin going to Chelsea as part i11c/udi11g a peak pe1forma11ce ofdenying While Kelly has achieved instant acclaim, his wing half colleague in Another hat-trick he remembers: a of the deal. Graham, a Scottish Under-23 international, a single goal ill two Fairs Cup matches against Sporting treble in five minutes during an FA has been a striker and midfield man in his Highbury . League career: Everton apps Arsenal apps 11. the Arsenal set-up, PETER SIMPSON, JO; made a delayed-action climb to the Cup tie against Bolton. Turned pro­ career. He enjoyed the Fairs Cup triumph more than top. A few years ago Arsenal were fessional in 1964. starting off a career that has taken him most, for he had been a long way in the competition BOB Mc AB, now in his fifth season to England appearances at Under-23 and full stages. with Chelsea, who lost to Barcelona in a semi-final. on the brink of releasing him for a otched 12 League goals last season, including a hat­ with Arsenal since his £50,000 trans­ moderate fee-but the arrival of new League career: Aston Villa Apps 8, Goals 2; Chelsea tri<.:k at Cr)stal Palace. League career: apps 185 (3), fer from Huddersfield Town, has apps 72, Goals 35; Arsenal apps 130 (3), Goals 37. coach Don Howe, bringing in a zone Goals 57. twice had the unenviable task of marking system, tugged the former succeeding Ray Wilson, the man Sir Norfolk Schoolboy prospect out of an indecisive spell. Alf Ramsey rates the best full back Peter, who confesses he always wanted to play for Among the young men coming he has ever seen. He followed Ray Wolves, made his first-team debut at 18 but had to wait through from Arsenal's Youth into his home-town Huddersfield team until 1966 before gaining a regular stopper's berth in scheme, one of the most outstanding and did so well that Arsenal and the back four. Then progressed so well that he was prospects is , a Liverpool were in a transfer tug o' war for his signature. called for England training sessions. League career: product of Islington Schools who Then, after an unhappy first season at Highbury, when apps 164 (4), Goals 3. Radford has 'gro\\ n up· in the disguises a brilliant goal-sense with he suffered persistently from illness and injury, he Arsenal side alongside JO a strolling stride. Scored the winner developed so well that he followed Wilson into the SAMMELS, who beat Radford to at West Bromwich in only the England team in 1968. Toured South America last year England recognition by winning second game of his League career and \\ent to Mexico this year but failed to make the Schools and Youth caps, but has last season and played in Fairs Cup rinal. League final 22. League career: Huddersfield apps 68; Arsenal Arsenal's depth of talent is under- yet to add a full cap to his Under-23 career: aprs 21 (7), Goals 6. apps 134 (I), Goals 2. lined by the fact that such a talented honours. Oddly enough, Jon was prospect as centre half JOH noticed by an Arsenal scout while play­ ROBERTS has yet to win a permanent ing for Suffolk in a Youth match RAY KEN EDY, another teenager -born is the second place. A Welsh Under-23 international against orfolk, who included future Arsenal colleague who was discovered in the North international full back on the High­ he entered League football with Peter Simpson! Although regarded as one of the 'brains· East, has made rapid strides and, bury books, making his League debut Swansea, moved on to Northampton of Arsenal's scheming set-up, Sammels also has a lethal although he appeared only as a sub two years after signing as an apprentice and earned the Cobblers a sizeable fee shot and scored on his League debut at Blackpool. His in the first leg of the Fairs Cup Final in December, 1964. Capped by Ireland from Arsenal in the 1969 close best season was 1966-67 when he didn't miss a League against Anderlecht, he made a sig­ at Under-23 and full levels. League season. Can play up front as well. League career: game and a career highlight was the winning goal in nificant contribution by scoring the career: apps 9 (4). Swansea apps 36 (1), Goals 16; Northampton apps 62, the Fairs Cup Final. League career: apps 199 (I), late goal. Consistent scorer this season. Goals 11; Arsenal apps 11, Goals I. Goals 37. League career: apps 2 (2), Goals I. 18 thearsenalhistory.com 19 the Eaptain the manager lllllWllllIJ THE GIANT OF The Outsider Bertie Mee breaks HIGH BURY down the barriers The brisk walk suggests a man of authority. The free smile and the warm handshake reveal a ring of confidence that goes with being skipper of trophy-chasing Arsenal. The trouble with being a little fellow is that it becomes all that much harder to convince people that you can win a big But if the success of his team has brought happiness to reputation. Frank McLintock, those close to him at Highbury will not hesitate to tell you how much this incredible Scots­ Particularly if the ladder you're attempting to climb man has done to bring about that successful feeling to is the most dry-rot-riddled one of all-football manage­ Highbury's marble halls. ment. And, even more particularly, if you're trying to do it without having made a playing name for yourself out He leads his team out like a man who knows they are there on the park. going to win. He cajoles, drives and inspires and, on those occasions when everything is not going right, it is Bertie Mee, small of stature but now so big of repu­ McLintock who cools frayed tempers and 'talks' his tation, could hardly have had the cards stacked higher team-mates back into the game. against him when he followed Billy Wright as boss of Highbury. But look at Mee now, plundering his share of Somebody once said that to be a success at the spoils from highly-professional seas so thickly sport you must first feel the pangs of defeat and go populated by highly-professional football pirates like through the agony barrier that is known only by those Sir and Bill Nicholson, and Joe who have gone so far-and failed at the last bend. Mercer, and . BERTIE MEE ... has confidence, courage and belief Certainly, this Arsenal side that has brought pride back Five or so years ago the" Who's Mee?" question would to Highbury, culminating last season with that fantastic have prompted a head-scratching and then an answer of acting manager, knowing full well that if it didn't Fairs Cup win, has made the taste of winning all the something on the lines of: "Physiotherapist, isn't he, at sweeter for McLintock. Because Frank knows what it is come off he could hardly go back downstairs to the High bury? Played a bit himself. before the war, as a left physic's equipment. like to lose. Four times Frank has been to Wembley winger with Derby County, but he never made it ... some­ with Leicester and Arsenal. And four times he has FRANK McLINTOCK . .. Arsenal's man of authority on thing went wrong somewhere along the line. " * Thirdly, is Mee's ability to pick the right lieutenants trudged wearily up the steps to the Royal Box to collect the field. and the assurance to delegate responsibilities. His first a loser's medal. What went wrong was simply that a war happened and coach, remember, was , and when he went during it Mee, B. (Derby County) O.L., received the to take over Chelsea Mee moved in that shrewd Soccer The only pity of the beating of Anderlecht was that it injury that put an end to his playing ambitions. But the s!udent Don Howe, former West Bromwich and England did not happen at Wembley to enable McLintock to look settle in and get used to the new job. When it comes to defensive tactics Don is the best coach I know." measure of his football status which remained buried in nght-back ~ho has done well enough in his own right to those Twin Towers firmly in the face. But if McLintock's the cuttings libraries until his elevation from Highbury's become assistant-manager to Mee. And, for his captain, triumph that day compensated for some extent for being The lessons over from Howe, former West Bromwich medical room to manager's office was his ability to be a Mee never looked beyond Frank McLintock who must second best so often, it is the battle he has fought with Albion and England defender, McLintock now strides member of the same Services Soccer circuit as the likes be one of the favourites for the Footballer ~f the Year himself- and won-that has brought him his greatest through a game as though he had never played anywhere of the great and more like him. award. personal triumph. else. And if his lack of inches-he is 5 ft. 9t ins-suggests But, given all that, how did Mee succeed in giving Ask Mee himself for the secret of his success, and there Frank McLintock, busy midfield general, the man in a difficulty in getting to the cross-balls, then Frank has can be surely no doubt of that, and he will put it down mastered the technique of judging and dealing with them. Arsenal back its pride-and its first trophy in 17 years the centre of build-up operations, has transferred him­ when they won the Fairs cup last season-where foot­ as he has done many many times, to a deep interest' self to the heart of the Arsenal defence with a level of And the man who has been honoured by Scotland at balling heroes like Billy Wright, George Swindin and perhaps almost an obsession, with the art of man mana~ success he never dreamed possible. Under-23 and full international level earns this praise Jack Crayston had failed? gement. from Don Howe: "Frank's enthusiasm for the game is Mee himself sees his job as making sure all the works That it happened at Arsenal, a club that traditionally * First, he has utter confidence in himself and the favoured the big stopper centre half. adds to the achieve­ tremendous. But this is his character. He is enthusiastic are oiled. Detail is for people to whom he has delegated it. about everything he does." ability to radiate that confidence to people around him. ment. As the officials of Yeovil found in January when they Becoming modesty, certainly, in a profession in which Whatever else Arsenal achieve under his captaincy, wanted to play the postponed third round tie on a that 9uality hardly abounds, But beneath it all, Bertie There is no doubt that his move to the back four has Mee 1s no soft tom:a. He knows where he's going and he added years to his professional career. As Frank admits: one thing is certain. Frank McLintock will go down in Thursday. No matter that it was a half-day in the Soccer­ the soccer record books as the little man who became a crazy little Somerset town. Mee said that Thursday was knows where Arsenal are staying. At the top. Like "I realised I could not go on for ever in the physically­ Mee. demanding midfield role. But I wasn't too happy about Highbury giant. too near an important game on the following Saturday, so moving to centre half. the match was played on the Wednesday. ERIC NICHOLLS * Secondly, Mee has courage and belief in his own ALAN HUGHES "But then I did not reckon for the persistence of Don ability. Mee wasn't appointed manager immediately Howe, our coach. He really persuaded me that it was Goal Magazine possible and in training he worked on me to help me to Goal Magazine following Billy Wright's departure. He agreed to a pex:iod

21 20 thearsenalhistory.com Like Stoke's quarter-final hero, J ohn Ritchie, Arsenal's match-winner in the Sixth Round had battled against injury to get fit for the FA Cup. In their case it was brilliant Cockney prospect, Charlie George, who missed the first months of the season, but has now returned to add his natural flair to Arsenal's bid for honours. Charlie is pictured (left) rising above the grasping fingers of Leicester's Peter Shilton to head the only goal in the replay and (right) he rushes off to accept the acclaim of the Highbury CHARLIE' S DELIGHT customers. 22 thearsenalhistory.com 23 Stoke City (WHITE SHIRTS AND SHORTS) 1 Gordon BANKS 2 Eric SKEELS .. • 3 Mike PEJIC 4 Jimmy GREENHOFF 5 Denis SMITI-! 6 Alan BLOOR 7 John MAHONEY 8 Mike BERNARD 9 John RITCHIE 10 Terry CONROY 11 Harry BURROWS 12 Arsenal (YELLOW SHIRTS, BLUE SHORTS) ; I 1 Bob WILSON 2 Pat RICE 3 Bob McNAB 4 Peter STOREY 5 Frank McLINTOCK 6 Peter SIMPSON 7 George ARMSTRONG 8 George GRAHAM 9 John RADFORD 10 11 Charlie GEORGE 12

Referee: PAT PARTRIDGE () A Technical Electrical Representative, Mr Partridge has progressed to top honours since his 'apprenticeship' in North Eastern profes­ sional leagues. Last season he handled the third/fourth place play-off in the FA Cup and he has now refereed semi-finals in both the FA and League Cups. linesmen : thearsenalhistory.comM. KERKHOF, Army (Red Flag) E. C. SALTER, (Orange Flag)

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4 Peter STOREY 5 Frank McLINTOCK 6 Peter SIMPSON 7 George ARMSTRONG 8 George GRAHAM 9 John RADFORD 10 Ray KENNEDY 11 Charlie GEORGE 12

Referee: PAT PARTRIDGE (Middlesbrough) A Technical Electrical Representative, Mr Partridge has progressed to top honours since his 'apprenticeship' in North Eastern profes­ sional leagues. Last season he handled the third/fourth place play-off in the FA Cup and he has now refereed semi-finals in both the FA and League Cups. Linesmen : M. KERKHOF, Army (Red Flag) E. C. SALTER, Lancashire (Orange Flag)

Designed and printed by West Midlands Press Ltd., Walsall, WSt tEY thearsenalhistory.com