Herbert Chapman

Yesterday an article was posted about the most important people in history. 100 years ago one of the most important people in the history of Arsenal Football Club was appointed manager.

Herbert Chapman had somewhat an undistinguished playing career, mainly as an amateur for non-league nobodies such as Worksop Town, Ashton North End, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheppey United. His last club as a player was Northampton Town, and it was during his spell he took his first step into management. He spent a few years managing Leeds United either side of the Great War. He made his first big impression in management at Huddersfield Town - winning the FA Cup in 1921 and then back to back league titles in 23/24 and 24/25.

It was the summer of 1925 that he made the move to Arsenal. A team that only senior honour was the Kent Senior Trophy. His first season at Arsenal saw his former club, Huddersfield Town, complete a triple title run. The runners-up were Arsenal, their highest ever finish and a massive improvement on the previous seasons 20th. The following season saw a first FA Cup final for Arsenal, sadly ending in defeat. League form also took a hit and it was back to mid-table where they stayed for the next 3 seasons.

The 29/30 season ended with a taste of glory. Reaching the FA Cup final for the second time, Chapman faced his former side Huddersfield. Goals from Alex James and Jack Lambert gave us our first major trophy!

It proved a catalyst for an amazing run for Arsenal Football Club. In 1930/31 stormed to the English title. Arsenal scored an amazing 127 goals - 50 more than the previous season. Only one club has ever scored more in a top flight season - Aston Villa the very same year! Jack Lambert scored 38 goals in 34 games, including 7 hat-tricks. David Jack netted 31 times, Cliff Bastin 28.

Arsenal missed out on the title in 31/32 to Everton by just 2 points. However, the next season they fired their way to the title once more. This time they netted 118 times. A 5-0 win over nearest challenger, Aston Villa, in the run-in proving decisive.

With the attempt to defend the title going strong as 1933 turned into 1934 tragedy befell Arsenal. Herbert Chapman - still active going around the country watching future opponents - developed pneumonia. On January 6th 1934 Herbert Champman passed away - the same day a Jimmy Dunne goal got us a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Despite the tragic loss of the boss, Arsenal went on to win the title - with Huddersfield Town fittingly being the runners-up.

Such were the great foundations laid by Chapman, Arsenal managed to retain the title in 34/35 - just like Huddersfield completed a treble of title wins following Chapmans departure a decade earlier.

Remembered as a revolutionary manager, who pretty much invented tactics in English football, Chapman is one of the true great managers in British football. He is one of just 4 who have won the English top flight with more than 1 club - joining Tom Watson (5 between 1892 and 1906), and later joined by Kenny Dalglish and Brian Clough. He was only 55 when he passed away, and with Arsenal continuing to have title and cup success up until the 2nd World War, he would have more than likely won more titles.


The 100 years since the day Herbert Chapman took over at Arsenal have been glorious and trophy laden. Chapman was the springboard to this success.