• Home
  • About
  • Behind The Arse
  • PopuHolics

Goonerholic

Eat, sleep, breathe, drink, Arsenal

Feed on
Posts
Comments

Guest Post: North Bank Ned With An Easter Tale

Mar 25th, 2016 by 'holic

My thanks to our very own North Bank Ned for another historic contribution.

Easter was late in 1930, deep into April and only a week before the FA Cup final.

The most expensive forward line in football had only just found its shooting boots. Joe Hulme, David Jack, David Halliday, Alex James and Charlie Jones had cost the then staggering sum of £34,000; Herbert Chapman, for one, never had reservations about spending his chairman’s cash. Even with the veteran Jimmy Brain and youngsters Cliff ‘Boy’ Bastin and Jack Lambert coming in and out of the team as Chapman juggled his attack in search of the elusive right combination, lack of goals left the Arsenal heading for a 14th placed finish, down five places from the previous season.

A couple of four-goal hauls at Highbury in March against Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers offered a flicker of promise, but it wasn’t until April 12 that the floodgates opened with an 8-1 thrashing of Sheffield United. Nine days later, during which time we’d also squeezed in two more league games (and they complain of fixture congestion today!) came a game at Leicester City’s old Filbert Street ground that still stands in the records books.

You don’t often score six and not win, nor concede six and not lose, but that was the case for both sides on Easter Monday, 1930. The 6-6 scoreline remains the highest score draw in top-flight English football, and has only been matched once in the English game by Charlton and Middlesborough in the old Second Division in 1960. “Although facing the wind at the outset, Arsenal were…cleverer, quicker on the ball and shot better,” according to one match report. We did most of the attacking but still managed to be 3-1 down at half time regardless of having had a David Jack header in the third minute disallowed for offside and then taking the lead. Plus ça change.

Three goals in 10 minutes at the start of the second half restored our advantage. With less than half an hour to go, we had stretched it to 5-3. Leicester it pegged it back to 6-5. Then, with 11 minutes to go, Leicester’s veteran centre-forward and record goalscorer Arthur Chandler grabbed the equalizer. We had two chances in the final minutes to score a winning seventh, but could convert neither.

“What the Arsenal lacked in team play they made up in fighting spirit and staged a brilliant recovery after being two goals behind at the interval,” the match report said in words that could have come out of the mouth of an earlier incarnation of Arsene Wenger. Halliday ended up scoring four goals, “got on shots from all sorts of difficult angles”. Bastin, “a great force”, scored the other two.

Remarkably, it would be Halliday’s last game for the club. Despite his four goals, he was dropped for the FA Cup Final at Wembley five days later, Jack Lambert taking his place and scored as Arsenal won the trophy for the first time. Though a prolific goalscorer elsewhere (156 goals in 166 games for Sunderland before Chapman brought him south for £9,000), Halliday couldn’t make the centre-forward’s position is own. He managed only 14 games and four goals before his quadruple against Leicester. The following November, Chapman sold him for a knock-down £5,700 to Manchester City, for whom he would score 47 goals in 76 games. Halliday would later manage Leicester in the mid-1950s, taking it up into the old First Division in 1957.

Dan Lewis, the Welsh international goalkeeper infamous for letting Cardiff’s winning goal in the 1927 Cup Final slip through his arms, also made his final appearance or the club in the 6-6, though his Arsenal career was truncated by injury. Indian ‘holics may be intrigued to know that he was replaced in the Cup Final by his understudy, who I believe to be our only Madhya Pradesh-born Cup-winning keeper, Charlie Preedy (his father was, appropriately for a future Gunner, serving in the Royal Artillery there). Preedy never established himself as first choice, even with Lewis being sold to Gillingham at the end of the season. Part of the reason was that, unlike many goalkeepers of the day, he was an advocate of rushing from his goal line to meet oncoming attacks. While he made daring saves, he was as likely to miss the ball altogether.

Chapman, as unhappy with his goalkeepers as his centre-forwards, tried to sign Austria’s keeper, Rudolf Hiden, in the close season. Hiden was reckoned to be the top keeper in continental Europe, but the English authorities wouldn’t sanction a foreign professional. Chapman signed instead Dutch international Gerrit ‘Gerry’ Keyser. He was acceptable to the blazer brigade as he came from an amateur club, Ajax Amsterdam. Keyser turned out to be as spectacular and reckless as Preedy and soon lost his place to the long-kicking William Harper, who had returned to the club after going off in 1927 to play in the eastern United States. After Frank Moss had joined from Oldham Athletic in 1931 and another season spent as understudy, Preedy moved to Bristol Rovers having played less than 40 games for the club over four seasons, in which he actually kept more clean sheets than conceded goals. After football, he drove a London Black Cab.

When the Arsenal next played at Filbert Street, in the league the following season, they went one better on the scoring front, winning 7-2. That was, though, the 35th in a most unlikely record-setting sequence of 39 league games. The Arsenal failed to keep a single clean sheet in the league between the start of April 1930 and the end of February 1931. That 39-game run of picking the ball out of the net every match has not been surpassed to this day though QPR matched it in 1968-69.

It is a most bizarre record for a team that was noted for its defence and was well on its way to bringing the league title not only to Highbury but to the South for the first time, ushering in the golden era of Chapman’s Arsenal that would sweep all before it.

Posted in Guest Tales | 58 Drinks

58 Responses to “Guest Post: North Bank Ned With An Easter Tale”

  1. on 25 Mar 2016 at 2:14 pm1Cent

    drink!

  2. on 25 Mar 2016 at 2:23 pm2Cent

    Excellent piece, Ned.

  3. on 25 Mar 2016 at 2:25 pm3Cent

    as if my 2 comment just went AWOL. Excellent piece, Ned.

  4. on 25 Mar 2016 at 2:26 pm4Cent

    Oh, wow. it’s back! A this rate I’m gonna self-assist and score the ton. where is everybody?

  5. on 25 Mar 2016 at 3:06 pm5can't be arsed

    good man yerself ned

    i’d say slainte but the bars shut

  6. on 25 Mar 2016 at 3:07 pm6can't be arsed

    is no.1 Pop or Mavis ?
    either way , well in

  7. on 25 Mar 2016 at 3:12 pm7can't be arsed

    or is Http the tone deaf sibling they kept in the attic ?

  8. on 25 Mar 2016 at 4:19 pm8bt8

    Keystone keepers. 😉

    Great stuff, NBN.

  9. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:00 pm9can't be arsed

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ghm7p_singer-in-belfast-city-centre_music

    who said i couldn’t sell a tune ?

    #
    Una paloma blanca
    Over the mountains I fly
    No one can take my freedom away
    #

  10. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:00 pm10bathgooner

    Good stuff Ned. Very interesting bit of history. Plus ca change eh?

  11. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:04 pm11can't be arsed

    *counts change*

  12. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:07 pm12can't be arsed

    *a button and two bottle tops from bath*

  13. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:13 pm13bathgooner

    YOU’VE got my bottle tops? 😮

  14. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:18 pm14Goonerholic

    Nice work on the now departed Staples, cba. 😉 Have you not got a train to pretend to catch today?

  15. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:19 pm15can't be arsed

    *lifts hat and scarpers*

    #
    WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THE MOUNTAINS
    AND THE NIGHT IS ON THE RUN
    IT’S A NEW DAY
    IT’S A NEW WAY
    AND I FLY UP TO THE SUN
    #

  16. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:21 pm16can't be arsed

    #
    choo choo ch’beery
    #

  17. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:25 pm17can't be arsed

    #
    woo woooo
    #

  18. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:26 pm18can't be arsed

    #
    choo choo ch’boozie
    #

  19. on 25 Mar 2016 at 5:27 pm19TTG

    Ned- Thankyou for this, fascinating stuff as ever. I’ve discussed this team with my Dad and he wasn’t a great fan of our keepers until we signed Frank Moss. The 2-3-5 formation often meant you were outnumbered in defence especially as you only had one central defender. Hence part of the reason for high- scoring games . I remember us losing 7-2 to Leicester when the goalie McClelland broke his collarbone.oddly his deputy was our top goal scorer, the diminutive Joe Baker

  20. on 25 Mar 2016 at 6:44 pm20North Bank Ned

    Your dad and Herbert Chapman were of a similar mind, Ttg.

    And thanks for all the kind words, fellow ‘holics, and to the Guv’nor for indulging me again.

  21. on 25 Mar 2016 at 8:27 pm21Goonerholic

    Aviva tickets sold out double quick for Ireland v Switzerland. Only place other than the stations where you can drink in Ireland today. Hence why cba is choo chooin’ 🙂

  22. on 25 Mar 2016 at 8:40 pm22can't be arsed

    ??? ‘ hol
    though
    full disclosure

    no need for circumventory doins today
    am in the northy part of partition
    so at least the prods in power
    allow a swally
    albeit with a stern face and a point

    the taigs in the south
    remain steadfast
    and pour derision
    on unprepared cunts
    who didn’t – supermarket sweep style
    empty the offy
    on the thursday night just gone

    which incidentally is called ‘holy’ thursday

    anyhoo

    HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY EVERYONE !

    .
    .

    UP THE ARSENAL

    #
    I CAN FEEL THE MORNING SUNLIGHT
    I CAN SMELL THE NEW MOWN HAY
    I CAN HEAR GOD’S VOICES CALLING
    FROM THE GOLDEN SKYLIGHT WAY
    #

  23. on 25 Mar 2016 at 8:48 pm23can't be arsed

    ye can also
    take in a play or two too
    and drink in the theatre bar
    before
    during
    and shortly after

    amazing ?
    the number o thirsty culture vultures
    who swoop down
    to wet their beaks

  24. on 25 Mar 2016 at 8:56 pm24can't be arsed

    them that can
    cross the border
    them that can’t

    ???
    .

    “To be, or not to be–that is the question:
    Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
    The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
    Or to take arms against a sea of troubles”

  25. on 25 Mar 2016 at 9:04 pm25can't be arsed

    or indeed

    take to the high seas
    and get a return ticket
    on the dublin ferry
    and remain onboard

    good friday
    luckily most always
    coincides with the weekend
    so
    some people make an event of it

    strange but true

    silly drouthy paddys

  26. on 25 Mar 2016 at 9:25 pm26Goonerholic

    Ah, didn’t realise you were up north. Silly me.

    I emptied the offy (well, Asda) today. 🙂

    Safe journey to oblivion, my friend.

  27. on 25 Mar 2016 at 9:28 pm27can't be arsed

    interestingly

    the description of specialist subjects
    on mastermind on bbc2
    ends with
    the history of ulster and prohibition

    ?

    nicely placed
    .
    can’t get setanta
    not much interested if i’m honest
    italia90’s the last time i roared at the screen for us

  28. on 25 Mar 2016 at 9:49 pm28can't be arsed

    and
    good man yerself ‘hol
    i would expect nothing less from you

    top man

    ?

    .
    .
    .

    Tayto Crisps 1 – Toblerone 0

  29. on 25 Mar 2016 at 9:54 pm29can't be arsed

    http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/gQVA24VCchJZYFJg0Yqm5A–/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9Mzc5O2lsPXBsYW5lO3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT03NTt3PTY3NA–/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/b1c75aab95489d1c1d0f6a70670035c7.jpg
    .

    not so big now !

    eh ?

  30. on 26 Mar 2016 at 12:08 am30bt8

    Hhuzzzaahhgg

  31. on 26 Mar 2016 at 12:11 am31bt8

    That’s fake Irish for “Top man, cba!!!!!”

    🙂

  32. on 26 Mar 2016 at 12:22 am32Uplympian

    Thanks Ned, always interesting to read about our team that’s even before my time 😉

    cba, aah Taytos – probably the best crisps in the world. Used to get them at O’Riordans pub on Brentford High Street ( known as Teds back yonder) on my way home from work. Needed some scoops of black liquid though to assist the digestion. Normally Murphys that was brought over from Cork – not the stuff that Whitbread brewed in Luton under licence. Slainte 🙂

  33. on 26 Mar 2016 at 1:27 am33can't be arsed

    31 bt8
    ?

    cba abú

    would suffice for a pat on the back

    how fortuitous
    my moniker
    and the
    let’s face it
    long overdue
    and richly deserved plaudits
    are so
    advertising agency golden

    cba abú indeed !!!!
    .

    .

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BcLdyV7mwAs

  34. on 26 Mar 2016 at 1:41 am34can't be arsed

    32 Up
    7’s cooler big brother

    what exemplary savoury taste you have

    yup indeedy !

    .
    crisps are a big thing here

    we are
    the proud irish !
    cut us
    we bleed green !

    cept for the pudgy ones
    they bleed tayto

    (usually cheese and onion)
    .

  35. on 26 Mar 2016 at 3:37 am35Noosa Gooner

    Thanks Ned – an excellent read.

    UTA.

  36. on 26 Mar 2016 at 4:52 am36Homer

    History. Love it.

    Many thanks NBN.

  37. on 26 Mar 2016 at 11:19 am37Trev

    Thanks, Ned,

    Interesting as ever.

    I’m a bit late to the party but I was a touch indisposed. If you’re familiar with that old Bernard Cribbins song, Right Said Fred, you have pretty much the whole story !

  38. on 26 Mar 2016 at 11:25 am38Trev

    Taytos.

    I was introduced to them by an Irish fella – ashamed to say I can’t remember his name but I’ve only met him once – who turns up at The Tollie on occasion with a rucksack full of the things, and generously hands them out.

    And very nice they were too. Wish I could remember his name.

    Apologies for my memeory and any other disservice my recollection has caused. Constant brain overload is to blame. ?

    Holic will no doubt imminently complete the details. ?

  39. on 26 Mar 2016 at 11:41 am39Trev

    Actually my Right Said Fred-ery didn’t involve a piano – just some “unforeseen circumstances” which got worse over the day.

    A bit like this –

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc

    ?

  40. on 26 Mar 2016 at 12:53 pm40can't be arsed

    ???trev
    never heard that before

    cheers fella

  41. on 26 Mar 2016 at 3:05 pm41bt8

    Is not today intended to have real football on the telly? ???????☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️?

  42. on 26 Mar 2016 at 3:47 pm42Goonerholic

    There are three people who bring the Taytos. Fergus or Conor from Dublin, or Dubs when he goes back on holiday/family visit.

  43. on 26 Mar 2016 at 4:21 pm43Trev

    Dubs rings a bell.

    Cheers Dubs – very nice too. ?

  44. on 26 Mar 2016 at 9:35 pm44TTG

    My telly must be broken. It is showing an England side playing really well . Sadly four of the best are from the Swamp!

  45. on 26 Mar 2016 at 9:45 pm45can't be arsed

    congratulations neighbours

  46. on 26 Mar 2016 at 9:48 pm46can't be arsed

    ah m’lud
    i was trying the lwc and geographical
    double hilarity whammy

    and by the way
    howdy

  47. on 26 Mar 2016 at 9:49 pm47can't be arsed

    ?

  48. on 26 Mar 2016 at 9:49 pm48Delia Block 30

    Fantastic win for England 2-3 having been 2-0 down. Best I have seen us play in years! If you didn’t see it you missed a treat.

  49. on 26 Mar 2016 at 10:05 pm49Bayonne Jean

    A nice win for England, indeed, but the tsunami of gushing praise for the neighbors’ contributors will make you run to locate your airline sickness bags.

  50. on 26 Mar 2016 at 10:50 pm50PiresPants

    Wow, those spurs players really turned it on tonight, they really deserve the title, best attack, best defence, best goal difference, will be champions as much as it pains to say, they’ve been the best by a country mile….yuk

  51. on 26 Mar 2016 at 11:06 pm51Trev

    Yeah, yeah, yeah,

    But don’t forget Rose is a diving little cheat, Dier got booked for his usual fouling, Alli missed an open goal and Kane still has a melty candle face – it even looks like a plastic mask now !

    Very good all round performance though – even from the four above, who were clearly inspired by playing in the same team as Danny Welbeck !

    ?

  52. on 27 Mar 2016 at 10:21 am52bathgooner

    Happy Easter, Holics everywhere.

    Bucks Fizz and Easter Eggs on the bar (the egg with the green ribbon is reserved for cba – a commemoration of a double rising!).

    Slainte

  53. on 27 Mar 2016 at 1:21 pm53can't be arsed

    sláinte baff

    *inhales easter egg*
    .

    i’m full of nationalism and catholicism today

    gonna see if i can find
    a small english person in the bar shortly
    and pull his chair out from under him
    as he goes to sit down

    then
    feel guilty about it

    but still run away
    shouting
    “that’s for the famine , ya fucker !”
    .
    .
    .

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd77xVCMkE8

  54. on 27 Mar 2016 at 4:44 pm54C_A_G_I_F_S

    Oh joy.

    Piers ‘the cunt’ Morgan reckons Wenger has been offered a three year contract extension.

    He will sign it, with no regard for the fact that he is already a divisive figure and things can only get worse from here.

    I hope Morgan is wrong.

    He usually is.

  55. on 27 Mar 2016 at 5:42 pm55Goonerholic

    Because Piers Moron has always been a man to trust with a story…

  56. on 27 Mar 2016 at 6:22 pm56C_A_G_I_F_S

    Hence the last line.

    But if he was right, would anyone be surprised?

  57. on 27 Mar 2016 at 6:49 pm57can't be arsed

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gYJO5fJgNSQ

    english people here !
    yer chairs are sound

    *twirls imaginary moustache*

  58. on 27 Mar 2016 at 6:54 pm58Goonerholic

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  • Recent Posts

    • David Faber 1957-2019
    • Xhaka? Emery? What Do You Think?
    • Palace At Home – What Could Go Wrong?
    • Amazingly Spirited Gunners Pull Another Cup Win Out Of The Bag.
    • Guest Post – iBtM Europa League Preview
    • Brief Doesn’t Cover It
  • As featured on NewsNow: Arsenal FC newsArsenal News 24/7
    Arsenal charity of the season The Football Blog Network Gunners blogs Arsenal charity of the season
  • Get Adobe Flash player
  • Categories

    • book reviews (21)
    • comment (530)
    • competitions (37)
    • Guest Tales (65)
    • history (102)
    • match preview (746)
    • match review (830)
    • tongue in cheek (76)
    • Uncategorized (1)
    • video (10)
  • Pages

    • About
    • Behind The Arse
    • PopuHolics
Arsenal News Follow TheGoonerholic on Twitter Android app

Goonerholic © 2023 All Rights Reserved.

MistyLook made free by Web Hosting Bluebook