#alish hart

[arsenalhistory]

May 16th In Arsenal’s History

On this day in 1881, Edwin 'Teddy' Bateup was born in Horley, Surrey. He made 36 appearances in goal for Woolwich Arsenal after joining as an amateur from Faversham in 1905. He left to sign for New Brompton in 1911.

On this date in 1891, due to financial difficulties, at its Annual General Meeting Royal Arsenal voted against forming a Ltd company and offered to resign from the London FA and the Kent FA, but neither took up the offer.

In Europe today in 1907 Woolwich Arsenal faced SK Slavia IPS in a friendly. John Coleman scored twice and Charlie Satterthwaite was amongst the goalscorers in a 2-4 win for the Arsenal.

In 1910 with the onset of another set of financial problems this date saw a share of the club sold to Glasgow Rangers. Shortly afterwards they bought a further share. It is believed that this arrangement came about through the help of manager George Morrell who had previously worked for Rangers. In 1930 in a gesture of gratitude for that help the club made a gift of 14 more shares to the Scottish club and this stake in Arsenal was held until owner Craig Whyte, with Rangers experiencing their own money worries sold the shares to Alisher Usmanov for £230,000 in January 2012, ending a 102 year connection between the clubs. The press meanwhile were propagating rumours that Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Fulham were trying to buy the south London club.

In Germany on this date in 1912 it was Woolwich Arsenal versus Deutscher FC. Although I have been unable to find who scored the goals we do know it ended 1-4 to the Gunners.

Touring in Sweden today in 1922 William Bradshaw, Clement Voysey (2) and Alf Baker scored the goals that gave Arsenal a 1-4 win over Gais.

Arsenal must have enjoyed the experience as they were back in Sweden today in 1923 when they played a Sweden Combined XI. Goals from Harry Moffat, Billy Blyth and Bob Turnbull made it 1-3 in Arsenal's favour at the final whistle.

On this day in 1925 manager Leslie Knighton officially departed the club to be replaced by Herbert Chapman. His volatile relationship with Henry Norris was over.

This date in 1934 Jack Crayston  joined Arsenal. He signed from Bradford Park Avenue and played 187 times for the club scoring 17 goals. He stayed as a player until he retired in 1939 and they advent of World War II but would later be coach and manager of the club.

Back in Sweden today in 1939 the Gunners took on Gothenburg Alliance. A goal from George Drury and two from Ted Drake made it a 0-3 English win.

At the temporary wartime home of White Hart Lane Arsenal played Brentford today in 1942 in the London War Cup. Arsenal couldn't score but Brentford helped out by putting through their own net. The Bees went on to win 1-2 though.

Once again back in Sweden Arsenal took on Staevnet today in 1961. Vic Groves scored the only goal of the match to give the Gunners the 0-1 win.

In 1962 today the great Jack Kelsey injured his back and retired from Arsenal and football. The goalkeeper that the Brazilian national team nicknamed the 'cat with magnetic paws' had played 352 times between the posts for Arsenal.

The Gunners made the trip to Molineux for a Division 1 match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1980 and returned to the capital with the points after a 1-2 victory. Frank Stapleton and Steve Walford got the ogals for the win.

Arsenal were invited to the Valley today in 1984. It was the Les Berry Testimonial match and the assembled supporters saw seven goals. Brian Talbot, Paul Davis (2) and Raphael Meade scored the goals the made it 3-4 against Charlton Athletic.

May 16th 1997 Arsenal signed Matthew Upson  from Luton Town for £2m. Over the next six years he would make only 56 appearances for the club. He left to join Birmingham City in 2003.

On this day in 1998 it was FA Cup final day at Wembley Stadium. Arsenal were to face Newcastle United. David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Nigel Winterburn, Ray Parlour, Patrick Viera, Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars, Christopher Wreh & Nicolas Anelka took to the Wembley turf and after the first 45 minutes Arsenal were 1-0 up through a 23rd minute Marc Overmars  goal. The Gunners scored again in the second half as Nicolas Anelka (picture bottom right) found the back of the net on 69 minutes. That was enough! Arsenal lifted the trophy and the Gunners had achieved their second league and cup double. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyf0A-rCVA8

Into the Premiership era and today in 1999 saw Aston Villa make the trip to Highbury but they were unable to get anything from the game and Arsenal sneaked a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Nwankwo Kanu. Arsenal finished 2nd in the league (just a point behind Manchester United) and Nicolas Anelka was top scorer with 19 goals.

Finally, 75,468 supporters took their places at Old Trafford in 2009 to watch the Gunners against Manchester United. The points were shared as no one could break the deadlock and the score remained 0-0.