Some Are Born Legend

The time machine was roaring again, yes its that time of the week again, the time to peak into the past one more time. Fasten your seat belts Chaps, I mean Herbert’s Chap’s..

11Gunners narrates the story of a ‘True Legend‘..

One fine day in June 1925,an advertisement in the Athletic news read somewhat like:-

Arsenal Football Club is open to receive applications for the position of TEAM MANAGER. He must be experienced and possess the highest qualifications for the post, both as to ability and personal character. Gentlemen whose sole ability to build up a good side depends on the payment of heavy and exhorbitant  transfer fees need not apply.

Battling with relegations for two previous seasons, Arsenal was in a state that would be rather unimaginable for the fans of the modern game. In 1925,the club appointed an Englishman in hopes of a brighter future. His name was Herbert Chapman. Ask any Gunner who comes every Saturday evening with his grandson to Ashburton Grove, Chapman’s appointment as of date would be regarded by him and many others as the turning point in the History of the Club.

Chapman arrived at Highbury having guided Huddersfield Town to some unanticipated success. There was a definite air of expectations. Some sagacious person has said that “Patience is a virtue for success”, and Gunner fans had an excruciating wait before Chapman’s work started bearing results. Though he had proved himself to be a Master Tactician as soon as he arrived,the glory years were still distant. Second place in 1925 and FA Cup runners up 2 years later signified progress but the real magic was yet to come. The Master’s first trophy came in 1930 to spark off the beginning of a decade dominated by our very own Arsenal. Title success came in 1931 and then 2 years later and Chapman had repayed every bit of the faith people had shown.

His ideas and strategies were Revolutionary at a time when the game in itself was developing. His contribution was not restricted to the club itself but extended to other realms of the Beautiful Game. Among them notable are the use of Floodlights, Second Referee, Penalty Area Semi-Circle and lots more.

As an individual, he was an astute personality and a disciplinarian. Shrewd signings of Cliff Bastin, David Jack among others brought about the transformation in our fortunes. All of us remember the Highbury Clock, don’t we, well he was the Man behind its inception.

However his path to Greatness was staunched by his premature death due to pneumonia in 1934. The entire footballing world was grieved by this eventuality. As a tribute to the Legend, the side won 3 back-to-back Titles in the forthcoming years.

We should all take a moment to appreciate the Great Man, who had a Great Life and he remains Immortal in the Hearts of the Fans, in the Holy Crest of Arsenal, his Dream, his Vision..

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