Camden Sport: Arsenal | Herbert Chapman | Manager

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Camden Sports - DAN CARRIER
Published: 8 January 2009

Herbert Chapman

Forget Wenger... Herbert’s the Chap

MOST Arsenal fans today may think that Arsene Wenger is the most influential manager in the club’s history.
But they would be wrong. This week marked the 75th anniversary of the death of Herbert Chapman, arguably the greatest innovator not only at Arsenal, but in the history of English football.
Chapman revolutionised the role of the manager and transformed the Gunners into a thriving business.
Dubbed the first modernist manager, Chapman helped introduce of use of floodlights, white footballs and numbered shirts.
He was also credited with the renaming of Gillespie Road Station to Arsenal, and overseeing the development of Highbury, including the additional clock that was placed at the south terrace, giving it the famous name of the “Clock End”.
With so many achievements to his name, it’s hard to believe that he only took over at Arsenal after he responded to an ad in the Athletic News.
His success as a manager was just as potent, winning two league titles and an FA Cup with Arsenal, mirroring his successes as boss of Huddersfield Town.
Chapman died on January 6, 1934 at the early age of 55 of pneumonia, which he developed over the New Year period while watching a string of football matches.

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