English football in the 1930s was dominated by one club: Arsenal. The Gunners won the championship five times, and only once, in 1929-30, did they fail to finish in the top six. There were also three FA Cup Final appearances, two of them victorious, and five wins in the Charity Shield. Under Herbert Chapman Arsenal took professional football to a new level, and even after the legendary manager's death the Gunners continued to set the pace in the domestic game.
Cameras at Highbury
Fittingly, the team of the decade became the first to be filmed for television. In 1937, a decade after radio coverage of football had been established, the cameras rolled for a practice match at Highbury. With the age of television still in its infancy, and the ownership of a set a rarity, it is doubtful whether those present that day realised the role that televised football would come to play in the nation’s cultural landscape.
Opposite: Four of the Arsenal players named for the England team to meet world champions Italy at Highbury in November 1934. L-R; Copping, Hapgood, Moss and Bowden. The contest, later dubbed "The Battle of Highbury" ended in a 3-2 win for England but commentators were critical of the Italians' behaviour. Copping, Drake, Moss and Bastin all needed treatment for injuries incurred and Hapgood's nose was broken when he was hit in the face.
Above: 1931: West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham: Pearson, the Albion goalkeeper, dashes across to meet a shot that went past the post. West Brom had the better of the Final with Richardson scoring both goals. Despite a quick equaliser scored by Bradford and Gregg's early disallowed goal, Birmingham never looked in contention to win.
Right: Eddie Hapgood was Arsenal's powerful full-back who led his team to five championship medals and two F A cup victories. He also captained England 21 times in the thirties.
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