Bob Wall (football administrator)
Encyclopedia
William Robert "Bob" Wall (25 February 1912 – 23 March 1981) was an English
football administrator, who spent his entire career with Arsenal Football Club
.
Born in Hackney
, he went to school in the Highbury
area and attended Finsbury Park
commercial college. He joined Arsenal in 1928 as a clerical worker, handling the club's box office
and the personal correspondence of manager Herbert Chapman
. He soon gained the trust of Chapman, and became his assistant who transfer deals. In his very first deal at Chapman's side, when Chapman signed David Jack
from Bolton Wanderers
, Wall would later recall that Chapman made sure the Bolton directors' drinks contained double measure while his own had no alcohol whatsoever; while the Bolton directors got very drunk, Chapman managed to haggle down the fee to a price he considered a bargain.
Wall continued to work for Arsenal for nearly fifty years; he became assistant secretary in 1950 and secretary of Arsenal Football Club six years later, after secretary-manager Tom Whittaker
had died; the club decided to split the role, with Jack Crayston
taking over the role of manager. Described by Arsenal captain Frank McLintock
as "an authoritarian personality", Wall would eventually come to be effectively in charge of the club's day-to-day running with the board of directors taking a backseat role.
In 1973 Wall became Arsenal's general manager, with Ken Friar
succeeding him as secretary. In the meantime, in 1969 he had published his own account of life at the club, in the book Arsenal from the Heart (ISBN 0285502611). He retired from his position 1977, accepting a position on the club's board which retained until his death.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football administrator, who spent his entire career with Arsenal Football Club
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
Born in Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, he went to school in the Highbury
Highbury
- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
area and attended Finsbury Park
Finsbury Park, London
Finsbury Park is an area in north London, England which grew up around an important railway interchange at the junction of the London Boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Hackney...
commercial college. He joined Arsenal in 1928 as a clerical worker, handling the club's box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
and the personal correspondence of manager Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman was an English association football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th century English football, before his sudden death in 1934.As a player, Chapman played for...
. He soon gained the trust of Chapman, and became his assistant who transfer deals. In his very first deal at Chapman's side, when Chapman signed David Jack
David Jack
David Bone Nightingale Jack was an English footballer, the first player ever to score at Wembley, and the first footballer in the world to be transferred for more than £10,000...
from Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, Wall would later recall that Chapman made sure the Bolton directors' drinks contained double measure while his own had no alcohol whatsoever; while the Bolton directors got very drunk, Chapman managed to haggle down the fee to a price he considered a bargain.
Wall continued to work for Arsenal for nearly fifty years; he became assistant secretary in 1950 and secretary of Arsenal Football Club six years later, after secretary-manager Tom Whittaker
Tom Whittaker (footballer)
Thomas James "Tom" Whittaker MBE was an English football player, trainer and manager, chiefly associated with Arsenal Football Club...
had died; the club decided to split the role, with Jack Crayston
Jack Crayston
William John "Jack" Crayston was an English football player and manager.-Playing career:Born in Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire, Crayston played for local school sides and Ulverston Town before moving to Third Division North Barrow in 1928...
taking over the role of manager. Described by Arsenal captain Frank McLintock
Frank McLintock
Francis "Frank" McLintock MBE is a Scottish former football defender who played for Leicester City, Arsenal and QPR.-Leicester City:...
as "an authoritarian personality", Wall would eventually come to be effectively in charge of the club's day-to-day running with the board of directors taking a backseat role.
In 1973 Wall became Arsenal's general manager, with Ken Friar
Ken Friar
Kenneth John Friar OBE is a director of Arsenal Football Club, he lives in Winchmore Hill, North London. He is currently the club's acting managing director....
succeeding him as secretary. In the meantime, in 1969 he had published his own account of life at the club, in the book Arsenal from the Heart (ISBN 0285502611). He retired from his position 1977, accepting a position on the club's board which retained until his death.