Dan Lewis (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Daniel "Dan" Lewis was a Welsh
football
goalkeeper, who is most notable for his time playing for Arsenal
. He kept goal for Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup Final where a mistake by him saw Cardiff City
win the cup.
, Glamorgan
, Lewis first played for local clubs, before moving to London
and joining Clapton Orient
. His move to the big time came in 1924 when he joined First Division
Arsenal. He made his debut for the Gunners on 15 November 1924 against Everton
; Arsenal won 3-2 and Lewis remained for the next thirteen games. However, after letting in five in a match at home to Huddersfield Town on 14 February 1925, Lewis was dropped.
After Herbert Chapman
arrived as Arsenal manager in 1925, Lewis shared goalkeeping duties with Jock Robson
and Bill Harper
, but Lewis gradually became the club's No. 1, particularly after Robson and Harper left in 1926 and 1927 respectively. He won his first cap for Wales
in a 3-3 draw against England
on 12 February 1927. In all he won three caps, the last of which was a 6-0 defeat by England at Stamford Bridge
on 20 November 1929.
The most infamous moment of Lewis' Arsenal career was the 1927 FA Cup Final
, against Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium; it was the Gunners' first Cup final, which they lost 1-0 thanks to an error by Lewis. In the 74th minute, Cardiff striker
Hughie Ferguson
hit a tame shot straight at Lewis, who dived down to make what should have been a comfortable save. However, Lewis fumbled the ball as he gathered it, and it slipped between his body and the crook of his elbow; Lewis turned around and tried in vain to reclaim the ball but only succeeded in knocking it with his elbow into the back of the net. Cardiff won the match 1-0, the only time a Welsh club has won the FA Cup, ironic given Lewis was a Welsh international himself. Lewis blamed his brand new jersey
for the error, saying the wool was too greasy for him to grip the ball properly; since then, according to club legend, no Arsenal goalkeeper has played in a New Jersey before it is washed first.
Lewis continued to play as Arsenal's regular goalkeeper for the next three seasons. However, when they reached Wembley for their second Cup final in 1930, Lewis was dropped by Chapman, who feared Lewis would not be able to cope with the pressure, and Charlie Preedy
took his place. Arsenal beat Huddersfield 2-0 to claim their first major trophy. His confidence shattered, Lewis hardly figured at all the following season, particularly after the signings of Bill Harper (for a second spell) and Gerard Keizer
. He was transferred to Gillingham
in May 1931. In all he played 169 matches for Arsenal.
Lewis played only six times for Gillingham and apparently retired from professional football soon after. He died in 1965, at the age of 62.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper, who is most notable for his time playing for Arsenal
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...
. He kept goal for Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup Final where a mistake by him saw Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
win the cup.
Playing career
Born in MaerdyMaerdy
Maerdy is a village and community in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying at the head of the Rhondda Fach Valley.- History :...
, Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
, Lewis first played for local clubs, before moving to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and joining Clapton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. His move to the big time came in 1924 when he joined First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Arsenal. He made his debut for the Gunners on 15 November 1924 against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
; Arsenal won 3-2 and Lewis remained for the next thirteen games. However, after letting in five in a match at home to Huddersfield Town on 14 February 1925, Lewis was dropped.
After 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...
arrived as Arsenal manager in 1925, Lewis shared goalkeeping duties with Jock Robson
Jock Robson
John Hardy "Jock" Robson was a Scottish football goalkeeper.Born in Innerleithen, Tweeddale, Robson played as a goalkeeper despite only standing at 5’8”. Robson had served in the First World War with the Seaforth Highlanders; after returning home he played for local side Vale of Leithen...
and Bill Harper
Bill Harper
William "Bill" Harper was a Scottish goalkeeper who played for, among others, Hibernian, Arsenal, Fall River Marksmen and Plymouth Argyle. He also represented Scotland in 11 full internationals.-Early years:...
, but Lewis gradually became the club's No. 1, particularly after Robson and Harper left in 1926 and 1927 respectively. He won his first cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 3-3 draw against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
on 12 February 1927. In all he won three caps, the last of which was a 6-0 defeat by England at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
on 20 November 1929.
The most infamous moment of Lewis' Arsenal career was the 1927 FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final 1927
The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis's mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio...
, against Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
at Wembley Stadium; it was the Gunners' first Cup final, which they lost 1-0 thanks to an error by Lewis. In the 74th minute, Cardiff striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
Hughie Ferguson
Hughie Ferguson
Hugh "Hughie" Ferguson was a Scottish footballer. He is only one of seven men in the entire history of the Football and Scottish Football Leagues to have scored 350 League goals...
hit a tame shot straight at Lewis, who dived down to make what should have been a comfortable save. However, Lewis fumbled the ball as he gathered it, and it slipped between his body and the crook of his elbow; Lewis turned around and tried in vain to reclaim the ball but only succeeded in knocking it with his elbow into the back of the net. Cardiff won the match 1-0, the only time a Welsh club has won the FA Cup, ironic given Lewis was a Welsh international himself. Lewis blamed his brand new jersey
Jersey (clothing)
A jersey is an item of knitted clothing, traditionally in wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn...
for the error, saying the wool was too greasy for him to grip the ball properly; since then, according to club legend, no Arsenal goalkeeper has played in a New Jersey before it is washed first.
Lewis continued to play as Arsenal's regular goalkeeper for the next three seasons. However, when they reached Wembley for their second Cup final in 1930, Lewis was dropped by Chapman, who feared Lewis would not be able to cope with the pressure, and Charlie Preedy
Charlie Preedy
Charles James Fane Preedy was an English football goalkeeper.One of six children, Preedy was born in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, India, where his father was serving with the Royal Artillery. The family returned to Eltham, London, in 1907 where he attended Gordon School...
took his place. Arsenal beat Huddersfield 2-0 to claim their first major trophy. His confidence shattered, Lewis hardly figured at all the following season, particularly after the signings of Bill Harper (for a second spell) and Gerard Keizer
Gerard Keizer
Gerard Pieter Keizer , also known as Gerard Keyser, was a Dutch football goalkeeper. As well as being highly successful in his native country, he was also one of the first players from outside Great Britain or Ireland to play in English football.Keizer joined Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 16, and...
. He was transferred to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in May 1931. In all he played 169 matches for Arsenal.
Lewis played only six times for Gillingham and apparently retired from professional football soon after. He died in 1965, at the age of 62.
External links
- BBC Wales on Air - 1927 FA Cup Final, with video footage of Lewis's error.