Edward Joseph "Ted" Drake (16 August 1912 – 30 May 1995) was an
EnglishEngland 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 and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football player and manager. As a player, he first played for
SouthamptonSouthampton Football Club are a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. The club were relegated from the Championship in 2009, and play in League One in the 2009–10 season...
but made his name playing for
ArsenalArsenal Football Club are an English professional football club based in Holloway, North London...
in the 1930s, winning two
league titlesThe First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
and an
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
, as well as five caps for
EnglandThe English national football team represents England in international association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England...
. He was also a
cricketCricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being...
er, but only ever played sparingly for Hampshire. After retiring from playing football, he became a manager, and while in charge of
ChelseaChelsea Football Club Chelsea Football Club Chelsea Football Club (are a professional English football club based in West London. The team, founded in 1905, play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football...
he took the club to its only league title of the 20th century.
Southampton
Born in
SouthamptonSouthampton is the largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, Drake started playing at
Winchester CityWinchester City Football Club are an English football team based in Winchester, Hampshire and playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. The team is currently managed by Stu Hussey and their motto is "Many in Men, One in Spirit",-History:...
, whilst continuing to work as a gas-meter reader. He nearly joined
Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur Football Club, , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English professional football club based in Tottenham, North London which currently plays in the Premier League...
as a schoolboy, but missed the trial match with an injury. In June 1931, he was persuaded by
George KayGeorge Kay was an English football player and manager of Luton Town, Southampton and Liverpool.The highlight of his playing career was when he captained West Ham United in the first FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, the so-called White Horse Final.He was manager of Liverpool for 15 years and...
to join
SouthamptonSouthampton Football Club are a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. The club were relegated from the Championship in 2009, and play in League One in the 2009–10 season...
, then playing in Division Two. He made his Saints debut on 14 November 1931 at Swansea Town, and signed as a professional in November, becoming first-choice centre-forward by the end of the 1931-32 season.
In the following season he made 33 league appearances, scoring 20 goals. After only one full season, his bravery and skill attracted the attention of Arsenal's
Herbert ChapmanHerbert 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...
, who tried to persuade Drake to move to North London. Drake rejected the chance of a move to
HighburyArsenal Stadium was a football stadium in Highbury, North London, which was the home ground of Arsenal Football Club between 6 September 1913 and 7 May 2006...
and decided to remain at
The DellThe Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-Early days:The stadium was opened in September 1898, with the inaugural match on 3 September being against Brighton United. The first goal at the stadium was scored by Watty Keay,...
. He started the
1933-34 seasonThe 1933-34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Events:*January 6 - Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman dies of pneumonia.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
by scoring a
hat trickHat Trick, hat-trick or Hattrick may refer to:*hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match*Hattrick — online football management game*Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
in the opening game against Bradford City, following this with at least one goal in the next four games, thereby amassing eight goals in the opening five games. By early March he had blasted his way to the top of the Football League Division Two goal-scoring table with 22 goals.
Arsenal, with
George AllisonGeorge Frederick Allison was an English football journalist, broadcaster and manager. He was the BBC's first sports commentator and Arsenal's second longest serving manager.-Journalism career:...
now in charge, renewed their interest and Drake eventually decided to join the Gunners in March 1934 for a fee of £6,500. Saints had declined several previous offers, but eventually were forced to sell in order to balance their books. Drake made a total of 74 appearances for Southampton, scoring 48 goals.
Arsenal
Drake moved to Arsenal in March 1934 for £6,500, and scored on his league debut against
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is a professional football club representing the city of Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands region of England, and currently playing in the Premier League. Commonly referred to by their nickname Wolves, the club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 have played...
on 24 March 1934, in a 3-2 win. Although he joined too late to qualify for a
League ChampionshipThe First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
medal in
1933-34The 1933-34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Events:*January 6 - Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman dies of pneumonia.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
, Drake would win one in
1934-35The 1934-35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
, scoring 42 goals in 41 league games in the process — this included three
hat-trickA hat-trick in sports is associated with succeeding at anything three times, generally in three consecutive attempts. In North America it is often rendered as hat trick, with no hyphen. The Oxford English Dictionary lists it unhyphenated and gives a variety of examples published in the 19th and...
s and four four-goal hauls. With two more goals in the
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
and
Charity ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
, Drake scored 44 in all that season, breaking
Jack LambertJohn "Jack" Lambert was an English footballer.A large and robust centre forward from Greasbrough near Rotherham, Yorkshire, Lambert was turned down by Sheffield Wednesday after a trial, so started his career playing for Rotherham County in 1922. He soon made a move to Leeds United, but spent three...
's club record, one that still holds to this day.
Drake's exploits at club level brought him recognition at international level, and he made his
EnglandThe English national football team represents England in international association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England...
debut against
ItalyThe Italy national football team represents Italy in international football competition and is controlled by the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio...
in the "
Battle of HighburyThe "Battle of Highbury" was the name given to the football match between England and Italy that took place on 14 November 1934 at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London...
" on 14 November 1934; one of seven Arsenal players in the side, he scored the third goal in a heated 3-2 win. In total he won five caps, scoring six times.
The following season,
1935-36The 1935-36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English league who wear striped jerseys....
Drake scored seven in a single match against
Aston VillaAston Villa Football Club is an English professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham, who play in the Premier League. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of Football League in 1888...
at
Villa ParkVilla Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, a football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
on 14 December 1935, a club record that also still stands. Drake claimed an eighth goal hit the crossbar and went over the line, but the
refereeA referee presides over a game of association football. The referee has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" , and the referee's decisions regarding facts connected with play are final, so far as the result of the game is...
waved away his appeal. Drake would go on to win the
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
in
1935-36The 1935-36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English league who wear striped jerseys....
(scoring the only goal in the
finalThe 1936 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Sheffield United at Wembley. Arsenal won by a single goal, scored by Ted Drake.-Match details:MATCH RULES*90 minutes.*30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.*Replay if scores still level....
) and the League again in
1937-38The 1937-38 season was the 63rd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
.
Despite being injured regularly (he was a doubt up until the last minute for the 1936 Cup Final), Drake's speed, fierce shooting and brave playing style meant he was Arsenal's first-choice centre forward for the rest of the decade, and he was the club's top scorer for each of the five seasons from 1934-35 to
1938-39The 1938–39 season was the 64th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
. The Second World War curtailed Drake's career, although he served in the
Royal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts.The RAF operates almost 1,109...
as well as turning out for Arsenal in wartime games. However, Drake's career would not last long into peacetime; a
spinalIn human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 33 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs...
injury incurred in a game against
ReadingReading Football Club is an association football club, based in the English town of Reading, in Berkshire, who play in the The Championship. Formed in 1871 the club is one of the oldest teams in England, but did not join the Football League until 1920, and never played in the top tier of English...
in 1945 forced him to retire from playing. With 139 goals in 184 games, he is the joint-fifth (along with
Jimmy BrainJames "Jimmy" Brain was an English football player.Born in Bristol, Brain started his career playing in Wales, having an unsuccessful trial at Cardiff City, before gaining a regular place at Ton Pentre. In 1923, he moved to Arsenal, and in his eight years with the Gunners became one of the club's...
) all-time scorer for Arsenal.
Cricket career
He made his debut for
HampshireHampshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Hampshire. Its limited overs team is called the Hampshire Hawks...
in 1931 and shared a vital stand of 86 with
Phil MeadCharles Phillip Mead was a left-handed batsman for Hampshire and England between 1905 and 1936. He was born at 10 Ashton Buildings , second eldest of seven children...
against
GlamorganGlamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Its limited overs team is called the...
. He made 45 but never reached this score again in the 15 further matches he played over the next six years, first as an amateur and then as a professional.
Hendon and Reading
After retiring as a player, Drake managed
HendonHendon Football Club are an English football club based in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet, London, England. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
in 1946, and then
ReadingReading Football Club is an association football club, based in the English town of Reading, in Berkshire, who play in the The Championship. Formed in 1871 the club is one of the oldest teams in England, but did not join the Football League until 1920, and never played in the top tier of English...
from 1947. He led the club to the runners-up spot in Division Three South in
1951-52The 1951-52 season was the 72nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
, though at the time only the champions were promoted.
Chelsea
He was appointed manager of First Division
ChelseaChelsea Football Club Chelsea Football Club Chelsea Football Club (are a professional English football club based in West London. The team, founded in 1905, play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football...
in 1952. Upon Drake's arrival at Chelsea, he made a series of sweeping changes, doing much to rid the club of its previous amateurish,
music hallMusic hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
image. He discarded the club's Chelsea pensioner crest and with it the
Pensioners nicknameA nickname is a descriptive name given in place of or in addition to the official name of a person, place or thing. It can also be the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, which may sometimes be used simply for convenience A nickname (also spelled "nick name") is a descriptive name...
, and insisted a new one be adopted. From these changes came the "Lion Rampant Regardant" crest and the
Blues nickname. He introduced scouting reports and a new, tougher, training regime based on ballwork, a rare practice in English football at the time. The club's previous policy of signing unreliable big-name players was abandoned; Drake instead used his knowledge of the lower divisions and the
amateurAn amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without formal training or pay. An amateur receives little or irregular income from their activities, and differs from a professional who makes a living from the pursuit and typically has some formal...
game to recruit little-known, but more reliable, players such as
John McNicholJohn "Johnny/Jock" McNichol is a former footballer.McNicol was a forward who played for Newcastle United, Brighton, Chelsea and Crystal Palace....
,
Frank BlunstoneFrank Blunstone is an English former footballer who played for Crewe Alexandra and Chelsea as an outside left. He was once described by Jimmy Greaves as having a heart the size of a cabbage....
,
Derek SaundersDerek Saunders is a retired English footballer who played most notably for Chelsea during the 1950s.Born in Ware, Saunders played primarily as a wing-half and started his career with amateur side Walthamstow Avenue, who he captained in their 1952 FA Amateur Cup Final win...
,
Jim LewisJames "Jim" Lewis is a retired English footballer. He was one of the most successful amateur footballers of his generation....
and
Peter SillettPeter Richard Sillett was an English footballer. He played for Chelsea and Southampton as a right back, and made three appearances for England....
.
Within three years, in the
1954-55The 1954-1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
season, Drake had led Chelsea to their first-ever league championship triumph (they did not win another one until 2005). In doing so, he became the first person to win the league title both as player and manager. However, Drake never came close to repeating the success. The championship-winning side was gradually broken up, to be replaced by the crop of youngsters emerging from the club's youth team, such as
Jimmy GreavesJames Peter 'Jimmy' Greaves is an English former football player, England's third highest international goalscorer, the highest goalscorer in the history of English top flight football and more recently a television pundit...
,
Peter BrabrookPeter Brabrook is a retired English footballer who played most notably for Chelsea and West Ham United as a winger....
and
Bobby TamblingRobert Victor 'Bobby' Tambling is a retired English footballer, who played most notably for Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the 1960s and 1970s...
, for whom Drake was an aloof figure. Thereafter performances and results were very erratic, leaving the club stranded in mid-table; an
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
loss to
Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the FA Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
side
Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra Football Club are an English football team based at Gresty Road in Crewe, Cheshire and nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's historical links with the rail industry....
weakened his position at the club and a few months later, Drake was sacked early into the
1961-62The season was notable for the remarkable achievement of Ipswich Town winning the League Championship. Under the managership of Alf Ramsey, the club progressed from the old Third Division South to the First Division...
season.
After leaving Chelsea, he became reserve team manager at
FulhamFulham Football Club is an English professional football club based in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2004, and are in the top tier of English football, the Premier League...
(where his son, Bobby, played), later becoming a director and then life president of the Cottagers. Drake died, aged 82, on 30 May 1995.
As a player
Arsenal
- Football League First Division
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
championship - 1934-35The 1934-35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
, 1937-38The 1937-38 season was the 63rd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:-Third Division North:-Third Division South:...
- FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
winner - 1936The 1936 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Sheffield United at Wembley. Arsenal won by a single goal, scored by Ted Drake.-Match details:MATCH RULES*90 minutes.*30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.*Replay if scores still level....
As a manager
Chelsea
- Football League First Division
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
championship - 1954-55The 1954-1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
External links