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the
manager
WINTER 2011
there’s only Three Herbert Chapmans
The bronze bust of Herbert Chapman which still stands in the legendary
Marble Halls of Highbury (even though those Halls are now part of a
housing development called Highbury Fields) has almost as interesting a
history as the character it depicts. The bust was commissioned and paid
for by 12 of Chapman’s friends (including his Arsenal colleague, the club
physiotherapist Tom Whittaker) who became known as the ‘HC Club’. This
group would continue to meet on the anniversary of Chapman’s death
(January 4th) and lay a wreath on his grave in Hendon churchyard until
the death of its last members. Although the bust was created as a ‘one-
off’ by the sculptor Jacob Epstein, there are now three in existence. One
of the two replicas was created to take its place in The Emirates Stadium
when Arsenal moved there in 2006, while the other was presented to
Huddersfield Town to celebrate that team’s centenary in 2008 (and, of
course, the two teams’ connection to the legendary manager).
bronze bust in Highbury’s famous
marble hall (see ‘There’s Only Three
Herbert Chapmans’, below right) but
even without this physical tribute,
his legacy would still run deep
throughout almost every aspect of
the modern game.
Born:
Sheffield, January 19th 1878
Playing career:
Inside forward for numerous clubs,
including Sheffield United, Notts
County, Northampton Town and
Tottenham Hotspur
Managerial career:
Northampton Town (player manager,
1907-1912); Leeds City (1912-
1919); Huddersfield Town (1921-
1925); Arsenal (1925-1934)
Honours and achievements:
First Division (1924, 1925, 1931,
1933); FA Cup (1922, 1930)
Herbert Chapman
Fact File
www.leaguemanagers.com/
managers/profile-506.html