George Allison

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Lore & Background

Allison was born in Hurworth-on-Tees, County Durham, and attended Holy Trinity School in Stockton. He started out as a judge's secretary while playing for a local amateur team in Stockton-on-Tees. He ran a sideline in writing about his own team's exploits and was eventually convinced by his editor to become a full-time journalist. He moved to London in 1906 as the sports representative of the Hulton group of newspapers. Four years later he became greyhound correspondent for the Sporting Life and began to write Gunners' Mate in Arsenal's matchday programmes. After a chance encounter with Lord Kitchener before the 1911 coronation of King George V, Allison became London correspondent for the New York Post and a year later joined the staff of William Randolph Hearst, remaining until 1934. During World War I he worked for the War Office and the Admiralty, producing propaganda, and later joined the Royal Flying Corps. After the war he joined the BBC and became the first person to commentate on the radio on events such as the Derby and the Grand National, as well as the annual England v. Scotland international, and the FA Cup Final in 1927. He became a member of Arsenal's board of directors soon after the end of the First World War; he was at first club secretary and then managing director. After the sudden death of Herbert Chapman in January 1934, Allison was appointed Chapman's full-time successor in the summer of that year. Under Chapman and caretaker manager Joe Shaw, Arsenal had already won the League Championship twice in a row, in 1932–33 and 1933–34, and Allison made it a hat-trick, winning a third successive title in 1934–35. He also won the FA Cup in 1935–36 and the League again in 1937–38. In 1938, Allison set a world transfer record when he bought Bryn Jones from Wolverhampton for £14,000. He appeared in the 1939 film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, with a speaking part as himself. He took a hands-off approach to managing; Joe Shaw and Tom Whittaker took charge of training and squad discipline, while Allison concentrated on transfer policy and the club's relationship with the media. With the advent of the Second World War, official competition was suspended. Allison continued to manage Arsenal in the Wartime League, going unpaid. After hostilities ended, Arsenal finished 13th in 1946–47, and Allison decided to step down and retire. He died in 1957 after se

In Their Own Story

In January 1934, the football world reeled from the sudden death of Herbert Chapman. By summer, George Allison stepped in as his successor. The team was already a powerhouse, having won back-to-back titles under Chapman and caretaker Joe Shaw. Allison maintained this momentum, securing a historic third consecutive League title in 1934–35. He then guided Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 1935–36 and another League Championship in 1937–38. However, his tenure faced challenges; by the late 1930s, stars like Alex James could not be adequately replaced. In 1938, he broke the world transfer record to sign Bryn Jones from Wolverhampton for £14,000. When World War II began, Allison managed Arsenal in the Wartime League without pay. As the war ended and key players like Cliff Bastin and Ted Drake retired, the team finished 13th in 1946–47. Tired and in his mid-sixties, Allison stepped down, retiring from football before passing away in 1957 after years of illness.

Reader's Guide

George Allison was Arsenal manager from summer 1934 until after the 1946–47 season. He won three consecutive League Championships (1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35), though the first two were under Herbert Chapman and Joe Shaw. He also won the FA Cup in 1935–36 and the League in 1937–38. He set a world transfer record in 1938 for Bryn Jones. He is known for the line 'It's one-nil to the Arsenal' from the 1939 film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery.

Did You Know?

• Allison was the BBC's first sports commentator.
• He was Arsenal's second longest serving manager.
• He set a world transfer record in 1938 when he bought Bryn Jones for £14,000.
• He appeared as himself in the 1939 film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery.