George Graham

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The youngest of seven children, Graham was born at Dykehead Road, Bargeddie, near Coatbridge on Thursday 30 November 1944. He grew up in poverty and was raised by his mother, Janet (26 April 1908 – 27 March 1977), after his father, Robert Young Graham (born 22 June 1900), died of tuberculosis and heart failure on Christmas Day 1944. His elder sister also died of tuberculosis on 22 February 1950. While growing up, Graham showed considerable promise as a footballer, and Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa displayed an interest in signing him.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Graham's tenure occurred in the final game of the 1988–89 season against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield. Arsenal needed to win by two goals to clinch the title. Alan Smith scored early in the second half, but as the clock ticked into stoppage time, only one goal separated them from glory. With seconds remaining, a flick-on from Smith found Michael Thomas surging through the defence. The young midfielder calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to seal a 2–0 victory and the League Championship. This dramatic finish ended an 18-year wait for a league title. Graham continued this success by winning a second title in 1990–91, losing just one league game all season against Chelsea on 2 February. His trophy cabinet grew with two more League Cups (1987, 1993), an FA Cup in 1993, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994, cementing his status as one of Arsenal's most successful managers before being sacked in 1995 after admitting to taking undisclosed money from transfers.

Reader's Guide

Graham's managerial career began after retiring from playing in 1978, becoming youth team coach at Crystal Palace and then from October 1980 Queens Park Rangers. On 6 December 1982, he was appointed manager of Millwall. After leaving Millwall in 1986, Arsenal appointed him as manager on 14 May 1986 following an interview with Peter Hill-Wood, David Dein and Ken Friar. He won numerous honours with Arsenal between 1987 and 1995, including two league titles (1989 and 1991), the 1993 FA Cup, two Football League Cups (1987 and 1993), and the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup. He also managed Millwall, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Did You Know?

• Graham made his debut for Arsenal on 1 October 1966 at home to Leicester City, a 4–2 defeat.
• He was Arsenal's top scorer in both 1966–67 and 1967–68.
• Graham won twelve caps for Scotland, scoring three goals, his final one against Brazil on 30 June 1973.
• He was sacked by Arsenal after being found guilty by the Football Association of taking money from transfers.