Bertie Mee

The physiotherapist who became manager and delivered Arsenal's first-ever Double.

Bertie Mee is remembered as the club physiotherapist who stepped up to become Arsenal's manager in 1966, a move that met with incredulity from fans and sports media alike. His tenure marked a pivotal return to success for the Gunners after years of mid-table mediocrity under predecessors like Billy Wright. Mee led the team through a period of rebuilding, securing their first League Cup finals in 1968 and 1969 before achieving a historic breakthrough. His leadership culminated in the 1970–71 season, where Arsenal won both the League Championship and the FA Cup, completing the club's first-ever League and FA Cup double.

Quick Facts

Role

Manager

Affiliation

Arsenal FC

Major honours

First Division Title
FA Cup (Double)
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

Facts from the source article.

Background

With new assistant Don Howe and fresh players like Bob McNab and George Graham, Mee guided the team to their first League Cup finals in 1967–68 and 1968–69. The following season, 1969–70, saw Arsenal secure their first competitive European trophy with the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. The pinnacle of his era arrived in 1970–71 when the club achieved a new champions of England record by winning the League and FA Cup double. Although the Double-winning side was soon broken up, Mee's tenure also saw Arsenal finish as FA Cup runners-up in 1972 and First Division runners-up in 1972–73 before Terry Neill succeeded him in 1976.