Bertie Mee

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Lore & Background

Following a decade of relative failure where the club failed to win the League or FA Cup for 18 years, Arsenal appointed Bertie Mee as acting manager in 1966. 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.

In Their Own Story

The breakthrough season of 1970–71 defined Bertie Mee's legacy, transforming a squad that had spent the 1950s and 1960s in mid-table mediocrity into champions of England. With the help of Don Howe and new signings like Bob McNab and George Graham, Mee steered the club to their first League Cup finals in consecutive years before securing the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969–70. The season after, Arsenal achieved an even greater triumph with their first League and FA Cup double. This victory marked a premature high point of the decade; while the Double-winning side was soon broken up, the achievement stood as a testament to Mee's ability to extract maximum performance from his squad during a period where the club had previously struggled to attract strong replacements.

Reader's Guide

Bertie Mee's path to management began as the club physiotherapist before he was appointed acting manager in 1966, a decision met with skepticism. His strategy relied on integrating new talent like Bob McNab and George Graham alongside existing players to challenge for silverware. Under his guidance, Arsenal reached their first League Cup finals in 1967–68 and 1968–69 and won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969–70. His crowning achievement was the 1970–71 season, where he led the team to a historic League and FA Cup double, setting a new champions of England record. Mee managed the club until 1976 when Terry Neill succeeded him, leaving behind a legacy defined by ending an 18-year trophy drought.

Did You Know?

• Bertie Mee was appointed acting manager in 1966 to the 'incredulity' of fans and the sports media.
• Under Mee, Arsenal reached their first League Cup finals in the 1967–68 and 1968–69 seasons.
• Mee led Arsenal to their first competitive European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, in 1969–70.
• The 1970–71 season marked Arsenal's first-ever League and FA Cup double under Mee's management.