Cliff Bastin

The winger who was Arsenal's all-time top goalscorer from 1939 until Ian Wright passed him in 1997.

Clifford Sydney Bastin (14 March 1912 – 4 December 1991) was an English footballer who played as a winger for Exeter City and Arsenal, also representing the England national team. Born in Exeter, he began his career at age 16 before being signed by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman in May 1929 after Chapman spotted him playing against Watford while intending to scout another player. Known as "Boy Bastin" due to his youthful appearance, he became a first-team regular immediately upon his debut on 5 October 1929 against Everton. His career is defined by remarkable coolness and deadly precision in front of goal, serving as Arsenal's primary penalty-taker and a key figure in their most successful era.

Quick Facts

Full name: Clifford Sydney Bastin
Born: 14 March 1912
Birthplace: Exeter, England
Died: 4 December 1991
Position: Left winger
Total caps: 367
Total goals: 184

Lore & Background

Bastin's journey began at Exeter City, where he scored two goals in his second match against Newport County. His talent was so evident that Herbert Chapman signed him despite initially watching Watford's Tommy Barnett. At Arsenal, Bastin became a near ever-present figure over the next decade, playing over 35 matches every season up to 1937–38. His strategy relied heavily on cutting into the penalty box from the left wing, supported by playmaker Alex James. This partnership fueled Arsenal's dominance, securing five First Division titles and two FA Cups. Later, he even played at right half by request before returning to left wing for the 1937–38 title.

Reader's Guide

Cliff Bastin's tenure at Arsenal spanned from October 1929 to September 1946, with retirement announced in June 1947. He played on the left wing for most of his career, a position where he scored 150 league goals, a record that stood until Henry surpassed it in February 2006. His total of 178 official goals made him Arsenal's all-time top scorer from 1939 until Ian Wright surpassed him in 1997. Bastin won the FA Cup twice (1929–30, 1935–36) and the First Division five times (1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38). He also played in the Charity Shield victory over Sheffield Wednesday in October 1930. His international career included a debut against Wales in November 1931 and his final appearance against France in May 1938, where he scored his tenth goal via penalty.

Did You Know?

At age nineteen, Bastin became the youngest player ever to win a League title, an FA Cup, and earn an England cap simultaneously.
Austrian coach Hugo Meisl believed Austria could have won the 1934 World Cup if they had Cliff Bastin on their team.
Bastin served as an ARP Warden stationed on top of Highbury stadium during the war because he failed the army hearing test due to deafness.
His last appearance before retirement was an away match against Manchester United on 28 September 1946, and his autobiography was ghost-written by Brian Glanville in 1950.