Ted Drake

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Lore & Background

Born in Southampton, Drake started playing at Winchester City, whilst continuing to work as a gas-meter reader. He nearly joined Spurs as a schoolboy, but missed the trial match with an injury. In June 1931, he was persuaded by George Kay to join Southampton, then playing in Division Two. He made his Saints debut on 14 November 1931 at Swansea Town, and signed as a professional in November, becoming first-choice centre-forward by the end of the 1931–32 season. In the following season he made 33 league appearances, scoring 20 goals. After only one full season, his bravery and skill attracted the attention of Arsenal's Herbert Chapman, who tried to persuade Drake to move to north London. Drake rejected the chance of a move to Highbury and decided to remain at The Dell. He started the 1933–34 season by scoring a hat-trick in the opening game against Bradford City, following this with at least one goal in the next four games, thereby amassing eight goals in the opening five games. By early March he had blasted his way to the top of the Football League Division Two goal-scoring table with 22 goals. Arsenal, with George Allison now in charge, renewed their interest and Drake eventually decided to join the Gunners. Saints had declined several previous offers, but eventually were forced to sell to balance their books. Drake made a total of 74 appearances for Southampton, scoring 48 goals. Drake moved to Arsenal in March 1934 for £6,500, and scored on his league debut against Wolves on 24 March 1934, in a 3–2 win. Although he joined too late to qualify for a League Championship medal in 1933–34, Drake would win one in 1934–35, scoring 42 goals in 41 league games in the process – this included three hat-tricks and four four-goal hauls. With two more goals in the FA Cup and Charity Shield, Drake scored 44 in all that season, breaking Jack Lambert's club record, one that still holds to this day. The following season, 1935–36 Drake scored seven in a single match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on 14 December 1935, a club record and top flight record that also still stands. Drake claimed an eighth shot hit the crossbar and went over the line, but the referee waved away his appeal. Drake would go on to win the FA Cup in 1935–36 with him scoring the only goal in the final and the League title again in 1937–38 with Arsenal. Despite being injured regularly (he was a doubt u

In Their Own Story

In June 1952, Drake arrived at Chelsea to find a club in need of reinvention. He immediately began sweeping changes, ridding the team of its previous image and instilling a new identity centered on the 'Lion Rampant Regardant.' The turning point came in the 1954–55 season when his rebuilt squad secured their first league championship triumph. This victory made Drake the first person to win the English top-flight as both player and manager. However, success was fleeting; the championship-winning side was gradually broken up to make room for youth prospects like Jimmy Greaves, Peter Brabrook, and Bobby Tambling. Results became erratic, and a humiliating FA Cup loss to Fourth Division side Crewe Alexandra weakened his position. By the 1961–62 season, Drake was dismissed, leaving behind a legacy of modernization that had briefly crowned Chelsea kings.

Reader's Guide

Edward Joseph Drake (16 August 1912 – 30 May 1995) was an English football player and manager. As a player, he first played for Southampton but made his name playing for Arsenal in the 1930s, winning two league titles and an FA Cup, as well as five caps for England. Drake is Arsenal's joint fifth highest goalscorer of all time. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in a top flight game in English football, with seven against Aston Villa in December 1935. A former centre forward, Drake has been described as a 'classic number 9' and as a 'strong, powerful, brave and almost entirely unthinking' player who 'typified the English view.' After retiring from playing football, Drake became a manager, most notably of Chelsea. In 1955, he led the club to their first league title. This made him the first person to win the English top-flight as both a player and a manager. He was also a cricketer, but only ever played sparingly for Hampshire.

Did You Know?

• Drake holds the record for the most goals scored in a top flight game in English football, with seven against Aston Villa in December 1935.
• He is Arsenal's joint fifth highest goalscorer of all time, with 139 goals in 184 games.
• Drake was the first person to win the English top-flight as both a player and a manager.
• He scored the only goal in the 1936 FA Cup final for Arsenal.
• Drake also played cricket for Hampshire, making his debut in 1931.