The
history of Arsenal Football Club between 1886 and 1966 covers the time from the club's foundation, through the first two major periods of success and their subsequent decline to mid-table status.
Arsenal was founded in 1886 as a workers' team from
Woolwich,
South East London. They turned professional in 1891 and joined the
Football League two years later. The club was promoted into the
First Division in 1904. Arsenal was bought out by
Sir Henry Norris in 1910, who moved the team to
Arsenal Stadium,
Highbury,
North London in 1913 in order to improve their financial standing. After
World War I he arranged for the club's promotion back to the First Division, in controversial circumstances. It was not until the appointment of
Herbert Chapman that Arsenal had their first period of major success and under him and his successor
George Allison, Arsenal won five First Division titles and two
FA Cups in the 1930s. After the
Second World War,
Tom Whittaker continued the success, leading the club to two First Division titles and an FA Cup. Arsenal's fortunes gradually declined; by 1966, they were in mid-table obscurity and had not won a trophy in thirteen years. This led to the dismissal of
Billy Wright as manager, and with it the appointment of
Bertie Mee.
(This article is part of a featured topic: History of Arsenal F.C. (1886–1966).)
This is my first nomination here, so please excuse me in advance. Blurb could do with a fresh pair of eyes. 6 September 1913 is relevant because it was the date of the first match played at Highbury; this however is not specified in the article so I'm not sure if it warrents one point for timing. I've tided up the referencing and left a note on the article's talkpage seeing as the major contributor
has been inactive for a while.
