10 Oct 2025 11:13:09
Is it true Arsenal earned over half their history in the 1930's from bribes engineered by the disgraced Sir Henry Norris when they should have instead been languishing in the dump that is Woolwich? Maybe ED01 could enlighten us?

{Ed001's Note - I have to be honest, I don't know much about that period of Arsenal's history, but I think I am going to have to start researching that period now.}

1.) 11 Oct 2025
11 Oct 2025 10:09:23
Had never heard about this RPD would be ghood to know more. and also to know if elemnts of corruption or the powerful flouting the rules in football not just a recent development?!

2.) 12 Oct 2025
12 Oct 2025 17:04:08
Sir Henry was an interesting character. There were lots of accusations about bribery associated to him.

I seem to remember reading he was an MP so he was well qualified.

3.) 17 Oct 2025
17 Oct 2025 19:40:42
Tom, interesting? He was an out and out crook. Following the reintroduction of football after WW1 in 1919 Arsenal were elected from Division 2 to Division 2 despite finishing 6th. It was widely alleged the bribes had been paid to other club chairmen. He used the club’s account to pay for his chauffeur and pocketed £125 from the sale of the reserve team bus. He was eventually banned for life from football. He appealed and The Lord Chief Justice found in favour of the FA. He also unsuccessfully tried to sue the Daily Mail. In 1927 it was established that other club chairmen had taken bribes from Norris in 1919.