Arthur Grimsdell

Arthur Grimsdell (23 March 1894 – 12 March 1963) was an English professional footballer. He was born in Watford, Hertfordshire and played at centre-half and later wing-half for Tottenham Hotspur. and England. He captained both teams during the 1920s.

He was also an accomplished cricketer at both County and First class level. He was considered a sports personality of his era, featuring on footballer cigarette cards and interviewed for sports magazines.

He died, aged 68 in Watford on 12 March 1963.

Football career

Club

Grimsdell started his career at St Albans City^[1] and Watford but transferred as a schoolboy player to Tottenham Hotspur, playing his first game at the age of 18 in 1912. His career was interrupted by the First World War. On his return in 1919 he captained Tottenham during the 1919-20 season and led them when they won the Second Division that year. In the following season he captained the side, which won the FA Cup in 1921.^[2]

His successful club career continued until he broke his leg during the 1925 season. He did not return to play for the side until 1927 and he went on to play for Spurs until April 1929 when he was released by the club. He subsequently went to Clapton Orient where he took on a player-manager-secretary role.

He made in total 418 appearances for Tottenham scoring 43 goals including 324 League appearances (26 goals) and 36 F.A Cup matches (1 goal). In recognition of his distinguished career and service to the club he was admitted to the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame.^[3]

Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Grimsdell served on Watford's board of directors from 1945 until 1951.^[4]

International

Grimsdell had a trial for the England team in 1913 but only started his international career after the war when he played for England 6 times between 1920 and 1923 as a left-half, captaining the team on three of these occasions.^[5]

Cricket career

Grimsdell was a right-handed batsman and ‘occasional’ wicketkeeper who played for Hertfordshire CCC in the minor counties league. He played once for the East of England side against New Zealand at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire in July 1927, scoring 3 runs (1st innings) and 40 runs (2nd innings).^[6]

References