Arsenal's mysterious 1919 promotion

[icburns]

There's been a lot of talk about Arsenal of late on the forum, and I ended up looking into their past a bit (if you know yer history and all). It was all rather boring except the controversy over their promotion to the top division. I really couldn't find any information providing a legitimate explanation for what happened during this period since most articles are either written by blind Arsenal followers or bitter Spurs supporters.

I thought I'd turn to the GOT for enlightenment, which, I suppose, is both my first and last mistake.

 

[Seamus Colemole]

Was that when they got voted back into the top flight despite finishing mid table in the second division? Instead of Spurs who should of gone up?

 

[The Binman]

Arsenal only finished in fifth place in 1919, but were nevertheless elected to rejoin the First Division at the expense of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, by reportedly dubious means. but no idea what the crack is...

 

[icburns]

Yeah, despite wolves and Burnley finishing above them. I think there was some dubious action to avoid relegation the next season as well, but that's more what I want to know than what I actually know.

 

[chrissyjack]

I think it was Arsenals argument that they were a BIG club, and therefore deserve to be in the top division

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I think their chairman at the time was a big wig in the football league or something like that

 

[Del]

So they where like the 1919 version of the RS

 

[Clint Planet]

Arsenal only finished in fifth place in 1919, but were nevertheless elected to rejoin the First Division at the expense of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, by reportedly dubious means. but no idea what the crack is...

It was 1915 that they finished fifth in the Second Division, the last full season before the Great War interrupted play. When the League proper began again in 1919 they were suddenly in the First Division again. Spurs had finished bottom in 1915 so deserved to go down but they really should have been playing in second flight derbies in north London in 1919-20.

Incidentally, Arsenal fans often claim to have never been relegated and yet they finished rock bottom in 1913 and did indeed go down.

 

[Seamus Colemole]

It was 1915 that they finished fifth in the Second Division, the last full season before the Great War interrupted play. When the League proper began again in 1919 they were suddenly in the First Division again. Spurs had finished bottom in 1915 so deserved to go down but they really should have been playing in second flight derbies in north London in 1919-20.

Incidentally, Arsenal fans often claim to have never been relegated and yet they finished rock bottom in 1913 and did indeed go down.

Yeah it annoys me when they say that.

I believe at the time they were called "Woolwich Arsenal" so therefor it wasn't Arsenal who got relegated. Load of rubbish, same damn club.

 

[Clint Planet]

Yeah it annoys me when they say that.

I believe at the time they were called "Woolwich Arsenal" so therefor it wasn't Arsenal who got relegated. Load of rubbish, same damn club.

An Arsenal fan once tried to convince me that Villa had spent the most seasons in the top flight. He was, according to his mates, "someone who knows his stuff," too. I just said "There's a laptop there - look it up."

Most enjoyable.

 

[Allezfan]

Incidentally, Arsenal fans often claim to have never been relegated and yet they finished rock bottom in 1913 and did indeed go down.

Drives me nuts that. Only one English team has never been relegated from the top lfight and it ain't Arsenal.

It's Wigan.

 

[Allezfan]

Hello, I am new here. nice to meet you.

I like this bloke, excellent manners.

Could you possibly point me towards some form of product on sale, mate? I have a lot of money to spend and you're the only one I trust to tell me how.

 

[icburns]

Drives me nuts that. Only one English team has never been relegated from the top lfight and it ain't Arsenal.

It's Wigan.

That's poetic.