{"id":35480,"date":"2015-01-06T09:25:54","date_gmt":"2015-01-06T09:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/old.thearsenalhistory.com\/?p=9324"},"modified":"2025-08-17T21:15:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T20:15:50","slug":"the-herbert-chapman-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thearsenalcollection.org.uk\/?p=35480","title":{"rendered":"The Herbert Chapman Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

The HC Club or the “Pals of Chapman”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No doubt you are aware that today is the anniversary of the tragic early passing of Herbert Chapman. Shortly after the publication of Patrick Barclay’s biography of the great man, we discovered the story of twelve\u00a0men who paid tribute to Chapman in their own special way. Here is their story.<\/p>\n

Ever wondered who commissioned the famous Bust of Herbert Chapman, Arsenal’s greatest ever manager,\u00a0that sat in the Highbury marble hall?<\/p>\n

\"Bust
One of the four Herbert Chapman busts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well wonder no more, because it was a band of supporters collectively called the “Pals of Herbert Chapman”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A not so-secret society of Arsenal fans existed from the 1930s onwards; all twelve, disciples of Herbert Chapman.\u00a0 In December 1933 thirteen men sat down in a restaurant for a dinner in the West End of London. All thirteen at this meal were Arsenal fans which was not surprising as one was the manager: Herbert Chapman. At the end of the meal one of the company suggested they form a club to exist to honour the architect of Arsenal as a force in not just English, but world football.<\/p>\n

Chapman was embarrassed by the fuss and would not allow a club in his honour during his lifetime, and banned them from further discussion at this original meeting. The twelve others yielded to his wishes and held the idea over as he looked healthy, was happy and was in the middle of the defence of the league Championship.<\/p>\n

Little did he, or anyone else, have an inkling that only four weeks later on 6 January 1934 Chapman\u2019s sudden illness followed by his premature demise would sadly allow them to get the club going. So, after the funeral the twelve friends were resolved and their strong desire to set up the group to perpetuate Herbert Chapman\u2019s memory had no stopping. As it was, reports at the funeral stated there was a strikingly large cross of red and white flowers with the inscription \u201cto Herbert from his pals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally it was these twelve men who commissioned the famous bronze bust of Herbert Chapman. This was unveiled at The Arsenal Stadium, Highbury on 22 October 1936 by the Reverend N\u00a0R\u00a0Boyd, vicar of the Hendon church that Chapman frequented. They were present together with Mrs Chapman, their children, Herbert\u2019s brothers, Arsenal directors, players, staff and shareholders. The bust was crafted by Sir Jacob Epstein and this event was a precursor to the official opening of the East Stand which was two days later.<\/p>\n

The intention of the bust was to \u201cstand as a permanent memorial of the man by whose genius the Arsenal club was reborn\u201d. Indeed this has stood the test of time and is still today a symbol of the “Arsenal Way” immortalising Herbert Chapman.<\/p>\n

They started the club with a set of simple rules as befitted a club set up with one ideal in mind which was to sustain the memory of the great manager.<\/p>\n