{"id":6917,"date":"2026-05-11T00:28:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T00:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6917"},"modified":"2026-05-11T00:28:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T00:28:22","slug":"arsenal-legend-ted-drake-denied-historic-england-blue-plaque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=6917","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal legend Ted Drake denied Historic England blue plaque"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A former Arsenal legend once described as \u201cthe world\u2019s greatest centre forward\u201d from The Gunners\u2019 golden era has been denied a commemorative plaque by Historic England.<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u2019s fifth all-time top goalscorer, Ted Drake, who scored 139 goals for the club, has been refused a National Blue Plaque at his birthplace in Holyrood, Southampton. The man who still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single English top-flight match, netting seven goals in one game over 90 years ago, started his professional football career in 1931 after joining Southampton from non-league side Winchester City.<\/p>\n

Following his transfer from the Saints to Arsenal in 1934, Drake quickly became the club\u2019s main striker and remained a key figure at Highbury until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.<\/p>\n

During his time with Arsenal, Drake became the quickest Gunner to reach 100 goals, achieving the feat in just 108 appearances. He also set a club record during the 1934\/35 campaign by scoring 44 goals in a single season.<\/p>\n

The once \u201clion-hearted\u201d striker, as described by legendary Arsenal manager Tom Whittaker, later went on to become the first player and manager to guide Chelsea to a league title in 1955.<\/p>\n

Liam Harding continues mission to preserve Ted Drake\u2019s legacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The National Blue Plaque nomination was submitted by Drake\u2019s great-grandson and regular JustArsenal contributor Liam Harding, who has spent the past few years working to preserve his great-grandfather\u2019s legacy within football.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old family chronicler and guardian of the Drake name admitted his disappointment following the decision.<\/p>\n

Harding said: \u201cAfter liaising with Historic England, who described a potential National Blue Plaque for my great-grandfather as \u2018exciting\u2019, it was admittedly a shame he wasn\u2019t nominated this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese things take time to apply for and I had originally submitted the National Blue Plaque form in May of last year, so it was a bit of a shock to recently read that Ted was denied and quite harrowing to be honest with such high expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young Gooner has worked tirelessly to preserve the former Southampton gasworker\u2019s footballing reputation and ensure his name is never forgotten.<\/p>\n

After eight months of bureaucracy involving Arsenal, a remembrance plaque was erected at Highbury for Drake in February last year. Drake\u2019s ashes had remained at the stadium since 1995 following his death at the age of 82.<\/p>\n

The plaque reads: \u201cIn loving memory of TED DRAKE whose ashes are buried at this stadium. The scorer of 139 goals in 184 games between 1934 and 1939, he was one of Arsenal\u2019s greatest ever strikers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n

Another chance for recognition in London<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Following that success, Harding applied for Drake to be included in the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. After initially missing out by one point in June 2025, Drake was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in November at the second attempt, with an official induction still to be arranged.<\/p>\n

Despite the rejection from the National Blue Plaque scheme regarding Drake\u2019s birthplace in Southampton, Harding has now applied for a blue plaque at his great-grandfather\u2019s former home in Wimbledon, where Drake lived during Chelsea\u2019s historic title-winning period.<\/p>\n

Harding believes this may represent the final opportunity to secure a blue plaque honour for one of Arsenal\u2019s greatest ever forwards.<\/p>\n

Liam Harding: \u201cI have felt a great sense of purpose in this family and football heritage mission, which admittedly I haven\u2019t surrendered from, but if he\u2019s not chosen for a blue plaque at his London home, where he became the first player then manager to lift the title, then we have to settle for that, but hopefully that won\u2019t be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Your thoughts on Drake\u2019s blue plaque Gooners?<\/p>\n

Liam Harding (Ted Drake\u2019s Great Grandson)<\/strong>
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ADMIN COMMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow\u2026.<\/p>\n

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.<\/p>\n

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with us\u00a0through this link\u2026<\/p>\n

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