Joseph Arpino 1931-2015
Joe Arpino: The Arsenal 1946-1952
A junior player who was spotted in the nursery team but left for Walsall after a number of A team games.
Born 28 April 1931 in Chertsey, Surrey, he played for Chase of Chertsey before being signed as an amateur by George Allison on 18 March 1946. Chase of Chertsey was used by Arsenal as a nursery team for a number of seasons after World War 2.
He played his first game in a friendly v Bedford Town on 30 March 1946. Signed professionally by Tom Whittaker on 13 August 1948 as a right half back. He was called up to the Army 5 October 1949 and was released from the forces on 27 August 1951.
After 33 A team games and a solitary goal, and no reserve team games he joined Walsall of Division 3 (South) in August 1952 after being given a free transfer on 30 June.
At Addlestone for a period he became Slough Town manager from Summer 1976 to February 1980. In his first full season they reached the FA Trophy semi-final.
Joe died in Woking in early August 2015, aged 84.
Sources
Arsenal Football Club records
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The books…
- Woolwich Arsenal: The club that changed football – Arsenal’s early years
- The Crowd at Woolwich Arsenal – crowd behaviour at the early matches
