23 JULY: DEATH OF HOTSPUR, BIRTH OF THE MAN WHO SAVED ARSENAL, SIGNING OF LIAM BRADY
23 July 1403: Sir Henry Percy, known as Hotspur, killed in battle. He fought in several campaigns against the Scots in the northern border and against the French during the Hundred Years’ War. The nickname “Hotspur” was given to him by the Scots as a tribute to his speed in advance and readiness to attack.
23 July 1865: Henry Norris born. Utterly maligned by Leslie Knighton’s libellous and inaccurate autobiography but praised unstintingly by George Allison (who knew him from 1910 onwards) in his autobiography, Norris was the man who rescued Arsenal from bankruptcy, honoured all the club’s debts (not just the “football debts”) moved the club to north London, built Highbury, and ultimately brought Herbert Chapman to the club. He was also a war hero rising from no rank to Lt Colonel and being awarded a knighthood for his services to the country.
23 July 1893: Charles Ambler signed for Woolwich Arsenal having played five games for Royal Arsenal since 1891. He left Woolwich Arsenal without playing a league game, but then returned on 22 November 1895 from Tottenham, and played his one and only league game on 30 November 1895
23 July 1920: 14 people died and over 100 were injured in continuing rioting and rebellion in Belfast.
23 July 1942: Andy Ducat, suffered a heart attack and passed away while at the crease at in a wartime match at Lords. He played 175 times for Woolwich Arsenal and his transfer to Villa in 1912 signalled the financial desperation of the club.
