1930 FA Cup Final: Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town

Arsenal and Huddersfield, both fashioned on the Chapman tactical concept -defence based on careful planning and a 'W' formation attack with wing-halves and inside-forwards as the vital links - clashed head-on in the 1930 Final.

Arsenal's forward-line in this Final was perhaps their greatest ever. The young outside-left Bastin, with his uncanny sense of position and deadly shot, formed the spearhead of Arsenal's famous pincer movement with Hulme on the opposite wing. Alex James, a footballing genius in long baggy shorts, used his quick wits and his understanding with Bastin outside him to beat Huddersfield that sunny afternoon at Wembley.

James was fouled, quickly took the free-kick himself, received an inch perfect return pass from Bastin and scored one of his rare goals before the Huddersfield defence realized the danger.

Huddersfield made strenuous efforts during the second half to wipe out Arsenal's lead, and they had their defence at full-stretch for long periods. Then a long pass by James opened the way for Lambert down the middle, and Arsenal made certain of the Cup for the first time.

Huddersfield's relentless endeavour had made for such an absorbing struggle that few in the crowd allowed themselves to be distracted when the sinister shape of the German airship ‘Graf Zeppelin' floated overhead.

Arsenal - Cup Winners 1930 (Still at Wembley, after the crowd had gone home!)

Back Row: Baker, Lambert, Preedy, Seddon, Hapgood, John Middle Row: Herbert Chapman (Manager), Jack, Parker, James, Whittaker (Trainer) Front Row: Hulme, Bastin