Matthew and Elijah Upson made history this week by becoming the first father and son to sign professional contracts with Arsenal.
Matthew Upson made 57 appearances for the Gunners, playing his part in the club’s memorable domestic Double-winning campaign in 2001/02.
What are the odds of your child not only making it to the professional game in the same position, but also signing his first professional contract with the very club his father represented?
Upson senior must have felt incredibly proud walking back into London Colney.
Interestingly, the 47-year-old was also 18 when Arsene Wenger brought him to Arsenal.
Since retiring, Matthew Upson has worked in the media, primarily with BBC Radio 5 Live and Premier League Productions. If things continue to go well for Elijah, though, we may be seeing even more of the Upson family around the Emirates in years to come.
So, for part one of Keeping It In The Family, let’s begin with the siblings who have represented Arsenal…
The brothers who wore the Arsenal shirt
Four sets of brothers have played for Arsenal’s first team, while another family came incredibly close, with both siblings representing the reserves at the same time.
The Bradshaws
Technically, there were three Bradshaws if we include the entire family, although only the brothers played together for the reserves.
For your next football quiz, not only are the Bradshaws believed to be the first brothers at Woolwich Arsenal simultaneously, but their father, Harry, was also the club’s manager.
Joe never broke into the first team, while his older brother managed just four senior appearances.
Both later followed their father to Fulham, where Joe and Harry helped the club win consecutive Southern League First Division titles.
It’s fair to say the Bradshaw name left a greater legacy at Craven Cottage.
The Comptons
What are the chances of siblings being talented enough to play professional football and cricket at the highest level?
While Leslie enjoyed the more successful football career and Denis became a world-class cricketer, eventually earning induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, both achieved remarkable success during the same three-year period by winning league titles in football and cricket, as well as lifting the FA Cup.
Leslie won two England caps in football and remains the oldest outfield player to earn his first international cap.
Denis represented England in 78 Test matches.
History: The brothers that had amazing careers at Arsenal and cricket
The Claptons
The most recent brothers to appear for Arsenal’s first team were Danny and Denis Clapton.
Danny made 225 appearances for the Gunners, which was 221 more than his younger brother.
While Danny went on to represent England, Denis headed to Canada, where he found both his best form and more lucrative contracts.
Danny later followed a similar path, moving to Australia, where experienced English players were well rewarded as the sport continued to grow.
The Hoytes
The Hoyte brothers were included in the same Arsenal squads for the occasional League Cup fixture, although Arsene Wenger never had them on the pitch together.
Gavin Hoyte made his senior debut just a month after older brother Justin had been sold to Middlesbrough.
While Justin’s departure earned Arsenal around £3 million, Gavin was eventually released following several loan spells.
Both brothers later dropped down the football pyramid, with 36-year-old Gavin currently playing for Sittingbourne.
The pair did eventually share a first-team dressing room at both Dagenham & Redbridge and with Trinidad and Tobago.
The Willocks
Incredibly, all three Willock brothers came through Hale End at the same time.
Ironically, the oldest sibling was released at the age of 15, while the youngest ended up winning both the FA Cup and League Cup with Arsenal.
The trio even shared the same under-23 pitch when Chris and Joe faced older brother Matty, who was then with Manchester United.
Joe has since gone on to make more than 180 appearances for Newcastle United, while Chris helped Cardiff City earn promotion to the Championship.
After battling injuries and dropping down the football pyramid, Matty retired at the age of 25.
Hope you enjoyed part one.
Dan Smith
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What about the Neave brothers ?
Motorbike riders?
I did enjoy it Dan
The Comptons were often mentioned by my parents
Both the Comptons played for Middx Sue, with Leslie as wicket keeper and Denis as star batsman. I don’t think Leslie ever made it into test cricket, as England had Godfrey Evans as keeper in those days.
You may also remember Denis’ Brylcreme ads.🤣
Woops! Brycreem.
Brylcreem. I’ll get it right sometime today
I don’t remember Jax. I know I’m getting on a bit but…😊
SueP, They weren’t TV ads, just pictorial for newspapers & magazines, and you can still bring them up on Google.
I’m waiting to see what the likes of Herr Drier and DEREK may add on the mentioned names
Amba, he left out Micheal and Tommy Black. Michael played in a CL game and Tommy played in a PL game, against Everton iirc.
Herr Drier?
Okay let’s see if both have a place in the 2nd part. Thanks!
Amba,
Sorry to disappoint, but I can’t think of any family connections at the present time. But Herr Drier might. 👍
OOPS! Herr Drier already has, I must learn to read earlier posts. 😂
Amba,
I thought of one, as you will see if you scroll down.👍
DEREK,
Living in/around Islingtion hope you’ll find one even more. Neighbours if older help
Ambachew,
Just a question, are you also the poster Amba. The logo’s are the same and I’m assuming you are the same.
And if so, does it mean you’ve got a split personality. 😂👍
only part one peeps lol
If it includes brothers at Arsenal, I would cite the Lewins the physios. In line with the title of the article they also wore the shirt plus the badge. Maybe in the 2nd part peeps
yeah also thinking of sisters and uncle / nephews
was going to include the Gibbs but one didn’t actually turn professional
I’ll see if it catches on
Perry Groves Great Uncle Vic Groves played for Arsenal 203 times as well as captaining them on occasion. He scored 37 goals between 1955 and 1964.
Sorry if I’ve stole you’re thunder Dan. 🤷♂️😉
nah mate fun to research so especially any names for Grandad and grandson, etc would be helpful
let’s see the want for it though
Does my brother being named after Cliff Bastin count? 😂
I had Turtle called Thierry ……you have inspired another article lol
It’s like an open book exam. Deserves more prizes than the predictions competition
Even senior Gunners are struggling to find match ups.
A couple more family connections to the Arsenal. Kanu’s son Sean Kanu later joined the Arsenal Academy.
And Martin Keown’s son Niall Keown spent time developing in Arsenal’s Academy system before continuing his career elsewhere.
No mate , got to be both offered a professional contract
Dan,
Apologies, I thought it was just family connections. My bad.🤦♂️
Nah don’t be silly mate , it’s all gravy
Matthew Upson’s son, Elijah, has just joined from Spurs.
Jax,
You have read what this Article’s about right. 😂
Derek, Dan’s looking for more family connections, so I think he counts.
Jax,
I meant the fact you mention the Upson’s, well that’s the crux of the Article. I thought at first you were being sarcastic.
Obviously I was wrong, AGAIN!. 🤦♂️😂
Derek, I’d completely forgotten that was Dan’s initial reference.😳
All of Beckham’s three sons have been in our academy.
Mikel Arteta’s eldest son Gabriel has signed a scholarship deal with us.
Yeah peeps my criteria was more can we find those who both were offered professional contracts
So for example I would not include the Gibb brothers
Yeah, I thought the Beckhams were just a little tenuous🤣
Yeah it’s only because especially pre World War apparently it was very common for family’s to be at the same club at the same time but many would be like part time or never actually play for the senior side
I read on the .com around Xmas, that we have a couple of Ecuadorian (I think) twins due to join us soon, but have heard nothing since. They might have a connection with Hincapie.
Yeah joining soon I think
When they’re 18, so pro contracts.
Jax, that will be August 2027 when they turn 18.
Herr Drier, there’ll be tons of PR when they join.
They are from Africa. From Western Africa. From a cocoa selling nation. Ivory Coast. Toures
Amba. It’s confirmed that they’re from Ecuador, Central America.
Jax,
Sorry I was talking about the Toure brothers who played for Arsenal. The Ecuadorians are for the future that pleases more Hincapie.
👍. I only remember the one Toure playing for Arsenal.
The younger Toure wore an Arsenal shirt and even played audition game/s. Not sure about signing professional contract
Didn’t know that! Cheers.
Cheers Jax. Good libeling week mate.
no …I wish though
Amba, he played in a pre season friendly, but iirc, we had a problem getting a Work Permit for him. Pretty sure he then went and signed for a club in Greece.
Yeah Ukraine first then Greece
Herr Drier,
Thanks for the confirmation and info. Where is Yaya now? While on WC punditry role I heard him saying he is working as a coach in Slovakia. If successful his final destination might be the Maresca seat.