Arsenal great Ted Drake has taken another significant step towards receiving further national recognition after the Football Association confirmed his name has been added to a shortlist for future area naming opportunities at its football facilities.
The breakthrough follows a campaign led by Drake’s great-grandson and regular Just Arsenal contributor Liam Harding, who has worked tirelessly over recent years to preserve the Arsenal and England legend’s remarkable legacy.
In an email sent directly to Harding, the FA confirmed: “Thank you for your email, they will ensure this is added to the list of England legends to consider when we have an area to name.”
An Arsenal and England great whose records still stand
Drake remains one of the finest goalscorers in Arsenal’s illustrious history.
The striker scored an astonishing 139 goals in just 184 appearances for the Gunners between 1934 and 1939, while his seven-goal haul against Aston Villa remains the record for the most goals scored by an individual in a single English top-flight match.
His tally of 44 goals in one league season also remains an Arsenal club record, while he became the fastest Gunner to reach 100 goals, achieving the feat in just 108 appearances.
Drake also excelled on the international stage. Although fierce competition for places limited him to just five England caps, he scored six goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Hungary at Highbury in 1936.
His England debut came in the famous ‘Battle of Highbury’ against reigning world champions Italy in 1934, a match that featured a record seven Arsenal players in England’s starting XI.
Liam Harding’s mission to preserve a family legacy
This latest acknowledgement is another milestone in Harding’s ongoing campaign to ensure his great-grandfather’s achievements are remembered by future generations.
Last year, he helped secure a memorial plaque at Highbury and successfully campaigned for Drake’s induction into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
Attention has now turned towards obtaining a London Blue Plaque at Drake’s former home in Raynes Park after an earlier application for a national Blue Plaque at his Southampton birthplace was unsuccessful.
Reflecting on the FA’s response, Harding admitted the recognition came as a complete surprise.
“I felt I’d exhausted almost every route to preserve Ted’s legacy. But one day, completely out of the blue while approaching Wembley on the train, I felt this sudden, unexplainable urge to contact England and ask if they could recognise his impact on the game.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect much. He only played five games for England, it was near-impossible to find a direct phone number online, and I thought my email would just get lost or ignored. This is incredible news that brings a deep sense of peace.”
While there is no guarantee that an area will ultimately bear Ted Drake’s name, the FA’s decision to formally place him under consideration represents another important acknowledgement of one of English football’s greatest goalscorers and one of Arsenal’s true legends.
Would you like to see the FA honour Ted Drake in this way, Gooners? Given everything he achieved for both Arsenal and England, many supporters would argue it would be a thoroughly deserved tribute. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Liam Harding
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Well done Liam. We gooners appreciate your efforts to bring recognition to the Arsenal, its glorious history, and its finest representatives like Ted Drake.
Thanks mate much appreciated 👍🏻
My AI has informed me that Drake would thrive in modern football, as he was very strong, fast and fearless, and would terrorise centre halves.
Yeah Ai is great with these things we certainly could do with an out to out goalscorer for next season and beyond!
AI compared him to Haaland (possibly the best striker in the world) would you believe.
Yeah that’s crazy
Thoroughly deserved! Beside the FA his club Arsenal need to also honour and commemorate his achievements. Wish you the best Liam in your efforts to preserving the legacy of Ted Drake.
Hi Amba,
Thanks I really appreciate your message, myself and the National Football Musuem are working hard on the induction which took six months to hear back from Arsenal with from November to April. They said they’re happy to do the induction however the Musuem and myself have tried our best to have a pitchside induction for the fans and Arsenal community. The Musuem is working hard on this which I’ve left it to after being persistent myself alongside their efforts. I have no idea when it will be done but we are trying hard to seal a pitchside induction if not then it will be off view but hopefully that doesn’t happen, although as they say “what will be will be”.
Liam, regretted the struggles. It should have been simpler. Generational Gap! The fight you’ve to carry on is not so harder as Ted Drake had to score goals for clubs and country. Enjoy it Liam and proceed! I sense you’re sufficient and energetic to the challenges. Go on man!
Hi Amba,Thanks for your message, I really appreciate the encouragement! It means a lot.Your comparison to my great-grandfather actually fits perfectly with where things are right now. For the last six months—dealing with the long silence from Arsenal and fighting to make sure this isn’t tucked away out of sight—I’ve felt like a lone player on the pitch, taking all the hits to break the deadlock.But now that the National Football Museum has told me to “leave it with them,” I feel like I’m transitioning from player to manager. Ted made that exact same leap in his career, and that’s what I’m doing here. I’ve done the hard yards, set the tactical game plan, and insisted on a pitchside induction for the fans. Now, I’m stepping back into the dugout and letting the museum act as the players on the pitch to push Arsenal across the finish line.Like you said, I’m going to enjoy the process, trust the strategy I’ve set, and see what happens next. Kind regards Liam
I couldn’t pass through the blockade though I posted few hours ago. This has become the norm with JA. Has live with it until the key man/woman finds the remedy.
Liam, I hope the AFC will take up the vanguard role in this matter as it’s showing remarkable progress since you embarked on this initiative. I really appreciate your perseverance. Hope your efforts hit the intended target in the near future.
Thanks Amba much appreciated 🙂