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Bob Wall

1912 – 1981

English footballer

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About Bob Wall

Lived 1912 – 1981 (aged 69). Bob Wall was a British association football player.

William Robert Wall (25 February 1912 – 23 March 1981) was an English football administrator. He spent his entire career with Arsenal Football Club.

Born in Hackney, he went to school in the Highbury area and attended Finsbury Park commercial college. He soon gained Chapman's trust and assisted with transfer deals. In his very first deal at Chapman's side, when Chapman signed David Jack from Bolton Wanderers, Wall would later recall that Chapman made sure the Bolton directors' drinks contained double measures while his own had no alcohol whatsoever. When the Bolton directors got very drunk, Chapman managed to haggle down the fee to a price he considered a bargain.

Wall continued to work for Arsenal for nearly 50 years. He became assistant secretary in 1950 and secretary of Arsenal Football Club six years later. After secretary-manager Tom Whittaker died, the club decided to split the role, with Jack Crayston taking over the role of manager. Described by Arsenal captain Frank McLintock as "an authoritarian personality", Wall would eventually come to be effectively in charge of the club's day-to-day running with the board of directors taking a backseat role.

In 1973, Wall became Arsenal's general manager. Ken Friar succeeded him as secretary. that he retained until his death.

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Important facts

Birth century
Also known as
William Robert Wall

People in Bob Wall's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bob Wall's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bob Wall?

English footballer (1912-1981)

When was Bob Wall born?

Bob Wall was born on 25 February 1912.

When did Bob Wall die?

Bob Wall died on 23 March 1981.

What was Bob Wall's occupation?

Bob Wall was an association football player.

What nationality was Bob Wall?

Bob Wall was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bob Wall

· Wikidata: Q4934296

· DBpedia: Bob Wall (football administrator)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bob Wall. https://biography.guide/bob-wall/

MLA: "Bob Wall." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bob-wall/.

Chicago: "Bob Wall." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bob-wall/.

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