Eddie Hapgood’s Football Journey
From Arsenal Legend to England Captain
In "Football Ambassador," Eddie Hapgood delivers a vivid, first-hand account of English football’s golden era. With his record forty-three England caps and thirty-four captaincies, Hapgood’s leadership at Arsenal and for the national side set new standards in professional football. Readers are transported to a time when football was not only a sport, but a stage for diplomacy, innovation, and character—qualities embodied by Hapgood himself.
Through captivating stories, Eddie Hapgood brings to life unforgettable encounters, from kicking a ball into Mussolini’s lap to being congratulated by King George VI at Wembley. His international experiences, chronicled in "Football Ambassador," offer rare insights into meetings with world figures like Hermann Goering and Pope Pius XI, enriching the narrative with historical depth and wit.
Hapgood’s account shines light on the evolution of football tactics, such as the birth of the third full-back game, and behind-the-scenes strategies at Arsenal. He reveals how the England team navigated the political tensions of pre-war Europe—famously heiling Hitler before defeating Germany in Berlin—demonstrating the unique intersection of sport and global events.
Reviews praise Eddie Hapgood’s honesty, sense of humour, and enduring love for the game. "Football Ambassador" stands as a must-read for anyone passionate about football’s history, celebrating a life lived at the heart of British and international soccer.
CONDITION
The binding of Football Ambassador by Eddie Hapgood is impressively tight, with the yellow cloth boards remaining clean and well-preserved. The dust jacket is complete, showing only minor rubbing at the top and bottom of the spine, and has been carefully protected with an archival cover.
Notably, the dust jacket has no price unlike future publications of this series. The pages show some very faint foxing to the edges, a natural sign of aging, but quite mild considering the book is 80 years old.
Inside, the photographic plates remain clean and bright, including the iconic England team photo giving the Nazi salute at the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The overall condition preserves the book’s historical and nostalgic value, making it a treasured item for any football enthusiast or author of vintage sports literature.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Sporting Handbooks London
Published: November 1944
Price: £29.99
Hardback: 154 pages
ISBN-13: Not issued in 1944
Dimensions: 156 x 134 x 1.75 cm
