“FED UP” WITH CHELSEA

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1947, Page 8

“FED UP” WITH CHELSEA

LAWTON SEEKS TO TRANSFER MAYBE TO ARSENAL SOMETHING OF THE STORY BEHIND IT ALL. By “Waverley.") Stating that he is "fed up” with Chelsea, Tommy Lawton, famous English international centre-forward, wishes to transfer, preferably to some London club. Chelsea have refused an offer of £17,000, which figure sets a new high in transfer fees. For years the record fee stood at £14,000, the amount which Arsenal paid to Wolverhampton Wanderers for Bryn Jones. Arsenal hoped that Jones would take the place of the famous Alex Jones, but it is quite certain that the Welshman has never been the great player for Arsenal that the little Scot was. In fact, it would be safe to say that Jones never produced the football for Arsenal that he had shown when he played for the "Wolves." Last season Billy Steel transferred from Greenock Morton to Derby County at a fee of £15,500. Steel was one of the successes in the British team which defeated Europe at Hampden Park last May, when the Britishers won by 6 goals to nil. EXPENSIVE FORWARD LINE. On that occasion the British forward line was: Stan Matthews (Stoke City), Wilf Mannion (Middlesboro), Tommy Lawton (Chelsea), Billy Steel (Morton), Billy Liddell (Liverpool). To buy this forward line would cost almost £70,000. Lawton's wish to play for a London club would seem as though he had his eyes on Arsenal. There are only three first decision clubs in London at the present time—Arsenal, Chelsea and Charlton Athletic. Arsenal have not been defeated this season, have a big following and their ground, Highbury, will accommodate 70,000 spectators. Charlton have been inconsistent this season and I doubt if their ground at the "Valley” would hold more than 50,000. Arsenal, however, will hardly wish to break up a winning combination, and last season purchased Ronnie Rooke from Fulham to lead the forward line. Perhaps, if any business is done between Chelsea and Arsenal, it may concern both Rooke and Lawton. Chelsea might receive £17,000 and Rooke, and Arsqnal would have Lawton as centre forward. However. Rooke may have no desire to play for the "Pensioners,” especially since Lawton is stated to be "fed up” with them.

I saw Chelsea on many occasions two seasons ago and felt that too much was expected of Lawton. To strengthen the forward line Chelsea bought Tomy Walker, the Hearts and Scottish international inside right, but age and service in the armed forces had slowed the Scot considerably. He also failed to team up with Lawton, preferring on many occasions to go through on his own. At inside left was Len Goulden, who transferred to Chelsea from West Ham United, but he also had slowed down and could not keep pace with Lawton. Another reason why Lawton maywish to remain in London is that he contributes soccer articles in one of the leading Sunday newspapers and has often been heard over the air in, “Calling All Sportsmen,” a 8.8. C. production, compered by Raymond Glendinning, in which a panel of sport experts listeners’ questions. No doubt if Lawton is to be transferred it will be before the first round of the English Cup, as once he has played in a Cup tie he is not eligible to play for another club in the Cup competition. Perhaps next week's cables may show that Lawton has changed his Chelsea blue jersey for the famous red and white of Arsenal, and that Ronnie Rooke has gone over to the Stamford Bridge side. And no doubt Tommy Lawton will prove a good buy, even at £17,000, for competent judges declare him the best centre forward of all time. Our guess is: Lawton for Arsenal.