The Move to North London: How Arsenal moved from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913

In the late 19th century, a group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a football team. This team would become one of England's most famous clubs - Arsenal. They were first called Dial Square, then Royal Arsenal, and finally Woolwich Arsenal when they joined the Football League in 1893.

This made them the first southern club in the league. But, being in Woolwich was hard for fans to get to, costing the club a lot of money. By the end of the 1912/13 season, Woolwich Arsenal was deeply in debt.

New majority shareholder Henry Norris knew the club had to move to succeed in English football. He wanted a location that would draw more fans.

A historic illustration of Arsenal Football Club's transition from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913, featuring a vintage football stadium, crowds of enthusiastic supporters, early 20th-century transportation, and the contrasting architecture of Woolwich and North London, bathed in a nostalgic atmosphere.

Norris looked at Battersea and Harringay but chose Highbury in north London. It was close to a London Underground station and had better transport for fans.

Arsenal's Financial Struggles in Woolwich

By the end of the 1912/13 season, Woolwich Arsenal was facing serious financial trouble. Being in a remote area of London made it hard to draw fans and earn money. The average number of fans at games dropped to just 11,000, less than half of what it was in 1904.

This financial crisis led Henry Norris, the new main shareholder, to a big decision. He realized that moving to a new location was essential for Arsenal to become a top team in English football.

Woolwich Arsenal's Low Attendance and Revenue

In 1910, Woolwich Arsenal only drew about 11,000 fans per game. This was much less than Chelsea's 28,000 fans. This big difference showed how hard it was for the club to make enough money in Woolwich.

The move to Highbury in 1913 brought in more fans and saved the club from financial disaster. It was a smart move that helped Arsenal grow and succeed.

The main reasons for moving were the club's remote location and low attendance. Norris knew that moving to a spot that was easier for fans to get to was key for the club's future success.

A desolate football stadium in Woolwich, empty stands with scattered worn-out seats, faded club colors, and overgrown grass on the pitch, evoking a sense of abandonment and financial struggle, under a gloomy sky with distant industrial buildings in the background.

Henry Norris' Vision for Relocation

Henry Norris took over Woolwich Arsenal and saw big problems. The club was stuck in a bad location and had little money. He knew moving was key to success in English football. Norris wanted to make Arsenal a top team, and moving was a key part of that plan.

Norris looked hard for a new home for Arsenal. He checked out different places in London, focusing on ones with good transport links. He knew a good location was key to bringing in fans in 1912.

A bustling 1910s London scene, featuring a vintage double-decker bus and horse-drawn carts, with an elegant railway station in the background, symbolizing movement and transition. In the foreground, a faded map of London with marked routes connecting Woolwich to Highbury, surrounded by iconic architecture from the era. The atmosphere conveys a sense of excitement and change, with soft sunlight illuminating the scene.

Finsbury Park stood out to Norris with its 80 trains per hour and tram lines. This place could bring in office workers with money to spend on football. Woolwich and Plumstead didn't have the transport links needed for a successful club.

Norris aimed to make Arsenal a powerhouse by moving. He was ready to use his own money to build the Highbury stadium. His hard work and smart planning set Arsenal up for success in English football.

Evaluating Potential New Locations

Arsenal's search for a new home was intense. Henry Norris and William Hall looked at several places. They checked out Battersea and Harringay but didn't find what they needed.

Highbury's Advantages: Proximity and Transportation

They chose Highbury, just north of the River Thames, as their top pick. The location was close to rival Tottenham Hotspur, but a nearby underground station was a big plus. This station would help bring in more fans on game days.

Highbury was a better choice than Arsenal's old spot in Woolwich. Woolwich was hard to get to and had poor transport links. Highbury, on the other hand, was easy to reach by public transport. This made it great for attracting more fans and improving the club's image.

A vibrant street scene in North London showcasing various modes of transportation, including vintage trams, horse-drawn carriages, and early automobiles, surrounded by lush greenery and iconic architecture of the early 20th century, reflecting the transition period of 1913.

Negotiating the Move to Highbury

Arsenal agreed to lease land in Highbury for 21 years at a low cost of just under £1,000 per season. This move was a key step for the club, allowing them to build a stadium that could hold more fans. The chairman, Henry Norris, spent £125,000 (now worth £15.5 million) on the new Highbury venue. It was designed by famous architect Archibald Leitch.

Leasing Land and Construction Costs

Before their first game at Highbury, the club's grounds team worked hard. They leveled the pitch, built part of a grandstand, and put in terracing and turnstiles. This big project made sure the stadium was ready for games and gave fans a modern experience.

The costs of building Arsenal's new stadium were huge but worth it. It marked a new chapter in the club's history.

A vintage scene of a formal meeting room in early 20th century London, featuring a long wooden table surrounded by well-dressed men in suits, discussing blueprints of a football stadium. The atmosphere is tense yet hopeful, with large windows allowing sunlight to filter in, illuminating papers and documents scattered across the table. In the background, portraits of iconic football figures hang on the walls, and a large map of North London is displayed prominently.

Objections and Opposition to the Move

When Arsenal planned to move from Woolwich to Highbury in North London, many people spoke out against it. Local Highbury residents worried about more traffic, noise, and disruption. They didn't want a football club in their area.

Clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Clapton Orient, already in the area, were upset too. They feared Arsenal's move would hurt their own fan numbers and games. Tottenham Hotspur, a long-time rival, was especially against it.

Concerns from Local Residents and Rival Clubs

Despite the pushback, Arsenal's leaders, including Henry Norris, were set on moving. After hearing from those against it, the League Management Committee let Arsenal go ahead. This allowed Arsenal to move to North London and begin a new chapter.

A crowded street scene depicting passionate local residents protesting against Arsenal's relocation, with vintage clothing from the early 20th century, banners and placards in hand, expressing their discontent. The background features the iconic Woolwich setting, showcasing historical buildings and a hint of a football pitch, while the atmosphere is tense yet vibrant with emotions.

Arsenal moved from Woolwich to Highbury

In the 1913 close season, Woolwich Arsenal moved 12 miles to Highbury in north London. The last game at Manor Ground was a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough on April 26, 1913. Then, the club started this big move.

The move to Highbury was a big step for Arsenal. The club started in 1886 as Dial Square and changed names a few times. It became "The Arsenal" in 1914 and "Arsenal" in 1919. This change helped the club create a new identity in London.

A vintage scene depicting the transition of Arsenal from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913, showcasing a bustling street with early 20th-century architecture, football fans carrying scarves and memorabilia, a horse-drawn carriage loaded with equipment, a distant view of the iconic Highbury stadium under construction, and a mix of traditional London elements like gas lamps and cobblestone roads.

Many reasons led to the move from Woolwich to Highbury. The club was struggling financially and the Manor Ground was hard to reach. Chairman Henry Norris saw the need for a change. He looked at many places but chose Highbury for its good location and big population.

After moving, Arsenal started to do well. Within two years, they dropped "Woolwich" from their name. This change, along with better facilities, helped Arsenal become a top team in English football.

Final Match at the Manor Ground

Woolwich Arsenal was getting ready to move to a new stadium at Highbury. Their last game at the Manor Ground was a memorable one. On April 26, 1913, they drew 1-1 against Middlesbrough, ending an era.

The Manor Ground had been home since 1893. Back then, it was bustling with fans, averaging 6,000 spectators. But by 1910, that number had dropped to just 11,000. The final match saw only 3,000 fans, a sign of the club's decline.

Moving to Highbury was a big change. It was not just a new location but a strategic move. The club's isolated spot and low attendance had hurt its finances by 1912/13. Highbury, closer to central London, offered better chances for success.

"An emotional scene depicting the final match at Manor Ground, featuring a vintage football stadium filled with passionate fans, players in traditional early 20th-century Arsenal kits, a lush green pitch under a cloudy sky, and historical elements like wooden bleachers and early 1900s architecture in the background."

As the Manor Ground closed, fans felt many emotions. The end of a chapter was hard, but the start of a new one at Highbury was exciting. This move meant a better home, more fans, and a chance for financial and on-field success.

Rebranding as "The Arsenal"

After moving from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913, the club changed its name to "The Arsenal." This change helped the club leave its Woolwich roots behind and start anew in north London. The rebranding showed the club's big plans and how it fit into its new location.

The first crest, from 1905, had designs from Woolwich Borough and included three cannons and lions' heads. When the Arsenal moved to Highbury, it decided to leave Woolwich behind. By the 1921/22 season, the crest showed a single cannon pointing west. This was later changed to a more powerful-looking cannon in 1922/23, then back to the original design the next year.

The cannon on the crest was inspired by the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse in Woolwich. The crest changed over time, adding the VCC crest in 1949 and a simpler version in 2001 for business reasons. This rebranding as "The Arsenal" made the club's identity clear and set the stage for its future achievements.

A historical scene depicting the transition from Woolwich Arsenal to The Arsenal, showcasing a bustling football stadium in Highbury with fans in early 20th-century attire, vintage football gear, and banners celebrating the rebranding; an iconic view of the new stadium design intermingled with elements symbolizing the rich history of Woolwich, all set against a backdrop of early 1900s London architecture.

Highbury's Inaugural Match Against Leicester Fosse

Arsenal moved from Woolwich to Highbury in North London in 1913. This was a big step in the club's history. On September 6, 1913, they faced Leicester Fosse in their first game at Highbury. It was a key moment for the club and its fans, marking the arsenal's first match at highbury.

Historic First Goal by George Jobey

Against Leicester Fosse, Arsenal won 2-1, with george jobey's historic first goal at the new stadium leading the way. Jobey's goal was a turning point, making Highbury a symbol of Arsenal's success.

A historic depiction of Highbury Stadium in early 20th century, showcasing its distinctive architecture and iconic facade, surrounded by a bustling crowd of spectators, with a clear blue sky overhead and players warming up on the lush green pitch, capturing the energy and excitement of a first match against Leicester Fosse.

The first game at Highbury showed the club's leadership's vision and hard work. They had moved the team and built a modern stadium. This match started a new chapter for Arsenal, leading to their rise in English football.

Ambitions for First Division Football

After moving to Highbury, Arsenal's chairman Henry Norris aimed for the First Division. The team was showing great performance on the field. Norris wanted to make Arsenal a top force in English football.

Arsenal's drive for the First Division came from their recent wins. Despite financial issues and a close call with relegation in 1909-1910, they proved their worth. With Highbury and Norris's support, they were set to shine in the top league.

Norris planned to do more than just move to a new stadium. He wanted to invest in the team to make it a First Division contender. The fans were excited for their team's future, and Norris was ready to meet their expectations.

As Arsenal got ready for their first season at Highbury, everyone was buzzing. Norris believed in the team's talent and drive for the First Division. With their new home in North London, Arsenal was about to start a new chapter.

Impact of World War I on Arsenal's Plans

Right after Arsenal moved to Highbury, World War I hit the world. This war changed the club's goals, making the war effort the top priority. Football took a backseat.

The war delayed Arsenal's goal to shine in the First Division. In November 1916, Henry Norris became a councilor for Fulham, showing he was still active in local sports despite the war. Arsenal won some big games, like beating Watford 4-2 and Clapton Orient 4-0.

But the war didn't let Arsenal forget its challenges. They lost to teams like Fulham and West Ham United in late 1916. In 1917, they lost four games in a row, pushing back their dreams of top-flight football. The leadership, including Norris, faced tough times as they tried to keep the club going.

Even with the tough times, Arsenal kept aiming for success. Players like Ned Liddell and Wally Hardinge helped the team during this hard period. Moving to Highbury was a big step, but World War I really tested their plans and dreams.

Norris' Determination Despite Setbacks

Henry Norris didn't give up when Arsenal moved to Highbury and World War I hit. He kept pushing to make the club a top team in English football. Even when the war stopped their games, Norris kept investing in the team.

His hard work and personal support helped Arsenal get through tough times. This dedication was key for the club's future success. Arsenal aimed to be top in football, and Norris was a big part of that.

Despite many challenges, Norris never lost faith in Arsenal. His strong leadership and sacrifices for the club set the stage for their success. This made Norris a crucial figure in Arsenal's history.