Leslie Harry Compton (born
Woodford, Essex
September 12,
1912 -
died
Hendon,
Middlesex
27 December 1984)
was an
English
footballer and
cricketer.
Compton spent his entire career at
Arsenal,
spanning 23 years, making him one of the club's longest-ever serving players. He
joined the club as an amateur in
1930. He made his
debut on April
25, 1932,
though spent much of the early and mid-1930s
as a reserve player. He featured regularly for the Gunners in unofficial matches
during the
Second World War, once scoring ten times against
Leyton Orient - a remarkable feat considering his usual position was as
centre
half.
After the war had ended, he became a mainstay in the Arsenal side, winning
the
First Division title in
1948, and the
FA Cup in 1950
(having scored a last-gasp equaliser in the semi-finals against
Chelsea).
Compton made his debut for
England in 1950
against
Wales, making him the oldest ever England debutant at 38 years and 64 days,
a record that still stands (and is unlikely to be broken).
Compton retired from playing football in
1953, having played
273 matches and having scored 6 goals. He stayed on at Arsenal for another three
years as a coach and scout.
Compton also played cricket for
Middlesex, playing as
wicket-keeper from
1938 to 1956.
He appeared 272 times, scoring 5,814 runs (an average of 16.75), and taking 468
catches and 131 stumpings.
He died in
Hendon from complications of
diabetes,
aged 72. His younger brother
Denis
also played for Arsenal and Middlesex.
