Arthur Shaw played more games than he missed as Arsenal were crowned League champions in 1952-53, yet the effervescent East Ender offered far more to the Highbury cause than his composed skills in midfield. The tall wing-half was a born comedian, a practical joker whose victims included players, trainers and directors alike and whose antics, often involving hoax telephone calls, were accepted by manager Tom Whittaker as a valuable boost to morale.
An England amateur international, Shaw attracted attention while with non-League Hounslow, Southall and Hayes, and joined Brentford, then in the top flight, in 1946. However, he made only a handful of appearances for the Bees, who were relegated in his season at Griffin Park, and he signed for Arsenal.
With high-quality performers such as Joe Mercer and Alex Forbes, the newcomer didn't find it easy to break through, though he was versatile and distinguished himself as a stand-in for injured central defender Ray Daniel in 1952. But it was during the following campaign when he struck the form of his life, making 25 appearances as the Gunners pipped Preston North End to the title on goal average, the absurdly complicated precursor to goal difference for splitting teams with the same points total.
Thereafter, new blood arrived and in the summer of 1955 the 31-year-old Shaw, who had played 61 times, was transferred to Watford of the old Third Division South. He didn't linger long, joining Gravesend and Northfleet, whom he captained to the Southern League title in 1957-58. Later he moved to the US for family reasons.
Arthur Shaw, footballer; born Limehouse, London 9 April 1924; played for Brentford 1946-48, Arsenal 1948-55, Watford 1955; died Hermosa Beach, California 2 November 2015.
