DO YOU KNOW WHERE BURSCOUGH IS?

February 3rd 1954: On this day, in 1954 Arsenal goalkeeper George Swindin was signed by the then non-leaguers from the Midlands League, Peterborough United, on a free transfer as their player-manager. Swindin had played at Arsenal in goal from 1939-54, 297 apps.

He spent four years, playing in goal and as manager of Midland League, Peterborough Utd and did much to prepare them for League membership. That came in 1960 but by then Swindin had returned to Highbury - as Arsenal manager, in 1958-9, the Gunners, finishing 3rd. Those were the days - can you imagine any of the big clubs now dipping into non-league football to recruit their manager?  However, the team soon flagged and spent the next three seasons in mid-table. Despite signing players such as George Eastham and Tommy Docherty, Swindin was unable to bring any silverware to the club, while the club's rivals Tottenham Hotspur won The Double in 1960-1. George is below.

In March 1962, Arsenal chairman, Dennis Hill-Wood, confirmed that Swindin's contract would not be renewed at the end of the season.

and on February 3rd 1960 It's not always a great idea to earn a replay against a bigger side in the FA Cup. In the 1959/60 season Crewe Alexandra.(note spelling) drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur at home ground, Gresty Road in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Four days later - on February 3rd 1960 - they visited White Hart Lane, full of hope for the replay. Spurs won 13-2!

Prior to this, Crewe, at home,had beaten Workington 2-0 in Rd 3, Stockport County 2-0 at home after 0-0 in Rd 2 and Burscough (Lancashire), in Rd 1, 1-3. Burscough? North-west Counties League Premier.

After the heroics Spurs met Blackburn Rovers and lost  1-3 at WHLane, in Rd 5

Next, in Rd 6: Rovers held Burnley 3-3 at Turf Moor and then won 2-0.

In the Semi-finals: Blackburn Rovers beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Maine Rd.

Wolves beat Aston Villa 1-0 at The Hawthorns. In the 1960 Final, Rovers finally fell 0-3 to Billy Wright and his boys from Wolves.