On February 2nd 1946, Arsenal's Kevin O'Flanagan played for the Northern Ireland international football team against Scotland at Lansdowne Road, Belfast, having earlier represented Ireland Rugby against France in Dublin seven days earlier. In 1947, he also played once in an official rugby international against Australia, having established a reputation with the University Club of Dublin and London Irish. A doctor, he was one of the last amateurs to play first-team football for Arsenal - he needed to remain an amateur sportsman to continue playing international rugby union. The 'Flying Doctor' made 14 League and 2 FA Cup appearances for Arsenal in 1946, scoring twice.
He was obviously a good all round athlete, appearing in the long jump, as well as being a successful sprinter, in various games and he played Gaelic Football, golf and tennis.
He first played for Bohemians (Bohs) between 1936-45 making 145 appearances. He then spent two years at Arsenal until 1947 and appeared in over 50 games for the Corinthian Casuals, the famed amateur team, that only played in cup games and friendlies".
He dabbled with Barnet FC and Brentford FC post war, played with the Ireland FA XI v Scotland alongside well known Manchester United stars, Johnny Carey and Jimmy Dunne.
His brother Mick was also a fine all rounder and another brother Charlie played for the Bohs,
After playing, Kevin took up the medical job with the British Olympic team in 1948 at London,and was appointed to the International Olympic Committee from 1976 through to 1994.
Denis Compton (below), one of Arsenal's more famous amateur footballers, was better known for his cricket. He was hampered by injury and so stuck to cricket and played in 78 England Test matches and spent his whole career with Middlesex. He won an FA Cup winners' medal in 1950.
As a footballer, he played as a winger and spent most of his career at Arsenal.
Bernard Joy (below) who later made his name as a sports' writer, played for Arsenal as an amateur and was the last amateur to play for England's full international side.
He won ten caps and was captain of the Great Britain football side at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where they played against China and Poland.
In the last of the quarter-finals Poland, assisted by their forward, Hubert Gad, played out a nine-goal "party" to defeat the British side; at one time they were 5–1 to the better. The Casual's Bernard Joy scored two, as Britain fought back gamely, but they ran out of time.
Vivian Woodward of Tottenham and Chelsea in the beginning of the 20th Century, was also an accomplished amateur playing in the top flight. His history is on this link.....
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