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2 unusual facts about Cliff Bastin


Cliff Bastin

Highlights of his England career included the famous "Battle of Highbury", where England defeated 1934 World Cup winners Italy 3-2, and a notorious match against Germany in Berlin in 1938, when the England team was ordered to give the Nazi salute before the match.

In 1941, Fascist Italy's propaganda broadcast on Rome Radio, contained a bizarre claim that Bastin had been captured in the Battle of Crete, and was being detained in Italy; the Italians were seemingly unaware that Bastin was deaf and had been excused service.


1936 FA Cup Final

During the match, the attacks of Arsenal were mostly held at bay by Sheffield United's backs, with Bowden and Bastin both performing poorly, although it was Bastin who set up the move that resulted in the only goal of the game.

Joey Williams

Returning the following season, he made only nine appearance as understudy to Joe Hulme and Cliff Bastin, who had established themselves as first-choice wingers, and missed out on a third Championship medal.

Pat Beasley

Initially in the youth and reserve teams, he made his first-team debut away to Sunderland on 6 April 1932, but only played sporadically at first, with regulars Joe Hulme and Cliff Bastin keeping the young Beasley out of the side.

The Arsenal Stadium Mystery

The film stars several Arsenal players and staff (such as Cliff Bastin and Eddie Hapgood), although only manager George Allison has a speaking part.


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