Jack Crayston played for and managed Arsenal in a 24-year affiliation with the Club.
As a player the right half won the league title in 1934/35 and 1937/38 and the FA Cup in 1936 after joining from Bradford for £5,250 in May 1934.
Crayston played 187 matches in seven years before an injury suffered during a wartime match effectively ended his Highbury career.
Despite breaking a wrist and a leg during the 1933/34 campaign, Crayston remained a target for Herbert Chapman and it proved to be an inspired move. Crayston appeared regularly for five seasons before the war in Arsenal's hugely successful side.
He made his debut in an 8-1 demolition of Liverpool at the beginning of the 1934/35 season, scoring in the rout. From there Crayston never looked back and played 37 times as the Gunners claimed the title.
He also started in the team's 1936 FA Cup final victory over Sheffield United before winning the league again in 1937/38 and playing 31 times.
The right half earned eight England caps between 1935 and 1937, adding a further appearance for the national side during wartime where he also served in the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant.
After injury halted his distinguished career in December 1944, Crayston joined Arsenal's coaching staff upon demobilisation and became assistant manager in 1947.
After the death of Tom Whittaker in November 1956, Crayston was appointed manager and guided the Gunners to a fifth-place finish before resigning in May 1958.
He later managed Doncaster Rovers and retired from the game in 1961.
Jack Crayston
