Tom Vallance's Arsenal career was one sadly hampered by injury after he suffered a double fracture in 1949.
Brother-in-law of the great Stanley Matthews and son of former Stoke City player/trainer Jimmy Vallance, the outside left had footballing ties from day one.
Vallance managed only 15 starts in his seven-year spell with Arsenal, however, after signing as an amateur in November 1946.
Eight months later he had signed professional terms at Highbury and made his senior debut in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane in September 1948.
Vallance also served in the RAF as a pilot in Transport Command, flying to and from India.
After recovering from his injury in 1949 he was restricted to appearances in the reserves and did not make a senior appearance for the Club in his remaining four seasons.
He was given a free transfer at the end of the 1952/53 campaign.
Tom Vallance
