Clubs managed: Tottenham Hotpsur, Crystal Palace

When Arthur Row first came to Palace in November 1958 as Assistant Manager to George Smith he did so as a legend in London football circles, following a distinguished and highly successful career as a player, then manager, with Tottenham Hotspur. Arthur played over 200 games for Spurs and won an England cap before injury meant he retired prematurely however he returned to White Hart Lane as manager in 1949.

He steered Spurs to promotion to the top-flight in his first season as boss and their success was reflected in astonishing nine point margin between themselves and their nearest challengers. Arthur's Spurs went on to win the First Division championship the following season but illness caused the great man to retire for a while and he only came to the fore again in April 1960 when he took over at Selhurst Park.

At the time Palace were a Fourth Division club with a sizeable overdraft and in real danger of sinking into oblivion but Arthur adapted the club to his chosen style of push and run play and led the club to an instant promotion. It was under Arthur's skilled and experienced guidance that Johnny Byrne came to maturity, earned international recognition and then moved to West Ham United for a club record fee of £60,000.

Arthur was never a robust man and he was often plagued by ill health and in the winter of 1962/63 he was forced to surrender control of the club, although he returned as Dick Graham's assistant before taking temporary charge in 1966 after his successor's departure. Arthur then reverted to background role once more and under Bert Head as the club drove towards the top-flight he was offered a testimonial against an International XI in November 1968.

Inevitably then, Palace supporters of the 1960sb never forgot Arthur Rowe and, while everyone at Crystal Palace was saddened to hear of his death in November 1993, those who new him or watched his Palace teams with delight, will always remain immensely grateful for his marvellous contribution to the club.