Arnold Woollard

Achievements:

• First Bermudian Professional Football Player: Northampton Town, 1949

• FA Cup Runs: Reached the 5th round with Northampton Town (1949-50), 4th round with Northampton Town (1950-51), FA Cup winner with Newcastle United (1955)

• Historic FA Cup Giant Killings: Bournemouth (1956-57)

• Third Division Title Winner: Northampton Town, 1962-63

Biography:

Long before footballers were celebrated like pop stars, Bermudian defender Arnold Woollard was making his mark on some of England's most illustrious soccer pitches. Woollard's accomplishments rank him as one of Bermuda's top footballers of all time and arguably the best defensive player the island has ever produced.

At 18 years old, Woollard caught the eye of Phillip Hutton, director of Northampton Town, during a visit to Bermuda in 1949. At that time, Northampton Town was in the Third Division South. Woollard, a superb left winger for BAA, soon found himself on a boat headed for England. Stepping onto the pitch for Northampton Town in August 1949, he became the island's first professional football player.

In his first year with Northampton Town, the club made it to the 5th round of the FA Cup, marking the best performance in the club's history and finishing as league runner-up. The following season, Woollard helped Northampton reach the 4th round of the FA Cup, where they faced Arsenal in front of the largest home crowd in Cobbler's history, with 72,408 fans.

After three years with Northampton, Woollard moved to the Midland League's Peterborough United in 1952. Shortly after, he transferred to Newcastle United for $5,000. Newcastle had won the FA Cup in 1951 and 1952 and repeated as cup winners in 1955 with a 3-1 victory over Manchester City. Woollard made his debut for Newcastle on April 18, 1953, in an away clash against Portsmouth. He played in key matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham during Newcastle's cup run. Though he only played 10 games for Newcastle, the experience was a highlight of his professional career.

Woollard then became the most expensive signing for Bournemouth up to that point in their history. In the 1956-57 season, he was part of Bournemouth's historic FA Cup giant-killing run. As a third-division club, Bournemouth defeated top-tier teams, including Wolves and Tottenham, before narrowly losing to Manchester United in a hotly contested match.

In the 1962-63 season, Woollard transferred back to Northampton Town and helped the Cobblers win their only Third Division title. After this triumphant season, Woollard retired from professional football. His name remains revered in the pubs and clubs of English soccer folklore, where a mention of "brother Arnold" would still prompt a fresh round of drinks.

Legacy:

Arnold Woollard's journey from Bermuda to the heights of English football is a testament to his skill, determination, and pioneering spirit. As Bermuda's first professional footballer, his achievements on the pitch and his contributions to the sport have left an enduring legacy. Woollard's remarkable career continues to inspire future generations of Bermudian footballers, embodying the spirit of excellence and resilience.