Arthur Milton 1928-2007 - a great
sportsman
Arthur Milton had a relatively unremarkable career at Arsenal but,
at the same time, he was one of the most remarkable men ever to
pull on a red and white shirt.
Until his death on Wednesday aged 79, he was the last living person
to have represented England at cricket and football. He made his
bow for the soccer side after only 12 games for Arsenal. The winger
had joined the Club as an amateur in 1945 and, following his
National Service, played mainly for the Reserves until making his
debut on March 10, 1951 against Aston Villa. His only England cap
came in a 2-2 draw with Austria on November 28 the same year. He
went on to play 84 games for Arsenal, scoring 21 goals and helping
the Club lift the League title in 1952/53.
He moved to Bristol City in 1955 and retired altogether that summer
to concentrate on cricket. He represented Gloucestershire for 26
years and captained the side in 1968. He won six England caps as an
opening batsman between 1958 and 1959, a run that included an
unbeaten 104 in his debut against New Zealand. In that game he also
became the first English player to be on the pitch throughout a
Test match.
He retired from first-class cricket in 1974 aged 46 with 32,150
runs and a then record 758 slip catches. He stayed in the game,
coaching Oxford University, and then scouted for the England
selectors.
Wishing to remain active, he took a job as postman one Christmas
time. He enjoyed the social side of the job so much he later went
full time until compulsory retirement at 60. However Arthur was not
ready to give up his 'round' so, at pensionable age, he delivered
papers for another 14 years.
I had the privilege to interview Arthur at his house two summers
ago as part of the build-up to Highbury's "Final Salute" season. It
was a humbling experience. He was a man of stunning sporting talent
(he was an exceptional rugby fly-half as well by the way) whose
'marketable' value these days would be stratospheric. However he
had little time for his own achievements. I just wanted to play
sport with my mates, he said.
Arthur remained close to Arsenal and played a full part in the
celebrations before and after the Wigan game last season. He even
got a look at Emirates Stadium as it neared completion. However
perhaps just as worthy was the honorary degree awarded to him by
Bristol University in 2002.
Arthur Milton was a truly great sportsman but the esteem in which
he was held by his community demonstrated he was a great man as
well.
RIP Arthur 