Joining Arsenal as an apprentice in 1962, John Radford turned professional in February 1964. At a club still searching for its first major trophy in well over a decade, the youngster was a bright spark in an era that promised much but delivered little.
PART ONE
His early years were spent developing his skills in the youth and reserve teams, where he was nothing short of prolific. As a result, he soon found himself thrust into the first team, making his First Division debut in an evenly contested 1-1 draw against London rivals West Ham United at Upton Park on 21 March 1964. It was to be his sole appearance of that campaign, but greater opportunities were just around the corner.
Radford’s breakthrough moment came on 2 January 1965, when, at the tender age of 17 years and 315 days, he became Arsenal’s youngest-ever hat-trick scorer in a 4-1 Division One win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Highbury. That record remains unbroken to this day, a testament to both his precocious talent and the difficulty of such a feat. What’s more, that performance signaled his arrival as a genuine force in the English game, ensuring he would be more than just a peripheral figure in the seasons to come.
By the start of the 1965-66 season, Radford had cemented his place in Arsenal’s starting eleven. However, rather than being deployed in his natural position as a centre-forward, he was often stationed on the right wing. Despite this positional shift, his influence continued to grow. It was under Bertie Mee’s management, though, that he truly blossomed, proving himself not only as a goalscorer but as a forward who could link play and contribute in all areas of attack.
The 1968-69 season was a pivotal one for Radford and Arsenal. The Yorkshireman accumulated 19 goals in all competitions, a tally that underlined his growing importance to the side. Arsenal, meanwhile, reached the League Cup final, though they fell short against Swindon Town in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history. Nevertheless, Radford’s performances were catching the eye, and there was a growing sense that the Gunners were on the brink of something special.
The following campaign proved that theory correct. Once again, Radford contributed 19 goals, but more importantly, Arsenal secured their first major silverware in 17 years, winning the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Radford played a crucial role in that success, scoring the second goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 second-leg victory over Belgian side Anderlecht, sealing a dramatic 4-3 aggregate triumph. With that, the Gunners had broken their trophy drought, and Radford had played a starring role in their resurgence.
PART TWO
If 1970 was the beginning, the 1970-71 campaign was the crescendo. Arsenal, inspired by Radford’s lethal finishing and his burgeoning partnership with Ray Kennedy, stormed to a historic league and FA Cup double. Radford scored 21 goals in all competitions—his best-ever tally in a single season—and was at the heart of Arsenal’s attacking play.
The season began in ominous fashion for Arsenal, as they faced reigning league champions Everton at Goodison Park. With Peter Simpson sidelined due to a cartilage operation and Jon Sammels recovering from a broken leg, Bertie Mee’s squad was not at full strength. Nevertheless, Radford quickly showed his importance, setting up Charlie George for an equalizer—albeit at a cost, as George suffered a broken ankle in the process. Despite a controversial goal from Alan Ball, Arsenal battled to a 2-2 draw, an early indicator of their resilience. Moreover, this match signaled Radford’s role as both a scorer and a provider, a theme that would define his season.
When Arsenal next took on West Ham at Boleyn Ground, Radford found himself alongside Ray Kennedy, a partnership that would yield significant rewards. Though the game ended in another draw, the attacking chemistry between the two strikers began to take shape. It was at Highbury against Manchester United that Radford truly announced himself. A clinical hat-trick in a resounding 4-0 victory sent a statement to the rest of the league: Arsenal were serious contenders. Furthermore, this performance underscored Radford’s lethal finishing ability, his knack for being in the right place at the right time, and his willingness to shoulder the goal-scoring burden.
Before an attendance of 54,000 people, Manchester United nearly took the lead when George Best rounded Bob Wilson early on, but he was denied by a superb challenge from home goalkeeper. Instead, it was Arsenal who went ahead after Radford converted a free-kick by Bob McNab in the 14th minute of the contest, and they doubled their advantage shortly afterwards as the marksman netted again on 18 minutes. With the match progressing, Arsenal found themselves three goals up when Radford completed his hat-trick on the hour mark before George Graham added a fourth goal for the hosts in the 68th minute.
Arsenal’s climb to the top of the table was punctuated by crucial victories, none more so than the hard-fought 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Highbury. Kennedy, by now forming a formidable attacking duo with Radford, scored the decisive goal. As a result, Arsenal found themselves level on points with Liverpool, an early indication that Mee’s men were capable of sustaining a title challenge.
However, no championship journey is devoid of setbacks. A trip to Stamford Bridge saw Arsenal suffer their first defeat, as Chelsea emerged 2-1 victors. Despite an equalizing header from Eddie Kelly, Paddy Mulligan’s goal sealed the Gunners’ fate. Yet, if that loss was a blow, the subsequent goalless draw against Leeds at Highbury was a test of character. Reduced to ten men following Kelly’s dismissal, Arsenal stood firm, demonstrating the defensive resolve that would underpin their season.
A North London Derby at Highbury provided the perfect stage for Arsenal to bounce back, and they duly did so with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. George Armstrong’s brace secured the win, but an injury to captain Frank McLintock posed another challenge. Nevertheless, Radford continued to lead the line with his usual diligence and intelligence, ensuring Arsenal maintained their title momentum.
An away trip to bottom-of-the-table Burnley appeared straightforward, yet it turned into a battle of wills. Kennedy opened the scoring early, but Burnley hit back. Arsenal pressed forward, and it was Radford who stepped up, netting the winner to keep the Gunners’ charge on track. His ability to deliver in crucial moments was becoming a hallmark of his campaign.
While the league was Arsenal’s primary focus, they also had European commitments to navigate, entering the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup as defending champions. Their campaign began with a high-stakes away clash against Italian outfit Lazio, a team boasting the talented Giorgio Chinaglia and a fervent home crowd. Radford struck twice in a 2-2 draw, proving his quality on the continental stage. However, the drama didn’t end there. A post-match reception descended into chaos as Kennedy was attacked by a Lazio player, sparking a brawl between both teams. Unfazed by the off-field antics, Arsenal won the return leg at Highbury by a 2-0 margin, with Radford once again on the scoresheet.
Domestically, Arsenal continued to assert their dominance, hitting West Bromwich Albion for six in a commanding 6-2 home triumph. However, just as momentum appeared unstoppable, the Gunners suffered a humbling 5-0 defeat at Stoke City. It was a stark reminder that the road to glory would not be straightforward. Yet, true to their character, they responded emphatically. A 4-0 win at home to Ipswich in the League Cup featured another brace from Kennedy, while a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in London saw the young forward net a hat-trick.
Radford’s contributions were not always about scoring. Against Newcastle United at St James´ Park, Arsenal trailed before George Graham salvaged a point. Against Everton at Highbury, a 4-0 triumph showcased the team’s attacking potency, with Kennedy earning a call-up to England’s U-23 squad. Arsenal’s goals were coming from various sources, but Radford remained the linchpin, his movement, link-up play, and leadership invaluable.
The Fairs Cup campaign continued with a clash against Austrian club Sturm Graz. Arsenal lost 1-0 away but responded at Highbury with a 2-0 win to progress. However, their European journey would end soon after against Cologne, as the toll of chasing multiple trophies took its effect.
By the time the title race reached its climax, every game carried enormous significance. Radford continued to deliver, his goals and assists ensuring Arsenal remained at the summit. When the decisive moment arrived at White Hart Lane in May, it was fitting that a goal from Kennedy, his strike partner, sealed a 1-0 victory over Spurs and confirmed Arsenal as league champions.
Just five days later, Wembley beckoned for the FA Cup final against Liverpool. In a tense and tightly contested affair, John Radford’s tireless running and intelligent play kept the Reds’ defense on high alert. With the match locked at 1-1 in extra time, Radford’s cross set up Charlie George for the iconic winner, completing Arsenal’s historic double.
Radford’s contribution to Arsenal’s greatest season cannot be overstated. He scored crucial goals, created countless opportunities, and embodied the determination that defined the squad. His understanding with Kennedy flourished, his work rate never wavered, and his influence extended beyond the scoresheet.
PART THREE
The 1971-72 season saw Arsenal once again reach the FA Cup final, and once again, they faced Stoke City in the semi-finals. In a bizarre turn of events, when an unfortunate Bob Wilson was forced off with injury, it was Radford who donned the goalkeeper’s gloves, helping the Gunners hold on for a 1-1 draw. In the replay, he returned to his usual role, scoring the winning goal to send Arsenal to Wembley. However, this time, they fell short, losing 1-0 to double-chasing Leeds United in the final.
Radford continued to be a reliable figure for Arsenal in the early 1970s, scoring another 19 goals in the 1972-73 season. Yet, as time wore on, his goal return began to decline. The arrival of new attacking talent, including Malcolm Macdonald and Frank Stapleton, meant that Radford found himself increasingly on the fringes. By the 1975-76 season, injuries had also begun to take their toll, restricting his appearances and limiting his impact.
With his playing time dwindling, Radford made the difficult decision to leave the club in December 1976, joining West Ham United for £80,000. However, his spell at Upton Park was underwhelming, as he failed to score in 28 league appearances. A year later, he moved to Blackburn Rovers, where he fared slightly better, netting 10 goals in 38 matches.
His professional career wound down with non-league side Bishop’s Stortford, where he found success in the Isthmian League and won an FA Trophy. Notably, he later returned to the club as a manager in the late 1980s and early 1990s, proving that his love for the game extended far beyond his playing days.
On the international stage, Radford’s career was surprisingly brief. Despite his exploits at club level, England manager Sir Alf Ramsey never truly warmed to him. Radford made his senior debut in a friendly against Romania on 15 January 1969 and won just one more cap, against Switzerland in October 1971. He failed to score in either appearance, and with England’s abundance of attacking talent at the time, his international career was cut frustratingly short.