Ted Drake's great-grandson releases Poems of The Arsenal

Liam Harding, the great-grandson of Saints, Chelsea and Arsenal legend Ted Drake, has released Poems of The Arsenal, an anthology of poetry exploring the North London club’s most iconic moments, players and stadiums.

Liam said: "It’s an absolute honour to publish a book that shares the collective Arsenal consciousness, celebrating the eras and personnel that made this club what it is today.

Liam Harding has published Poems of The Arsenal, a poetry book about The Gunner’s greatest players, moments and homes throughout history. (Image: Supplied)

"I know fellow Gooners will love reading it.

"I’ve always wanted to write a book about the club that means so much to me and millions of others worldwide.

"It was incredibly fortunate timing that Arsenal won the league while I was editing the final chapters, allowing me to finish the book with a shared victory for North London and beyond."

Drake served as the Saints' top scorer from 1931 to 1934, before leading Arsenal's attack for the rest of the decade.

He still holds the English top-flight record for most goals in a single match, with seven.

The collection marks Arsenal’s recent league title triumph and features tributes to players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice.

It also credits manager Mikel Arteta for transforming the club.

Liam also reflects on Arsenal’s beginnings as Dial Square in Woolwich, their move to Highbury, and their current home at Emirates Stadium.

The poems trace the club’s golden era of the 1930s, post-war achievements, and the famous 1989 night at Anfield when George Graham’s side defeated Liverpool 2-0 to win the First Division.

There are also tributes to Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles and Arsenal’s modern resurgence under Arteta.

Beyond his writing, Liam spent two years campaigning for greater recognition of his great-grandfather’s legacy.

After eight months of discussions with club officials, he secured approval for a memorial plaque to be installed in February 2025 at Highbury Square, where Drake’s ashes have been interred since his death in 1995.

Drake’s story began in Southampton, where he worked at the Gaslight and Coke Company before rising to football stardom.

It was at a company dance that he met his wife Ruby, who lived to 103 and died in 2014.

Largely due to Liam's efforts, Drake was posthumously inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame on the second attempt.

Poems of The Arsenal is available now on Amazon Marketplace, priced at £9.99 for the ebook and £12 for both paperback and hard cover editions.