Arthur Purdy

Arthur Purdy

Born in Evenswood, County Durham in 1904, Arthur was a goalkeeper who was playing locally when, in 1923, he was recruited by Tottenham who had taken on his elder brother Albert three years before.

Finding himself third choice at Spurs he jumped at the chance to come to Luton in the summer of 1925 where he was to be understudy to Harry Mingay.

Described as a good shot stopper with fine reflexes he bided his time before an injury to Mingay gave him a chance and with it a 26 League and Cup run before the fit again first choice came back into the side.

Allowed to leave at the end of the season, Arthur had varying success at Southend, Durham, Blackpool and Norwich before moving back to the North East and non-League football.

Arthur passed away in Thirsk in 1970.