Freddie Cox

Who was Freddie Cox?

Frederick James Arthur "Freddie" Cox DFC was an English football player and manager.

Born in Reading, Berkshire, Cox signed as an 18-year-old for Tottenham Hotspur in 1938 from Kent side Northfleet United. A tricky and talented winger who usually played on the right, he made his Spurs debut in a Second Division match against Swansea Town in November 1938. However, soon after he broke into the first team, the Second World War broke out and all competitive football was suspended. Cox served as a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After peace broke out, Cox returned to Spurs and played another three seasons for them before moving to their North London rivals Arsenal for £12,000 in September 1949.

Cox made his Arsenal debut straight away, on 7 September 1949 against West Bromwich Albion and became an immediate regular in the Arsenal side. Cox's efforts were most evident in the FA Cup. In the semi-final, against Chelsea, Cox scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw, and went on to score the only goal in Arsenal's 1-0 victory in the replay.