Percy Sands

Who was Percy Sands?

Percy Robert Sands was an English footballer, who spent seventeen years playing for Arsenal, making him one of the club's most enduring servants.

Born in Norwood, London, Sands trained as a teacher in Cheltenham and also turned out for Cheltenham Town while in the town. He joined Woolwich Arsenal as an amateur in 1902. While still an amateur, he became the club's first-choice centre half in 1903-04, having made his debut against Blackpool on September 5, 1903. He would not turn fully professional for another three years, and would still work as a teacher when not playing.

Woolwich Arsenal were promoted to the First Division in 1904, and Sands was a near ever-present in the side. Although Arsenal were an undistinguished mid-table side at this time, they reached the FA Cup semi-finals two years running, in 1905-06 and 1906-07. Nicknamed "Mr Reliable", Sands stuck with the club through leaner times, including financial difficulties and then relegation in 1912-13, by which time he had been made captain of the side, and the club's move to Highbury that same year.