Wilf Copping

Wilfred Copping (17 August 1909 – June 1980) was an English football player who played for Leeds United, Arsenal and the England national team.

[1] Copping was signed by Arsenal in the summer of 1934 for £8,000, as a replacement for Bob John, and immediately took a first-team place at left half.

[1] He remained a near-ever present for Arsenal until March 1939; with World War II looming, Copping put in a transfer request so that he could return to the North with his family.

[2] Copping played out the rest of the 1938-39 season with Leeds United, but war broke out in September 1939 and all first-class football was cancelled.

Despite his nickname of "The Iron Man", and his image (he took to the field unshaven, a remarkably unusual practice at the time), Copping was never booked or sent off in his career.