- Birthdate: 25 November 1933
- Birthplace: Chichester, England
- Date of death: 5 May 2013
- Other clubs: Chichester City (1949-51), Worthing (1951-53), Tranmere Rovers (1961-63), Halifax Town (1963-64), Runcorn (1964-66)
- Signed from: Worthing
- Signed for LFC: 24.03.1953
- Liverpool debut: 05.12.1953
- Last appearance: 14.01.1961
- Debut goal: 05.12.1953
- Last goal: 22.04.1959
- Contract expiry: 06.02.1961
- Win ratio: 41.33% W:31 D:17 L:27
- Games/goals ratio: 2.14
- League games / goals: 69 / 33
- Total games / goals: 75 / 35
Player Profile
Centre-forward Arnell moved from Sussex amateur side Worthing to Liverpool when he was 20 years old. As Arnell was doing his National Service in the Royal Sussex Regiment he could not sign as a pro so it was as an amateur he made a scoring debut on 5 December 1953 in a 5-2 win home victory over Blackpool. He only played another two times that season and just eight the following season, in which he scored three more goals.
Although he was in and out of the side during the next few years, Arnell boasts a decent scoring record averaging a goal every two games in the Second Division for Liverpool. Arnell’s chief rival for the number 9 shirt that he most preferred was none other than Billy Liddell. ‘Billy was an idol at Anfield. The local Press was biased towards him but I’m not complaining. With him around, you had to be 110 per cent."Arnell was transferred to Third Division Tranmere Rovers in February 1961 as Arnell explained: "In 1961 I arranged to buy a sub-post office and newsagent’s shop less than a quarter of a mile from the training ground. It was towards the end of the season and Bill Shankly said Swindon were interested in me and a £7,000 fee, which was quite a high fee then, was mentioned. I said I had just offered to buy a business and Shanks immediately replied – in that case, you can have a free transfer. In about one hour I was a Tranmere player. I think Shanks was a little bit naughty about that." Arnell scored 34 goals in 68 League games for Rovers but suffered relegation into Fourth Division.
After leaving Tranmere, Arnell played for Halifax and Runcorn, combining this with running the newsagent. He later returned to his native Chichester, where he went into the licensed trade and also worked as a declaration officer at racecourses. Arnell died on 5 May 2013.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
5 |
450 |
Swansea City |
5 |
450 |
West Ham United |
4 |
360 |
Leyton Orient |
4 |
360 |
Stoke City |
3 |
300 |
Scunthorpe United |
3 |
270 |
Middlesbrough |
3 |
270 |
Leeds United |
3 |
270 |
Huddersfield Town |
3 |
270 |
Lincoln City |
2 |
180 |
Doncaster Rovers |
2 |
180 |
Barnsley |
2 |
180 |
Grimsby Town |
2 |
180 |
Notts County |
2 |
180 |
Nottingham Forest |
2 |
180 |
Manchester City |
2 |
180 |
Leicester City |
2 |
180 |
Fulham |
2 |
180 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
2 |
180 |
Bristol Rovers |
2 |
180 |
Charlton Athletic |
2 |
180 |
Rotherham United |
2 |
180 |
Bury |
2 |
180 |
Plymouth Argyle |
2 |
180 |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
2 |
180 |
Bristol City |
2 |
180 |
Sheffield United |
1 |
90 |
Cardiff City |
1 |
90 |
Hull City |
1 |
90 |
Blackpool |
1 |
90 |
Portsmouth |
1 |
90 |
Port Vale |
1 |
90 |
Blackburn Rovers |
1 |
90 |
Bolton Wanderers |
1 |
90 |
Southend |
Total |
Venue |
40 |
Away |
35 |
Home |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
05.12.1953 |
Blackpool |
Anfield |
League |
50 |
12.01.1957 |
Doncaster Rovers |
Anfield |
League |
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
79 |
05.12.1953 |
Blackpool |
Anfield |
League |
Scrapbook
Arnell an inadequate replacement for Liddell - March 1959
Arnell moves on - 6 February 1961
Arnell scores - 7 February 1959
Melia in place of Arnell - 14 December 1955
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Chichester City |
1949-1951 |
Sussex County League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Worthing |
1951-1953 |
Corinthian League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Tranmere Rovers |
1960-1961 |
England Third Division |
15 |
5 |
15 |
5 |
Tranmere Rovers |
1961-1962 |
England Fourth Division |
8 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
Tranmere Rovers |
1962-1963 |
England Fourth Division |
15 |
6 |
16 |
6 |
Halifax Town |
1963-1964 |
England Fourth Division |
14 |
6 |
18 |
6 |
Runcorn |
1964-1966 |
England Cheshire League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Total |
52 |
18 |
58 |
18 |