Ted Platt: wartime keeper who could not replace Swindin or Kelsey

Ted Platt

Ted Platt was born in Romford on 26 March 1921 and at the time of writing is still with us, having reached the age of 91.

He started out with Colchester United of the Southern League and was transferred directly from them to Arsenal.

Ted Platt then signed for Arsenal on January 5 1939 at the age of 17 as a goalkeeper.  George Allison, our manager at the time had an obvious regular first choice goalkeeper in George Swindin, and a reserve in Alex Wilson who had joined the club in 1933.  Ted Platt was one for the future, but of course with the future of football about to be postponed because of the war, it didn’t turn out as he might have expected.

During the war Ted played 33 times for Arsenal, but spent much of the war years with the Royal Fusiliers, fighting for his country in north Africa and Italy.

In the first post-war season of 1946/7 Swindin was still the number 1 keeper but during a four match spell in November/December with Swindin injured Ted was called upon to step up to the first team.

I have seen it noted that he made his debut in August 1946 but the match by match sequence shows Swindin in goal until November 16 1946 when we beat Leeds 4-2 at home.

Ted never made it as the first choice keeper, playing only when Swindin was injured.  In September 1952 however with Swindin out for much of the season (he only played 14 out of 42 games) Ted Platt played in only the first three games, and after letting in five goals in that short sequence he was replaced by Jack Kelsey.

Ted then moved to Portsmouth  where he played 31 games before moving on to Aldershot with whom he played 16.  His final club was either Worcester City or Ashford (Kent) according to which source you refer to.

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2 Replies to “Ted Platt: wartime keeper who could not replace Swindin or Kelsey”

  1. During and just after WW2, I saw Swindin on a number of times play for Arsenal AND also guest for other clubs. His displays in goal were invariably outstanding and on oneoccasion greeted by a standing ovation which included both teams!

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