Long before the European Cup was established, Arsenal's manager Herbert Chapman was actively contemplating the future of international club football.
Chapman maintained a close friendship with Jean-Bernard Levy, the owner of Parisian club Racing. They shared the belief that regular matches between clubs from different countries should become an integral part of the sport's development. In 1930, they closely followed the Nations Cup—a tournament featuring champions from 10 European nations. Later that year, Arsenal and Racing began hosting annual matches on Armistice Day, raising funds for war veterans, a tradition that lasted until 1962.
The role of France and the concept of a European tournament
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, France emerged as a hub of innovative ideas regarding the future of football. Figures like Henri Delaunay, Jules Rimet, and journalist Gabriel Hanot were actively promoting the concept of international collaboration. With Levy's connections to these influential figures, Chapman frequently encountered ideas that would shape European football during Arsenal's visits to Paris. He warned that England risked falling behind in continental progress if it ignored international competitions.
In 1934, Levy proposed a concept for a "European Championship" featuring two divisions, as well as a "European Cup" for top clubs. He foresaw that advancements in air travel would make regular matches between clubs from different European capitals not only viable but practical. However, these plans were thwarted by the stance of the Football Association, Chapman's untimely death in 1933, and the deteriorating political landscape in Europe. Tragically, Levy himself perished during the French campaign in 1940.
The birth of European competitions
It wasn't until two decades later that the vision of these football pioneers became a reality. The inaugural European Cup tournament took place in 1955, followed by the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and in 1960 the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. The financial potential of continental football convinced clubs and administrators of its value, solidifying European competitions within the football calendar.
