Dan Lewis

From Ffaith

Dan Lewis was a Welsh internationa goalkeeper born in Maerdy, Glamorgan. He played for Arsenal during the 1920s.

The most infamous moment of Lewis' Arsenal career was the 1927 FA Cup Final, against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium; it was the Gunners' first Cup final, which they lost 1-0 thanks to an error by Lewis. In the 74th minute, Cardiff striker Hughie Ferguson hit a tame shot straight at Lewis, who dived down to make what should have been a comfortable save. However, Lewis fumbled the ball as he gathered it, and it slipped between his body and the crook of his elbow; Lewis turned around and tried in vain to reclaim the ball but only succeeded in knocking it with his elbow into the back of the net. Cardiff won the match 1-0, the first and only time a Welsh club has won the FA Cup - ironic given that Lewis was a Welsh internationa himself. Lewis blamed his brand new jersey for the error, saying the wool was too greasy for him to grip the ball properly; since then, according to club legend, no Arsenal goalkeeper has played an FA Cup final with a new jersey.