Jack Harrow lived all his life in Beddington Corner and Mitcham. An all-round sportsman, he captained and played cricket for the Mitcham Wednesday XI in the early 1920s. Perhaps more significantly, he played more than 300 games for Chelsea between 1911 and 1926, mainly as left back. These included playing in the 1915 FA Cup Final - the last before professional football was suspended for the War. He continued playing during the War years, sometimes under an assumed name, when not otherwise engaged in munitions work, or in the Royal Air Corps which he joined in 1917.

His speed of thought and positional sense earned him the soubriquet, "D'Artagnan of Defence".

After the War he became Chelsea captain, and gained 2 England caps. Many contemporaries think it should have been more. Forced to retire from the results of an injury when he was hit in the eye by a ball, he joined the Chelsea coaching staff and was with them until 1939. A total of 28 years service to Chelsea.

Regarded as a Chelsea "great", David Calderhead, manager from 1907 to 1933, named Jack as his best ever capture.

Yet there has never been a full biography of this renowned player. This book, penned by Club member Adrian Gault, has been produced with the help and blessing of Jack's immediate descendants, and fills that gap.

All profits from sales will be split between funding restoration of Jack's grave, in Mitcham Cemetery, and a donation to Mitcham Cricket Club.

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