Category Archives: Arsenal and Me

The Arsenal and Me – Harrison’s Story

Leave a reply

A broken down car and a sprint to a packed main road as a 6 year old boy. Who would have thought that would be the start of my Arsenal story.

Well, how about if I told you my dad and I were running a bit late to the invincible parade, that make it acceptable to leave the car on the side of a backstreet?

That is the first memory I have of going down the Arsenal, and not a bad one really as I got to see all my idols that day and ever since that day it’s been Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal.

Still to this day I remember the time I was told I was going to my first competitive Arsenal game. My 7th birthday, 2nd April 2005, Arsenal played Norwich at home and the moment I walked into Block 20 in the Clock End will stay with me forever. Thierry Henry had been my idol from the moment I could say Football, so it couldn’t be more necessary for him to get a Hatrick on my first game to help Arsenal to a 4-1 win. I am really not someone to get emotional about anything but even as a 15 year old that only went to Highbury 4 times, whenever someone mentions anything about Highbury it brings a tear to my eye and I remember how much it hurt me to watch that last game vs Wigan and seeing Thierry kiss the turf.

From that 7 year old boy to me now at 15 years old, now a season ticket holder and in my first season on the away scheme. I honestly don’t know where I would be without Arsenal. I have met so many great people, some that I go to every game home & away with, through Arsenal by things ranging from a Junior Gunners Christmas party to being on the BSM Boat to Fulham. It hasn’t been fun growing up recently in a community of West Ham and “London’s finest” Manchester United supporters but that family feeling and the nod of the head whenever you see another Gooner down the street is what keeps me going.

Up The Arsenal

Harrison

If you would like to tell your Arsenal story, click here

 

The Arsenal and Me – Dan’s Story

Leave a reply

So… Where to begin, all the family are Arsenal, Mum was born in Elwood Street, I grew up in Borehamwood. 1983 (I think), my first game at home to Luton. It pissed down so we stood under the North Bank as opposed to the schoolboys in front of the West Stand. We lost. Our Morris Marina then broke down, leaving us double parked in Drayton Park waiting for the AA for hours.

When we finally got home, I thought “that’s for me”. Despite the trial and tribulations and the defeat, I loved it. A few bad years followed going to the odd game then in 86, me and dad went to Highbury during the school holidays and as a surprise he bought us season tickets mine was £39 quid standing in the junior gunners. £39 for a season ticket!Tickets

In 1987, we made a Cup Final. A ticket for the final cost just £6.

What a day Wembley my 1st visit was, and a win (Liverpool never lose when rush scores 1st). I remember the flags the Scousers were carrying on Wembley Way. I was 11 and it was mind blowing.

The following year was back to reality as we lost to Luton!

1989, What a year. May 26th will live with me forever, more so for the way The Arsenal gave flowers to the Anfield crowd before kick off. I was ball boy at Highbury (we played either Newcastle or Everton) the day of the Hillsborough disaster and I watched it live in the players lounge at half time. I wasnt sure what to make of it at that age

When we won the league that Friday, the whole family went up to Highbury dad let me have a beer, the streets were going mad.

Onto my first European excursion, and what an introduction to watching an English team abroad, it was lively to say the least. 1-0 to the Arsenal was born at half time and by now I was going with my pals and getting into a few scrapes here and there but this was on another level.

And so to Copenhagen 1994. What a night. I cried like a baby when we won! The whole day in Copenhagen was magical, being there with your close pals, a 1-0 win when we should have lost by 4….

Lens away, another great night. To say I was there even though it took hours to get in as loads of Gooners tried to blag it. We all know what happened here, the result didn’t matter at the end of the day, I’m still not sure if it was a good day out or a bad day out.

I’ve met loads of great people over Highbury during the years, people who i could rely on when needed, and this was a day we all came together. The next few years me and the old man spent in the East Lower, doubles were won, unreal football was played….I was there at Old Trafford when Wiltord scored and, at the Lane when we won the league.

I have so many great memories and some shitty ones too. Chelsea in the Champions league when Wayne Bridge scored being one of the worst. I physically felt sick after that game. And then onto Paris 2006.

A great trip with some pals and meeting up at the Frog and Rosbeef for one of the biggest sessions ever, the only memory is before the game outside the ground dancing to take me out by Franz Ferdinand!!!

I went to Aston Villa, the 1st game at the Emirates still as a ST holder but it wasn’t for me, it’s soulless and it didn’t mean anything to lots of people around me. My Season tickets are now being used by a pal. I still get up there to the big games and took the missus v Spurs this season, hopefully the prices will come down and I can take my daughter when she’s old enough.

The Arsenals in the blood it hurts when they lose, it hurts when people slag us off. Although I like us being the underdogs ala 89 ….

Remember we are not Arsenal we are “The Arsenal”. Stay safe….

Dan

If you would like to tell your Arsenal story, click here

The Arsenal and Me – Stephen’s Story

Leave a reply

I came from a family with no interest in football. I was at primary school it was 1971 and cup final time. Everyone was supporting one of the teams and I choose Arsenal for no reason that I can remember. I do remember the final. The only televised game of the year. Crying when we went behind and then Charlie George. How many people became hooked after that lying on their back re-enact ing the goal. That moment shaped my football life. The period after that has been better and more eloquently discussed than I ever could by Nick Hornby in Fever Pitch. Odd Cup finals few highlights and not much success was my childhood. There was of course Liam Brady. The highlight of a mediocre side, a joy every time you saw him play and probably still my favourite all time player. A left foot that could do anything. Only Thierry of Arsenal players since have created that same buzz of excitement in the crowd every time he touched the ball expectantly waiting for him to deliver.

liam

After years of mediocrity came George Graham. My first Wembley final was Charlie Nicholas Littlewoods Cup 1987. What a day that was. It showed we were on the up and finally heading for titles and proper success. In my mind it was the moment we overtook Liverpool and that has continued to this day. Obviously the later frustrations of losing to Luton (terrible day that was) although we laughed about how hopeless Gus Cesar was even on the day.

We all then have great memories of Anfield 1989 and then later Wenger’s early years. Finally league titles.The move to The Emirates has been a joy and a frustration but like Charlie Nicholas Littlewoods Cup perhaps the time has finally come when we will challenge again. Shame that the Birmingham final happened when we were overdue a trophy unlike Luton when it happened after a success.

The greatest thing that Arsenal has given me apart from the stress and the upset is the memories. My first Arsenal game with George Armstrong running up and down the wing in front of me. Getting the train to Highbury aged 15. Standing at Middlesbrough as Martin Hayes scored the winner running terrified back to the car as we thought that we would be murdered, my nephews first game with Ian Wright scoring, standing in the rain at Charlton and my then girlfriend and now wife looking at me saying she loved me and was never coming again, a College night watching Charlie Nicholas (again)scoring at Villa Park in an evening match. There were the joys of Denis and Thierry and despite my move to the North East I have managed plenty of memories. The Invincibles, our last Cup Final with my 3 year old twins lifting pretend Cups and Thierry’s final Arsenal goal at The Stadium of Light. Now we get to see Ozil and Jack Wilshire who I really hope will get fit get better and become a legend. No reason why not.

My first real boss was an Arsenal fan. Came up at the interview and probably helped me get the job. Also made my boss a friend as we often talked football.

My best mate is a United fan and got me a ticket with him for the Old Trafford 8-2 humiliation. After our heaviest post war defeat I managed to run into the back of a United fans car on the way out of the car park. Typical United fan was on his way back to South London. Cost me £1800 in total to watch that. and pay for car repairs. It’s almost funny now and a memory to let my children laugh at me for.

The thing I like most is that if we have a triumph or disaster people think of me. I often get calls after/before big games and when we sit at the top of the league I know that friends and family around the country with only a passing interest in football pass a thought my way. When I die I expect and know that my children will do the same after an Arsenal win and raise a glass my way celebrating. Raise a memory to me.

I have got no less obsessive as I have got older even though I forget about losses more quickly now. I remain impossibly pessimistic.Twitter lets me watch other fans thoughts and laugh at those forever in our shadow and minding the gap more than is probably healthy. But the die has been cast for far too long now. Arsenal and me are stuck together. No doubt about it Charlie George changed my life.

Stephen

If you would like to tell your Arsenal story, click here