We Had A Ball, A Kidd, A Brady, And A Relegation Battle
Mar 27th, 2012 by 'holic
It’s a happy time to be a Gooner. If ever a season provided the extremes of emotion that define the lot of the football supporter, then this one has for the current generation of Arsenal supporters. I often try to relate what someone born around 1990 must have experienced this season to some of my own disappointments that surrounded the magical couple of years at the outset of the seventies.
The only start to a season I thought that I could compare to this season’s early struggle came in 1974-75. It turns out I am being extremely harsh on the modern Arsenal. I do recall the opening fixture of that nearly disastrous campaign. Leicester was a ‘must do’ trip in those days, and if memory serves we took two football specials up from St Pancras. The rolling stock left much to be desired, but with the benefit of hindsight it was fair enough that British Rail carried us around the country in dilapidated carriages for very little money. Invariably damage was caused, and rarely repaired.
Funnily enough there was much to be hopeful about as new signing Brian Kidd scored the only goal of the game, and his former European Cup winning team-mate at Manchester United, Jimmy Rimmer, kept a clean sheet. The first sign that the club who had won the double just three seasons earlier might struggle came three days later with another 1-0 away win, this time for Ipswich Town at Highbury. Temporary respite came on the second Saturday of the season. Manchester City were hit for four, with Kidd and John Radford sharing the spoils. Two wins out of three. What could go wrong?
I’ll give you a flavour of what could go wrong. Our next win didn’t arrive until a week after we had lost at White Hart Lane (shh!). On 26th October, yes October, we turned West Ham over 3-0 at Highbury with Radford, Kidd, and a young chap by the name of Liam Brady getting the goals. West Ham put up much more of a show in the North Bank than on the pitch that day. Between the two home victories we secured just three points in ten matches. Whisper it softly, but there was even mention of the dreaded ‘r’ word, which would not be banished until we beat the neighbours at home in the penultimate fixture with another Kidd strike.
The ‘purple patch’ in the season, such as it was, arrived in a week in November. A week after failing to beat Wolves at Highbury we travelled to Anfield and thrashed a great Liverpool side 3-1, with Alan Ball scoring twice. A week later we thumped Derby by the same score at home, with Ball grabbing another brace. Derby went on to pip Liverpool for the League title by just two points. We built on those outstanding performances by losing 0-3 at Coventry, a game so frustrating for the thousands who travelled to occupy half of the West Stand at Highfield Road.
The FA Cup took us back to Leicester (twice) and Coventry before eventual winners West Ham gained revenge for their league defeat at Highbury in the quarter-final. That was another bad day to be in the North Bank. The team that finally secured safety in the North London derby featured only four regulars from the double-winning team, although to be fair both Geoff Barnett and Sammy Nelson were on the books at the time. It read Barnett (his first appearance of the season); Pat Rice, Terry Mancini, Peter Simpson, Nelson; Peter Storey, Ball, Brady, George Armstrong; Brian Hornsby, Kidd.
We avoided the drop by the four points that separated us from Chelsea, relegated with rock-bottom Carlisle. The win over Tottenham actually saw us finish above the neighbours too. It would be another two years before they would finish in their rightful place, also rock-bottom. Never have modern-day Arsenal come closer to the unthinkable. Now I look back upon our August and January/February this season with some degree of perspective again. I’ll accept though that for a whole generation those were a couple of unprecedented spells in the Wenger era.
Looking back though, it is a blessing the internet didn’t exist in 1975. We moaned, grumbled, then went back to work for a few days and by the time the next game came around we were up for it again. Technology isn’t always a blessing.
321 Responses to “We Had A Ball, A Kidd, A Brady, And A Relegation Battle”
Slips onto a stool, asks the barman for a frosty Lemonade like what tabs is having… ๐
2nd?get in now to have a read..
Great message ‘Holic ๐
But Terry Mancini ๐ฎ
NBN from last drinks, That ยฃ35 million would be spent on Podolski as a wide striker, Vertonghen as another CB (Emergency DM Cover) & M’Vila as ACN cover. ยฃ10.9 million(potentially ยฃ5.5 million), ยฃ10 million and ยฃ15-ยฃ20 million, simples ๐
Great post Holic.
You have a point about technology – the match report was wrapped around haddock and chips a day later in those days and probably everyone was better off for it.
(Snowy, from the last session, feckin snotted indeed, heh) 8)
‘Holic – the history man. Nobody does it better. Fact – in my opinion.
That West Ham league game was the first time i ever saw my heroes live. And to be honest the only player i can really remember – i think – was Terry Mancini. Not entirely sure why, but think it may have had something to do with him appearing like the exact polar opposite, in every way, to Charlie George – who first made me fall in love with the reds
I’ve still got the pics of the day we we went to Leicester. Gear for the day was denim dungarees.
No, really ๐
AL? You are nowhere near old enough to have been there then, surely?
Oh, forgot the Bowie haircut and the silk scarf ๐
My god sounds bad back in the good old days:)what a memory you have holic down to the date’s in all,amazing always my favourite when you write bout the old days even thou I wasn’t even born.
11th…….!
Ahh…. The Maestro at his poetic best. Moist eyes on this side of the keyboard ‘Holic. I went to several of those home games that season, aged 9, with The StoreyDad.
I also remember him muttering the ‘r word’ a few times during that campaign albeit under his breath. But, we never gave up hope and, as you say, each Saturday was like a clean sheet with internet pollution not yet even a figment of Scott McNealy’s imagination.
That’s why whenever I read a hysterical post/tweet/comment I just think back to those dark days, compare it to where we are now (and there is no comparison) and have a quite chuckle.
Form is temporary, class is permanent… or words to that effect.
‘Fraid so sir – taken along by the old man’s Arsenal supporting work mate Archie. I was v. young and had become fixated on The Arse following the ’71 cup-final
Blimey. Remind me to have what you are drinking next time. It is clearly the elixir of never-ending youth ๐
And a lot of make-up. Which reminds me were you more Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane?
Ooh…. A lad in sane for me young AL ๐
Wind – Please no slipping on ones stools in this bar young man. That sort of behaviour is reserved for the odd visiting LWC ๐
Aladdin by that time, AL.
Regarding my #4, Snir (who’s got stuff to do so can’t enter the bar at this moment in time) says that I should swap out M’Vila for another striker (Matias Suarez) he’s 21 and his acquisition would mean the end of Frimpong’s or Coquelin’s Arsenal careers due to M’Vila having more experience + his passing isn’t Arsenal standard and the midfield is crowded enough. My addition to that is that Vertonghen can play DM if needed to cover for Song at ACoN 2013 so M’Vila purchase isn’t necessary as a creative midfielder’s would be and I’m not even sure that’s necessary.
How dare you speculate about Vertonghen in the same post that I have mentioned the legend that was Terry ‘Henry’ Mancini.
Yellow card for you, Wind ๐
Heh heh Professor ๐ A certain player of the LWC actually THROWS his own stools at people, shocking behaviour I must say ๐
*splutters* But, But, But!!
*hangs head in resignation* ๐
No relation to a certain Italian I hope… *gets coat ready in case of potential red*
Hey kids this is what you call a haircut – the silk scarf aint bad eva. proves it wasn’t all football thuggery in the 70’s etc. Why, it appears there was a fair bit dandyism about the place on occasions too
http://youtu.be/KtfpsLmmdVI
By the by ‘holic apparently Ziggy was recently blue plaqued – i believe he’s only the second fictional character ever to be given that honour. Rumours that a living s***s championship winning captain is the other may not be entirely accurate
I was there the night Mancini score and he did a lap of honour! Remember?… We were such shit then, all we had was laughs at whatever we could eh? And loved that chant kiddo kiddo… For some reason I remember one if my favourite players of all time, an odd one but ‘Alan Hudson’ a shirt gooner career but he steve Williams & Vladimir petrovic were class
Damn predictive text!
Great read holic. God bless the internet warriors of today, for they truly show on a regular basis how fortunate the rest of us are.
Are we doing transfer speculation already????? Sounds a tad early.
Heh ‘holic – Terry “Henry” Mancini – the pink panter? Well – he was a bit slow, and ‘opeless and a bit of a plodder too. The first – in my time, at least, in a fairly longish line of fairly ‘opeless centre-halfs that our lot sometimes, somehow turned into legends of sorts. Aye Big Willie, i’m looking at you.
Still none of that covers-up the rotten gag at the beginning – i’ll get me comb
Heh! Great stuff Arsene knows and AL.
Six foot 2
Eyes of blue
Wilie Young is after you
It was the spectacular, backfiring, mis-kicked clearances that I remember with the greatest affection. But he was a legend of his time.
The last time I sort of dissed Mancini, The Maestro left to his defence (heh!) so I’ll just say that he wasn’t our best but he certainly was a trier.
‘Holic –
amazing powers of recall and usual great story telling.
I was, as usual, ever present at home that season, but whole seasons, let alone individual matches, have long since blurred into one for me.
I do remember the West Ham league game at Highbury though and it might provide a bit of perspective of a different kind for some of those in the bar of more tender years.
My two mates and I, mere teenagers at the time, arrived on the North Bank from the East Stand side, about an hour before kick-off.
Although our normal spot on the terrace was half way back, in line with the 18 yard line, to the right of the goal as you looked towards the Clock End, we often used the East Side entrance as it was just round the corner from where we parked the car. Yes, parked the car two minutes walk from the turnstile!
We were greeted on the terrace that day by a gang of West Ham fans who relieved us of our scarves, persuading us to part with said items by flashing just enough knife blade to render argument pointless.
Attentions during the game were divided between the football and the running battles going on behind us – I was never stupid enough to get involved in the fighting although, on the North Bank in those days, it was sometimes difficult to avoid the crush as the melee spread.
There was no such thing in those days as a Text service to a steward requesting assistance to deal with the violence around you !
After the game hostilities transferred to St Thomas’ Rd where hamburger stands were hurled into front gardens by some of the West Ham mob, while others ran atop lines of parked cars chased by mounted police.
Those of us who enjoy taking our kids to games these days are quietly grateful that those days are gone, even occasionally at the expense of a bit of ‘atmosphere’.
And the unlikely late goals on EUFA cup nights TS – there may have only been one but – one was enough to add to the unlikely ledge list.
PS, TS assumed ‘holic was only being half-serious re the Mancini – so apologies ‘h if i’ve offended thine ear – but as i say i came as a kid to see Charlie George “superstar” – and was a wee bit disappointed to get super Mancini instead
well played Trev – interesting tales from interesting times, as holic implies much of the nastiest stuff seems to be cyber stuff these days – an improvement of sorts i s’pose
But I’m a little confused…wasn’t the 1975/76 season when we experienced our nadir in ‘modern times’? Does it matter really, 16th or 17th place…can’t fathom this bleak period in history ever revisiting Arsenal again. As for you being “extremely harsh on the modern Arsenal”, (sigh) all is forgiven (for now, at least). Great piece, ‘professor’.
Excellent, piece ‘holic. The lessons of history are treasures.
CoR from the last drinks, The mysteries of how Rooney gets in these FFL teams shall never cease. ๐
Trev, I was in the very middle of the northbank that day, u reminded me that west him did indeed ‘take’ the northbank, thousands of em swarmed over from our left (east) fists flailing it was madness… & exciting!
Top post mate. Just like being there. The stories of that day against the Hammers in the cup are legion.
Wind@4: money well spent.
‘Holic@7: I would have been at some of those games. But denim dungarees? Shoot me, if ever. The old RAF silk scarf? Perhaps.
Terry Mancini. Never would believe he was Irish with a name like that. But a great bald pate in an era heading for mullets.
Trev: those must have been the days of the Inter-City Firm. It was a different world then, and, like you, I’m not sorry they are gone.
AK@34: Exciting in a scary way. But remember the Stanley knives and the razor blades in the oranges? Not so pleasant.
Now, here is a defence that could play: http://youtu.be/wK-b5PLhrEI
Lovely piece ‘holic – I’ve such fond memories of going through all of my brother’s programmes (I’ve told you about him – same vintage as you) and he had this fantastic and tiny bold handwriting and would scribe detailed notes about each player on the back of the match day mag.
He started going to all matches at the age of 10 (69-70…lucky sod with what was to follow) whereas I didn’t get the same privilege until 76/77 and we know how that season began. He was at his mini-journalistic best and very optimistic with the arrival of Kidd in the season you’ve just mentioned. I can still picture his short and sharp assessments and I even found a few programmes (that are his…whoops) in my collection that I must have borrowed and never returned from that same season: here are some from one game
BALL – HARD WORK ALL AFTERNOON BY ALAN, TOO CLEVER FOR MOST OF THE REST
KIDD – ALWAYS WINNING HEADERS BUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH SUPPLY AGAIN!
STOREY – GETS ON MY NERVES LATELY ALWAYS SEEMS INDECISIVE TO ME
ARMSTRONG – HE NEVER STOPS RUNNING AND MUM ADORES HIM, WONDER IF HE HEARD HER TODAY?
He even used to add notes about the ref and how tasty things got in the North Bank (we were upper west at the time), I used to love flicking through them and be happy that players who were in the combination had made the step up. By the time I was going to all games he warned me to keep my hopes low as it had been 5 barren years, I thought he was full of shit as suddenly we went to the FA Cup final every year. I thought it was our right to go at that point such was the regularity.
Inconceivable that we almost went down, my first game I recall was probably that season. I thought Mancini was such an exotic name…where could he be from!!
Holic: Thanks for the ‘memories’ mate!! I think that I have eulogized about that season on here before. As terrible as it was I never missed a game: Home or Away! That was my first season ever-present and it went on for another 5-years after that (never missing a game!) …Talk about masochistic..But that was the season that my rock-clad dedication to the Arsenal was cemented. I knew then that I would love this club for ever and ever – don’t ask me why. It wasn’t just me either…I used to see a whole bunch of the same people at away games – (because I always lived so close to the stadium I always arrived right at kick-off and left right after to catch the scores on the telly so I never really developed a ‘Highbury’ thing..BUT away games were a different matter – We’d be about two-thousand regular Gooners I should think. That year we’d just nod to each other as if to say “you too uh?”….Memories (0;
Trev @ 29: In all likelihood me and my mate V was in the thick of that melee behind you that day! We got to the game late – as usual – as the whistle blew for the kick-off and it took us a while for our eyes to ‘acclimatise’ to our danger,,,,Thousands of West Ham cunts had ‘taken’ the North Bank: Sacrilege! Anyway we got a few kicks in but came out rather the worst as I remember….Gosh I hated those days (0;
Morning, Holics.
@ 23 – more pirates?
The 70s have a lot to answer for. Ziggy era David Jones ain’t one of them though.
Great stuff above from Tim, Trev and GT.
Razor blades in the half-time oranges!!! Boy the players were made of sterner stuff back then – some of this lot barely know they’re born
Heh ๐
And what Zico said @ 42 tale-tellers
Great post as usual Holic. Can’t share any stories from 74 but I can share in the finely honed sense of putting things in perspective.
From yesterday’s bar, thanks for sharing great pics from the 5 aside tournament Lars, Trev, TS, Zico, Ollie and more ๐ Who scored the most goals among the holics I wonder? You fellas looked like you earned your drinks that day
@33: Hey 8ball, I once read in a medical journal that showering without soap in public facilities can lead to a “once-a-blue” parasitic infection between the toes that quickly develops into “now-a-red-and-in-your-team” digital breakout…
Trev @ 29, my first football game was the 3rd or 4th Round Carling Cup Tie between West Ham & Stoke, my mate’s dad warned us beforehand to watch out for Stoke’s ‘Firm’, The Pottery Boys, maybe? ๐ But I’m sure he knew the true extent of how bad it could get from his many seasons’ experience at Upton Park in the stands.
bt8b @ 33, if I was into FFL, that granny fucker would get nowhere near my team, and I’d be playing in Multiple Leagues ๐
GT @ 40, was the away support better than the home support back then?
Cannons, as far as I know, only Ollie and TS worked up a thirst playing football – others are just naurally thirsty ๐
Good historical blog.
Looks like it’s mostly older people posting in the drinks today ๐
Oh, and Wiind ๐
Hey holics, someone mentioned firms. Did Arsenal ever have a big, maruading firm back in the day? Never really hear much about old gooner firms or was it just something Arsenal never really associated with? Just curious…
But surely though it’s only a question of time afore we get a wee team up and challenge say “the arsers” to an end of season tussle – no?
Why, a football shirt baring the legend “holics AA” below a badge of the black stuff on the front – with “anonymous” on the back where the name should be would get the thumbs up from me.
Topman Snowy’s already volunteered to run the line, Zico hones his ball skills every Sunday in the cold, harsh northern environs of The Kingdom – then there’s Lars, Trev, Tabs and meself – for starters (realize TS and Ollie are already taken). With the Guv’nor maybe on the line barking out the orders – “5 and a half Guinesses and a pint o’ bitter, please” – and if we fail to put the fear of Dennis into the oppo on the pitch then we’ll see ’em orf with our top-notch drinking skills in the pub after.
Actually thinking about it – maybe we should just confine ourselves to the drinking bit. To my knowledge we remain unbeaten so far this season
After 5 minutes of research and drinking a cup of hot java the internet has produced an item of interest, Dainton “The Bear” Connell previously of “The Herd” firm and also a bodyguard for the Pet Shop Boys???? Que demonios es esto…
I don’t know how you do it, Holic, but every one of these historical posts are written in such a way that I almost feel like I was there to see things myself. To truly know your present you must know your past, and I am learning a hell of a lot about the past in this bar.
And Lester, a Holic v Arses challenge Super Mega Cup Final sounds like a cracking idea. Like the shirt design idea!
And p’raps Steve T playing out wide too
Bergkamp The Man could be brought on for plaice kicks – to give the old fish ball a mighty pun(t) up the middle t’wards their keep and net. He might also hold the line at the back and make the odd tackle??!!?!
i’ll get me waders
heh AL
So, you lot, I’m back. No need to move, Wind, I’ll just push your stool in a bit.
What a load of comments you lot make, hard to wade through, lots of difficult words, specially when I had no chance to, hem-hem, borrow a dickshunary. But what music is it you really like? Bits of Guns and Roses and Bowie, I see, but Paul Simon seems your favourite – Call me AL, ha-ha.
Now the point is, this here new blog shows what liers you all are too. And I don’t mean that you’re lying third and we’re lying fourth, neither. No, the stories of your past seasons show you have finished lower than so-called automatic entry to the Champions League. But still you say we’re forever in your shadow. Now I’ve heard this bit about form is temporary, class is permanent, but since I’ve got no idea what class is, I ignore this. And a mate of mine tells me he met a bloke who says that he remembers when we won the league. So we must have had a day in the sun without shadow, right? Oh if only we can have another such day in my lifetime.
And here’s another lie. The other day another mate of mine, no name, no packdrill, hem-hem, borrowed a car and took us for a drive. Right past that place of yours he took us, bloody idiot, made me feel right sick it did. There’s your stadium all lah-de-dah and posh and whatever, well I thought of our place and as I said, I felt right sick. Luckily we’d already cleared out the glove compartments so there was no need for us to stop. But here’s the thing. I saw that statue of that there Teary Henry bloke and I can tell you, ‘cos I was there when he did it, that they’ve not got it right. That there statue is completely the wrong colour, so there, another lie.
Anyway, I’ve gotta stop as my wrist is aching. My own fault I suppose for sleeping on it. Well another mate told me that if you sleep on it, it feels like somebody else doing it to you. Bloody wrong tho. Anyway, I’ll be back – and I’m not Arnold, neither.
Ollie @49 Heh! It’s not FFF. Gooner Terry, hope you’re taking notes.
Thanks all for comments above – dark days indeed.
NBN @36 – you wouldn’t have guessed “Henry” Mancini was Irish from his accent either!!
Tim – you were well off observing the North Bank from the West Stand.
AL – starting a fish pun war at ’55’ ? Making a rod for your own back there my friend.
Why only bring BtM on for plaice kicks, poor sole ? I could see him landing a much bigger role than that – he could float behind the main striker, reeling stupid defenders into rash tackles, creating assists with his clever back ‘eels, then baiting the opposition with his goal celebrations.
In a position like that he could mackereal difference to the team. With his sharp mind, he would offer a ray of hope of breaking down the opposition’s tight lines, he could fall over on porpoise with that twisting half-pike to win penalties, and generally make a ruddy nuisance of himself perched on the last defender’s shoulder.
He would be uncatchable, flying into the box with his great pace, even though he’s got a little chubby.
With him wearing the famous No. 10 shirt, we might even win the FA Carp.
Need I say more ? Probably not ๐
AL baited Trev who took it hook, line and sinker!
Sounds a bit fishy to me, Trev.
AL – footy on Sunday nights actually takes place in Edinburgh. I was absent this weekend past, due to a brain-strain. ๐
Give me enough notice, and I’m up for the 2 competitions proposed above.
Now Trev @ 60 Good stuff ! I like this ” Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.” Ha, Ha!
A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle, right, Abb?
Ohhhh! bicycle?!?! I always thought it was “bisexual”. No wonder i always got funny looks at the aquarium/rad-fem meetings and marches.
Trev – Lars, i know yous are not trawling for compliments but for fish puns per square inch you gentlemen are leagues above me (in the sea – obviously). i can only bream of getting as many in a roe as you bouys!
A post with bad fish puns, can that be called a cod-piece?
Ask sting-Ray, after all he was named after one of the blighters – wasn’t ‘e?
Fish puns?
That reminds me, what does a mermaid wear to math class?
An algae-bra.
Heh Shaft ๐
Nice post ‘holic. Been some time since the last one of this kind
Zico @ 64 Very funny!
oh those were the days the nostalgia
Thanks for that Holic, I certainly remember us being under threat in that era, but living up North then, I could only suffer the stress 2nd hand
Still ‘Salmon chanted evening’, it all went away and our perfect record of staying up was preserved
Listen fellas, Don’t ‘scale’ back now. But getting back to Holic’s catch of the day, do love tails of the ones that got away. They just get bigger and bigger. Love hearing about scary times you all had with fans from other clubs. So keep um coming, please.
Yes, do tell us more. I always have a whale of a time herring about the old days…
*sigh*
I’m getting the “flock” out of here..
Oh. No. That’s wrong….
‘Holic is the dab hand, Shaft.
To do some shoal-searching, CatG?
Dr C @ 75
It’s about time you were knocked off your perch…..
*grabs coat, exits stage left*
Dr. C @ 75 – herd it!
*Grabs fleece and exits stage right*
*sigh*
*reaches for bottle*
By my reckoning there should be fuck all left in the bar – if Nurse ABB is not on the late shift..so I’ll just get the old mop, bucket & soapy water, and open up the windows, and hope that we can get rid of this fishy smell that’s lurking around the place…
Wind: To respond to your earlier question. The “Away” Gooners we always better than the supporters who only went to home games. They were a special set of people in my book. We saw many, many overseas Gooners too. And we developed a sort of camaraderie on the long journeys to a from games. For the most part the team was so dreadful and we were treated so appallingly by the Police – herding us like Cattle – that we developed a sort of Gallows humour. There were always a few comedians among us and these guys were always very amusing.
The thing was I was never much of a drinker, so I never hung out in pubs before games, and therefore missed all that alcohol-fueled fervor of the home fans. As I said I got there minutes before kick-off and got out of there like a bat otta hell after the final whistle. Mainly to see the final scores on TV but mainly to warm up if it was winter – Aye I were always a Southern Softie (0;
Dear Dennis no.
I leave you for a day’s work and miss a punfest.
Life can be so cruel.
Anyway, just to put your minds at rest I bring the truly marvelous news that Clive is alive and well, and busy as you like.
Like Arnie before him he has promised, “I’ll be back”.
That has made my day.
It will be a wee while yet though…
Terry, you and I must have been in very close proximity about that time. I remember games where very few went, often up north and particularly in midweek.
Everybody would do the Leicester, Coventry, Derby, Forest trips. Took a bit more cunning to do Newcastle or Merseyside on a midwinter midweek night.
Best news we’ve heard all day, Holic. Clive, just saying hello, and hang in there kid.
Thanks for the news, ‘holic, I’ll raise my glass to the Sweeper!
Gooner Terry, I won’t be koi, I’m off tonite. Whoopee!!! Gunna watch Barca teach ACM a lesson.
My bet is Clive has been out seeing to Mrs Dale ๐
Holic: Yesterday when I saw Hayley’s V-Blog I finally put a face to Goonerholic – the first thing that came to mind was “I KNOW that face”…But I always thought I knew the voice though…one day we will remember something specific I am sure of it…
You did forget to include Carlise in your list. That was a long journey!
Nurse ABB: You missed your calling – enjoy your evening off (0;
Oh and I am glad Mr Waterman has finally got in touch – I was not worried as I think I know why he’s been MIA….but….my lips are sealed (0;
Great news re The Sweeper
Late night at the clinic – am I missing much with this game?
Catalan, Lot’s of missed chances for Barca and ACM, surprisingly good game thus far.
You might remember one of these fellas, Terry?
…or maybe…
Which one stole the parking meter, Holic?
Heh! That is me playing Denis Waterman to Eddie’s George Cole, zico ๐
Great news Re: the sweeper
Heh, a nice little earner, there’s a monkey in it, for you, Dave ๐
I’d never seen that first photo.
*kicks ball*
A touch of the Frank “the treacherous sod” Stapletons @ 92 ‘holic – were you any good in the air, perchance?
Psed – during that game on the tele been doing a bit of Snir-like statting of me own, and if i’m right, and i might not be…
s***s the greatest side-ever this season, apart from the 3 teams above them, up until 2012, and only for a little bit of 2011 really – and not even then etc…HAVE won 2, drawn 4 and lost 4 of their last 10 league games, which is exactly the same league record as second bottom side Wigan.
Relegation form?!?!? I think so – and could someone mention this FACT to the english sports media – they NEED TO BE be told.
Sorry ’bout that – but if it ain’t The Arse i can’t bleedin’ concentrate. Ureds!
And good news on the Clive front
hmm, the half time entertainment at the bar is pretty darn good. easy on the eyes, if you know what i mean jelly bean.
Bang!
Messy?
star struck, shoots blindly…
Tutt, tabsed it – Played Zico –
Al, Zico scored on porpoise!
Don’t tell me that’s you in one of those photos, holic? ๐
Aye AB – he nipped just in front of huss
OopS! “in”
Hey Al, Believe you said you were a teacher/professor a long, long way back. Mind me asking what it it is you teach.
Please say it isn’t grammar…for mysake.
Sorry AB, weren’t me – I said no such thing – and should you persist with that sort of slander come calumny i will have to consult with my legal team
Al, For once I’m speechless, no mean feat. LOL.
A younger ‘holic heading The Arse attack??!?!!
http://youtu.be/K30tA3R_F
Oops – here ’tis!
juuust ‘ere
http://youtu.be/K30tA3R_FYY
Well played, Dr Z.
Wonderful historical piece Holic. How on earth do you remember such detail? Did you keep a diary in the days before blogging? I suppose it was a season to scar you forever if you were there. A great piece of perspective for those who moan about our season.
Evening young Bath. Shame you couldn’t make Saturday. I was hoping to intoduce you to BtM. I have a feeling you two would get on like a house on fire.
One day…
A word AL. Those of my generation still do not hold Mr Stapleton in high affection because of the manner of his departure.
Just saying…
Look forward to meeting him one day. Still lounging around Key West on the wife’s birthday treat/R ‘n R. Hope the management is doing well.
Ah, Highbury in the llate 70s.
A wistful Dr Feelgood here…..even if Frank did turn all Judas on us….
We’re enjoying some evenings in the garden with a little glass or two thanks, Bath.
Can’t believe it is March. Tanning up already ๐
fair play ‘holic – with you on that one. We all knew Chippy was orf for a bit and it hurt – but Frank’s going – the sly sod – was a knife in the back of the heart. And he went to that lot. And if you looked like you did @ 92 at that time ‘holic, i reckon you might have had to keep your head down for a bit. i’m not judging the book by its cover, but i can imagine it might not have been easy for you around Highbury at that time – that’s all. Reckon a Bowie barnet and a silk scarf would’ve straightened things out in an instant though.
AL @65 – bicycle/bisexual ๐
Good to hear The Sweeper is ok – get back on here soon Clive!
That can’t be ‘Holic in that photo at 92 – the hair’s the wrong colour . .
From his utterances of late Frank still has no great love for the Arsenal. I reckon he always was a Manc at heart.
Abb –
I’m so pleased to hear of your vicarious enjoyment of our involvements on the edge of mob violence. Earned our colours we have . . .
Hey Trev – bit of a fish frenzy after you tickled things up – but then you know that
Ollie @ 49, ๐
Catalan @ 80, haha! Such a father type ๐
GT @ 81, thanks for the info mate ๐
‘Holic @ 82, Get. In.
GT @ 88, I put face to ‘Holic as well, might do so again, quite shocked the first time, disbelieving grin and the like ๐ Wish a certain ‘ramble’ under the influence was available from Hayley Wright, accursed iPhone battery ๐
Zico @ 100, explosives for Feelgood? ๐
Nice assist abb, but you went for the self-assist, ooh… ๐ฎ
Nice photos ‘Holic, but I’m with Trev @ 124, sure you weren’t dying your hair back then? ๐
Hey Trev, Perverse as it may seem, I really do enjoy all the rumbles you lads encountered. I’ll go a little farther and add trips on planes, trains, stops at eateries delays at airports en route to the game, always make for fun reading.
Oh Al, Quite shellfish of me not to acknowledge you there, hope your patience isn’t wearing fin. Cod that was bad, ealy bad.
Great news about the Sweeper.
Don’t work too hard, Clive, unless, of course, it is you who is being worked on.
Hey Wind, Shameless self-assist @ that. Woe is me.
Important update on Abb”s keyboard: Since the infamous spilling of beer (during one of the many games the Arsenal have won) her keyboard has been acting rather strange. First the caps key was stuck but it has progressed to a most troubling state of affairs. When the poor matron wants to type in lowercase, she has to hold the shift up key, down. Very confusing for her as she is pseudo-dyslexic. I refer you to exhibit A, after Abb there are ” when there should be ‘. In fact, just the other day she was alarmed to hear a high pitched sound coming from her laptop. In a frenzy, she tried to turn it off but it just wouldn”t stop squealing. In full panic mode Abb scooped it up and ran outside, fearing it might explode. She plopped it down like a hot potato and ran for cover. And you think you’ve got it bad.
Holic: Got unexpectedly sidetracked earlier and am only just now getting back to the bar for a bit of back-drinking. Is that you and Eddie Kelly in that first photo? The photo is very small and grainy and my eyes are not very good, but the one on the left looks like our Eddie!
In the other one you look a bit like my schoolmate Jim Dolan who went to Holloway School – same year as Charlie George. You were a handsome bugger weren’t you mate? I want to say I know the face but the clean cut and the old whistle is putting me off – don’t you have any with you in battle dress? You know the old Butchers Coat?
So, Bayern almost through and Milan surely out? Looks more and more likely that it’s going to be a Spanish cunt fest in the final
*sigh*
I am preparing my CV and it’s painful, this self advertising. Whoever came up with this concept!
Heh, a young ‘Holic@92 no less!
Smashing news on Clive being OK, I was starting to get seriously worried.
Harsha, I fear the worst and Cuntski winning it.
I had ruled out the renties earlier on account of them being utter shit but didn’t foresee the shitness of Benfica
No matter, the diving midgets will knock them out
Nice piece ‘holic.
I have vague recollections of that season (and the following 35 odd years or so, ๐ ) It was a few years before I became a regular fixture at Highbury.
The younger generation don’t know how good they’ve had it under Wenger, I remember the lean years when we were not so good, nowadays “boring, boring Arsenal” is chanted sarcastically, back then it was a badge we had more then earned. The worst game I ever saw (live) was a dire 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forrest, the crowd was almost asleep on their feet on the terraces so bad was the fare on offer.
The fickleness (if that’s a word?) of todays fans is as laughable as it is sad, every bump in the road is greeted with a chous of “Wenger out” or “he’s lost it”, that’s no way to treat one of the best, if not the best, managers we’ve ever had. That’s why I’m glad I’ve found this wonderful establishment, an oasis of sanity in a desert of delerium.
Arsenal Forever.
Now to catch up on the drinks while I nurse this fifty story mega bolik, I had a free day yesterday and spent it wisely drinking all day in the sun, please keep the noise down, cheers.
H2H – heh at your day wisely spent! ๐
‘Holic
I enjoy your blog so much. May I compliment you on your writing, which is always such a treat to read.
Can’t agree more with the sentiments of you and other posters. Good old Terry Mancini really does symbolise that period. Saw my first live game 75-76 as a 9 year old and started attending regularly the next season. I think part of the reason that the results didn’t matter as much to us then was because the experience of supporting your team and going to matches was so wonderful in itself. It was an adventure – win, draw or lose. Highbury was a playground where with a pound in our pockets we could amuse ourselves, taking in the more taboo sides of adult life. What a wonderful rites of passage and as unproblematically available to us as a fishing trip or visit to the cinema.
A very brief visit from me to add my ‘good news’ comment to others knowing that The Sweeper will be back.
Hasta la vista, Clive.
From previous drinks;
Nice print, Lars.
TS, excellent website linked, I must say I thought he wrote some good stuff.
==========
Holic #7 Did you go to away matches with Dexy’s Midnight Runners? Sporting a mullet to boot? Say it isn’t so. ๐
Trev #29 Nice post. Memories of the bad side of the so called good ol’ days.
Tim #39 Good stuff.
Ima #58 Heh
AL #114 Top vid, I saw my brother and myself in one of those clips.
Shame how he left the club though, could of been a legend.
141 Dr C, it was a good day, but I’m gonna try not to be so “wise” next time.
Various chuckles and Hehs at many above, terrible and excellent fish puns and most importantly good news regarding the Sweeper.
Hey – H2H whereabouts (timing-wise) are you and your bruv on the vid – i’d very much like to clock yous pair of 70’s ‘erberts (as i think most of young’uns were back then) cheering on The Arsenal?
And agree re FS (but don’t tell ‘holic) – he should never have made such a rotten mess of his copy-book though
Soooo, so far it’s only Topman Snowy, Zico, Lars and meself who have signed on the cyber dotted line re the potential ‘holic football/drinking (potential already realized, plus Trev excused duties) and rowing teams. I know it has to be restricted to folks lucky enough to be able to get to games – BUT…
Actually with TS and Ollie having crossed over to the other side that don’t leave many of us, do it
Oh well, as i said, we’s still unbeaten in the bar this season…
A pint o’ Pride to that run of form continuing please barman
AL 2:10-2:13 the corner kick at the Clockend, a whole row of ‘olloway urchins.
Well played H2H – scarves round wrists and 70’s hair-dos and everything. Don’t s’pose you get a big bunch of kids like that at The Grove without the grown-ups, too often – if ever. Nice work
Afternoon Holics…Nice one Charlie Georgiou. Are you Greek by any chance? Most of my mates growing up were Greek / Cypriots – with a smattering of Turks – (can’t avoid it in Holloway / Finsbury Park can you? Anyway we all started going to games together from a young age. My mate V who I am always talking about is Cypriot and was a real hard nut but now in our middle-age you could not possibly guess it from his demeanor – anyway, welcome to the bar (0;
…..*tumbleweed*…..
Just had a look at the form tables for the current top 4;
The last 7 games;
Man Poo WWWWWWW
Merc Shity WWWLWWD
Arsenal WWWWWWW
LWC’s ROFLMAO
Heh, nice one H2H ๐
How come nobody answered my questions though?
CoR, in my case it is simply a case of not knowing enough about 70’s firms to be able to answer any of them – the others probably just got caught in a web of fish puns ๐
Lars.
Wouuldn’t fish puns be caught in a net?
@152: Heh, alright…I thought that maybe I was gillty of being overbearing or tipping the scales in a poor direction ๐
Anyway, if you got some info, let minnow later ^ _ ^
Lars, CoR: the Arsenal firms were The Gooners and The Herd.
AL: our best bet might be to launch a Veterans competition (that is a Masters tourney to those on the left side of the pond). I am sure that the older we get, the better we were.
Heh @ 150
Work over – check
Blue sky and sun still shining – check
Appointment with cold beer, comfortable garden furniture and south west facing garden – confirmed.
And not a fish in sight……
Exclusive, no crisis ๐
Ned: that much I did know and I know about the Bear often being credited for keeping the NF out of Highbury (and I know that the Herd still exist), but I have no idea how they compared to others in the seventies.
Brilliant pictures H @ #91 & #92. You’ve hardly changed ๐
Is it me or are you trying to do the chicken walk with EK in the first photo?
AL – What’s all this talk of defection? You presume much good sir. My allegiances are to this bar first and foremost. If you’re serious about putting together a real team of 7s then count me IN. Whether or not they would be accepted into the arseblog5s is another matter and way beyond my sphere of influence.
Evening Holics
Have spent the day power-washing every path and paving slab in sight to beat the hose-pipe ban imposed on West Norfolk from Sunday.
Tomorrow I am going to enjoy my friend Beryl’s birthday present,a legend’s tour of the Ems with Charlie George! I’ve looked out The Arsenal Football Book No 4,edited by Reg Hayter , published 1972 ,as on page 15 there is the famous photo of King Charlie holding court for the last time before the FA Cup went to Leeds. I’m sure Charlie will be happy to autograph the photo for a fellow OAP Gooner!
Will report back in due course.
As always COYRs
Heh nice one Delia.
Have a great day out. 8)
Charlie’s happy to sign anything.
They try to tell you ‘only one signature per person’, but I had him sign my mate’s Arsenal History.
H2H @139, Charlie Georgiou @141, – well said fellas.
H2H @150 – ๐
TS – i meant it only in football team terms – so therefore deflection rather than defection (see what i did there?!?! Close to nothing).
And i’m only semi-serious, in all honesty – though if there were enough willing spirits (not that sort ‘holic) who knows. But my hunch is that the matchday ‘holic’s will remain, and probably for the best, a pub team – literally – and so continue to play to our collective strengths – 4, 4.5, 4.7, 5.2, 17 and a 1/2 for Trev.
And i would never have presumed to ask to join in The Arseblog 7s anyhow – that’s clearly a well-established affair with roots and fine traditions and all that.
In short, as far as i’m concerned, really – the matchday bar is probably best set no higher than the errr – bar. You can’t really beat that anyway, can you.
And if that were to change then it would be for other, longer-serving patrons of this fine establishment to rally the troops i reckon – not some jumped-up gobshite who can occasionally be found shouting and hollering and dicking around in the corner (that’s me, that is).
Ned @ 157 ain’t that so
And Zico @ 158 you batter get your skates on if you’re gonna catch some rays before tea-time
ureds!
The headline certainly sounds like good news for you, Wolfie:
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/03/santos-im-having-a-gay-old-time-in-london-town/
Since he gets all the lucky breaks, this man should certainly know:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17550030
Lovely post Holic , and great photos .
Great memories above from Trev , Tim and GT amongst others .
The old man’s disillusionment with wee Bertie had yet to fully set in and we saw a lot of games that season , mostly against Leicester (we played them seven times that season !) . Not sure that we saw Arsenal win that often though . Home draws in the cup with York and Leicester stay in the memory , before they were dispatched in replays . I also remember Brian Kidd’s winner against the lot down the road late on in both the game and the season , and a December game against Leicester watched from behind the dug-outs , from where Charlie George was expelled following his to-the-point but perhaps harsh assessment of Mee as a “cunt” .
My father had , for some inexplicable reason , (given our appalling form ) , become convinced that we would win the Cup that year , that the League form was merely a blip , and took to reminding his doubtful 10 year old at every opportunity that patience would be rewarded with Wembley glory in May .
It was therefore somewhat of a surprise that on the morning of the quarter-final against the Hammers , he issued a paternal edict that we would not be attending . The manner of his delivery broached no dissent and therefore my incandescent rage at his decision (mainly consisting of foot-stomping and sulking ) , was directed entirely at my long-suffering mother who understandably showed no inclination to get involved .
My father is no longer around to ask , so whether it was the torrential rain or the very real threat of the dastardly deeds of the ICF that kept us away that day , I have no idea .
What I do know is that we were round at my Grandparents for Fish and Chips and televised All-in Wrestling (Perhaps my father was also a Speedo afficionado ?? ๐ ) , when news began filtering through that Alan Taylor’s brace had done for us .
What a day ! Let down by my father twice . Not only had he subjected me to the dubious joys of watching middle-aged men prance around in Trunks instead of the great pleasures of an afternoon at Highbury , but his prediction of Wembley Glory had been proved entirely wrong .
I was not about to take this abuse of filial trust lightly . It took the signing of Supermac fully 15 months on to get us back on an even keel .
Tonight, I shall be listening to Sam Cooke. Once he has downloaded.
How are we all?
The origin of Wolfgang Smallballs is there for all to see in that post above, people :
watching middle aged men prance around in trunks………
incandescent rage mainly consisting of foot-stomping and sulking
I would get involved in the fishy stuff , but coming so late into the game , I find myself between a Rock and a hard Plaice .
AL , I do wish to assure you of my availability for the inaugural “And Leicester” Fives , though I do wish it to be stipulated in my contract that Ned does not prepare the Half time oranges !
I am also available for Pom Pom dancing , Swimwear modelling , and After-Dinner Drinking .
On a separate note , great news about Clive .
Heh @171 ๐
I had waited on your post AL @ 166 with, err
baited
breath…..
Very well Holic thanks .
AL @114 –
great link – reminded me again why Liam Brady is right up there with Dennis Bergkamp as my best ever Arsenal player.
Thierry, Paddy, Tony Adams and Sir Bob can’t be far behind, but LB7 and DB10 were just pure joy to watch.
Not too bad cheers mate.
Tonight here in the bar I’ve got AZ v Valencia on the box.
Alkmaar is the closist team in the vicinity so I suppose that makes them my new local lads.
Come on you street guides!!!!!
zico knows ๐
It would seem he does , sadly ! ๐
Ooh sorry, that wast me above. My Sir Bob somehow got imbedded. Matron!
We are very well thank you ‘Holic. I trust same applies to your good self.
Hey Tabs @169 – you old story-teller you. Good stuff.
Abb –
you are supposed to be a nurse – you know, one of those angelic creatures whose vocation in life is to comfort people back to good health. Not holed up somewhere getting all moist at the thought of young Arsenal fans narrowly escaping being cut to pieces by Stanley knives and razor-filled oranges!
I always had my suspicions about you – going right back to your original application for employment in The Quackery.
Thank God we never let you anywhere near the scalpels!
Fine tale tabs – ta. All-In Wrestling now there’s a misnomer – in all sorts of ways – from what i remember…
So now that’s…
tabs -check
TS – check
Topman Snowy – check
Zico – check
Lars – check
meself – check…hmmm still think it’s in the bar that we look to be at our best. And as it happens i’m in the middle of training session right now
And TSB @ 176 – i’d have to pretty much agree with that. Though i might be inclined to give some others an honourable mention too e.g. Le Bobbie P, tabs’ pal Frankie Mac and Charlie George – superstar – off the t of me h
An elderly patient who claimed to have been following The Arsenal since 1954, and accompanied by two persons of restricted growth, turned up at The Quackery today with a prescription for Viagra.
As Nurse Wolfie was taking special note of his address, and preparing to hand over said medication, the old gentleman said,
“Would you mind doing me a favour and cutting the tablets into quarters ?”
Nurse Wolfie: “I don’t mind at all, but I have to warn you that you will almost certainly not achieve a full erection with only a quarter tablet.”
Elderly Gent: “Nurse, I am 92 years old and have no interest in achieving a full erection. I’d like just enough to stop myself from pissing in my slippers . . .”
AL Sir Bob etc was me, and I did mention Bobbie P – that is indeed Sir Bob.
T Sirbobrev sounds a bit too Chelski for my liking. ๐
Ok, last time, T SirBobrev was an inexplicable mistake – machine with a mind of it’s own! ๐
Oh pardon and, er – pardon Trev – thought Sir Bob was Wilson…which reminds me Big Pat “on the back” Jennings would get a mention on mine too –
by the by ‘holic that salmon cooke – a great sole singe-r
right i’m troutta here!
Trev @182 ๐
Dr T @ 182: You made me dribble all over my tee-shirt with that…FUNNY!
TABs: Great story…I still have nightmares about Big Daddy & Mick McManus – my Mom liked watching a bit of grown men prancing around in Speedos..
Trev: How are you old boy? I will not be participating in FFF tomorrow if you will not be around. You are the only one worth of my insults – Bo-Boom (0;
pardon – a grate sole singe-r
that’s grate as grating too – i know
Good grief ๐
“as in grating, too”
Minnow like this anymore.
Re: Shaft @68. Algae-bra??? ๐
fings seem to have gone a little flattish about the place?!?!
It’s all this grating, AL.
I’m convinced of it ๐
Never mind. A Joey Barton preview tomorrow night. That should be fun.
Dinks a little ball over the top of the defence, thinking somebody must be streaking toward the goal …
Chips up on right shoulder, backheels behind the full-back…
The midfield enforcer bombs forward but has a sudden inexplicable urge to break out into an EK chicken walk.
Beaks a long diagonal to what looks like a waiting Geordie….
Early cross…
BMBD.
Gooooooooooooal
abb @ 132, resist the dark arts of the self-assist, for some (Camberwell) it may be already too late…
@ 133, aww, bless your heart ๐
Ollie @ 137, I feel that Arsenal will be the first London Club to win it, not them. If it was meant to be them, then Terry wouldn’t of fell onto his fat arse.
H2H @ 139, I feel that after our next trophy winning spree, (its bound to happen), people like me and Snir will be telling the next generation of Gooners about the barren period of 2005 – 2012 while they listen on in disbelief, then shake their heads in fear and hold their knees to their chests when we tell them that there were worse periods than that… (Circa 1971 and onwards & maybe before that)
Charlie G @ 142, nice to have you ๐
H2H @ 150, LMFAO ๐
NBN @ 156, I knew it! (Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wiki-pedia! to the tune of Handel’s Messiah)
Delia @ 161, have fun and get that autograph! ๐
bt8b @ 167, top quality link, really enjoyed it ๐
And @ 168, that slays me soo hard, how dense can he get ๐
tabs @ 169, that was some story ๐
Trev @ 180, I think ‘Sir Bobrev’ kinda suits you ๐
And easy, #FFF isn’t for a few hours yet in the UK! Moist an’ all ๐
@ 182, I’m almost ashamed to ๐
GT @ 188, Oh Really? I’ve got some stuff down my sleeve… KFC inspired ๐
H2H @ 192, sounds like something a certain ‘Terry’ would say… ๐
TS perfectly timed……..
Hehs! @ Dr.T, H2H & AL ๐
Was it really Mee who signed Kidd? Was convinced it was Terry. Memory failing me again ๐
Cheers W.Upper
Wind: FFS shoooooooot! ๐
Well in Professor! Your maiden goal since taking control of the Happy Train & CMC I presume ๐
And bt8b, ‘Holic & Lonestar with the crossed assist, Liquid Football lads ๐
Wind, I’ve always had ‘partial’ mis-control of the CMC. The exact number of keys and their whereabouts is a closely guarded secret, however. For sure there’s a set in Fife, Barcelona & Norf London. Possibly in Texas too.
Can’t remember the last time I hit the back of the net ๐
#FFF in 5 minutes here in Blighty so I’ll get a quick bit of retaliation in early and sign of wih a massive “F*ck You”.
@Gooner Terry
Sorry, late reply. Yes, I’m half cypriot and half Irish. So a real north London hybrid.
The Charlie Georgiou tag is my little joke. When I was a kid my dad would always try to convince me Charlie George was cypriot. I remember going to my godfather’s house to see the 72 cup final in colour and them both going to me, ‘Yes, yes, his real name is Georgiou.’ Being six years old I believed them and did so for many years.
Wind @201 –
As GoonerTerry does not appear to be around at the moment, I’m afraid it falls to me to correct your rather awful attempt at the conditional perfect, in relation to Mr Terry’s efforts from the penalty spot.
“wouldn’t of fell” should, young man, read “wouldn’t have fallen”.
Now go and type it thirty times and don’t do it again !
Well it is FFF ! ๐
Come on GT, these youngsters don’t stand a chance ๐
TS @ 206, control the amount of keys to the CMC? You couldn’t control the ball in the box with 3 legs mate ๐
I love #FFF ๐
Mutliple Flayed Curses, Trumped again! Damn you ‘Should Of’!!!
What on earth is #FFF?
Thank you Professor Trev. Hurricane you should really pay more attention in English class young man..
Go back to sleep Snir…
Happy FFF you feckers (0;
Well in, TS.
Tabs: your half-time orange will come with vodka. Promise.
Hey NBN and Lars thanks for the info maties.
The reason why I asked was because I noticed a lot of those books about the crazy old days never really mentioned us and everytime I hear from older gooners they always relate stories about being beaten up. So I was wondering how come…
@193: 8ball, green and fuzzy D cups ๐
Happy FFF you red and white feckers ๐
This isn’t funny!
What is #FFF?
Oh for fuck sake Snir! FFF stands for Fucking Feisty Fridays. And I think that is started with GoonerTerry getting stuck into Dr Trev following a particularly blatant bit of self-assisting where the Kuyt made around 10 moves one late evening and when he got Yellow-carded threw a wobbly and..what was the question again?
Oh FFF is where Holics – who are normally such a nice, friendly bunch – get to trade insults and such like for one day. I am the undisputed champion: Nurse ABB can verify this FACT!! And far as I can ascertain there are no rules except the Trev Protocol (TP) which requires that the insulter put a smiley face after each insult…I think..whatever..
Hope this is helpful. I am off to bed now..
fine goal TS
The dick Barton in interview – the gratingest! Perfect fare for fff – mind
Remembrance of Things Prost
Alain Prost walks down the slippery cavern into Blatterโs lair holding an old lantern in his right hand. He grows tired of playing the part of Platini but senses that he might be nearing the end of his duty. He wrinkles his nose against the pervasive smell of faeces, fungus and baby oil. He regrets agreeing to Shaftโs plan but knows that the time has come to strike. Steeling his disposition, he walks gingerly into the cave, stepping over sleeping sloths quietly snoring in the murky darkness. He sees the silhouette of a figure crouched over a piece of paper near a fairly large stone near to a candle. He is writing a letter with the help of a sharpened bone and a tiny container of brownish-red shit. The figure looks at him with red eyes that seem to gleam in the darkness. Prost has time for a slight shiver.
Blatter: Platini! So good to see you again mein freund. Youโre looking well.
Platini: Merci, youโre looking, uhh, well yourself. I hope Iโm not disturbing you.
Blatter: No, no. Iโm just writing an anti-corruption report for the FIFA executive committee. Donโt you just love this job? We get paid for doing nothing but preventing progress and promoting corruption in football. And when anyone complains, we just form more committees where the corrupt members basically investigate themselves and get paid for that too! Itโs the beautiful game in itโs purest form. So, what is it you want today. Not another plea for help from Warner I hope?
Platini: I have here an invitation. Youโve been invited by members of the Boixos Nois to a private baby shower in Tibidabo. Sorry, that should be, a shower of babiesโ privates. They would really appreciate it if you could attend. As you know theyโve been filling our coffers for quite some time now.
Blatter pauses for a bit and scratches his head indifferently with the tip of the bone in his hand.
Blatter: I see. Sounds almost too good to be true. Do you think itโs worth my while?
Platini: Mais oui, it sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity, nโest-ce pas?
Blatter: It does. It does indeedโฆ
Platini: It would also be a good opportunity to get some sunlight. You know Vitamin D is good for the skin mon ami.
Blatter places his crude pen on the ground and stands, his enormous hairy stomach hiding nearly all of the lederhosen. He slicks his wispy hair back against his temples slowly while licking his lips. He appears deep in thought and makes gurgling noises like a clogged drain. He walks over to a nearby table carved out of stone and places both hands on it, facing away from Prost. He turns around after a moment and walks over to Prost and takes the invitation from him.
Blatter: Michel, I donโt expect you to know all of my business but Iโve already had my annual meeting with those Catalans last week. Donโt you think itโs a little strange that they want to meet me again so soon?
Platini: Well, their team is losing the La Liga raceโฆ
Blatter: Itโs still highly irregular. You know Michel, we go way back. All the way back to when we had to take turns being living dartboards for Havelange, remember that?
Platini: Mais ouiโฆ
Blatter: But recently, Iโve noticed a change in you.
Platini: What do you mean?
Blatter: You know what I mean.
Platini: Of course I donโt or else I wouldnโt be asking.
Blatter: Iโll get straight to the point. What were you doing at the Cheltenham races two weeks ago?
Platini: What do you think? Betting, you idiot.
Blatter: Of course, that wasnโt all you were doingโฆ
Blatter produces a 4โ x 6โ black and white photo from his crotch and throws it at his feet. It is a photo of him talking to Shaft. A chill envelops Prost and smothers him like the hug of an obese female.
Blatter: I shouldโve known better than to trust you, you curly haired bastard. Sloths, grab him!
The sloths who had risen unnoticed all around the cave rush to grab Platini. However, being sloths they were too slow to catch him and Prost dashes out of the cave and away from Blatterโs grasp.
Blatter: Shit, maybe sloths were a bad choice for guard detail. Pubis, get after him.
Pubis: Ooo!
GT @ 213, piss off mate, should you be making calls to a certain ‘Roots’ about expanding the franchise to Ronald and maybe the King’s Turf ๐
And Trev @ 209, some aspects of my grammar may be atrocious, but I bet I could sink a whole pint on my 1st time of asking! 8)
@ 220
Should that not be
piss of mate 8)
Good post Holic,looking forward to this game hopefully that w#@#er Barton wont last the game would love to see him sent off against us.
Wind
Your twitterings suggest you may be leaning towards a medical career.???
The Quackery awaits your application for work experience. You can practice on the Trolls.
DanC… do you have any spare tweeds for the lad?
Yeaaaah! Happy Friday Arsefans. The weekend is within touching distance.
Hey Zico @ 222, is it true you have to apply 5 working days & a.month in advance to Roxette if you want to come and see the mighty Arsenal? What time’s your Curfew mate ๐
Dr C @ 224, A Career in Medicine, eh? My dad wants me to go down that path. Not sure I’ve got what it takes either. But yeah, work experience involving trolls, sounds good ๐ Always wanted to be a surgeon anyway… 8)
Wind
First off… do what YOU want to do. Otherwise a lifetime of frustration awaits. But I’m sure you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
Just something to think about….. there’s a bilingual (easy, Wolfie) Chiropractic College in Barcelona. Great profession, but no knives unfortunately!
Barcelona. Sun. Girls. Sea.
Just saying….. !! ๐
“I think I’m alone now….”
Aaah, Tiffany, you flame haired temptress!!
Right…. I’ll fight all those in the bar!!
*very brave when bar is empty*
#FFF
If there is one thing good about this extremely busy/hard week I had, is that it’s over and QPR away is that much closer.
Joey Barton is a cunt. So is Mark Hughes. Therefore QPR should be relegated. Simple.
Can’t fault your logic there, Snir.
If that was indeed the criteria for relegation, then Barton’s, Surez’, Adebayor’s, Terry’s and Nasri’s teams would be in the Blue Square League.
Tony Pulis would be managing a Sunday morning prison league team consisting of the dreggs of society.
No change there then.
Good afternoon all.
I am in two minds about the game tomorrow.
Kos back in the squad.
Not good.
One booking away from a two match ban.
We need him against City and I reckon JD can do a decent job again.
But it doesn’t matter really, he’ll play anyway, AW has already shown that one yellow away from a suspension doesn’t deter him from picking the player like he did with Song in the 125th anniversary match.
Good thing he did as he provided the assist ๐
Tomorrow is gonna be #Kosbookingwatch
Only two?
Where’s the rest of youse?
March 30: Wenger pre-QPR
** Koscielny back in the squad
** No new injuries from Aston Villa game
** Jack Wilshere ‘making good progress’
** ‘Final position is down to our consistency’
** Wenger – We don’t get advantage from refs
** Wenger – Mind games don’t affect players
** ‘Cisse was clumsy, he is not malicious’
** Wenger – I’m confident my players will stay
So RVP, Song & The-o will ALL be staying then? ๐
You and me both, Andy.
3 game ban for Arsรจne then, thanks UEFA
GT –
a “10” move self-assist my arse. Your arithmetic is rivalled in quality only by Wind’s english!
Wind @219 – “at” my 1st time of asking, not “on”. Truly no hope!
GT –
a “smiley face” after every insult? Only because WordPress hasn’t yet come up with a pair of hairy bollocks. . . . ๐
Yes Ollie, just heard that. They couldn’t, of course, consider the possibility that the referee actually was a disgrace . . .
Snir, not playing Kos tomorrow would be really stupid. That would signal “alright boys, we don’t need to field our best team against that lot” which would only lead to players dropping their focus levels. Play the strongest team and if he gets a booking, then let’s deal with that then.
One game at a time, let’s worry about next game after we have played QPR.
Arsene saying the pitch was poor and that the ref was bad = three-game suspension.
Pep Guardiola complaining about the exact same things – anybody think he’ll be punished?
Afternoon Holics. What a fine day it is in Kingston town. Hope it is equally wonderful in your city..
Yes Wind, Dr C is correct. Chiropractor is a great profession, but unfortunately you will be in Barcelona! Yes there is Sun. Girls. Sea. But unfortunately there are also cunts of every description all over the gaff…
Good afternoon Dr Trev. Hairy bollocks…how about this <% as a symbol until WordPress catches up ?
Shaft: What dark tales you tell…
I’ve just realised that if the Wigan game hadn’t been moved, I’d be in London in 5 successive weekends.
Which I don’t think I’ve done before.
Trev @ 180 Wonder if any of you have been terrorized by a fanatical female fan…not that you blokes would admit to it here. Happy FFF.
Trev – I get the whole “best available 11” thing, but playing our best available eleven could make our best available eleven option for City worse.
That’s what you have a squad for, to deal with problematic situations and JD against Aguero is much more problematic than JD against Zamora.
Wouldn’t you want the least problematic situation possible (and yes, I know there is a possibility that Kos won’t be booked)?
I just think its too big of a gamble not to have Kos for City and it’s akin for me, to not playing a player coming back from injury straight away despite him being available and 100% fit.
Gooner Terry @ 244 Giggling like a school girl.
ABB@246: they only wish, abb, they only wish…
Lars, They filed an OFFICIAL complaint. Soothes everyone’s ego when it is done thru ‘proper’ channels. UEFA really does carry a grudge againt Wenger, so blatant and damming at the same time.
Hey there NBN! Your’re too funny. But many a truth is said in jest…
Ned, you couldn’t be more wrong. I’m editing your posts to keep the erroneous stuff off here.
Bad news at AVFC – Captain Petrov diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia.
Bloody hell
Snir, Let’s just hope Joey (the Saint Barton) doesn’t get a run against us. He’s up to no good, and he does that all too well.
Snir, but the problem is that the minute you start saving players for later games, then other players will inevitably (subconciously or not) start thinking about that game too and we risk losing this game because of that. It also gives the other team extra incentinve, the old “oh, so they think they can play a weakened team against us? I’ll fucking show them!!!”.
Three points against QPR are worth exactly as much as three points against ManCity and we can’t start to get all defensive and look too far ahead at this point. And besides, if we could beat Barcelona with Djourou in the back four, why wouldn’t we be able to beat a ManCity that has actually been quite atrocious away from home after Xmas?
The Man City game does not exist until Saturday at somewhere arount 5PM. Before that, absolutely everything is about getting three points off QPR.
‘Holic: thanks for the heads up. Everyone needs an editor! E-mail me privately where you think my memory fails me, if you would.
Catalan, WTF??? That sounds really, really bad.
Catalan, Our posts crossed. How sad…yet another reminder for all of us to appreciate what we have.
There are times, ABB, that I feel someone up there has a rotten sense of humour.
Trev – It doesn’t have to be done so obviously. AW can always say Kos failed a fitness test.
As for JD, we most certainly can, but that was when he was playing week in week out and not now when his form hasn’t been the greater at RB which surely affected his confidence.
Interesting debate between Snir & Lars: IMO there’s merit in both arguments. On the one hand Lars is right that we do need to field our strongest squad against QPR – but I am sure that Kos will be mindful that he is a single booking away from a ban that will take him out of the City game. Will that knowledge impact his decisions in the game? And would that sort of thing give the CUNT Barton a little more motivation / incentive to fuck with Kos? What you you all think?
But on the other hand nothing impacts a team more than constant changes to the team. So changing JD again – despite him doing OK against Villa – may disrupt the defense a little. Don’t you think? Also sitting out another game would afford him a little more rest ahead of the City game….Its a toss-up really..
This game is huge. Make no mistake about that. It will be a real scrap with QPR fighting for their lives. The good thing though is that we will be talking a large contingent of Gooners – so it’ll feel like a lot less hostile environment than, say, St James’ park where the Geordie’s noise level added to the antics of Barton, allowed him far more cover for his cuntery…
I do like the term “cuntery”
Trademarked by Blogs Catalan (0;
QPR game, huge.
Girls I like, huger.
Tin of moustache wax, hugest.
Crappy actor, Hugh Grant.
If Kos is fit, he plays for me. One game at a time should be the motto
You guys, I’ll be honest. When JD was mentioned as the replacement for Kos in the Villa game, I was more then a tad apprehensive. Yet he played quite well, even with a wad of cotton up one of his nares. Imagine he had quite a sinus headache from that. That’s why I voted him as MOTM. So whether its him or Kos, I see it as a win/win proposition.
@227
Sun, Sea and Girls?
What’s the catch?
Oh I remember, Xavi’s mouth, Sandra Rossell, the Mayor of Barcelona, the cunt-headed Busquets, institutionalised diving cheats, the Iron Maiden reject, more than a cunt Pique…..the list goes on.
On the other hand, there is Dr C and his pipes. ๐
Shaft: Huge women? Jamaica is the place for you my lad – Give me those petite Japanese girls any day (0;
JD was up against nothing last Saturday apart from Heskey’s initial assault.
Get the three points tomorrow and worry about City when that game arrives.
Kos for me. Play your best team when it matters and tomorrow matters.
Dr Zee: Whatโs the catch? Like I said CUNTS everywhere you look – only some are more cunty than others (0;
DR Zee: JD wasn’t up against much because of the pressing game we have now adopted. Also Song & Arteta have both been awesome in protecting the defense. Added to that teams now know that if their attack breaks down we will be up their asses in a flash with our counters …so they now tend to be more cautious …that’s why I believe that JD would be OK but there’s nothing wrong with yours and Lars’ arguments at all..
Evening all from the ‘dilly. First Guinness of the weekend…
Spectacular spam.
Quickly removed ๐
So, what do I need to pack to survive in the ‘Bush? ๐
Heh @ Ollie.
Re-hydration tablets.
Erm, that’s all. ๐
HiOllie: Shepard’s Bush? If so, then you will need Brylcreem to slick back your hair…oh and a ‘manly’ cologne..
Hope this helps (0;
Firmly in the one game at a time camp aka play Kos. I would point out however that last year there was a time when JD was the only reliable CB on the team and folks were freaking out when he injured his knee. TV was out all year and Kos was still adapting. The emergence of three solid CB’s ahead of him in the pecking order and his deputizing at RB this year has certainly not helped his form, but I think he is a very solid CB who only gets better with consistent playing time in his preferred position. While not a huge complement he is a a huge asset to the team as I would argue he is easily one of the best 4th choice CB’s in the league.
Preview will be late. I’m watching top v bottom in Ireland.
http://www.rte.ie/live/
Bearded: At one time didn’t he also hold a phenomenal stat for being un-defeated for nearly two-seasons or something?
Holic: Tops for me, Bottoms for CoR (0;
Kerrea Gilbert playing for Bohs past v Bohs present? FFS…
Good memory GT.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/50337/Djourou_impressed_by_his_16_month_unbeaten_run.aspx
I know the potential is there.
I’m confused, ‘holic.
On the right of the screen, it says Scumrock Rovers vs Shelbourne.
You say Bohs past vs Bohs present.
The screen with the players suggests Scumrock vs Bohs :s
Scum v Bohs it is, Ollie. Scum nailed on sadly ๐
Cheers. At least Bohs are still in that league for now.
Haha, yellow card for cousin of Tone ๐
Half time.
Bohs Past 0-0 Bohs present.
67th minute, still waiting for goals.
Feck, Bohs should have scored ๐
Hey Hollic: Are we gonna see your preview or not? If not I will see you after the QPR game tomorrow!
Referring you to 278, there’s 20 minutes left, GT.
What Ollie said…
Kerrea Gilbert off. Bohs had started to target him ๐
Might as well go for the triple hundred?
Bollix, just as I was thinking they were thankfully too shit to score.
Factoid: Since his arrival in England, Thomas Vermaelen has scored more goals (12) than ANY other Premier League defender. Amazing considering he was out for the whole of last season.
Bollix
The choice word indeed, ‘holic ๐
*kicks ball away in disgust*
Stunning stat indeed, GT.
*Floats in a cross*
GT Hammers it into the top corner!
He does indeed. Good combo, H>
Thanks Harsha…with that I WILL be boycotting Goonerholic until after the game tomorrow. See you mugs…
Jaysus, Bohs ‘keeper really needs to learn how to kick.
I reckon some of the players at the Arseblog 5s could play in that game :s
2-0, over and out (:(
Criminal,
Could have been 1-1, Cunts score second with last kick ๐
Indeed, ‘holic, indeed. :'(
Right, I might check the preview from the comfort of bed later.
Eearly start tomorrow.
At least I haven’t seen any tube problems from the weekly weekend updates.
Heh @ the dungarees.
Stitch and I were both aficionados and wearers of them.
I even had maroon corduroy ones as well as denim Osh Kosh.
Cracking game Dortmund 2-3 Stuttgart, 10 minutes to go. Stuttgart come back from 2-0 down. Implications at the top of the Bundesliga table
Fuck me!! It’s 3-3 now
Come on Dortmund
Cracking finish Perisic! The guy who scored a cracker against us
4-3
Fucking hell! Stuttgart equalize in the 92nd min! 4-4
What a match
Bollocks, don’t want Bayern to win this.
Snir –
not sure why you keep trying to convince me of the Kos vs JD argument as I have made no comment on it at all.
Think you meant Lars.
Fanatical Female Fan, abb – a far more scary version of Feisty F*cking Friday.
GT – gone soft today old chap ? All these nice friendly comments everywhere. Maybe next week we should do a Friendly F*cking Friday.
Bit of crawling sycophancy never did any harm ?
By the way, consider yourself yellow-carded @300 !!!
Tabs –
mrswoo @309 has some maroon corduroy. Maybe she could run you up a new pair of Evening Speedoes . . . . ?
Trev – Sorry, did mean Lars ๐
Forgive me… ๐
Hey Mister Dungaree man
Play a song for me . . . . . .
I do Snir.
Shaft @ 219, exemplary prose ๐
Dr C @ 229, thanks ๐ I’m beginning to figure out its what I want to do, and that whatever I do, I’ve got to do it for me.
Snir @ 235, I think we need to play our best back four, regardless of potential suspensions, I believe that he won’t be booked, like how Song wasn’t booked against Everton at home, that’s all ๐ Pretty much Lars @ 242.
TS @ 237, nice summary ๐
Trev @ 240, do you die a little bit inside when you look at the 1/2 left in the Tollie sitting on the table? ๐
That would be the main problem GT @ 244, cunts as far as the eye can see. And sexy female fellow chiropractors who may also be B*rca fans… ๐ณ
Wishing Petrov a swift recovery, terrible thing to be diagnosed with ๐
Lars @ 255, well said ๐
I was there when Jensen scored v QPR… But we lost! Also saw stan Bowles rip into us years befor that, he was some player
… Fab thing mick jones (QPR) of the clash invited me! Great guy, But said no as Will be with the gooners behind the goal tomorrow
Come on you rip roarers