Gunners Who Could Bat And Bowl A Bit
May 27th, 2012 by 'holic
@indianGoon didn’t know you were such a massive cricket fan. A blog post abt cricket plz, to endure pain of off season
A tweeted request, and one I think at first I can’t really do, but then again. There have been big links between Arsenal and the cricket world down the years.
In my own formative years playing colts cricket in the Thames Valley a young wicket-keeper at Slough was making strides as a youth team goalkeeper at Arsenal, before moving on to devote his professional sporting life to Middlesex, Sussex, and Auckland as well as making 18 appearances in one-day internationals for England. Today Ian ‘Gunner’ Gould is on the ICC elite panel of umpires.
When I was born Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper was Jim Standen, who I first recall playing for the West Ham side that won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup-Winners Cup a year later. 1964 was indeed a special year for Jim, who also won a County Championship medal with Worcestershire, for whom he was a decent medium pacer.
Many long nights were spent discussing Arsenal cricketers with ‘holicdad, who saw most of the top players who excelled at both games. Even he though was not around to see Arsenal’s first double international in action. Andy Ducat scored 19 goals in seven years at Woolwich Arsenal in pre-Highbury days. Three of his six England football caps were won before he moved on to Aston Villa. A useful batsman for Surrey, he made his one and only appearance in the England test side against the Aussies at Headingley in the summer 0f 1921.
That same series saw Kent opening bat Wally Hardinge win his only England cap. Hardinge had joined Arsenal a year after the departure of Ducat, and was one of the first Arsenal players to experience Highbury. In seasons either side of the First World War Hardinge scored 14 goals in 55 appearances for the North London new boys.
Completing our trio of double internationals was Arthur Milton, a Bristolian, who represented Gloucestershire, Arsenal and Bristol City, as well as England in both codes. The ‘holicdad recalled him as an excellent cricketer, but a frail winger. Arsene Wenger would have loved him then! I missed out on meeting him in the flesh as he shared a train journey with the Swindon Gooners during the Highbury Farewell season and I had travelled up early to attend a meeting. What an experience that would have been.
Probably the most famous Arsenal cricketer was Denis Compton, who made his first-class debut for Middlesex at the age of 17 in 1936, and won his first test cap against New Zealand a year later. In 19 years Denis racked up 78 tests scoring nigh on 6000 runs at an average of over 50. I think it is fair to say he could play a bit. No wonder then that one of the stands at the Nursery End of Lords is now known as the Compton Stand. On either side of the Second World War he found time to fit in 54 appearances on the wing for Arsenal, scoring a respectable 15 goals.
Compton’s brother Leslie also represented Middlesex in 274 first-class matches, but was capped by his country only at football. The centre-half racked up just short of 300 appearances for the Gunners, and the ‘holicdad never missed a chance to mention his last-minute equaliser in the FA Cup semi-final of 1950 against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. The first of his two England caps came at the age of 38 in that same year, against Wales.
Leslie was following in the footsteps of Ted Drake, signed by Arsenal from Southampton in 1934 for what was then a massive £6500. He proved to be a value signing, however, notching a remarkable 139 goals in 184 appearances until he retired in 1945. He made his international debut, alongside six Arsenal team-mates, against World champions Italy in a notorious 1934 game since tagged ‘the Battle of Highbury’. Drake, most often described as a fearless centre-forward, also made sixteen first-class appearances for Hampshire, although not having the same impact in the summer game.
A very similar path was followed by Don Roper, signed by Arsenal from the Saints for £10000 in 1947. Roper won Championship medals in 1948 and 1953, but ironically lost his place in the 1950 FA Cup Final winning team to Denis Compton. Roper’s one appearance for Hampshire County Cricket Club ensured his name was added to this piece.
In the course of researching the article I have found two other names about which I know little, and who the ‘holicdad never mentioned, somewhat surprisingly. Joe North made 23 appearances for Arsenal after the First World War, and also represented Middlesex. Around the same time Henry White played over a hundred matches for the Arsenal and in the summer of 1923 he played cricket for Warwickshire. In fairness ‘holicdad was only one at the time.
A more tenuous link between the sports is to be found on the Arsenal staff today. Steve Gatting, brother of former England cricket captain Mike, is on the coaching staff at Arsenal. Of course the chance of anybody being able to reach the top in both sports is now extremely remote, with year round calendars for both. I guess never again will we get to witness a player who could score against Chelsea and hit a ton against the Aussies. You were a lucky man to see Compton, ‘holicdad.
162 Responses to “Gunners Who Could Bat And Bowl A Bit”
Arsenal News 24/7
First!
Cricket? Poofs game, even the ball’s bent.
Oh hang on……
Steve Gatting is a very good cricketer as well. He was the director of cricket at Preston Nomads in the Sussex League and his son Joe plays for Sussex CC and formerly a footballer at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Well in ‘holic.
Ian Wright, Wright, Wright could bowl a bit – proper South London stylee
Apologies to those from parts of the world who don’t get the cricket love. I won’t make a habit of it.
Brian Close was briefly at Arsenal
At the end of his National Service in October 1951, he signed for Arsenal Football Club, and tried briefly to combine playing football with his cricket for Yorkshire. This proved impossible; although Close received permission from Yorkshire captain Norman Yardley to leave the first match of the 1952 cricket season early, to play football or Arsenal, this leave was rescinded by the match manager. Close arrived late at Arsenal and was sacked.[1]
Joe Hulme deserves a mention. He is one of Arsenal’s most decorated players having played in all the winning teams of the the 1930s as well as playing for England. He also played 225 matches for Middlesex between 1929 and 1939.
Ray Swallow played for Arsenal and Derbyshire in the late 1950s. He was a prolific goalscorer in the reserves but had Jimmy Bloomfield ahead of him and only managed 14 league games.
And there was one player who played for Arsenal’s reserves before playing for Leeds. He went on to make his name playing cricket for England though – Brian Close.
I’ve got a few more from a bit earlier in Arsenal’s history, but that is for another day
Great call on Joe Hulme, Andy. I don’t know how I missed him. Another real favourite of the old man.
Thanks.
Hey Holic, Makes me think of two Yanks, Bo Jackson and Deion (Neon) Sanders who played American football and tried their hand (excuse the pun), at baseball. Btw, no worries about cricket, this is a sports bar!
Not my thing, cricket, but very interesting none the less. I remember thinking when I was a lad that Steve Gatting would of been better off playing cricket because his name rhymed with batting.
What did I know, eh?
From previous drinks.
No ‘holic, not a doctor, but I can mix up some mean concoctions.
Chemist maybe?
Cricket, a fantastic game wasted on you English.
Hard to master in the snow, though
GET IN!!! Well,closest i have come to the holy grail-first….now to read the post…hope carries good news…
Many sportsmen of the post war period never made too much money out their sport and many ended up as landlords of pubs – none too successfully for quite a few. Leslie Compton in the 60′s & 70′s owned or was landlord of the Hanley Tavern just a mile further up Hornsey Road from The Tolly. It was maintained beautifully in its original victorian style and specialised in the old London sing-song entertainment enjoyed by previous generations – unfurtunately not the place for us of the “swinging 60′s” .
Nowadays I believe it is an Islamist centre.
‘holic That’ll be the Day when you can get me interested in the cricket. I doubt even Buddy Holly was particularly interested in it and probably named his band after the actual insects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PNg77dfr-k&feature=related
Being a baseball fan I can certainly see the similarities, but to get my full wisdom on the cricket you will have to wait. For those who haven’t seen it there is a great scene in the 2005 Lassie movie involving a discussion of cricket history between a couple of old codgers who are searching for the Loch Ness monster. Couldn’t find it in the trailer.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431213/
Didn’t realise there was a new post up as we went for a Chinese this evening.
Oh yes, we were all out for a duck !
Thankyou and G’night !
Cricket not my thing at all, but very interesting to see how many Arsenal players were involved in both sports at top level. Usual combination of excellent research and photographic memory – don’t know how you keep doing it.
A fun goal celebration in Finland, if I’ve embedded this correctly.
Evidently not, so it’s at the address below and you have to scroll down to the fifth video on that page. Lady Gaga fans will say it’s worth it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/23/which-teams-strangest-goal-music
Thank you Holic
. As usual, a fantastic read and so much of info I probably would have never found on wiki or google. 
.
Masterclass, much like David Shepherd’s umpiring.
I don’t know if it still continues but for years there was a teenagers’ double header between Arsenal and Middlesex. The Young Gunners took a cricket team to Lord’s to play Middlesex youth members and the return was a football match at Highbury. A great treat for both sides.
Harry Storer, who kept goal for Arsenal in the 1890s, also played cricket for Derbyshire. His brother, Bill, was a Test cricketer and played football for Derby Co.
Cricket! I haven’t thought about cricket since Brian Lara did his opentop bus tour down the main road of Trinidad in front of my house after making 375 not out or something…good times
I remember seeing that the West Indies once played a match at Highbury once with nets up all over the place?? Doubt the groundsmen at the Emirates will allow those kinds of sheenanigans nowadays….
Might be not as bad as yesterday, but still not sure I’m in a fit state to be at work.
When I was a kid growing up in Crayford I played a lot of cricket run by a guy called Don Lillie. He was a very good cricketer and apparently played for Arsenal reserves in the late 40s/early 50s before illness finished his footballing career.
An interesting article but surely Henry, Pieres and Sagna and even Monsieur Wenger are/were all brilliant cricketers – playing the French variety of course!!
I never knew Ted Drake was a cricketer.
Good morning to all in the bar.
Fine article, Holic. I knew about the Comptons but had no idea that so many had played at the top level for both sports. As you say, it would be impossible today. This is the most educational bar on the planet.
Slainte
Good morning all…another beautiful one. Mustn’t forget Robert Pires..he could bowl a maiden over at will!
I guess any cricketing puns will have any non-cricketing bar regulars stumped!
Not forgetting that England’s greatest ever all-rounder, Sir Ian “beefy” Botham also played professional football. He played a few games for that footballing mecca Scunthorpe United during the 1980s.
whats all this cricket talk? the next thing you know we’ll be trying to sign, Gareth Bale. And Ollie , if you are still not feeling well, better stay under the covers.
This needs to be made official:
I declare open season on cricket puns.
Excellent. No other club had as many cricketers as Arsenal. I didn’t know about Brian Close and I do remember Ray Swallow but one player you did forget from the 50′s was Don Bennett. I think he only made a few first team appearances for Arsenal but was a regular medium fast bowler for Middlesex. He could also bat a bit as far as I recall.
That´s a bit of a silly point Ollie.
I guess Ryan Shawcross will be delivering an over of leg breaks!
Will Patient Ging Gang Googley be contributing??
Our American cousins might be interested to learn that Arsenal once had a baseball team. They played in the London Basbeball league just over 100 years ago.
It was taken up to provide much needed funds during the summer months when the club had no money coming in (back then virtually all income was through the gates or selling players). Unfortunately it wasn’t a success with one game recorded as being attended by a crowd that paid a grand total of £2!
No doubt CG, with Wolfgang Smallballs playing around somewhere in the slips.u
As long as the ashes return to their rightful home, Talk as much cricket as you all want.
P.S the great majority of Aussies cannot stand Ponting or Clarke.
Ollie @24 – he often went for a duck too.
Trev, batting may not have been his forte, but I think he was a mean bowler though: hat-tricks his specialty
Finest ever bit of cricket commentary – England vs West Indies -
The bowler’s Holding the batsmen’s Willie.
Old but still funny.
Stekac @ 6 -
I can’t believe Brian Close ever played football for Arsenal.
The last time I saw him play for England I could swear the commentator said he had a fine leg, a long leg and a short backward square leg.
Where would he ever have got a pair of shorts to fit that lot ?
Ollie @30 – ‘open season on cricket puns’
Good idea Ollie – get ‘em laughing, always the surest way to win a maiden over.
Lunch break for me – laters Gooners.
Cricket puns? Groan…we really are crossing the boundaries of common sense now. I mean it’s just not cricket, is it? And I can see noone wants to help me knock all this nonsense for six, so I’ll have to deal with it all off my own bat.
That means I’m going to have to ‘declare’ this whole ‘silly’ business to be rather ‘wide’ of the mark, chaps. Any more of these and you’ll really be ‘testing’ my patience.
Now please excuse me while I return to the pavilion for tea and cake.
Nice bit of spin there, Camberwell.
Cheers Ollie – thought I’d see if the Holics can deal with my googly (stop sniggering behind the screens).
PP@31: according to Wikipedia, Don Bennett played for the Reserves, and did not make a competitive first-team appearance for Arsenal.
All these cricket puns are cteasing me up, they’re wiccket.
New Balls please !
You seem to have reached the boundary of puns Camberwell – Myself I’ve run out of ideas.
Wolfgang, I’m sure one of the bars medics will know a specialist in micro surgery.
Good post ‘Holic, I’m going to be over and out, barbeque to be cleaned and the like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=00zwm5qJvYw
Our keeper’s outfield quality, Delia would be proud
This article hit me for six…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2151009/Manchester-United-legends-Dwight-Yorke-Andy-Cole-secure-Barbados-British-Airways-Football-Legends-Invitational-cup-win.html
Re: Uplympian @49. Does that mean you are overs?
behind the 8 – no ball
Bt8b yes I’m back in the pavilion taking succour from ice cold guinness However I am still iPad.ded up should I be called upon for a second innings.
Wolfie trying to tickle one behind?
Very low scoring on the drinks now.
I take it the nightwatchman’s been called in?
A pair of dot balls will now be known as “a wolfie”.
Re: Ollie @58. If Snir is the nightwatchman you may be correct. The volume is summertime drinks is, under normal conditions, nearly directly proportional to the transfer news and speculation contributed by our Israeli correspond who for some unknown reason seems to be absent without leave. I hope it doesn’t go any deeper than his not being interested in cricket.
Please excuse the careless typos in above drink. Should be “The volume of …” and “correspondent who …”
Maybe Snir is hot on the Yossi transfer situation?
Lol , never had so much fun reading the drinks.
One thing football and Blatter could learn from cricket is how the sport which was once on the verge of extinction adapted itself and made itself popular among younger generations.
Test –> One day and now T20.
Though Test cricket will always remain my first and only real love, I understand the need for making the sport more marketable and exciting to the general public.
Also, the use of technology in cricket is somethign FIFA could really study and try to start using.
I think Ive made a deep point.
8 ball @ 60
Patient Gang Goolie is alive and surfing the twittisphere…..
twitterbreak going on here
Also footballers should be barred from twitter.
I see Hazard has just mediawhored himself a little further, to get more followers.
He would truly fit right in at Cuntski.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/05/28/195057_hazard-fait-le-buzz-sur-twitter.html
Hi holics hope all are well,cricket is not my thing very few play over here,was at wembley the wend for the play offs and have to say it’s a fantastic stadium very pricey for beer and food but very impressive.hopefully I’ll be back next season supporting the arsenal.
Also, I know it’s all about bats and bowls today, but surprised nobody mentioned that:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/player-of-the-season-in-fifth-place-is
Any bets for places 4, 3 and 2 then?
garsguns, it’s a shit stadium in a shit location.
Thank fuck we didn’t move there.
Heh ollie don’t mince your words mate,shit stadium shit location hope you don’t come and see our place the aviva..
Ha, maybe best not then, garsguns
Ollie @ 68 Saw that earlier and was shocked, given how our winning form pretty much dried up after his injury. Back to cricket, seems this sport has a dark side…depression and suicide more prevalent then in other sports.
abb, I would have expected him to be at number 3 (like in Little Dutch’s ranking) or 4.
I strongly suspect that 1 and 2 will be RvP and Kos and am therefore guessing that 3 and 4 will be between Song and Rosicky.
So hazard finally decides to fuck off to Chelsea.. Bullet dodged if you ask me. Great player but too much baggage with him.
We dont need no balotellis and hazards.
From what I read Sajit, he’s only decided to go to Champions League winners. Don’t know which year.
More media attention seeking. Ultimate whore.
I do suspect he will be a lot more consistent than Balotelli, but fuck him anyway.
You very much know that, while this was never envisaged anyway (all talk was about Mancs, Chelsea only came back into consideration last Sunday….), he’d just have been the new Nasri here.
He’ll fit in well with the horrible twats from the Bus Stop (if he goes there).
Also, IF he goes there, as he said he would only go where he’d be guaranteed play as a ‘number 10′, one can only surmise that he has had a serious discussion with the Chelsea manager.
I’m uncertain whether this means Abramovitch or Terry/Lampard.
Anyway, enough about this cunt, not worth our time here.
Let’s just dismiss him.
Sajit @ 63
Er…you do realise Test cricket is dying at this rate?
Away from the bar for most of the weekend as we were visiting an old school friend of my wife’s. Devastated to find that I’d missed out on the cricket puns just after missing the sheep puns. I’m going to catch them one of these days and then you lot had better watch out.
Good night all. Roll on tomorrow!
Yes Ollie, Would have thought Arteta #3, Kos #2, and RVP #1. Btw all, why are we at the mercy of our ISP’s?! Must get this sorted out soon…Shoutout to gooners far and wide. Hope all is well.
We’ve got LJW anyway. Who can forget about when Chamakh was playing at his best?
Alongside the Ox and with Theo’s pace we don’t really need another Player in that same mould.
An extra one would be a luxury, however, last season showed how versatile our squad is at the club.
A couple more ‘so and so had a medical at Arsenal’ announcements’ via breaking news will suit me.
Improve on defence again and we could be seriously challenging for the title again.
The agency scam transfer stories will continue folks.
Uplympian @50 -
As Wolfgang’s Doctor Downstairs I can assure you there is nothing ‘micro’ about his balls.
Isn’t Mata the No 10 at the bus stop ?
He might be interested to know his number is being hijacked by Hazardous…..
No room for him at Arsenal with LJW and The Ox. As someone remarked above, he would be the new Na$ri: here for a season and then tarting himself to Real Madrid, Man Citeh et al.
Thanks but no thanks. No room in our garden Eden
I meant to say that…. Dr’s don’t come out at this time of the night.
Thank you for your re-assurance Dr T but forgive me for asking – are you certain you had the binoculars the right way round.
Uplympian – rest re-assured that “Smallballs” is a name or, should I say, misnomer that Wolfgang uses only in a sense of ironic modesty.
His equipment is of elephantine proportions and his Ladyboy Massive were not accidently thus named.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have call-out and out of hours expenses forms to complete.
I dont know if Test cricket is dying. T20 and ODIs are necessary evils needed to sustain Test Cricket.
For one , I believe most players still rate Test cricket as the ultimate form of cricket.
Evening all.
Great piece holic. I must say that I am a massive cricket fan. I spent many a happy school holiday at the county ground in Bristol watching Gloucestershire. Mostly getting stuffed I would admit but still enjoyable.
During my playing days I had the good fortune to play with Harold Jarman. I went to school with his kids and Harold played at my old club. Now some of you of the holic era may remember the name. H was another who played both games. He played many times for Gloucestershire as an all rounder and played for several football clubs, Bristol Rovers amongst them. So what are the Arsenal links? Well me of course for one. He also managed Rovers. After his dismissal he was replaced by ex Gooner Bobby Gould at the Gas. He will also always hold a special place in my heart for going out on a limb to get me a ticket for the Luton League Cup Final. Good lad old H.
Eden Hazard???? Yeah, I am absolutely delighted that he has signed for the Chavs and not us. I mean, that is money saved for us and another disasterous signing for them????????? We really do not need a player of his quality. Certainly not???? Can’t see them being stronger for it and the fact that he has not joined us has surely shown RVP that we are a club with real ambition and he is now sure to rush back and sign his contract?????
It does make me laugh. 6 months ago many on here had everything crossed that he woudl become an Arsenal player. Now he has signed for someone else we should all be glad that we could not pull it off???????????????? I am feeling confused again.
I still want Hazard to come but surely he’s just being a silly mid-off with his Twitter account?
@Charlie
About Test cricket, I think all cricket lovers would agree that despite the excitement generated by big hitters in ODIs and T20s , none of them can ever match or produce quality cricket like that played during the 2005 Ashes.
Nailbiting , breath taking stuff, it was.
@Steve
Do you really want another Nasri kind of player at Arsenal. Of course he is a fantastic talent. But I might like to add that in 2010/11 Gervinho had better stats than him. Adjusting to the Premier League is a whole different beast. And honestly, I dont know what Chlesea are going to do with Marin, Mata and now Hazard. All very similar players.. Thats their problem.
Im sure most gooners would have loved to have Hazard but in the last 4-5 months he has mentioned Arsenal, Sp*rs, Man Utd, City, Real Madrid at various points in time.. Too much of media attention whoring from the lad.
My realistic transfer targets for this season include Clint Dempsey, Sessegnon in attack. Think itll be a step up from what we have.
Any further signings would have to depend on who leaves. Would absolutely love to get Kagawa on board but I think hes set for Utd. A real pity.
Btw, much better player and much less hyped than Hazard.
I want Kawaga as well. There’s a rumour going around that he’s been speaking to Arsene as well…
Great player and can run for days
CoR. Not only the attributes you mention argue in Kagawa’s favor, but he also has the outstanding first name of Shinji. How cool is that?
Shinji is a cool first name, “true leader” is what it means right?
I still prefer Ryo though, we can make better songs for him!
Abb@72: cricket and suicide go back a long way. Andrew Stoddart, the Middlesex batsman who played cricket and football for England in the 1890s killed himself, in Willesden, I think it was, in 1915.
Oops
– football
+ rugby
This century proceeding at Chanderpaul pace…
I wonder if I could stroke into the stands? Hope I don’t get a bad bounce…
I’m up for a LBW (Large Butt Woman)
cheating bar steward…
I’m stumped for words…
For all those who don’t know about cricket, here is a formal explanation
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that’s in the side that’s in goes out, and when he’s out he comes in and the next man goes in until he’s out. When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side thats been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!
Any resemblance between that and a pelanty shoot out is purely coincidental
Sajit
Having Marin, Mata and Hazard in your team isn’t a problem. I think they could work brilliantly in a 4-2-3-1 with Torres upfront and Marin and Hazard on the wings and Mata in the hole. But then again, I could give a shite about Chelsea so fuck’ em.
Great century by Shaft.
*applauds from the pavilion*
@103: Cognac, heh
Forgot about Marin. Unless he’s now explicitly mentioned the Bus Stop it wouldn’t surprise me too much now to hear soon that Hazard is signing for Man U.
Or would that make the media appear too foolish?
Bristolian, Steve T?
And a Gashead at that?
Born and raised a Londoner Holic. Moved there when I was 9. My football allegiances were well and truly formed before I left. However, my cricket knowledge was not as advanced. Hence the penance of being a Gloucestershire fan. Back in the days of Mike Proctor and all.
To those above. I would have loved us to have signed Hazard.
Steve T, it’s difficult not to would have loved to sign Hazard, for his footballing ability.
He’s still behaved like a tit regarding his destination though.
And money being what it is, I don’t think we ever stood a chance, sadly.
So now were being linked to the lion king,we have the scarecrow(almunia)all we need is a tin man and were there anyway morning holics hi ho hi ho see ye later..
I am still not convinced that Hazard is going to Chelsea. I think his tweet last night may very well turn out to be intended to fool people into thinking that he is going to Chelsea. Hazard seems to love that kind of attention.
I’m dying from lack of football and office politics.
What should I do?
Sajit @ 91
Well yes, but I didn’t say I thought Test cricket was rubbish compared to One Day or Twenty20, I said it’s in danger of dying because the total focus on the latter has left Test cricket high and dry.
Charlie. Test cricket has never been as popular here. No doubt fueled by England’s recent successes. You only need to look at grounds here and away when the barmy army take over.
Ollie. I take your point re Hazard. I just found it amusing that 6 months ago several here were on the verge of announcing him as an arsenal player. Now he has gone elsewhere all I have read over the last 2 weeks is how lucky we are we have not signed him????? All a bit strange to me.
I’m afraid I am no longer suprised at the fickle nature of football fans, Steve T.
Though I’ll also admit it’s quite amusing to observe indeed.
Steve, football fans are fickle at best. Just a little bit of the “fox and the grapes” I think.
No matter, some levity for you light-hearted batsmen with some tea…
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/backofthenet/archive/2012/05/28/an-alternative-history-of-the-european-championships.aspx
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/backofthenet/archive/2012/05/28/berbatov-transfer-listed-for-talking-about-death-too-much.aspx
Steve T – yeah, but England is the one place where Tets cricket attendances remain healthy.
Dr T @ 86. If Wolfgang’s Smallballs are as large as your expenses then I am duly impressed.
Ollie / Steve T no doubt Hazard is a talent that would improve our team but equally he has a price tag that goes beyond the mindset of the current board / management at AFC. He appears to have an attitude issue and feel sure that he would be flirting with the likes of Real Mad / Barca within 2 yrs max.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/player-of-the-season-in-fourth-place-is
Only 4th? Now I am getting genuinely surprised.
Unless it’s all been fiddled with by Darren Dein, with Song at number 2 to negotiate a higher pay package or departure.
I say, well spoken the VP ladies today in the Sun.
Altough, not sure how “freash” those quotes are…
Altough??
Freash??
Morning all. Cognac Gunner what a treat. Now I’ve got a headache (laughing).Seems you all have forgotten about the Olympics coming, not me! Ladies gymnastics, can’t wait. Pound for pound of body weight, these young ladies are truly amazing.Balance beam my favorite.
Barman, another cup of coffee for Dr. C, por favor. Ollie, can’t believe it. So here is my revised list, Song #3, TR #2 and you know, #1.
Just read in the online Daily Mail (so it must be true!) that RVP’s mother is encouraging Robin to stay. Further:
His wife also thinks he should stay at the Emirates.
Bouchra said: ‘Arsenal showed faith in Robin when he was going through a lean time, so we should not repay them by thinking about other clubs.
‘Our home life and our children are happy in London.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2151467/Robin-van-Persies-mum-tells-stay-Arsenal.html#ixzz1wFj4v2lW
I’ve always felt he would stay but is probably doing his ‘captain’ bit by waiting to commit to ensure we make a few decent signings.
I’ve always felt he would stay but is probably doing his ‘captain’ bit by waiting to commit to ensure we make a few decent signings.
That’s one line I can never ever subscribe to, since it’s a fair bet that ‘decent signings’ would also very much like to know if Robin’s going to be around to play with them.
Chicken (not on a basketball). Egg. etc.
We’ve not signed Messi YET?!? Still no news is good news I suppose
Possibly The Least Interesting Tweet Ever
From the BBC’s Dan Roan: ‘Wonder what numbers Barry/Wilshere would have had if fit..’
Exhale, tut and then mutter something about the licence fee.
I did like that bit from Mediawatch.
Afternoon all.
Heh at 127, member of the oriental angry club.
Just sawthe Arteta 5, Kos 4, bits. Disagree completly, I’d of had Arteta as 2 and Kos as 3, but there you go.
Abb, don’t you think Woj merits a place in the top 5?
Or Feo with all his assists?
The list is mucked up. Arteta should have been #2. Kos #3. Oh H2H, I didn’t forget about our unsung hero, Woj. He’s a keeper! Now Theo, what you need is a bucket of consistency in your resume!
Ollie @ 110
You hit the nail on the head. We never stand a chance against the ‘money splashers’
Getting Podolski was def a coup!!!
Park Chu Young?
http://thefcf.co.uk/2012/01/25/transfer-market-aware/10781/
A wonderful blog. Though I had always known about Denis Compton the great batsman, I did not know about the Arsenal connection.
Speaking of modern cricketers who have played football at a higher level, didn’t Viv Richards play for Antigua in internationals, even in WC qualifiers?
An Indian player from my father’s generation was was actually very good at both sports — back in the fifties and sixties and seventies Indian football team was rather decent, sometimes even the best team in Asia, and not the joke they are now — and is not that well known outside India is Chuni Goswami.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuni_Goswami
I am sure there are a few English international footballers who have played county cricket to some distinction, and vice versa.
Good day ‘holics,
Serious Q for anyone who has seen the club’s most recent financial statements: When will the stadium be fully paid off?
‘holic, Lars, zico, tabs, TS, H2H, AL, SG, CG, Ollie, Steve T, Trev, anyone?
Thanks in advance.
Oh, and a free pint on me for anyone that knows the real answer as per the financials.
Cheers.
Ollie /Abb/ h2h battle for positions 2 & 3 prob between the 2 tommies and Mr Chippy. IMO tv has not performed brilliantly defensively but his personality on the pitch and his goals must make him a contender.
It is also rumoured that Wolgang and his ladyboys massive have voted en masse for Le Coq!!
Sajit and Charlie — Test cricket’s pleasantly surprising endurance is actually quite an enigma if we stop to think about it.
Yes, at one point of time it ran the risk of dying out, but the excitements and techniques and aggressive attitudes of ODI cricket that seeped back into Test cricket, coupled with intelligent marketing by ICC and its members (particularly the sub-continental members, all the corruptions notwithstanding) and a rapidly burgeoning money-spending huge middle class in the sub-conteninent helped.
However, its continued popularity in England and Australia — which have other sports where the teams excel at — and West Indies (despite WI being perennially poor after the golden era of 70-80 and early nineties when they produced arguably the best teams, and despite not having a single world class player after the magnificent Brian Lara had retired) in this age of rapidity and speeded up entertainment points to an intrinsic quality in test cricket. In terms of drama and theater, test cricket is arguably unmatched among the sports.
Oh, and I do believe that someone recently mentioned Podolski. Therefore, I am compelled:
(2x) Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
es gibt einen Fußballgott!
Manche Spieler, die sind einfach schwach,
du regierst den Ball und hältst ihn flach.
Manche die sind faule Millionäre,
doch dir geht es einfach um die Ehre.
Nach dem Spiel ist wieder vor dem Spiel,
und läuft es auch mal nicht so wie man will,
wirst du trotzdem immer alles geben,
denn für dich bedeutet Fußball Leben.
(8x) Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Wichtig ist ganz einfach aufm Platz,
alles andere ist doch Ersatz.
Du bist jung und du bist wild,
manchen Torwart hast du schon gekillt.
Die Fans die singen Lukas-we love you,
ja du hast echt den goldnen Schuh,
komm und mach das Ding nun endlich rein,
denn dann singen alle im Verein:
(8x) Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
(2x) Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
es gibt einen Fußballgott.
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
Goldi Poldi Halleluja,
es gibt einen Fußballgott.
(8x) Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski
Steve T, I agree with you that any negative judgment about Hazard’s suitability just because he wants to attract himself to the biggest bidder and largest payer is premature. By all accounts, he is a cool and composed character on the field, and evidently he has great footballing talents, and for his age actually has a good amount of experience, so we should not so easily dismiss the benefits that his signing (even though that was always unlikely) would have brought us.
On the other hand, he may not be as instant a success in PL that many people think he would be. In Lille’s double-winning season Gervinho was a more productive player than him, and Gerv is not yet fully settled in a team that fits his playing style and has an opening for him whenever he plays well.
Anyway, given the way Wilshere’s medical condition is progressing, I am strongly in favor of us getting another quality attacking midfield player. The few Montpellier games I saw I really liked Belhanda.
135 TO.
If you’re looking for info regarding anything financial,your best bet would be to checkout the swissramble (a quick google will sort you out) Always very informative. Apologies to our gracious host for promoting elsewhere.
Steve T
I agree, supporters are fickle.
However, Allow me to play devils advocate.
6 months ago it was feared we would not make it back into the top four, much less finish third. The fact supporters can stick up two fingers to the ‘so-called’ best young midfielder outside of Spain shows to me how far the team had come.
2011/12 stats
Kagawa 13 goals 11 assists
Walcott 8 goals 11 assists
Kagawa is a good player, but can somebody remind me why we are going crazy over this player?
Let utd have him. Their depleting squad can do with an uprising.
What’s this about an uprising at Man Utd? All I can say is, it’s about time and I hope they burn old red nose at the stake.
Re: Nurse Abb @123. Well, what I would really like to see at the Olympics is a ladies gymnastics competition involving the kind of women Shaft likes. Bouncy flesh is entertaining flesh, is what I always say. Pretty sure Shaft would agree.
In other news:
“Two-time 10,000 metres Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie talks of his disappointment that he will not compete at London 2012.
The Ethiopian has failed to qualify for either the marathon or 10,000m at the Olympics, and he says: “Inside yes it is hard, but what can I do? I have no other choice. I have to make myself happy in a different way.”
Sounds like a job for Wolfie..
… and hats-off to Cognacgooner: That’s the clearest description of the game I have seen so far.
Oh 8ball, now I can do my chores with a smile. Those gymnists are lean and graceful. Since I was a little girl I fancied being one of them or a figure skater. Whether it’s the uneven bars or a triple axle, pure magic for me.
More Breaking News:
Ashley Young does not train with the England squad at London Colney after picking up a knock on Saturday against Norway. As a precaution he [will spend the day perfecting his diving in the pool]…
I know..lets have someone make up a wild transfer rumor and the rest of us can attack that person and shame them into sulking..uh? Been done already? Really?…Shooo..
Andy Murray won his obligatory game at the French Open and nothing else is happening in the world today…ah well..
tickles a shot to silly mid on for a single…
Holds his bat up and acknowledges the cheers of the crazy West Indian dude in stands..
Heh UT. 4 runs just there, I see.
Heh I forgot about Rudolph 8B
The question is, will he return from retirement at 80 to ‘carry’ their squad to another title hilt?
*tilt*
Steve T re the Hazard thing –
1) Maybe the people who you say were welcoming him 6 months ago, and those that say they’re glad he’s not coming now – are not the same people
2) If they were the same people – well then, isn’t that part of the nature of fandom. If a player’s coming to your club he gets a Big Pat on the back, but if he’s going to another club he gets a big poke in the eye – figuratively speaking of course.
As for myself, the only opinion i’ve ever expressed re the lad on ‘ere (as i try to stay away from issues i know little about, not always successfully, sadly) – is that Eden Hazard sounds like something Adam might have caught his cock on back in the day.
UREDS!
AL @ 155: Indeed, indeed my friend…and I should imagine Adam knew a cunt when he saw one
I know that its an old Chestnut but its still funny to me anyway: When Andy Murray wins the English media never mentions the fact that he’s a Scot – he’s always Britain’s number 1.. but when he loses they are like “that useless Scot Andy Whathisface…”
When I was growing up you could always tell how many Englishmen were involved in random acts of hooliganism abroad by the Headlines: “British Hooligans runs riot in Amsterdam” is code for English Hooligans runs..
But when no Englishmen are involved its: “Six Scots, 3 Irish, 2 Welsh and a Jamaican (normally me) run riot… and they never mention that we were chasing the Leeds cunts through the streets of Amsterdam either
Great post ‘Holic.
I met Ian Gould when as an 11 year old boy , I was a ball boy at Lords for a Sunday afternoon John Player League heave ho .
Rain intervened and us ball boys were escorted upstairs in the pavilion to the changing rooms. Ian Gould, then the Middlesex wickie, was busily studying the “form” in his copy of Penthouse, which was open on his lap.
He made no concessions to age, and carried on “reading” throughout the autograph signing session.
Have to admit that at the time I was far more impressed by the contents of his journal than I was by the hallowed halls of the Lords Pavilion !
155 AL, Heh.
157 Tel. I used to run riot in A’dam on a twice weekly basis. ‘olloway geezer, innit.
Evening all. It’s Saint Tomas of Rosicky Day >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Uplympian@36,
Not a Slip man myself. I prefer a fine leg,and a back stop (sic),as long as I have given myself the security of an extra cover .
I am particularly keen on straightening one up and always aim for the corridor of uncertainty.
I also like to come over the wicket.
“A pair of dot balls will now be known as “a wolfie”.” -heh
And heh at Mr T . He knows a fine figure of a man when he sees one
woah! i wud never find stuff like this on wikipedia
i didnt know that u knew all this too, thanks for blogging this and thanks to @indiangoon for requesting u to blog
#arsenal4life