Not So Fever Pitch
May 21st, 2012 by 'holic
It brought a smile to the face, reading tales of Dads dropping off and collecting their offspring at the weekend’s sleepover on the pitch for the Junior Gunners. It must be a terrific treat for the youngsters, and one only possible at this time of year with the pitch awaiting relaying after the Coldplay concerts in a couple of weeks.
During the season proper at any time of any day if you wander onto the playing surface you face being hooked very quickly. It is only with reluctance that groundsman Paul Ashcroft accepts the right of the two teams to warm up on the playing surface before games. Other than that only he and his staff get to venture onto the brilliant green carpet. Quite right too.
During the last few years the surface at Highbury was protected similarly. However, although I have only ventured a yard or two onto the hallowed turf at the Grove, I did have the good fortune to get a good look at the famous stands of our spiritual home a few times from the pitch. The first time, and I stand ready to be corrected about the year, was 1969, I think.
The occasion was the Football Combination Cup Final, our reserve team against West Ham reserves. Being only twelve I was only allowed to travel to London games on the train, and so I decided to watch the mixture of kids and old pros lift a Cup with, again if memory serves, a 6-1 win. A couple of thousand turned up to witness it, I suppose, and at the final whistle most of us climbed over the fences and ran onto the pitch.
What do twelve year olds do in such circumstances? I’ll tell you. They pretend to be Peter Storey and trip the eleven year olds. They imagine themselves to be John Radford smashing a half-volley into the roof of the net in front of the North Bank. Then as finally the one commissionaire in the place strolls on to attempt to evict the ‘invaders’ they have a good look around at what the place looks like to the fortunate few who have the privilege of pulling on a red and white shirt and get paid for it.
The next pitch invasion was another high-spirited affair after we had beaten Anderlecht to lift the European Fairs Cup on that unforgettable night in May 1970. The by now just a teenaged ‘holic needed to remain by the side of the driver, ‘holicdad, at the back of the Clock End to witness one of the great celebrations.
There were a handful of incursions in the seventies and eighties, and not always as harmless as those I have already described. I had by 1981 had the chance to look around the old girl on a couple of official tours, so was becoming old hat at viewing the place from the inside. However my second, and last, Highbury pitch invasion followed the final home match of the season. We defeated title-chasing Aston Villa 2-0, but Ipswich were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough, so the Brummies won the main prize. Onto the pitch they came from a packed Clock End to celebrate, onto the pitch we poured from the North Bank to join them in their happiness, but somewhere along the line I turned into Peter Storey again. A story best left for another day perhaps. Spirits were high and no real harm was done.
I last set foot on the magical patch of North London shortly after the Highbury Farewell in 2006. The annual Supporters Clubs Fives tournament. 49 or not I was going to be there. To cut a very long story short non-stop rain and heavy demands had turned the lush green carpet into a mudbath. The tournament was washed out and replaced by a penalty shoot-out in front of the North Bank. Those teams waiting to play sat behind the goal and cheered on those having their moment of glory.
I can still see me being invited to walk forward from the running track onto the pitch to ‘spot-up’. I was already old enough to have a good look around as I prepared to hit my one attempt at scoring a proper goal at what had been a second home for me throughout my life. Thirty years earlier I was a master of the ‘Storey’ penalty, Approach as if to hit the ball into the bottom left, open the body at impact and sidefoot it into the opposite corner.
Now I know this might sound a little silly now, but because of the situation we had not had the opportunity to practice. Thus I ambled up to the ball with a vision of a twenty year old ‘holic producing that last minute contortion of the skeleton to thoroughly befuddle a hopelessly beaten ‘keeper. Instead the almost half-centurion, in the attempt to open his stance at impact, felt a creak and heard a crack as backbone refused to obey brain and my attempt for the bottom right hand corner set off more centrally than planned.
It is at this point that I have to offer up thanks to goalkeepers everywhere, but in particular the one who faced me that day. I would like to think that, completely thrown by the gyrating geriatric in front of him, he guessed wrong and threw himself to his right to save the piledriver that was surely thundering his way. Instead a less than crisply struck effort bobbled across the top of the mud, skidding apologetically into the centre of the goal. I’m pretty sure the custodian had time to get up, throw himself back to his left, and make a comfortable save. Instead he took pity on the creature now cavorting around in front of a slightly less than packed North Bank milking the adulation of the assembled few.
The urge to pull on the boots one more time has, rather sensibly, been cast to one side since that day. Is there a better way to bow out than plant your last serious effort in the net at Highbury? Of course not. The kids at the weekend will never forget camping on the pitch at the Grove, and this big kid will always have that one last goalscoring memory at God’s stadium.
I wish I had bought that ‘keeper a pint. I wonder if he will ever understand the depth of my gratitude?
380 Responses to “Not So Fever Pitch”
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Get in. Evening all.
I will read the post now.
What was the Manor Ground pitch like neighbour?
3rd c league spot?
No the dreaded 4th!no for a read..
The playing surface has been like a bowling green for years now.
Funny enough, I have tickets for Coldplay as well. Just can’t stay away from the place.
Nice piece holic.
Top 4? Hope the blue cunts don’t win then…oh?
Brilliant. Thanks ‘holic, just been larfing out loud (that’s LOL to my kids) reading this. Happy days!
Lovely stuff again ‘Holic. What a way to hang up your boots but could you be tempted out of retirement to take a penalty for the PDY’s at next year’s Arseblog 5s?
Steve T – Ta for the texts today, also good stuff.
Drinks all round please Mr.Barman.
Nice post holic you’ve seen more action than park.
Savage garsguns, savage…
And scored as many in the prem…..
Great history, as usual.
You never seem to have too much trouble twisting and turning a path to the bar !
From the previous drinks – Oxon, I think ?
I don’t think anybody who has followed Arseblogger over a number of years could ever call him negative, or pessemistic in his views of Arsenal.
A realist, yes. A pessemist, definitely not.
A quiet and unassuming but passionate Arsenal fan – on the two ocaasions I have met him, albeit briefly, to be sure, to be sure.
@14 –
did I say quiet ? Well I’ve only met him before matches,
Heh!
Evening Trev.
Blogs is as sensible after the match as before. I have to say he has a capacity to socialise, without deteriorating, that I yearn for.
We have as much fun though
plumstead common?
Seriously, you had me on pins and needles as to whether you were going to able to slot one home given the big chance…..I thought I was going to read that you looked-up just before you struck the ball, missed the ball completely (a la Charlie Brown), slipped with your plant leg and onto your back and over the line feet first…….seriously relieved…
Truly magical article.
What a lovely write up again Holic. Wonderful. A couple of months ago I left a cheeky few drinks one late night after the post was closed for posterity (and to round up the numbers) where I talked about the time that I scored at Highbury!
It was during one of my frequent visits to the empty stadium. I lived just around the corner on Sotheby Road. This particular day the reserves were in the East Stand doing their stair work and after they were gone I noticed a ball on the pitch…so I went to retrieve it but could not resist a little dribble (a’la Geordie Armstrong) hugging the left touchline all the way to the 18-yard box, then I cut inside and hit a right foot shot that pinged off the bar, arched up and dropped right on my left peg for a lovely half volley into the top corner…then I turned and ran to the halfway line and did a Charlie George right there in the middle of the pitch! Jesus I swear I could hear the crowd cheering and calling my name…
That’s one of my top five “Things I did that no-one else saw” moments..
Monumental, ‘holic.
“A story best left for another day perhaps.” Perhaps one for next season?
Great post Holic!
I almost scored at Highbury as well.
Almost.
Who was she Shaft?
Shaft: Have you seen the new Bob Marley film? Its wonderful: http://www.1channel.ch/watch-1843759-Marley
You know a gentleman like myself never waxes and tells GT!
Will check out the Bob Marley link a little later big dog. In the meantime, how about deciding your Bellend of the Season?
http://www.arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=529324
‘Holic: walking on hallowed ground, let alone playing on it, it one of the greatest treasures of a sporting life. You are blessed.
- it
+ is
Hi Holic,
Love your story Mate.
I have very fond memories of the early seventies too.
I work as a Steward at the Arsenal and have been doing so fornthe past 18 years. I used to go regularly to home games with Dad and Brothers until I was around 16 when I started going alone more often. Apart from the early years with my Wife I have missed very few Home matches although I haven’t been to so many away.
Even though I worked at Highbury I only ever got on to the pitch twice.
One was after John Radfords testimonial when there was a pitch invasion and even Dad was on the pitch I think that night. The second time wasnafternthe last ever match at the Grand Old Stadium when me and some Palsnhad some pictures taken in the Clock end penalty area.
The new Stadium has been hard to get used to for me but just last week I actually played on the pitch in a Stewards tournament. I doubt if what I did was actually playing because my fifty year old body just couldn’t hack it with the teenagers and twenty year old wannabees. I loved kicking the ball around on the pitch and all of my eight minutes playing time was well worth the tenner I gave to the save a child charity.
The thing I felt about the new Stadium whilst on the centre circle was just what I imagined it to be. The place is like a masssive cup final Stadium and thats my reason for many of our opponents raising hteir game when they play us. Its and awesome Stadium and much higher from ground level than it looks from my usual position in the upper tier. The pitch too is absolutely enormous and nothing like the size of the pitches in my Hackney Marshes playing days.
The grass was not its usual pristine self I was told but I have to say that apart from playing on Astro turf it was perfect.
I was on the pitch working at the Bruce Springsteen concert too but the pitch was covered and the stage took up a large bit of space.
I didn’t score a goal and to be honest never really tried as just walking ( can’t run anymore) on the pitch and kicking a ball was everything I needed. I felt just like those kids who camped on the pitch and after Dad passing away in February it was sad that He didn’t get to hear MY story.
Cheers Holic and Up the Gunners.
I’m more than a little jealous ‘holic. My only half memorable experiences on the sacred grass were once as a kid in the North Bank when West Ham invaded the terrace, my much bigger brother at the time insisted I scamper along the corner flag (this must have been half past two) with other kids my age to stay clear of trouble. This was done successfully and met him down along east lower.
Many years later I recall the very last game of the North Bank and I was there with my young female cousin who was visiting me in London. Again this was long before kick off and I really wanted a photo of the last crown on the North Bank before it was to be torn down. You’ll probably remember everyone arrived really early that sad day. Seaman was warming up and as he came to retrieve a ball I asked if he could take a photo for posterity from the pitch. In that great voice he has he said “No, but she’s alright…she can” with which he pulled my cousin up to pitch level where she failed to see the importance of being just a few yards onto the turf. Still…she managed to get some great photos.
4-1 we won it too with Ian Wright getting a brace to end the season…..Just over a year later I could only sit where I used to stand and a few years after that I moved overseas. Miss it deeply…
Sorry Mate my Ipad is a nightmare for spelling. I really need to double check what I have written and correct the mistakes.
Hi Tim,
That Old Stadium was the finest anywhere in the World. I miss it too Mate. Great memories and greater History.
I have had far to many good times and even the bad times seemed better than they do these days.
Keep supporting Mate as things will get better for us.
Never made it onto the Highbury pitch but did get onto the White Hart Lane pitch the night we won the title and first part of the 70-71 Double. What a night as we all sang Good Old Arsenal and Sha La La La Bertie Mee at the tops of our voices in a state of delirium. That was a GREAT team where every player absolutely gave 100% in every game of that long long season. Charlie George would still walk into any team I ever selected. Just imagine him playing with Pires, Bergkamp And Henry !!!
Heh great memories mate! The pelanty competition was n’t the one where Gunnersarus made Woodie look a right nana, was it?
Cracking post ‘holic. Evoking memories of my own times at Highbury, it was a very special place.
Thank you, sometimes such memories are hard to recover, but you have sent me back to those distant pasts with a clarity I thought long despatched.
Great job.
WG
Nice post ‘holic!
Good one ‘Holic.
Holic, what a way to end your career as a player! Like a few others, I was on the edge of my seat reading it hoping that you wouldn’t muck it up
Everyone, I have to say that reading all your tales of Highbury this morning has very literally made the hair on my arms stand up. It is forever a thorn in my heart that I only ever got to see one game at the hallowed ground, but at the same time at least it was one game. And I do have a photo of myself just off the pitch at Highbury, taken on a day when there was no game on.
El Tel: I played on the Emirates pitch the day after the Norwich game this season in a Supporters’ Clubs tournament and let me tell you this, that pitch was like a ballroom floor. This was less than 20 hours after the Norwich game ended and apart from a few very, very minor cuts in the grass there is no way you would have guessed that there had been a premiership game played on it so close to when we were allowed onto the pitch. And also, the pitch is hard as a bloody rock and I seriously wonder if this could be one of the reasons for all our soft-tissue injuries.
I also agree with you that the stadium looks a lot higher from the pitch than it does from the stands. Upper Tier seems about a mile up in the sky from down there.
Nostalgic pints all round.
Gyrating geriatric.
Heh.
Blog loading performance back to normal. Now to read the thing.
Well, I posted that, read the blog, my comment didn’t seem to have appeared, I reloaded and it seemed fucked up again taking ages to load, but with my comment now.
What when I press ‘Submit’ now?
Better but still rather slow, I’m afraid, ‘holic. A bit like last evening, possibly a touch worse.
Anyway, great post, I thoroughly enjoyed it, ‘holic you hooligan you.
Bootiful Holic, makes me envious that after 60 odd years of goonerdom, I have only visited our home just a few times, for a variety of reasons.
Thanks to my nephew (one of these gooner Ollie types), I have visited the new very impressive stadium, and now have to rely, like most overseas gooners, on whatever means possible to watch the team play at home and abroad
BTW have you any idea how many drinkers and followers you have overseas – given their ability to go to the bar all night its clear that there are quite a few!
Have just read Arseblog’s stats on loan players, and am somewhat alarmed about what seems to be a common trend – the number of yellows 3 per player – is this why young Pat had to retire early?
Jon Pertwee does Harry Redknapp
http://i.imgbox.com/aadCS7pt.gif
Ollie, no problems at all accessing the bar from here.
Excellent post as usual Holic.
The nearest I got to the pitch at Highbury was a stadium tour in our last year there (excellently hosted by Charlie!), and a respectful inspection from the sideline after we emerged from the player’s tunnel.
I haven’t done this at the Grove yet although I’ve heard that this is well worth doing.
Yeah, it’s back very fine again, Lars.
Or nearly. Bah.
Briliant post ‘holic and some great memories shared by old friends and new. (welcome to the blog gents)
I think it was last off season that we swapped stories about that Aston Villa game, it’s one of my fondest and most vivid memories of the old HoF. I was in the Clockend that day and was even helped by a copper on to the field who advised me to “be careful son”. It was a completly sureal experience that I’ll take with me for the rest of my days.
Glorious weather here, posting from the beer garden will once again be the order of the day.
Only a smattering of snow here……
Heh.
Since you mentioned the pitch, ‘holic :
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/43485/emirates-stadium-pitch-renovation-pictures
what a bloody good write up , ‘holic
Interweb rumour update:
M’Vila is once more 99% done deal, and we are also nowhere near signing him. All according to reliable sources, of course.
Just thought I’d let you all know to avoid any confusion over the matter.
Pint of Boddingtons, please. I am really, really tired and need something to inject some life into me.
A quart of virgins blood ought to do it, Lars.
Dr Feelgood, hand it over and I’ll drink it…
Heh Lars,
Just let me add a few further ingredients.
I have decided only to believe positive tweets for the rest of the summer.
That and some homebrewed rocket fuel should see me through the Euros.
Only believing positive tweets was a good idea. Think I shall try that for a bit!
Afternoon All ,
Great memories Holic and beautifully recorded .
So now I know who it was who upended me with a crunching Peter Storey tackle, just as I’d made it onto the pitch after the Villa game
Also glad to hear that you used the “eyes left,sidefoot right” method when it came to pens . I was also an adherent of this foolproof method and never missed. Mind you , I was only entrusted with the responsibility once !
Off hand,(and having missed out on The Fairs Cup by a year), I can only remember Villa and the Everton Semi in ’88 where pitch invasions might have been termed “full-scale”.
Astonishing however to remember that back in the day , the final whistle on even the most mundane of Saturdays was the starting gun for lots of kids and teenagers to race onto the pitch to give their hero a hug.
Never did it myself. The Jimmy Choos were too much of a handicap and didn’t lend themselves to a sprint, but always jealous of those that did .
Wouldn’t happen now. One suspects that anyone trying to encroach on the green baize at the Ems is immediately carted off to The Tower and consigned to a life of Bread and Water whilst the wisdom of Robbie Savage is played on an endless loop .
Aaargh…….you have one tortured mind Wolfie……
not The Tower……
“The wisdom of Robbie Savage” – now there’s a contradiction in terms if I ever saw one!
Anyone else looking forward to hearing the other 4 of GT’s top 5 “Things I did that no-one else ever saw” Series ?
Could be a cracker . Spill the beans GT
Indeed Lars .
tabs, now that you mention it – yes, that could be quite interesting
The GoonerTerry top five, that its.
@ 62
Only five?
By the way, Jack Wilshere has had his knee operation in Sweden today. According to the surgeon everything went well and that Jack should be fully recovered in two to three months. That would probably mean (and this is my own guesstimate) that he may well miss the first few games of the season since I suspect he will need a bit more preparation than usual since he’s been out for so long.
Bellend of the season has to be a LWC
Mr Fart gets my vote.
Gap, 3rd, Shift of Power blah blah blah “for sure”…..
My Bellend of the Season has to be Joey Barton.
I tried to list the reasons why but too many to mention so I just deleted them.
He’s a cunt and he deserves to be neutered with a rusty scalpel dipped in ammonia…
How much you wanna bet he gets off with a slap on the wrist from the FA?
Runners-up: Balotelli, Terry, Suarez, Nasri
Shaft @24,
Bellend of the Season ?
Tricky , so many contenders.
I think LD covered most of the prime suspects in his article.
I doubt however that I would have plumped for The Venkys and Steve Kean, as he did , although perhaps that is only because I am less savvy with the Blackburn story than he is .Does anyone care enough about a Club that is so intrinsic to “Cunt Corner”(cheers West Stand Tone), to get too worked up about them ?
Usual suspects I reckon. In no particular order :-
Le Grove,Piers Morgan and Myles Palmer, for their divisive outpourings and abdication of responsibility which goes some way to creating the febrile atmosphere which finds it’s ultimate expression that is the madness of people tweeting insults to the Club Captain and his wife .
Adrian Durham because no list for Bellend of the season is complete without him.
Darren Lewis of The Mirror .Journalist ? Hahaha. Has he written anything which hasn’t proved to be spectacularly wrong ?
John Terry. Nuff said .
Carlos Tevez and Suarez. For differing reasons both are a disgrace to the game.
McCleish,Pulis,and Alladyce. For enlightened thinking, you’d be better off talking to a Diplodocus’ turd. Probably smell better too.
Difficult to pick a winner, but I’m biased. Those clowns from Le Grove as far as I’m concerned.
Pedro, Geoff . Congratulations you are Bellends of the Season (again).
Barton . Of course . Bloody good call Canons .
Big difference between “bellend” and some of the things (rusty scalpel etc) that require to be done to the likes of John Terry.
And I’m not convinced that there is that much to choose between Barton, Suarez and Terry anyway.
As for Le Grove – death by chewing gum
Bellend of the season?
Hmmm…. there’s been some serious competition this term.
I would have gone for John Terry in the normal course of events.
The racial abuse. The half time excuse for his sending off in the Nou Camp. The full kit celebrations on Saturday night. The stubborn insistence on continuing to walk around the place breathing and doing stuff, rather than (I don’t know), running headlong into an industrial thresher.
However, on this occasion I think I can go one better. Piers Morgan, the Le Grove siamese twats and Barton are all fantastic shouts. As are the many muggy LWCs who proclaimed their dominance back in Feb.
But one man stands above them all for me. He’s the geezer who writes the “Arsenal Truth” blog.
First came on my radar earlier in the season when we were doing badly. Even by the standards of the blogosphere he seemed particularly dour and detached from reality. I made a mental note to check back in when the dark clouds lifted.
And so I revisited his site towards the end of the season, when things were a little rosier, and found that he had actually become angrier, splutterier and more determined the hate the very club he claimed to support than before.
Here’s his masterpiece: http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/arsenal-truth/2012/5/13/arsenal-end-season-in-same-disgraceful-way-they-started-it.html
Written mere hours after we locked down third, when every sane Gooner was celebrating loud, proud and as close to any available LWCs as humanly possible, it makes it clear as day that the author is actively annoyed we finished third. The responses to comments are a treat too.
Now, whenever I hear something online from someone claiming to be an Arsenal fan that I can’t get my head around (e.g. the abuse of RVP’s nearest and dearest), I just reach for the above and remind myself that there are some utter, utter bellends out there and there really is no point in wasting your time arguing with them.
I personsally have nothing to with Le Groan, don’t go there, never intend to anymore.
I’m not a twitterer or whatever the name for is and even if I was the last person in the world I’d want to follow would be Piss Morgan.
So my vote would definetly have to go to either Suarez, Tevez or Barton.
Baloteli is a bit of a penis but only registers a small blip on the Completeanduttercuntometer compared to the other three.
Back to the beergarden, hic.
@74 Heh , speak to the Rev !
N7 Great shout , had never heard of this fellow before.
Just to clarify, I hadn’t forgot about the bellendsupremo JT, it’s just that he’s already won the Bellend of the Decade, Century and Millenium award, so I thought it would be nice to give a different twat a chance.
2-3 months, heh, Lars.
‘does not significantly alter his comeback date’, I guess they meant he’s not going to miss another season….
Ah, here’s the official Jackupdate:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wilshere-has-successful-minor-knee-procedure
tabs 72 : Cunts Corridor, not Corner
If you’re talking Adrians, tabs. Well I don’t know about Durham since he’s only a radio cunt, right? (although obviously I’ve heard enough about him to know he’s a worthy front-runner).
However, Adrian Chiles from ITV is forever irritating, and he’s got a very punchable face.
Always worthy of a nomination.
I’ll nominate ‘binbag protesters’ too. Or whoever initiated that idea.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/pictures-of-the-season-2011/12-part-two
heh. Why the fuck is there a Spurs fan there indeed? :s
Not sure who the bloke in the second picture is….
Ollie @81 I stand corrected
Close though .
and @82 , Durham is indeed a “shock-jock” with a particularly poisonous attitude towards Arsenal. Never listen to him now, so his impact from a purely personal point of view is minimal, but I still think he makes the list.
Chiles ? Can’t say he really winds me up that much. Bit of a knob at times,but imo he lacks the necessary bile of some of the other contenders.
Black Bin Boys ? Wasn’t that shown to have been a wind-up to sucker John Cross, initiated by an online Gooner in somewhere like south east Asia ? Might have dreamt that up, though there were no bin liners in evidence on the day .
Afternoon all
Shaft @ #24 – Bellend of the season for me is the cud-chewing, quick-changing, glory seeking, race abusing, mate’s-WAG-shagging twatspatula that is John T*rry… by a c*ntry mile.
LWC Fanny der Faart is a distant second for proclaiming to the cock-on-a-ball-sucking British press that there was ‘no way’ that the LWCs would finish-up lower than the The Mighty Arse in The League. He’ll be needing a JCB to help dig is foot out of his big, flatulent mouth.
A good link, I thought, on Arseblog news summarising our loanees this year for your edfication:
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/05/arsenals-loan-player-stats-2011-12/
Cheers and laters….
is it too much to hope that the Bellend Of The Season trophy is patron saint of bellends – john cunterry – in the shape of a – yes you’ve guessed it – bellend…
And for me he gets it – again – shin pads and all
Special needs mentions go out to the north london mind the gappers mob and and the semi-literate, cynical fukwits at leGover
and and and semi-literate in the same sentence – dats asking asking for trouble – that is…
Thanks !
Bellend of the season – has to be Dong Lee…… no seriously
For me, although there are many candidates, the Bellend of the Season goes to J Terry for all the reasons described perfectly by N7 above – a kind of sevens above
N7, christ on a bike – that dude actually took pleasure in us drawing or losing just because he felt it proved him right? Talk about putting youself ahead of the team. He definitely wins bellend of the season in the bloggers’ section.
In the players’ section there are too many candidates to pick a winner. Barton, Terry, Suarez, anyone playing or working for Stoke, Dalglish, van der Fart…
Farewell to Almunia and his long, bearded, sad face. What I did not know is that he had 70 clean sheets in 175 games, pretty amazing stats, must say.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-release-seven-players
Hello Eddie.
Your style seems familiar
Lurky, aluminium was at fault for me having no clean jocks while watching us.number 1 bellend of the season is pardew manager of the year my arse.
Sorry evening holics..
howdy ‘hol
just finished troughing out a rather marvellous – if i may be so bold – home made curry to the assembled masses
preceded by home-made cider
tastes like light apple juice- 9.2% this batch ‘hol
anyhoo
just thought i’d let you know that you were the talk of the parish
top blog top man
Nice post holic!
Great nostalgic drink vividly described!
I, unfortunately, never invaded the lush Highbury turf due to a “law-abiding” up-bringing, nor did I get the opportunity to show-off my “considerable finishing” skills on it’s hallowed surface, but i am certainly hoping for such an opportunity soon at the Grove now that a reprobate lifestyle has become one’s modus operandi; and no burly security bloke’s gonna get in my way, Jimmy Choos or not!
GT from the previous post,
That;s a nice song mate, delightful.
The new Bob Marley documentary’s certainly great and very revealing; more insightful than the previous others. Watched it a few weeks ago and being a massive fan of his music, it was fascinating to see what made this man what he was!
Regarding the Glans-Penis of the season; there are many ranging from the usual at Le Grove, J Terry, Adrian Durham, Pulis, Barton, etc. to the new of “Arsenal Truth blog”, L Suarez, K Dalglish, Na$ri, Balotelli etc. but for me Darren Lewis and the other 99.9% of football’s self-publicising “experts”, in the very loose definition of the word, are yet again the true “champions of the world” this season! I particularly have a deep seated revulsion of Ian Mcgarry and his constant “a close source to….” comments that invoke a desire within me to go all “David Chisora” on him! Although, admittedly, not as much as i’d like to to that cunt John Terry!
Subsequent castration with Cannon’s rusty scalpel and bottle of ammonia would certainly add to the pleasure.
He rolls the ball out gently to start from the back….
picks it up; drives forward and switches play to the other side of the pitch
Darren Lewis, great call, DanC!
Garsguns – heh
Have to say there’s some pretty revisionist stuff going on elsewhere with regard to our perenially haunted former custodian.
Yes he had the odd good game when he was kept busy, Barca Q/F and ManU S/F stand out in the memory , but save for six months in 07/08 he never dominated his area , was always capable of the most spectacular gaffe, and most importantly bore the look of a child who had been denied the last sweetie and was about to run off and cry to mummy.
Obvious from the WBA home game in 10-11 that he would never again be first choice No.1, and yet has been happy to pick up an enormous wage with little hope of playing , rather than try and build a career elsewhere.
Good luck Manuel ,and all that, but spare me the loyal servant eulogies I’m reading elsewhere.
Nips in to propose Auntie Beeb and all who sail in her for Bellend of the year
Well if no one else will I’ll smash 1 in..
“He shot, he missed, he must be feckin’ pissed” Gooner Terry to me at least once and to others
Oxon nicely taken and a worthy nomination as well……..
my green grass story is less interesting
can’t remember the exact year
mid 70′s odd
i was at a charity game – there was the lure of arsenal stars
i was there with my brother and my father
the pitch a council pitch so – a field
we were all stood around the outside
the first we knew who had been ringed in to play was when big dave o leary ran through the imaginary sideline and thundered through us
i – like a startled hare couldn’t move
so
i’ve never been on the pitch at highbury but i was flattened by one of the lumps
do i get a prize ?
Thanks, WU. The ball just kind of sat up, begging to be slotted home. Much the same is true of the nomination, I feel.
Good luck Manuel ,and all that, but spare me the loyal servant eulogies I’m reading elsewhere.
Indeed, tabs.
Good finish, Oxon, and live on BBC as well.
You know it makes sense.
Well in oxon,guess that’s what I get for slating aluminium,my shot clipped off his poodle and went wide..
Dignified century Don Oxon! WG Grace would’ve been proud!
Nice call too on the Beeb!
Agree with Tabs on Almunia.
Thanks for your great moments Manuel but hanging around for the past 2 seasons with no ambition, kind of blotted your copy-book, mi amigo! Adieu!
Well in, Oxon.
The seven departees aren’t going to make much of a hole in the wage bill, though every little bit helps.
One thing to Almunia’s credit it that he has been stoic about his falling out of favour and not thrown public hissy fits. At 35 he still has several seasons left in him if he can find a club.
Thanks cba.
You have qualified for a pint of plain and Jameson chaser next time you venture over and out yourself
A post full of memories ‘holic. The Fairs Cup win in ’70 was our first notable win for almost 20 yrs….certainly since I started going to the HOF in the 50s. Today’s whingers with a 7 year trophy drought have some way to go and we won’t wait much longer I,m sure.
Back to that magical night, we had to overcome a 3-1 deficit from the 1st leg. Like you, used to stand at the clock end (half way up by the centre railings behind the goal) and remember the delirious delight watching Eddie Kelly’s screamer all the way to the top corner. 2 more goals in the second half and we won the cup..our 1st European triumph! As the final whistle went the crowd as a whole invaded the pitch dancing merrily with any one nearby. I think we were drunk with happiness so do not recall surveying the stadium on this occasion!
As for your “Peter Storey trip” – he was more noted for where the opposing player finished after a “coming together”. After Willy Morgan (Manure winger) had the stupidity to fly past him as if he wasn’t there, he even more stupidly tried it a second time. I think he finished in row 4…. don’t recall the ball being anywhere nearby. Just a booking in those days.
As a first timer to the bar, allow me to buy for all the regulars who have kept me well amused even during the darker periods of this season and a large one for yourself ‘holic for such interesting and considerate prose.
Cheers All.
COYFG
On behalf of the gang I’d like to say welcome Mr Uplympian, top post and cheers for the drinky.
I’m as red as our strip after siting/working (ahem) in the beer garden all day.
Tomorrow should be fun.
I take it the object is NOT to be bellend of the year?
In any case, it was an excellent goal, Don Oxon.
Bellend of the season. All the incompetent referees.
DanC, NBN, 8ball – Thank you for your congratulations. Blimey, it’s slow in here tonight. 16 drinks in two-and-a-half hours and many of them congrats or acknowledgements for the ton. No more, say I.
An honourable exception was our debutant Uplympian. I was too young to get to the second leg v. Anderlecht but I remember my big brother talking about it. He said that he had had no expectations of overturning the 3-1 deficit from the first leg so the match was a hugely enjoyable and hugely unexpected experience. And good to see you putting the record straight over Peter Storey
Bed calls. ‘night all.
The Goonerholic Fantasy Premier League 2011-12
So, in the final week the League title was secured by Don’t Tread On Me. Congratulations on a consistent performance throughout.
The Cup Final was also decided on the last day, with Gunner Punner FC 33 – 52 Highbury Squirrel the decisive outcome.
Stan Noneya (Don’t Tread On Me) and Alexandra Phillips (Highbury Squirrel), please drop me a contact email to gooner(at)goonerholic.com and I will see what I can find as a small reward for your triumphs.
Congratulations to all the winners.
H2HFC will be back next season bigger, stronger, drunker.
The Happy Train You Ropey League 2011-2012
A dramatic climax saw the hitherto never top (I don’t think?) Speedo Massive smash it through the back door. What a performance, Wolfie. something quite delicious will be purloined from Waitrose on our first meeting next season. Do you like Irn Bru?
The HT Cup was also decided on the last day, with Boy Racers pipping the Misfits 40-25. Camberwell, you will have to out yourself at the pub next year to claim a small reward
I finished sixth and have therefore declared myself the European Champion and will gatecrash the awards piss-up in full Speedos and Jimmy Choos attire.
Thanks all for taking part, and congratulations to our deserving winners.
Wolfie through the back door?
Who’da thunk it?
Haha ‘Holic . Classic
You’re right, I was never on top as I prefer to come from behind with a powerful finish.
It’s taken me all season , but I see I’ve finally got you donning Speedoes and Jimmy Choos . My work is done !
As for the Irn Bru, will you leave the deposit , or shall I ?
H2H , I would recommend dousing yourself in Butterscotch Ice Cream for the sunburn.
Sunburn remedies are for sissys.
Wake up tomorrow with a BM, a sneaky half and get back in the sun.
Golden brown (not The Stranglers type) by the end of the week.
I’m not infering you’re a sissy of course Wolfie darling.
Maybe a “ginger beer” would be most apt for W.Smallballs Esq from reading his previous retorts?
H2H – The Butterscotch Ice Cream does fuck all for the pain , it just lends an evening a certain frisson. I like to do it on a monday as a rule .
Uplympian – Welcome to the Bar. Ginger Beer indeed you old flirt. Cinzano Bianco with one of those nice little umbrellas seeing as you’re asking .
http://www.mirror.co.uk/opinion/football-opinion/robin-van-persie-will-stay-at-arsenal-843770
M’Vila to Arsenal very close.
JD will be sold this summer.
But it’s Tuesday Wolfie?!?
I’m willing to try it with vanilla ice cream and strawberry sauce, but I’ll have to wait ’til Sundae.
Haha , I see that you are a man of routine H2H
Master Fin has done two of these camping events – lucky sod, I’m quite jealous.
For anyone who has any doubts about Manuel’s departure …
https://p.twimg.com/AtiAj6rCQAIojDQ.jpg
Thanks for the welcome H2H & WS. Maybe replacing the umbrella with your manly sized speedoes would be better Wolfgang. Meanwhile H2H is the right man in the right place to give you a “snowball” WS.
Heh Tabs @ 134.
Heh tabs that’s the poodle who stopped me getting the ton,doesn’t look to hot after taken that shot!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2148389/Phil-Dowd-fails-fitness-test.html
Result!
@121 – ‘Wolfie smashed it through the back door’
No change there then !
Wolfgang Smallballs @128 – heh!
Welcome Uplympian.
Snir have you got good inside info on mvilla deal,hope it’s true mate,also how reliable is that reporter stammers?never read anything from him b4
So, Jack Wilshere has had his knee-knack operated on, and it is not now expected to ‘significantly’ affect his comeback from his ankle-knack and heel-knack.
Last week it was not expected to affect his comeback at all.
Dare we still hope that come the first Saturday of 2012/13 Jack Wilshere will still be LANS ?
Has anyone got any news on LARS ? (Like A Real Signing?). I was expecting the immediate announcement of at least 6 LARS’s as soon as the final whistles had blown on the French league.
Come on Arsenal, I’m beginning to feel the onset of all the symptoms of Sniritis . . . . . Help!!
garsguns – I never have inside info and never claimed to have inside info, I just read everything I can and then filter anything that seems wrong to me.
The only inside info I may have is about Vertonghen, because a close friend of mine, is one of the most famous Ajax fan, and he is very well connected.
From what I know on Vertonghen, he’s just waiting like a little kid for an Arsenal offer, but we haven’t offered, and that’s why he’s probably going to Spurs.
Things might change though, now that JD is off along with Squillaci.
From what I gathered, the M’Vila deal will happen, even before the Euros.
garsguns -
Steve Stammers used to have a pretty good inside track on things Arsenal in his London Evening Standard days.
Then he moved to, I believe, The Sunday Mirror, which never requires the gathering of facts before publishing a ‘good story’, so not so sure about his more recent efforts.
Trev so near, yet so far – What do you reckon could be Jack’s recovery time?
From what you read about his injury…
By the way – Sniritis is an awesome state to be in
Snir and yet Sfar,
my French connection told me two days ago that everybody in France just “knows” that the M’Vila-to-Arsenal deal was done as soon as we secured our third place.
Sorry ‘Holic, I know you hate all this – so do I ! – but just can’t help myself any more.
I have to find the motivation from somewhere to cough up another £1,955 next week !
Thanks just asking snir no offence,I wasn’t been funny.
Snir –
from what I know of Arsenal and minor knee injuries, Jack Wilshere should definately be fit for Brazil 2014
Ahem, seriously Snir, I have no idea what the surgery involved, so no idea what recovery may be.
Garsguns – Wasn’t offended, I just don’t want people to think I claim to be an ITK or something and then blame me for wrong info, because I most certainly am not.
Trev – I already told a friend of mine, that the M’Vila deal has a certain Poldi/Gervinho/Chamakh feel to it. It’s just so bloody obvious lol.
Trev – You can buy your ST, trust me. It’d be Poldi, M’Vila, another major signing, and some more to fill up the squad (Dempseys, Hoillett et al), and the “deadwood” shifted.
Squillaci, JD, AA, NB, Almunia, Chamakh, Fabianski, Mannone, Vela, and Denilson will all leave.
M’vila deal nearly done???? Not according to Wednesdays Times. They say we are now after Etienne Capoue as a cheaper option????
Arsenal trying to do things on the cheap? You don’t say??????
All paper bollocks until it is official in my book. Too many cheap, lazy journalists about these days to believe any of them.
Yeah, I saw that Steve, but you could also say that we’re looking at Javi Martinez as a backup plan if the M’Vila deal doesn’t go well.
All depends what you choose to believe
It all depends what you choose to believe and who you believe we’ll choose.
Shit, now I’m confused as well
Some years back, when The Gooner was actually worth buying, they ran a report about all of the close season speculation. They compiled a list, including the source, of all the players that we were either watching, interetsted in, bidding for, sending scouts to watch etc. The total number of players linked was 176. Out of that 176 we signed 1. That is why I believe none of it until it’s official. It is lazy, crap journalism. It is like buying a raffle ticket. One will be a winner at some stage but it is completely pot luck.
The more desperate we get the more we “want” to believe that it is true. Especially when it is a big name or a star name. Human nature.
“Snir yet Sfar”……very good !
Steve – The fact that we scout players and don’t sign them is obvious. We scout hundreds of players all over the globe.
For instance, we scouted Hazard so many times it ridiculous, but we’re not gonna sign him.
You can be skeptical about the M’Vila deal, and I am skeptical about other deals that have been reported, but the M’Vila deal just has this feel to it, like the Poldi deal had to it.
Well for what its worth I kinda think your right about the M’Vila rumours Snir. There would appear to be a little more feel to that one than most others. But we’ve been very close to signing players before, only for deals to fall through near the end.
True, the Mata one comes to mind as the most recent one, but the only team interested in M’Vila apart from us were AC Milan and they already bought Montolivo.
Snir, I am just sceptical about almost everything I read in the papers. The M’Vila deal may well be done. The rumours have been doing the rounds for ages. My point was that it is easy for someone to post a storey on the papers or on line. There is never any accountability. Lazy journalists hide behind journalistic privilege and can’t disclose a “source.” Why? Because the vast majority is just made up bollocks.
As a result I gave up years ago paying much attention to anything until it is made official.
Steve – I agree, most journalists are lazy and just scribble some stuff with no sources or quotes.
That’s why I don’t tend to believe the papers anymore.
Most of what I do get is from twitter and despite it being a sea of bullshit, if you learn to filter it correctly, you can find some excellent information even before the media channels and papers themselves.
On the other hand, what I write here is what I’ve gathered and only wrote it because people asked me to update them on what I know, so of course, people shouldn’t take everything as gospel, but just have a read and decide for themselves whether they believe it or not.
I’m just the messenger – Don’t shoot the messenger Steve
Snir. I agree. I have a few good contacts and always find it funny when you read stuff that you just know is pure fabrication.
No doubt, if there’s a modern day Peter Storey running around, then that’s who we need to sign for our midfield ( Go and be creative lads, leave this lot to me ! ).
Steve T
I thought about suggesting we get this guy for our midfield but upon viewing the video decided against it. No wonder he made a bad governator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=223QMHTL3IU
Wolfie smashed through my back-door and he hasn’t called me back since. I feel so abused!
Do runners-up get something from ASDA?
If only Almunia had learned this trick:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/keeper-unique-trick-attack-going-120844101.html
Right, after having backdrunk (erhm) here’s my tuppence.
‘Holic, wonderful story yet again, but also written in a way that more than equals the story told. You have a way with words, maestro. It is humbling for a man like me who has worked as a journalist for a couple of years and considered myself quite good at it. And oh, I’m better with composing a good piece in swedish, before you ask why my ramblings here are often somewhat incoherent… and most often than not I’m also a bit drunk.
Now:
Snir, what is this about the man that is part jew – part kangaroo as ‘blogger use to put it? I’ve already read through the whole conversation about you BITK or NBITK so I don’t expect any hard truths, just not heard anything about it myself, care to elaborate just a little bit?
Oh, and coffee please. Whomever is standing closest to the coffeemaker.
I’ve got a bastard behind the eyes.
Trev 141
‘Last week it was not expected to affect his comeback at all.’
Er, no, pretty sure the formulation was exactly the same last week with the ‘not significantly’ bit.
Snir, nobody has forced you to be the messenger, so you could still shut up, there are some cases for shooting messengers
(tongue firmly in cheek)
Oh (2), and Denilsons stats are hilarious.
28 apps. 9 yellows. 2 reds. Bruiser.
Uplympian, welcome to the bar!
Trev@141: if those LARS’s help pay my by now massive bar tab then I am all for it!
I agree with Snir re: M’Vila, it has a very Podolski-ish ring to it. The rumours just wont’t go away and, more crucially, they are getting more and more detailed. Supposed contract length, transfer fee and wages have all been published and while that is no proof of anything I’d say it’s a very strong indicator of something actually going on. False rumours tend to pop up, be quite vague and then disappear but the M’Vila rumours just keep coming back so maybe there is some truth to them.
…but I also agree with everything SteveT says@158
Morning.
Congrats all winners. Especially CG and your boy racers for their cup win. Mid table teams are proud of you.
The GT Rollers will be back next year, stunning in their mediocrity.
Lars, have you received a vote of confidence yet??
I’m not keeping much of an eye on transfer speculation, just have the odd check of general football news on the francefootball website, but there hasn’t been any new thing on M’Vila there for about a month or so.
Nothing mentioned on C+ either at the end of the season last Sunday.
Of course it was all about Edwhore Hazard.
Bonjour Blogamis.
I think Steve T’s post (@153) should be left at the top of the page and refered to everytime the speculation of players we may or may not sign reaches silly levels.
Morning Snir.
In the Dutch media there’s been plenty about Vertongen being written the last few days, all pointing to that he wants to/is going to sign for the shit from down the road. Levy’s been pictured in A’dam with his agent but Ajaxs asking price is the sticking point. Ajax are also waiting for someone else to come in to start a bidding war but as yet there are no other interested parties.
ps. You’ve sussed out how to filter the bs on Twiter!?
Are you The One?
I think the fact that Manuel was happy to quietly accept his lot in the last two years speaks volumes as to a) he’s a nice guy. And b) that’s why he’s not a great keeper.
Can you imagine Woj being happy as second best? Keepers need arrogance. In a good way!
Apparently Manuel had personal problems 18 months ago. No idea what. Then again, don’t we all at some stage?
Mr C.
Didn’t it have something to do with a death in his family?
I personally would like to wish him all the best in his future endevours
Ah. Thanks H2H.
The circle of life. Dont think there’s too many who wouldn’t join you in wishing him well. As Holic said a few posts back, re the Tollie Brolly
Right, there’s a big yellow thing in the sky radiating warmth. I’m off to worship it by means of sacrifising some tasty beverages down my throat in a beachy by the sea-y area.
Laters.
@ 177
RA.
H2H – with Vertonghen I can tell you that I do know what’s going on much better than the Dutch or English media.
The guy is dying for us to offer but we simply haven’t offered anything so he’s bigging up Spirs to force Ajax into selling.
He’ll jump at an opportunity to sign for us, but as of now there is no such opportunity.
Canons @163,
So sorry you feel abused. Do feel free to pop round anytime for Gin and Fairy cakes . My back passage is always open.
And do bring your friend Shaft. He sounds nice.
Mr C@169, afraid I am not following you on the vote of confidence
Morning All
Some very pleasurable back-drinking thanks to Trev, Snir, Lars, H2H and the usuals.
I have no idea why there’s another rush on M’Vila m’enthusiasm but I’m m’all for him’m m’joining. He looks to be a bit of a beast. Just what we need but I fear for Little Theo.
JD to be sold when he recently extended his contract? Will he be used as a make-weight in another deal? Was the contract extension simply to increase his transfer value? I’m not convinced on that one…. yet.
Waitrose’s finest selection on the bar for those who fancy it.
‘Holic @ #121 – As The Strollers are relegation candidates along with The Q. O’Coe can we have a bottom of the table play-off for a sharpened wooden spatula? The winner then gets to beat and slice The Bellend of The Year as a consolation prize.
Lars – that’s what managers under pressure usually get from the owners, only to be sacked the next day lol!!!:)
Snir @ #179 – Is that why you’re advocating the sale of JD? Is your claim not to be an ITK like a politician’s claim not to be interested in being elected as leader of the party? Come on, rub those balls and spill the beans
TS – the extension was because he activated an appearance clause and was initiated by him, not the club.
Same happened with Eboue last season so the extension is irrelevant.
Lars
Where did you finish in the HT League?
Lars @ #181. See my #182?
TS – I told you that the only thing I do know is what’s going on with Vertonghen. Other than that I’m not interested in being the party leader
Ah! Beaten to it by The Good Doctor….
Snir, excellent! You can now be referred to as my good friend the honourable gentleman from Tel-Aviv South
Lars – I will give you a vote of confidence to remain in the Your Ropey League. I may have to throw myself at the mercy of The ‘Holic Court too. Such is life
Morning All,
As regards transfers, reckon old Snir’s list @149 is roughly right.
There does look more to the M’Vila rumours than the usual b/s. That said, if its not sorted out before the Euros , and he has a good competition, his price and wage will rocket and will probably blow us out the water, so I am taking nothing for granted.
My only reservations as to Snir’s approach would be ;-
1.Unlikely that we would sell Djourou unless we’re in for another centre back.On Snir’s own account we have made no approach for Vertonghen. This suggests to me that JD is staying.
2.If we did buy M’Vila, I think he would be our last major signing, unless RVP goes.
3.Similarly, I don’t think we’ll buy another forward unless RVP goes.
4.Pretty sure Dempsey would be regarded as a “major” signing and not as a stocking filler .
5.The loanees, Bendtner, Arshavin, Denilson and Vela will not return to the Club , but it remains to be seen whether we can offload them or whether they remain on loan.
6.I personally think Chamakh will stay.
Apart from that , I agree with Snir
As the above demonstrates, ultimately Steve T’s approach to the whole shebang is the right one .Its all nonsense until it appears on Pravda.
Anybody else think following transfer rumours is a bit like watching midget Porn ? Makes you feel dirty and full of self-loathing, but you still can’t resist a sneaky peek.
No ? Oh ! Just me then
Interesting point at #185 from THGFTAS.
And you claim not to be ITK?
TS – THGFTAS???
Tabs – the fact that it’s most probably utter crap doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it and/or get updated
Snir, see #190. The Honourable Gentleman From Tel-Aviv South.
Another double-bluff old bean?
Snir – Ha , very true. I,for one , certainly look forward to your transfer updates
Let’s talk about crap, gentlemen and lady.
Adding Wolfie that would of course be ladies.
8 ball, that’s exactly what i thought we were doing or is crap an FLA?
Constant Repetition of Absolute Pish?
Assist?
Another thing -
https://twitter.com/jamiedalton82/status/205247397943705600
Thank you 8Ball . Although I think you’ll find us Ladies are quite a crowd .
Catalan @186, Truly below the belt. Where Lars finished I mean. Since it may not have done too much for his spirits, let’s buy him a drink, on his own tab
Hah! Football’s back! Snir beats M’Vila to smashing home from a Vertonghen cross.
KJH scored a goal, or was that just an assist on Snir’s?
Well in Snir.
Huntelaar ? You think ? Chap is nearly 30 . Would be very un-Wenger like to go for him. Would certainly mark a drastic shift in buying policy.
TS @198, Crap seems to be what’s on the menu at the moment. I suppose we should just give thanks it’s not that alternative soy-based Krap they serve at WHL.
Heh! Good point 8ball. So long as it’s not the flesh of a pig, eh?
What was KJH???
Shocking shocking shocking news:
for a few minutes out there it was warm and sunny.
Blimey, here I go and do some work for an hour or so and there’s a ton of drinks to catch up on!
Mr C – ah, I have effectively suppressed all memories of ever having entered any fantasy Premier Leagues
I’ll have to have a very strong word with myself before next season and tell me that if I don’t shape up I will need to fire me. The gloves are off now, I can’t allow me to embarrass myself anymore!
m’True m’Storey: wouldn’t slicing up the Bellend of the Season be too good to be a consolation price? Shouldn’t that be awarded to the winners?
tabs@191: WTF is midget porn? Is it just midgets boinking away? If so what’s the difference to regular porn other than most things being on a smaller scale so to speak?
More shocking news here in England Ollie, it’s been like that for a DAY AND A HALF!
Good point M’Lars but it was worth a try
M’TS. KJH = Huntelaar or M’Huntelaar, or both.
I hope we sign somebody with a real M’ in front of their name, not a fake one…
Lars , without getting into this in too much detail, midget porn does wonders for my self-confidence !
Is RVP a Speedo Man ?
I think he is you know …
http://arsetumblr.arseblog.com/post/10636819393/rvp-and-almunia-having-their-picture-taken-just
Wolfie, They were wearing O2 shirts in that video. Ancient history????????
More where that came from, confirming the rumor about Harry Redknapp and Phil Collins, as if we needed confirmation.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2vgunPyn01qgqytao1_1280.jpg
Haha , sounds like a groovy kind of love to me . Twitcher meets Prickster ?
As for the O2 shirts, once a Speedo man …
Well done….
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7772819/Eden-Hazard
You can practically bet that if Chelsea hadn’t won the final, he’d have agreed terms with Spu*s too.
… to Pravda for starting their “TV is a captain in waiting” propoganda today…
Thank you for clearing that up M’8ball.
What about M’Messi. I’d bet we’d stretch to £12M for him
Doc, sure you’re not reading a bit too much into that article ?
heh Dr C.
And their ‘Campbell is the replacement for RvP one too’.
Bring back the ‘Eboue is a pass master’ article!
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/international-watch-ryo-makes-japan-debut
And congrats to Ryo
tabs@214: does wonders for the confidence? Hmm, maybe I should try some of that then…
Ollie: M’Hazard really does seem to be a glory-hunting m’otherfucker.
Best not take our eyes off the prize with all this M’Vila speculation going on. The very real and present danger is in losing Song and not succeeding in signing M’Vila. Surely the most direct way of doing things is to concentrate first on signing Song, who has been a great contributor to the club these last three or four years and who still has great upside potential.
Good point 8ball. Although some sources say that Song is very keen on staying.. but of course, who knows?
I really hope, as others have said recently (Blogs?), that we are concentrating on what is good for Arsenal above what is good for the various players.
In other words, sign who we need and then get rid of who we don´t. If that means some players end up at Atrsenal but outside of the 25 man squad, then so be it…
M’what are you all on about?
Quite funny doing web-based trainings.
So far I’d only had English stuff (well one was clearly a French lady who pronounced some words very strangely).
And now I stumble across an American one.
Beyond the irritating accent, what’s noticeable is that there’s about 10 slides of terms and legal notices and what’s what on your screen stuff.
Which always reminds me of ‘do not put your cat in the microwave’ warnings. Cultural differences, I guess.
A colleague just asked me if I had a USB stick he could borrow, which made me open a drawer in my desk to look for one – and while I could not find a USB stick I did instead find 60 quid just lying there! Four tenners and a twenty-pounder – that’ll help pay for a few rounds at the Tollie in the new season
M’Lars, would that not be a total of 80 quid or were you planning on keeping a 20 in reserve for emergencies, such as massive overdrinking on your tab by the usual suspects??
Redid the math, M’Lars. Sorry, you were right the first time. I guess I’ll do anything, conscious or subconscious, to try to stretch your tab.
4×10+20=80, bt8ball? Or shall we call you bt6ball?
Anyway, now the legend of the limitless wallet has some justification
@ 230
Proof, if ever you needed it, about the capacity of Lars’ wallet.
(Not big enough for all his money……)
Ah, Ollie got there before me.
Same as it ever was…..
Holic and Holics.
What do you think about the hazard situation?
Another world class talent, who has escaped from our grasp.
We haven’t even bid for him, fucking United have.
Hazard is a whore, and there’s no way we can afford his wage demands.
Nothing to fret about. He’d have done a Nasri on us anyway.
@ 236
What hazard?
Is it still snowing?
F*cking hell , a magic drawer that mysteriously prints money ! No wonder our Swedish delegate gives off such an air of devil-may-care pecuniosity .
Bottle of Krug please Barman . You know the drill !
Wolfie and his magic drawers…….
Sign M’Bevin. Do it now.
You know it makes sense.
8Ball, I need some lower denomination currency.
I don’t suppose there’s any chance you’ve got 5 tens for 2 twenties is there ?
@236 Hazard ? Qui est-il ?
M’Bop.
Sign him.
tabs, I tried to open the drawer again to see if it had produced another 60 quid but unfortunatley it didn’t work. Damn it.
Lars Heh
heh at 242 and 245
TS – cheers, and Afternoon fellas.
Tabs -
if you just splash out (as it were) and buy a television with a 40″ screen you can turn your Midget Porn (ugh!) into the real, normal sized thing,
Afternoon tea and cakes are on the bar for any partakers.
Ollie, any news from francefootball on Lebevin ?
Rasping cover drive,
four…..
retires to the bar to get pissed.
Cakes?
Afternoon Trev and haha
On my way to Dixons immediately
Hash cakes Dr Z . All’s good .
Dr Z 250 :
http://cdn.8ball.co.uk/tshirts/brasseyetshirt-cake_2_110439_black_m.jpg
I’ll partake of a few Ollie cakes but I’m definitely not interested in his buns.
Is that zico standing at silly m’id on?
Very kind of you, M’Oxon.
I´m in warm weather training at the moment to keep myself ready for The Arsenal.
Just waiting for the call….
Heh @ 252 and 253
Medicine cabinet survived the onslaught following the Norwich game, then.
My work is done here.
Good evening ‘holics,
I am slumped in front of Pointless where contestants were asked to name Premier League managers at the start of the 2011/12 season.
For those unfamiliar with the show, the gimmick is that they go and ask the question of 100 members of the general public. Contestants score 1 for each person who gave the same answer that they did. The aim is to score as few as possible.
The scores I caught were:
Ferguson 53
Wenger 30
Redknap 22
Dalgleish 17
Bruce 11
McLeish 10
Pardew 6
Coyle 4
Yol 4
Rogers 3
Lambert 3
Warnock 3
Villas Boas 3
I expected AVB to score more, no great surprises elsewhere. Twitchy and KKK scored fewer than I’d expect too.
Evening all…..glad to see bell end II aka the great philosopher has got a 12 match ban. Should have been just that for his antics in getting the forehead an early bath on his debut at Toon stadium. Scumbag.
You’ve can guess his not on my Xmas card list.
Uplympian, he should have been banned for 12 years rather than games if you ask me.
Lars….or even 12 months locked in a room with our own mr Smallballs.
Busy day at work!
I’ll have a pint just so that some of Lars’ magic money can be spent
Cheers
We bought anyone yet?
No?
Place is a shambles.
WagNob out !!!!!!
Uplympian, I think that would be a bit cruel.
On Wolfie, I mean. There is a limit to how many random philosophers’ quotes a ma… woma… person can hear without going mad, you know!
Well said Lars .
I do not like Mr Barton. In fact I would go as far as to say I have a psychotic distaste for the man.
I think his ban is 488 games shy of what he deserved.
His tweets alone are surely worth a 100 game ban.
Besides , I do not like his haircut .
Wolfie
Do you like green eggs and ham?
Doc , like the Ham but not the green eggs, which I prefer in the more traditional yellow and white strip .
Why do you ask , or am I missing something ?
Just the “I do not like” statements…. clearly I am reading far too much Dr Seuss to my 5 yr old!
Ignore me. Carry on.
PS, Nurse Bubbles is advocating drinking whilst at work on Twatter. Why haven´t we got her into The Happy Train yet??
Re: Tabs @242. I do, of course, deal only in Monopoly money. Which, if you think about it is not all that different from Lars’ kind. *Looks up how you say monopoly money in Swedish”
And the answer is ….
monopol pengar
(according to Google Translate.)
Aw F*ck. Barton only gets a 12 month ban?? Must be a misprint, surely?
Evening Cholmondley-Warners. A delight, as ever.
‘Holic, a very riveting story, I clutched my phone in many different ways just to cope as I read
Excellent morning reading, well played Sir 
Uplympian @ 113, very nice drink, and welcome
@ 258, good to hear!
Too many good drinks to mention, well in to the Goalscorers, I’ve only popped in for a break from my endless revision… Oh Sod it. *leaves the bar in pursuit of Chicken Wings & Home*
Thanks Wind, and all of you for your kind words.
Welcome Uplympian. Good to have you along.
8ball, not too bad – though it should be written as one word, i.e. “monopolpengar”. Google translate hasn’t quite got the hang of Swedish grammar
Swedish is incredibly simple…
Woj shows off in training
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/video-arsenal-keeper-wojciech-szczesny-scores-brilliant-rabona-goal-poland-training/
This is a bit more baffling:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/23/premier-league-losses-2010-11-profits
So, Man City posted a £197 million pound loss. Well, move along, nothing to see here then, right Mr Scudamore? No need to try to do anything for the long-term survival of the league?
It’s about time more people understood what a massive, massive achievement it is to stay as competitive as Arsenal have for the past few years and to have done it with our own money.
Well at least you didn’t label me a racist, Lars
Heh@Holic@275
Guys, it’s Glennw’s birthday today!!!
Have a wonderful day… Love ya mate, you truly are an Arsenal legend.
Happy birthday, and once again, thanks for everything!
Holic, unless LWC’s count as a race I have never seen any racist tendencies from you
Oh, and happy birthday Glennw!
Phew,
Mops brow, nervously…
Happy Birthday Glennw
Hope you’re
out of your brain on the train
…now that is a choon zico.
Happy birthday Glenn.
Hehs
above from TS, Ollie, Wolfgang S-B, M’Lars, zico.
Oxon @257 – the most Pointless post of the day. A new award ?
Happy Birthday GlennW.
Lars @276 –
add the £121 million from the previous year = £318 million loss in two years. I thought the Premier League was supposed to be a competition,
Thanks Trev, one I will treasure.
Nothing going on in the bar then – N.E.1.4.10.S ?
heh Trev
Hello all,
I know we talk about music quite a bit in addition to the Arsenal so I hope ‘holic will give me license to steer you toward this:
If you ever visited London, lived there or went to lots of concerts hopefully you set foot in The Hammersmith Palais during it’s 95 year existence. It was not gorgeous but full of memories and great concerts over the years. In some news that reminds me of Highbury being vacated I learned that the Palais is now being torn down (it’s been vacant a few years but the future was uncertain). Luckily a good friend of mine lives nearby and took some photos of the old shed (not that shed!) which I featured today on my blog.
A sad day…
http://www.theclashblog.com/exclusive-photos-of-the-hammersmith-palais-being-demolished/
Sorry for the interruption…I’m going to quietly wish Almunia well…he did his best and had some great moments as well as the chaotic ones we focus on.
COYR
@288 – O. N.Q.
According to RMC (Ollie, how reliable are they?) we have offered 8 million Euros + Chamakh to Montpellier for Giroud.
That reminds me Tim, that someone mentioned way back in the drinks that they thought Almunia had suffered some personal problems around the time of his big loss of form.
His absence from the team at the time was reported as a chest infection. That may have been the case, but I believe his father in law, with whom he was said to be very close, was killed in a car accident.
As with all personal matters, I apologise if that is in any way innacurate, but it was told to me, at the time, by someone who worked for Arsenal and was, himself, close to Manuel Almunia and his family.
Snir –
8 million Euros is tonight, I believe, worth about 78 pence. Ignore
That rang a bell Trev – so I checked. Was his mother-in-law
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-keeper-Manuel-Almunia-reveals-heartache-behind-hardest-season-of-his-career-article348771.html
rolls a good looking ball out to the left wing and strolls into the box where he finds the Guvnor lurking behind the centre-half……….
Beg your pardon – I stand corrected. Cheers.
Cheers…now I need to find that photo of him and his dog….
http://www.rmcsport.fr/editorial/259130/vers-un-echange-giroud-chamakh/
His release clause is apparently 16 million Euros, so our offer is about 14 million Euros. That’s a start.
According to The Times, we’re the fourth team in for Hazard, and have met Lille’s valuation of 32 million Pounds which were supposed to be used on Goetze. His agents are claiming his wage demands aren’t as steep as was reported and AFC will probably be able to offer something acceptable.
Bang!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1155546/Dont-laugh-lads-Arsenals-Manuel-Almunia-scores-goal-taking-WAGs-tiny-pooch-girlie-pink-kit.html
Almunia, his wife and a dog (just about)
A Raddy like diving header ………
blimey…accidental 300th…..John Jensen !!
hits Tim on the way in. Like a goal off Gallas’ arse. Nonchalant Tim
@300 – effin’ ‘ell, looks like they both fell in the laundry bin.
Hazard????????????????????????
I thought that last night we definitely were not signing him and that he was a prostitute????????????
I am so confused.
Occupational hazard, Steve T.
Well in Tim.
Steve – you are making this way too difficult
One of life’s hazards I guess?????
Tim,
This… http://www.theclashblog.com/exclusive-photos-of-the-hammersmith-palais-being-demolished/
Has to be accompanied by this..
Happy birthday, Glennw (the w is silent)
And Trev, I am honored not to win your most pointless drink of the day award. (blushing icon here)
You’re welcome 8ball, or not … ?
Tim Tim Tim that was quite a good goal and the pink doggie jacket was beyond the absolute minimum. Well done old chap.
i saved this link at the start of the season so that I can read it again with pleasure.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3749750/Terry-Venables-Arsenalbr-wont-finish-in-top-five.html
monsieur coat, You have got to love it when the so-called experts get it wrong and Venables got it wrong in that article so many times it is difficult to count. But maybe the most egregious case is this one:
“The Kop have spent well under Kenny Dalglish and they will be a force once more this time.”
Thanks for saving and sharing this unique curio of malformed wisdom.
@180: Gin and Fairy Cakes sounds lovely. But alas and alack, they won’t ease the pain of leading from the front only to be pushed aside on the last day by dodgy reprogramming of point-allocating algorithms :S
I’ll send the word out to Shaft though. He might be interested in waxing poetic over some Guinness
Anyhoo, Holics, share your best/worst memories of the dearly departed Almunia.
Mine is the infamous “What you don’t want to see, is the keeper coming into the picture here” uttered by Alan Hansen, and then seeing Almunia not only running into frame in slow motion but knocking over Squillaci near the centre-circle in the process, leaving a wide open goal from which we conceded a goal. Think it was the West Brom game…
Almunia at home vs Barcelona in 2010 was nothing short of brilliant….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh0i8AdQd2I
and the away leg in 2011 wasn’t shabby either
Great shout Tim. He saved about a million shots in that first game against Barca…
I liked the fact that whenever I went to the Imperial War Museum, he was always there…
Tim, unfortunately though, those world-class saves were rather much undone by two not-so-world-class moves that gave Barca their two goals in the second half. But he was always a brilliant close-range shot-stopper and would probably have had really good stats if he had played for a team like Bolton or Blackburn where he would have faced a lot more of those situations than he did playing for us.
Best Almunia memory would probably be the penalty save v Sp*rs at the Emirates. Worst? WBA at home and away in 2010/11 immediately spring to mind.
THE good news for Arsenal fans is that I reckon there will still be one north London club in the top four come the end of the season.
Terry Vegetables, what a cunt. Mightily relieved that we can read this type of shit now and heartily laugh though
Cheers Mr Coat.
Good goal, Tim, even if I reckon I have seen that picture about a hundred times over the last two days
Wonderful link from Mr Coat. I was impressed with the way Venables tipped Newcastle for a run to the top 6. Not many pundits gave them much of a chance at the beginning of the season.
Oh, what’s that?
He didn’t predict Newcastle to finish above Chelsea and Liverpool?
Oh. He can’t be as great a pundit as I thought. I’d better head of to work.
Have a good day all in the UK and Europe. Sleep well others.
It’s clear to see that Terry Venables doesn’t have a footballing brain.
What a diseased cunt he is….
Can’t believe some gooners repeat the shite he says about our players ad nauseum…
Did anyone read this?
http://wearethenorthbank.com/on-the-arsenal-beat-season-press-review/
I felt Charlie Wyett was a bit harsh on Santos and Mertesacker…
Agreed Cannons
How can he say Santos has not worked out – unless he means not worked out because he was injured.
That said, he doesn’t look, to me anyway, much like a defender
Don’t think Santos has ever worked out in his life Dr Z. Too busy eating chips and tabbing to worry about the Gym .
Santos should be our next defensive coach!
..or fitness supervisor
Heh – quite sharp for you this early in the day Wolfgang.
And Catalan has been Piping at the Gates of Dawn, I see…..
aah, the gates of Dawn (not French)
zico, Dawn French would be more of a Shaft kind of woman, wouldn’t she?
Holic, – Welcome to the world of The Stone Roses.Best Band of their ilk and time . FACT. In my opinion of course.
So transfer news today … we’re swapping Chamakh and some wonga for Giroud , M’vila is back on, we’re getting that Japanese chap from Dortmund to keep Ryo company , Kalou’s coming on a free , AND Arsene has shown Hazard the size of his packet and Eden has gone all eyelash fluttery and stocking-top showy.
Saw the latest round of “Hazard for Arsenal” speculation described on Twitter last night as “one last dry wank”, which is as good a description as I’ve read.
That said, and without wishing to add to the feverish speculation, I must admit I’ve held back on my “Hazard is a whore” rants. Just a feeling in my pants that AW might actually go for it . A bit similar to the feeling I had for Kaka last Summer.
I won’t let the fact that I was 100% wrong on that occasion deter me . No Sir ! In my book , “wrong” is also “nearly right”.
I want Hazard to sign for Arsenal for two reasons.
Firstly, although he is a courtesan of the highest order, he is clearly a good player.
Secondly, it would be great fun watching Ollie perform the greatest U-turn on a player since my old man read that SuperMac was joining Arsenal !
I say all this without prejudice to my right to call Eden a f*cktard whore as soon as he signs on the dotted line for Utd/City/Chelsea.
I am the revolution and I am the light.
AND DON’T LET ANY OF YOU LOT FORGET IT.
Best and worst of Almunia ?
Reckon Lars got it about right @320 .
Would however give a mention to his role in winning a penalty shootout away at Sheff Utd in the FA Cup, whilst he was still Jens’ understudy.
Haha
, what prompted that outburst Dr F ?
tabs: a hearty HEH.
Logic would suggest Hazard signs for Man U, or possibly for us.
Money might dictate City or Chelsea (though I guess logic has a case there, as a replacement for Malouda?).
But I remember the fantasy days when Spu*s looked as a prospect for him. Which reminds me he really is whoring himself to all and sundry
Kagawa seems more likely, I’d say.
A belated Happy B’day Glenn .
Ollie,
You’re probably right.
Just a nagging feeling that AW likes him and EH likes AW, and AW might push the boat out for him.
Also interesting that in the whoring of the last six months, the one Club not mentioned has been Arsenal. He’s given the big come on to both Manc clubs, the deluded LWCs, and Chelsea.
How good would it be if, after leading all and sundry a merry dance, he finally picked the quiet guy waiting patiently in the queue, for a bit of Slap and Tickle ?
I know I’m talking bollocks, but as Snir said the other night, it is rather good fun
Great shout Snir @ #279 for the top man that is Glennw.
Every passenger/customer in the HT Mark II owes him a debt of gratitude for staying clear-headed (on occassion) when we needed to get the old girl safely back to the sidings at Drayton Park
Happy birthday mate, Edwin awaits the opportunity to present you with a token gesture from all at DLL, heh!
For zico, Ollie and other appreciators of our fabulous Brazillian wing-back:
http://1nildown2oneup.net/santos-samba-feet-is-gooner-be-the-answer/#more-343
The answer is Santos!!! (maybe)
PS:
Great post Tim @ #289 and well echoed by The Maestro @ #311.
Lars @ #276 – Loved that clip of Sir Szcz mucking around.
Outburst?
Just keeping my flock in order.
Now, what’s all this chat about whoring……?
Cheers, TS. I think Mr Harper will be interested
Tabs @331 – does that mean you Kaka’d your pants last summer ?
On the Hazard thing, my French connection told me on Saturday that there was a feeling he might finish up “joining Professor Wenger at Arsenal” based on the delay on making a decision on so many other clubs, and that Arsenal hadn’t been mentioned throughout.
Reverse logic for sure, but it smacks of the Arsenal style.
Not saying, of course, that my French connection is as reliable as our very own Ollie
French Connection eh?
We buy by the gross.
Feck, we ARE gross.
Name your price, Doctor. And then speak to my man, Storey.
Afternoon all.
So! Who’s this french putain going to sign for?
I wouldn’t like to hazzard a guess.
Dr. F @332. Could this be a case of CMWF*?
Maybe time for those little yellow pills?
*Clinical (or Critical in more severe cases) Management Withdrawal Fatigue
Trev , how did you know ?
Afternoon H2H . Mankini on ?
Heh tabs.
Sitting timidly in the beer garden today after my exertions at (bars on) the beach yesterday.
I started early with some of that Fruity beer I linked to the other day, switched to lager and had a round of golf (a bit like your porn, the midget variety
) and then went for dinner where I discovered the delights of a brown beer called Kastel Donker;
http://pilsje.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/kasteel-bruin.jpg
11% of browny goodness that gave me a good arse kicking.
A little bit more of a breeze today, but still warm enough to work on the sun tan/burn.
All this Wireless stuff looks infinitely more complicated than Optics.
There’s a bit of acronym overkill too, I think my head is gonna explode. :’(
Finally figured out what’s in the bulk around Santos’ midriff: Denilson’s ukelele (of course, should’ve figured this out long ago). Note in above pictures that the ukelele was not present in 2009/10 season, and I have to say Santos was able to get around a mite faster.
Ollie, I dare say that if Santos can drop those 12-15 pounds he could be the information technology superhero you’re looking for. Santos going wireless, kind of like King Kong breaking all the tethering cables. Or maybe not.
Good to hear H2H, and cheers for the Beer recommendation
“Midget golf ” Heh.
Ollie – nothing so simple as the beautiful clear lines of a row of optics.
Start on the left, and work your way across the line to the right. If you forget where you are, no prob, just start again.
Repeat, until you fall over.
And should anyone see you falling over, just tell them its an optical illusion…..
Apparently Hazard has dashed any chance of joining Arsenal, according to Twatter.
Looks like we can all safely go back to calling him a 2-bob Pleat pumper .
Ollie, looks like you can breathe again
heh, cheers tabs!
Dr Z @353 ha
Re: Cannons @324, That is an excellent roundtable discussion and I think Amy Lawrence even admits to being an Arsenal supporter somewhere in there. There are worse faults, I suppose.
Ice cold fruity beer for me please barman – one too for my mates H2H and TABs
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7776325/Hazard-Reveals-Trio
Indeed.
Although I think there’s a typo:
‘The final choice also depends on how much play that I would get’
should read ‘The final choice also depends on how much pay that I would get’.
Around Santos’ belly is another Santos.
They don’t call him Andre Dos Santos for nothing
@357: It was a pretty interesting read. Not too much nonsense or waffle. I enjoyed that 3-way interview. Now, if only they could include some midget porn in there somewhere. It’s my favourite category…after European hairy granny porn….
Shaft @360
*shudder* !!!
TS, thanks for the link to the Santos article, a good read.
Fruity beer? I´m game.
Cheers for the fruity Beer GT , just the ticket .
One “fruity beauty” for Catalan too – my tab!
You’re welcome TABs..Reading about Paul Gauguin now…Don’t think I will last for the whole summer at this rate..
Aspiring artist looking for inspiration GT ?
Gauguin an “interesting” character, to put it generously. Good luck with that one .
Anyone fancy a Beery Fruit ?
No ? What a rotten lot you are .
And I put my best Speedoes on as well .
heh, was wondering when “fruity beer” would lead to Wolfie appearing!
I’m nothing if not predictable Doc !
I knew any mention of fruit would draw Wolfie out…
TABs: This is my third attempt at reading this book – I think that the most “interesting” thing that I can say about Gauguin was he was the Jen Leahman of artists..
Is it too late to comment on the latest post? Ah, well here it goes any way. For all you weekend warriors out there (you know who you are), always remember to stretch a bit. Don’t use excuses like “but because of the situation we had not the opportunity to practise” (chuckling). But a very enjoyable read all the same…”spirits were high and no REAL harm was done”. Hmm. Musn’t let my imagination get carried away. Evening holics.
GT, so you haven’t got up to the bit about his time on Tahiti then ?
Why Jens ?
Ginger Beer may be more likely to result in an appearance from Wolfie…..
Tabs,zico, H2H -
the English language is indeed a wonderful thing – seems it is almost infinitely punnable. Good work fellas
Nurse for Abb please – urgently!
Nurse ABB in da bar y’all – Hello Nurse, how are you today? Night off?
I heard that Trev !
Sorry mates, just checking out the great link you all posted! My wireless connection was not working for the LONGEST time (sighs).
TABs: I am just at the chapters where he has decided to become a full-time painter. Would be a lot further except every time I take it up again I decide to start all over again (bit like Groundhog Day reading)…
Jen: He kind of reminds me of how our Jens dealt with criticism
Well, that should read ‘links’, don’t you know…
GT, Ah got ya. I reckon if we’re playing Gauguin as Gooner, I think I’d plump for Sol .
He did like a self-portrait after all .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>