If Things Don’t Change They’ll Stay The Same As They Are
Jul 19th, 2012 by 'holic
A distraction post. I need one. I suspect a number of you need one too. All this talk of Robin van Stapleton (nice one big man) is grating. I know, I’ll look up the first game Arsenal played when I was born. See if I can remember anything the ‘holicdad told me about the team.
And so it came to pass that just 24 hours after I made my debut at the Whittington in January 1957 the Arsenal played out what I would imagine was a relatively uneventful 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at Highbury in front of 48,949 paying spectators.
Making a rare appearance in goal that day was Con Sullivan. I have to admit looking him up as the only custodian of the day that the old fella ever talked about was Jack Kelsey, the best he ever saw. Jack was obviously injured that day so the former Bristol City ‘keeper came in.
The full-backs were Stan Charlton, signed from Leyton Orient along with Perry Groves’ uncle Vic, and Dennis Evans. Often I heard the tale of the most bizarre own-goal seen at Highbury when Evans upon hearing a loud blast of the whistle smashed the ball past his own ‘keeper (would you believe Con Sullivan?) to celebrate a 4-0 win over Blackpool, quite an achievement in 1955. Unfortunately the whistle had been blown by a spectator and not the referee who was compelled to award the goal.
Centre-half was Bill Dodgin, a player I remember seeing in a Fulham shirt towards the end of his career, who went on to manage Queens Park Rangers, Fulham, Northampton Town, and Brentford. The wing-halves alongside were converted centre-forward Cliff Holton, who spent the first eleven years of a career that lasted twenty-one at Arsenal scoring 83 goals in the process, and Dave Bowen. The latter and Jack Kelsey became the first Arsenal players to appear in the World Cup Finals in 1958, when Bowen skippered the Welsh team to a famous quarter-final against eventual winners Brazil.
On the wings we fielded Danny Clapton and Joe Haverty. Clapton’s biggest claim to fame was playing twice in a day, firstly making his sole appearance for England against Wales in November 1958. Later that day Clapton and Jack Kelsey, the Welsh goalkeeper so highly rated by ‘holicdad, played in Arsenal’s friendly against Juventus at Highbury. Joe Haverty was a Dublin lad, signed from St Patricks Athletic in 1954. Short of height and slender of build, the old man loved to tell tales of his trickery, sometimes overdoing it and losing the ball before tearing after the tackler to get it back.
The inside forwards were of the highest quality. Derek Tapscott spent five years at Arsenal and this was to be the second consecutive season he would end up as the team’s leading scorer, with 27 goals. Jimmy Bloomfield was another I remember watching in a West Ham shirt later in his career. Jimmy was one of the best passers of a ball Arsenal have had according to ‘holicdad, and only lost his place when England international George Eastham was signed in a high-profile move from Newcastle.
Which just leaves the centre-forward of course. Strangely rarely mentioned by pater. Surprising that, you might think, given the Scottish international would spend the next four seasons as the Arsenal’s top goalscorer. By the time David Herd left the club in 1961 he had scored an astonishing 107 goals in just 180 starts. You would think he would be revered even now, wouldn’t you? I saw him play in the sixties, and he was pretty good even towards the end of his career.
So why don’t you hear much about him as the Arsenal greats are discussed in the bars around the ground on matchdays? Well, how can I put this? He agitated for a move to Manchester United (for trophies of course, not money!) in July 1961.
Distraction post? What distraction post? You read this here first. Robin van Stapleherdsie.
240 Responses to “If Things Don’t Change They’ll Stay The Same As They Are”
I read that in black and white but imagined it in colour.
Pint please, before the riff raff get here. 8)
Now to read !
Bugger .
Well in Dr Z !
Tabs,
Ideally I would like to stay here, but Iβm not happy about the direction this blog is going in.
I will talk to the Guvnor again next week and see if he can reassure me that this blog can provide me with the sort of posters I need to achieve my personal goals.
I have not been happy with some of the lower quality overseas contributors that have been posting recently β like this evening !!!
(from previous drinks)
now to read, too !
That drink number 2 is like many century+1. Classic tabs.
Trev’s on the transfer list and on Roxette’s hit list at the same time?
Impressive. π
TaBS, outstanding drinking on the previous post. You should send the obviously painstakingly researched stuff in by email so I can post it in the spotlight it deserves π
Midtable?
Nice one Holic .
Stapleherdsie , heh π
As for the own goal vs Blackpool by Evans, I was told that story by my grandfather who was at the game. Apparently the crowd found it all hysterically funny. Doubt they would have been quite so forgiving had we not been four to the good !
Cheers Holic .
Not too nerdy ?!? π
Will send it to you by email, for you to do with it as you see fit ! π
Trev @4 π
I’d still vote Lee Dixon’s own goal as the “best” ever !
Thank you Ollie .
I do my best ! π
Heh TaBS. According to the old chap not all of the crowd found it so hilarious. Tales of dark justice being administered shall never pass my lips π
Just above the relegation places
Blimey! ONLY just. Good post ‘holic, indeed, quoting from the previous drinks, more historical nonsense.
Heh Holic π
Top 20? Yea .. π
Relegation fodder. Always good to read your reminisces of the past ‘holic. We share the same birthplace but I can give you a few years….it was know as St Mary’s then.
Cliff Holton is someone you never forget. As you say he was a centre forward initially and he had the hardest shot that I’ve ever seen….the only problem he was totally in-accurate. When he was playing there was always a gap behind both sides of the goal, if the ball hit you, it could lay you out – only the foolish stood in the firing line.
David Herd was my first awakening to player dis-loyalty. He was a prolific goal scorer and was the first of many to be enticed by the “glamour” of Old Trafford. Fortunately not all the players went with the supporters sobbing in the background, some we were pleased to pass on such as “big” Ian Ure(rinal).
Ian Ure, Dundee’s finest. Careful you don’t upset BtM, U π
Agree withh the article 100% times ten.Wenger insists the gunners can compete on a budget with smart buys. I hope he doesn’t go for any discards and over the hill guys.No more wc potential kis. Arsenal have been burnt too many times.
Now we all have to wait for the moment of truth.
That would be ian Manure, no?
i LOVE reading stuff like that, ‘holic. you are a veritable font of information.
van stapleherdsie, heh.
of course, when ‘holic leaves omar at home, he’s sans sharif…or when he forgets to wait for his deputy, the deputy is sans sherriff…
sorry, i don’t even have a coat to get.
Holic I remember David Herd grabbing a thunderous winning volley in my first game at Highbury in 1961-against Blackpool.Herd was a fine and prolific striker before he decamped to Man U (plus ca change!) It was the last time Sir Stanley Matthews played in London for Blackpool(I subsequently saw him kicked to pieces by Ron Harris when playing for Stoke)A lot of the guys you mention were in that side and one of the wing halves was Mel Charles,the brother of John and the glamour signing of the previous season,
nostalgia may not be what it usede to me but you made an excellent job of bringing back some lovely memories!
thanks.
Nice read Holic. It has inspired me to look up the match associated with my birth-date (6 November 1955) – a Sunday evening in Archway – Yes I am a Whittington boy too Uplympian – where did you grow up btw?
closest i could find to my birthday was august 22, 1964 (exactly four weeks old)…liverpool at anfield, the first motd broadcast. liverpool 3-2 arsenal, with a great quote from don howe (per the mirror story on the game): The England full-back was given a torrid afternoon by Liverpool winger, Peter Thompson. In the end, he had to resort to simply kicking him. Howe admitted: “I didn’t like it, but it was necessary. You can’t let him take the mickey, he’ll murder you.”
now, where’s that spirit these days? π
Oxon 23 π
‘holic 21 nothing that couldn’t be settled with a wee dram π
Nice history post as usual, ‘Holic.
One that makes me feel young instead of those I can remember being part of.
Some of these ‘holics are too old to be let loose on a computer, Trev π
scruz &28 –
that’s why I have to stand up to GoonerTerry π
Zzzzzzzzzz…….snort. Did someone just rattle my cage? Zzzzzzzzzz…..
GT 27 I was dragged up in N19 between Hornsey Road & Crouch Hill…a “few years” before you.:-)
Just checked, U. My birth certificate quotes ‘Whittington Hospital, St Mary’s wing’.
Thought I would investigate the progression from St Mary’s to Whittington.
http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/stmaryshighgate.html It was pre-1948.
BtM! Great to see you.
Not long now…
33 BtM. Just an honest opinion guv – along with 20000 gooners of that era. π
Played ‘holic – back to the future ‘n’ that
On the OG (not new striker) front, that wizard of the right-wing cross – jinky Jenkinson – got a wee corker v koln (i think) last close-season in a friendly right at the end of the first-half, having played pretty well. Reckon he was just keep Woj on his toes though
Are we there yet?
35 ‘holic yr info is spot on as always. π
Then you are more than welcome here, sir. I bow to a peer π
Cheers’holic….must be nice not to be the old fart of the “show” π
Don’t worry boys, I’ve got the signing of our new midfield genius all under control π
http://www.totalfootballmadness.com/2012/07/20/arsenal-keeping-tabs-on-santos-midfielder-paulo-henrique-ganso/
Must drop Clive a line. We need to hear from the ‘Gooner since 54’…
We certainly do Holic.
trev @32, yeah, but he seems to go down sooo easily…not much mickey to take π
speaking of down easily, down wolfie.
amen to 43, 44. tell him to pay the bar a visit!
Delightful read, ‘Holic. Still maximum wage days then. Seems a lifetime ago.
Haha, very funny last line Holic π
Classy piece gh.
Love the symmetry.
good news that ade is going to sit the bench at city to make them pay up his salary instead of getting it halved with a move to the lwc’s.
Ah, a history post. Nice one ‘holic!
RVP out, Llorente in? That would be great
i was born in that hospital and had my tonsils out there as for Uplympian, I was brought up in Hazzeville Road thats N19 I hope to get a few tickets this season and get down and meet up with you all at the tollie, like I did the day Ollie had a doppleganger after the Fulham game OH DEAR I’M GETTING ALL EXCITED AGAIN COME YOU GUNNERS !!
Great post again mate. I’ll always have more time for John Hawley and Paul Marriner than I’ll ever have for Frank Stapleton, although he along with Chippy was one of my first AFC ‘idols’.
RVP – you have been warned.
Turns out when I screaming in Port-of-Spain’s General Hospital on September 30th 1978, gooners were screaming at Ayresome Park as we beat Middlesbrough 3-2…
I’d like to think I played my part in that victory π
I’m heading to Switzerland tomorrow so may not be in the bar for a while. Will try to check on Shaft while I’m there though 8)
Any suggestions on things to do in Zurich besides butcher the German language?
Another one from St Mary’s Wing, Whittington Hospital. Female Gooners Section!
Nice one Holic, I do remember Herd being prolific, but only in general – terms – its all so long ago – I was nearly 15 when you were born – were the Gooners playing in 1942?
COR @54 – you can try frying some gnomes while you are there
Is it starting again, there seems to be a buzz in the drinks – must work out how to watch through a Meekow glass (just did a visit to this cognac house which serves an excellent lunch as part of the tour)
Thanks for the tip cognac! Will look out for some gnomes to fry π
I forget to mention, great post as usual Holic. Always a pleasure reading your memories.
Fine post, Holic. I had forgotten about David Herd…..plus ca change etc.
A breakfast dram?
Hey Danny m, good to see you hear.
I came face to face with my doppelgΓ€nger on the tube on my way to the last home game of the season.
The Universe nearly ended there.
There are 2 Ollies?
Does that mean there is another Holic being led astray somewhere?
Sounds like an excuse one might use with Management π
Good to see you hear Heh.
Did some googling and this is what I found:
Exactly one month (almost to the hour!) after I made my debut in this world we beat ManUre 3-0 at Highbury on the opening day of the 1973/4 season and was top of the league for the only time that season – in fact, for all but the first three games we were never above 10th place that season.
heh indeed, zico.
Or : oops.
If there is a parallell Holic universe, that must mean that there are also two Wolfies… I’m not sure the world is ready for that!
Oh, and at least four Andy Gorams π
60 Ollie……….then you realised it was a mirror you were looking at π
Up the Arsenal.
I just felt that needed to be said. Back to work…
Lars 66 π
guys (and gals)… where are you finding these past results?
Statto.com has failed me for the first game of the 68-69 season π
Mind you, it did tell me that we are currently top of the league and still in all 4 competitions. Result!
My first visit to Highbury was in 1957. David Herd was my first Arsenal hero. I had his picture up over my bed. He went. I stayed. The picture was changed for someone else. Players come and go and are remembered with varying degrees of affection, but your love for your club never dies. Great post.
Nice one Baz.
Baz, a short post but it said so much. Cheers for that, have a drink on my tab!
Catalan, statto.com has not failed you – you failed statto.com π
Go to
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1968-1969/results
and you’ll find that we beat the LWC’s away on your first game!
I had been born for 9 days before the first game of the season.
We lost away at Burnley (3-2).
Family folklore has it that old Mother Feelgood had placed me on the transfer list by the time that game had kicked off……
something about the eyes….
Lars!
Good news!! I still canΒ΄t see it, so must be a problem with my browser.
LWCΒ΄s as a season opener! Imagine…
Eastlands it is then?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18922208
zico, on the other hand that was written by David Ornstein, whom I wouldn’t trust even if he said that water is wet.
Zico@77 –
The BBC article reads to me as saying that Manyoo, Manciti and Juve have all tabled bids for 60% of Arsenal’s asking price. Why assume he’s going to Manciti?
Since the article also says that van Persie hasn’t travelled to with the rest of the squad it’s fair to assume he’s off, but I think we all knew that anyway.
Oxon,
Who has deepest pockets?
Lunchtime catchup.
Not sure how to feel when people are talking of first games after they were born and I remember them like it was yesterday π
79 Oxon. If it’s a 3 horse race, I suspect AFC will hold a “Dutch auction” = win for Middle Eastlands.
81 ‘holic – it’s when you can’t remember them you start worrying π
You should feel proud, ‘holic, it means you’ve got a brilliant memory.
All 100 years of it. π
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/07/20/115629_trois-offres-pour-van-persie.html
I like the fact that some journalists can’t even bother checking basic facts available on the club’s official website.
‘still on holidays’ ? Huh.
Baz@72: well put.
Uply@82: π
I saw that, Belgium π
Catalan –
don’t waste your time worrying about stats.
Statistically, the average person has less than two legs ?! π
Shaft has 3, Trev.
Zico@80, Uply@82. I believe the expression is “Willing buyer, willing seller”, to which, admittedly must be added “willing goods” in this case.
It’s obvious to all here, indeed it’s been said many times, that it’s to Arsenal’s advantage that if he players for any other team, it would be better if van Persie were playing outside the Premier League. I imagine that the Arsenal management can put a cash figure on that advantage, which represents an addition to any offer from Juventus. The received wisdom is that Man Schiti will win any bidding war that they want to, and I agree but they have to beat any foreign opponents in such a war by enough distance to compensate for selling a player to a Premier League rival. Schure, they have deep enough pockets to ensure victory, but I’ve yet to see any evidence that Arsenal won’t make them pay for the privilege of prising another player from us.
Random post:
http://www.football365.com/f365-says/7913187/How-Sustainable-Is-PSG-s-Success-
If the Chavs sign Thorgal Hazard, I hope that pair is as successful as the Hoyte brothers were at Arsenal π
Top Vintage
‘Arry Redknapp loves an impromptu interview, so it should be no surprise that when he was cornered by Dan Walker at the Open he was happy to give a few words to The BBC.
Obviously there was no car window on the course, but ‘Arry was still in top, top form. When asked whathe loved most about The Open he replied:
“To watch the top players play in the top tournament is top class.”
Vintage.
Would have been funnier if he’d used ‘t’riffic’ rather than ‘top’.
And that’s me done for catching up with the news.
*kicks ball aimlessly forward, sits back and prepares to enjoy a mad scramble for the century*
So what you are saying @ 89 is that he’ll end up at Man City?
Sure that was my point @ 77.
Holic, what did your telegram say?
“Have a good one, Liz” π
@88 π
Ollie – i hope Thorgal Hazard turns out to be just like Nicholas Anelka’s brother.
Eyes primed , shooting boots on … π
RVP going to Shitty – why are we still having this debate ?
I have impeccable third-hand sources #ITK
Z, no, I’m not syaing he’ll end up at Man Schiti. I’m not saying he won’t, either. I’m saying it’s not currently certain.
Fill your boots losers.
Diego, always happy to assist….. 8)
1st and 100th drink.
Retirement beckons.
Three bloody minutes; you’d expect someone to have posted between 1:38 and my 99 at 1:41.
Well in, I guess, Zico
Bugger .
Done by Dr Z again π
You calling Oxon Diego, zico? π
Good goal.
Wassup ‘holics.
Been massively busy over the last week with the Paalzitten festival and all that went with it, average 1 and a half hour sleep a day, plus the necassary alcoholic beverages took a serious toll on my blogging time and is now starting to manifest itself as exsaustion. (give me another drink, I’ll be OK)
Way too much to back drink as time is still at a premium as tonight is the award ceramomy, for the nutters who managed to sit the whole designated 53 hours and 23 mins on the poles.
Anyroader, getting with the spirit of the post, two days after my debuet Arsenal beat the Munsters 1-0 at Highbury to go top of the old Division 1, ofcourse way back then they went by the name of Stoke City and they played their football at the Victoria Ground and not on the wastelands of Middle Earth….. Times sure do change, eh?
At least you didn’t get 101, tabs π
Persienally I’m fed up with the RvP debate.
If he does not fly to wherever, it means only that Dutch number tens do not get on aeroplanes.
Obvious innit ?
IΒ΄m hoping that Arsenal are playing it all nicely to use Shitty and ManureΒ΄s interest to bump up the offer from Juventus to an acceptable level.
Would much rather take a hit financially than strengthen our rivals (unless we did a deal to get Wellbeck).
Glad that heΒ΄s not on the Asia tour – give playing time to the new guys and kids (Afobe) who actually want to play for this great club.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more IΒ΄d like Welbeck here. WonΒ΄t happen, obviously.
Thumbs up : Flight booked for 18th August.
Thumbs down : It’s to Gatwick and means I can’t make first round at Tollingsville…..
Thumbs up : No flight available home on 18th August……
Wellbeck, Catalan?
Really?
Meh.
Thumb up : Zico hitchhikes his way oop norf.
Thumbs down : zico ends up in Harwich, then the Lowlands π
Lost all interest in RVP now just another player that once played for this great club along with the likes of Cesc, But someone in the upper Echolens of Our football club has got to show some bollocks and show them fast otherwise this shit is going to happen every summer – RVP is now following the Cesc route of leaving the club and it leaves a bad taste, Problem is when you cave in to one they all follow the same path.
For what its worth id let him rot in the reserves for a season its not like wed spend the money anyway and at least players and Agecunts would think twice about taking our club for a ride, Thats not going to happenso the very least the club need to do is move him abroad if hes allowed to join a rival here that would be the final nail in this boards Coffin.
Afternoon H2H.
I don’t look upon it as any kind of consolation, Ollie. I have come to regard 101, 201 etc as a position of greatness π
Dr Z – carnage beckons !!! π
Apparently I was born between a 0-0 away draw with West Brom and a 2-3 home defeat by Manure. π
Thumbs up : carnage π
Thumbs up : No flight available home on 18th Augustβ¦β¦
Haha, very well played, zico π
@ Chippy
I too would like to see The Board grow a pair, but if they elect to resort to type and sell to the highest bidder, in what way will it be the final nail in the coffin?
You’re not suggesting getting the black bin liners out, are you Chippy? π
I like the latest training pictures on .con. They’ve included a token 2 RvP snaps where he looks like ‘when the fucking hell do I get out of here?’
Zico,
Nah the bloody things kept splitting when i had a trial run at home π Ive found the Green builders ones far more acommodating to the task !
Just my thoughts Mate cannot see how they can come back from selling another prized asset – especially to a main rival it reeks of asset stripping and putting pound signs before the club/Teams interests,
If he goes abroad it will be a case of out of sight out of mind – If hes knocking them in left right and centre up Norf the full out will be volcanic !
You know, I’ve thought about it, and I really don’t care whether RvP goes to City or to Juve. In either case he’s gone and not with my best wishes.
At least if he goes to City there’s no hypocrisy about it, and well, wouldn’t it be even sweeter if he goes there and picks up a debilitating injury?
If he goes to Juve, some might be tempted to ‘forgive’ him, which I think is wrong.. I believe that people like Snir and I wouldn’t. Ever ;).
##Fallout even π ##
Heh Chippy.
Board’s credibility may be shot in the eyes of many, but I don’t see anything changing, so would be interested in how you see that panning out.
And I do think he will end up in that rainy place, the one that rhymes with wanks. The price will be too rich for Turin. IMO.
It all brought back the Ade vs RvP spat in a Man City game.
That’s when we thought RvP was some sort of Gooner, rather than a backstabbing cunt.
*sighs*
I think that too, zico. I don’t think a free Ferrari will be enough to convince him.
Zico,
I still think plenty of the fanbase are onside so to speak but need to see that the Club are doing there upmost to make us competitive again – By selling last seasons stand out performer to one of our major so called rivals after the past two summers in my view would send the ones tottering firmly into Red and Whites arms, Making it far easier for said to really put the pressure on the current Board/Model.
And if he ends up at United god help them π !!
Totally off topic, but this is beautiful. This Chinese Gooner’s dedication and creativity is humbling. One hopes the players feel that way too.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vermaelen-the-chinese-warrior-qanda
What choice to we have? If we want to sell to Juve, RvP will kick up a fuss and say ‘I’d rather stay another year’. At which point we’ll have to sell him at the last minute to Shitteh.
Sadly, I can’t see us being able to take a stance, whether we want to or not, without it being detrimental to pre-season.
Maybe a sniper can be hired and we get the insurance money?
Trouble with RvP situation is that we can’t sell his registration to any club unless he agrees to sign a playing contract with them. So our choices are only a) selling him to one of the clubs he is prepared to join (who am I kidding? I mean Man City) and b) keeping him. Massive risk either way.
The perils of choice a) are obvious. I am still just about in favour of keeping him, hoping that after a week or two he will realise that there is no point in sulking, that he won’t try and sabotage us even while playing well himself, and we can use him while Poldi and Chamakh bed in. If not…stick him in the Reserves where he can’t do too much damage? But what would other players think? Would they think the club was being unfair? Would it harm team spirit? Would he remain captain (hope not)? Who would take over? Nightmare decision.
If he just wanted to get away from Arsenal, it would be easier, we’d have a choice of selling him somewhere abroad. But he wants to go where all the big stars are supposedly gathering and where he thinks he’s bound to get a big trophy. Money doesn’t exactly hurt, but it’s the status conferred by a ridiculous rather than the actual amount which weighs with him, I suspect.
“a ridiculous wage”, I meant to say.
FunG, as I think arseblogger pointed out, the reason for his statement was to indeed make it possible/inevitable that we sell home (i.e. City) rather than abroad. All cleverly staged and despicable.
We’re being held hostage. Again.
Fuck RvP and his agents. And fuck City.
I vote for the sniper strategy .
Ollie,
At which point the club should say fine you either tow the line or you spend the season training with the kids, Its Juve (Or any other interested Euro Clubs) or Nothing, May focus his mind on Turin being a nice city,
I hear Jason Bournes out of work π
More than welcome distraction Mr holic !
Its an open bar help yourself.
Roll on September 1st when all the mercenary`s can go a kiss what ever badge suits them at that time.
@130 Ollie
FunG, as I think arseblogger pointed out, the reason for his statement was to indeed make it possible/inevitable that we sell home (i.e. City)
Or as I pointed out myself within hours of the statement coming out. But what I said was that despite that, there IS another choice… It’s all a massive judgement call for Arsene.
But I must admit I had forgotten about the sniper option. π
Thumbs up : Sniper.
Yes, FG, sorry I haven’t kept a record of all posts, I just mention that because it was recently re-put on his blog, sorry π
And heh, Chippy (and couldn’t you get a seat on the board? Chippy/Sir Chips, same thing, innit? :O)
Sounds good to me Free Port all round π !
@ 136 Ollie
I probably sounded a bit up myself – I just felt like you hadn’t got the point of my comment.
Tonight I shall mostly be avoiding running out of beer in my glass before I order another one.
Thumbs down : Badge kissers
Thumbs up : beer in glass
Thumbs up : Lars is ordering π
All hail the mighty wallet!
I sure am, zico!
Thumbs down: I am hungry.
Thumbs up: dinner is almost ready.
The lesser spotted Snir has been been observed on twitcher…..and he’s in Hate mode π
Afternoon All: Well we played Man U on the 5/11/55 – the day before I was born. A 1-1 draw was apparently a good result for us considering we were holding up the table in 20th position at the time. Clearly the Arsenal was awaiting my birth because after that they went on a run that ultimately saw them finish 4th that year.
Actually I need to look more closely at the late season results because after languishing in or around mid-table for most of the season, we suddenly leaped into the top five in the final weeks … Story of my life right there .. heh
π
Thumbs twiddling: now where’s that beer?
What’s ‘twitter’, zico? π
An “Owed to Van Persie”
Here we find ourselves
Gnashing of teeth, wringing of hands
Will he stay, will he go,
the acclaim from the stands
the emotion attached,Β
cast rudely aside
the money to count,
the agenda to hide
Look forward not back,Β
there is no better cure
players come, players go
but we will endure
Yesterday’s hero
cares less for the crest
than the whispers of agents
but the ultimate test
Will be when reflecting,
when the ball comes to rest
on what could have been
why trade the future
for the coin of The Queen?
A love that gets under
the skin, but not to your heart *
will be quickly forgotten
when the victories start
and then what regrets
will yesterday’s man bring
when our passions are bursting
like a river in Spring?
* With apologies/thanks to Yogi’s Warrior
Ollie, its where the lunatics gather – hence why I come here π
Right people, 1st, 100th and 150th drink.
Golden boot right? 8)
Uplympian / Danny M: Hornsey, Crouch End, Hazelville Road became part of my Manor in my Twenties having bought my first flat in Cheverton Road (only one of two houses that had a clear view of Highbury) …
It got me thinking about how many key decisions in my life were made with the Arsenal as the main consideration. Certainly all the places I have lived bar two – Mercers Road where I was born & my current location in Jamaica) were chosen for their ease access to Highbury: Bernam Road (off Tollington Way); Sotherby Road (off Blackstock Road); Milner Square (off Upper Street); and Cheverton Road my final address in the U.K.
I can’t tell you how many jobs I have not taken – or lost – because they required me to work on Saturdays – a strange decision considering I was a P.E. Teacher & Football coach! I have chosen the Arsenal over numerous potential girlfriends. Locked myself away for days after a bad result. Punched complete strangers in the face for dissing the Arsenal…
Christ almighty! What an absolute nutter I have been π
I have already said my final word on RvP. But whatever happens I won’t hate him for leaving. I can’t ever hate anyone whom I have loved – a major problem for Mrs GT over the years ..
π
GT, I am now dismayed that I could miss a few games this season because of work. I was hoping this wouldn’t have to happen, I knew there was a risk when I took on this new job, but I’m mightily annoyed.
I hate him already, GT.
Word GT.
I cannot believe that we are allowing ourselves to be fucked over by other clubs yet again this summer. Not putting RvP on the Asia tour is essentially putting your hands up and admitting that he is up for sale.
Just watch and see as this just drags on and on and on and finally we accept some derogatory bid from Utd.
It should have been, we get a 20mi bid by July Xth else he is staying. Much like PSG did with Lloris or Spurs did with Modric..
We just dont have the guts to say NO to money.
Not putting RvP on the Asia tour is essentially putting your hands up and admitting that he is up for sale.
RvP’s statement said ‘whatever the club says, I’m up for sale’.
Lloris and PSG? *is confused*
It should have been, we get a 20mi bid by July Xth else he is staying.
Again, that could have only worked if the cunt hadn’t released his statement.
The more I think of it, the more I am in favour of shooting him.
After all, it’s only a couple of seasons ago some people thought he should be put down.
Ollie..brainfart from me.. Lyon. sorry
So what if he released a statement? He is getting paid by us dammnit.
If I put my status as jobseeker on Linkedin – doesnt mean I dont have to work for my current employer..
Play him. Hes a world class striker and having him in the team cannot be worse than sell him for a cut price on deadline day…
Could not give a monkeys where RVP goes, bar LWCs, so long as it happens quickly and we spend the dough.
My focus is on the lads who will be wearing the sacred shirt in a month’s time.
Not bothered if Van Persie smashes them in for City. They’re a mickey mouse club playing mickey mouse games.
Boasting you’ve won a title with them is like boasting you’re top of the charts after you’ve been on X Factor: plastic, make believe bollocks.
One to keep in mind when we’re watching City, Chelsea, PSG and fcuking Malaga contest the Champs League semis in a couple of years’ time.
Btw – this would be a great moment for Silent Stan to lob the gaffer Β£25m and tell him to stick RVP in the reserves for a year.
Massive goodwill from the fans and a huge middle finger to the Mancs. Worth every penny.
It CAN be worse, Sajit, it can. It corrupts the team spirit if he wants to be a cunt about it, etc. etc.
I’m afraid you can’t compare top footballers with you and I putting stuff on LinkedIn….
Star:This from the Daily
Birmingham supporter Rob Shannon has not missed one of his team’s matches for 38 years, seeing the Blues play 1,800 consecutive games since 1974. And he only missed one that year because he was too ill to get out of bed.
… and you guys think that you have suffered being Gooners π
I’m with you N7 at 163. And well, with you at 164 in a theoretical world, but I can’t see it being a realistic option.
GT: Birmingham fan. No sympathy π
To be honest, I dont think RvP can become a cunt overnight. All the players love him. the younger kids look up to him. He has massive respect in the dressing room.
And I honestly believe that RvP still loves Arsenal deep down.
Anyways, I just want this to be resolved ASAP , not 2 weeks AFTER the season starts. π
@ Sajit
Hes a world class striker and having him in the team cannot be worse than sell him for a cut price on deadline dayβ¦
It could be. Depends on how he reacts, how other team members feel – they like and respect him, they may not see it our way. Don’t underestimate the dangers of keeping a disgruntled player. Rooney was different because ManU gave him the money he wanted in the end. We won’t. Assuming that is all he wants.
And what if RvP doesn’t accept our deadlines? We’ve already told him we’re not selling and his response was the release of the statement, to try and force us to. If he continues to be adamant about joining Man City, and we are equally adamant that he’s not going, then the saga will definitely drag on until the window closes.
Hate to look at LWC for support but I admire the way Levy handled Modric last summer. If he could do it, why not us?
*Now let me go and get some mouthwash.*
There’s women playing football on BBC (team GB v Sweden).
If that’s not enough to confuse me, there’s a Brit called Yankey.
I am looking out for Nasri in the crowd π
@zico
Yankey is one of us .. Im sure you know that π
@ 171 Sajit
Depends on how much Modric wanted to go, doesn’t it? How far was he prepared to take it? It depends on the individual player’s personality and circumstances.
You cannot literally force a player to play or to sign for another club.
We have been quite good (England women). But it is really noticeable that our girls (Arsenal Ladies) can pass and keep the ball just a little bit better than most of the others. (Unless that’s my red-and-white goggles.) Six lady Gunners in the squad.
Not one of ours Sajit π
……and in others news, the Talisker distillery has announed it has
been running at 50 % production for the past few weeks due to lack of rainwater. Separately it has also been reported that a distinguished looking gentleman wearing an Arsenal football top has been driving around the supermarkets of Wiltshire manically hoovering up all available stock. π
GT 152 heh. Being of “diminutive” stature, I learnt very quickly it was not a good idea to punch complete strangers whenever we had a bad result, particularly as in 50s & 60s it was a too regular occurrence. π
All the old stomping grounds – brings back many memories.
Heh,
Closer to the truth then I should confess to Mr U π
Zee @ 149 – pure poe ate tree, brought a tier to my terrace – ‘specially “the money to c@nt” line – no better cure, ta.
Are we there yet?
Evening Reverend.
Some way’s to go yet, I’m afraid.
Lars is buying – fill your spill. π
Aaron on (so good to see him again!) Hi everyone. Whoa, see why they call him the Hulk…(off for Ganso)…back later!
N7 @163 and 164,
All sounds good to me.
I can hardly bother to write this, or believe anyone can still be bothered to read it, but the closer the end game draws the more disgusted I feel by van Persie’s behaviour.
Eight years of loyalty from the club and the fans, and a massive stab in the back from a bloke we thought had a bit of class.
The thing is, how much of a thrill do fans or players of petro-dollar clubs really get when they trawl in the trophies made inevitable by their ridiculous and unfair overspending?
Last year will have been a thrill for success starved Citeh fans. Failure to repeat it this year will meet with huge dissatisfaction, while you could easily imagine that success will be simply greeted by a big “so what”.
Make the most of your hollow triumphs van Persie, but how much pride will they honestly instill ?
Hopefully, or not, enough to compensate for the total loss of respect from an army of fans who have provided you with a shed load of cash for seven years of underachievement.
Change of mind RvP? Thanks but no thanks.
Wonder what Dennis Evans, who ‘Holic mentions above! would have made of it, Trev? Arsenal was his only club; 189 first-team games between 1953 and 1963 and never won a trophy.
Something, Ned, like “ungrateful bastard” I should imagine.
The notion of sticking together and working harder to win something, apparantly no longer exists.
Instant gratification is what these players want. They absolve themselves of responsibility to fight for what they want, and seek out a perceived “better” team who can do it all for them.
Lucky, aren’t they, that the fans don’t shop around and bugger off every few seasons, or who would keep them in their undeserved fantasy life styles.
But, as ‘Holic said in a previous post, we support the club, not the hired help. We, at least, will all still be there next season, won’t we.
Star Doctor working at a well-known NHS hospital is coming to the end of his contract, signals his intention not to renew. Cites differences of opinion with his boss and the hospital’s administration. Several other hospitals are interested in him. He is interested in going to the one where he can earn the most money. What is wrong with this?
π
I’m not really fussed about the whole thing. Wenger has a habit of adjusting his game around one man and that man usually does really well. Do no forget Chamach was the bargain of the season when he started his career at Arasenal , was man of the match almost every game, then RVP recovered from his injury and that was the end of Chamakh. the entire game was adjusted to suit RVP, whenever Chamakh comes in he would struggle. we saw that with the dutch team, full of individuals who don’t seem to care about who is supposed to be their main man, RVP suffered for that. Anyway RVP wants go, that is his right and good luck to him. Arsenal have the right to ask for the right price too.
I feel Wenger Got Giroud in mind and things will be again changed to suit his game. Then Giroud becomes a star, run his contract down and do the same. unless this bull shit of fair play rule applied properly we will keep losing players to the teams who throw money for fun. I do not believe Arsenal should spend money they don’t earn.
Nothing.
But in an NHS hospital, that particular set of patients will not have financed that particular doctor through the last seven years of sickness, malpractise accusations and infections picked up while performing extra curricular operations at other hospitals.
Then just as he has learned the skills necessary to save those patients he leaves for a higher salary elsewhere. Or rather to save a set of other patients he now prefers, ‘cos it’s not about the extra salary anyway.
Is it ? π
A little good news for us supporters:
“….ALL Arsenal’s tour matches will be available to Arsenal Members LIVE on Arsenal Player…”
Splendid! Let’s hope they do a better job than last year’s tour when the first game was apparently so over-subscribed for the infrastructure put in place that the dial-up modem couldn’t support video streaming across the boardroom to dear old unlce Ken. Fair play, they had it fixed by the second game.
I will not be over-analyzing Theo’s body language during these matches. Well not much anyway… π
Evening all. Some good points well made above, and another cracking post from the Guvnor. I think perhaps it is now time to issue a formal statement on the matter.
This is an update for the βholics about my current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the bar and as agreed with Mr Holic, but since there is absolutely no interesting speculation in the media today, I think it is fair for you guys to know whatβs really going on at the moment, in the form of a totally unnecessary post, in which absolutely no-one will have the slightest interest.
As announced earlier this year, I had a meeting with my bank manager after the season. This was a meeting about my future financial strategy for repaying my overdraft and many credit card debts. Financial terms were discussed, although in general that is not my priority at all. Obviously. Or I wouldnβt be in this position and would never bother speaking to the f*cker.
I thought long and hard about it, but decided not to renew my very expensive season ticket in the North Bank, and instead take a cheaper seat in the upper tier at the Clock End. You guys, the βholics, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
I loved club level and the fans, no matter what happens. Everybody in the bar have always supported me over the years when the Guinness has made me a bit wobbly, and my wallet (and cashpoint) has generally been comprehensively emptied after most games. As soon as the 18th August arrives, a wallet-emptying meeting in the Tollie will follow, and I will update you if and when there are more lines of credit I can access.
I hope then that this clears up everything about this sorry transfer saga from the North Bank to the Clock End, and we can all put it behind us. So move along chaps, nothing to see here any more. Nope. Absolutely nothing, nothing at all π
Many players. But only one Arsenal. Guinness anyone?
Trev @ #185.
Dr.C nailed it for me this afternoon on Twitter:
“…the funny thing is they go to City to play with the same guys they lost with before.. .”
It’s amazing how much truth you can pack into <140 characters these days
π
As much as I get passionate about losing players to our ravels, when I sit down in the cold light of day I cannot help but think WE all have the right to change the things in life that DONT suit us if we can?
Yes I get very pissed off with these players for NOT being MAN enough to actually say what they mean, but in fact VP has come the closes to this than most if you listen to what he has said in the last few weeks. But heβs still managed to hide his true intentions as it now seems (but letβs wait n see).
We the fans as usual have to pick up the pieces, but I personally am now refusing to lose sleep over these people anymore, in the word of the great man βJohnny Cashβ
βIβve seen um come n go and Iβve seen um die & long ago I stopped asking whyβ….
The facts are we will keep losing our top players to sides that have much more money than us currently, so itβs up to our ownerβs n management to stop this happening. THEY have the means @ their disposal already if they chose to us it but do not want to.
So guys itβs just going to keep happening year in year out, so we all need to take a chill pill & relax more in the summer months in the coming years, that is my firm belief….
TS @191 ( and Dr C ) – excellent. π
Snowy – are you likely to win more trophies in tha Clock End ? π
Trev – heh π
I don’t think so. But I will at least have a few more beer tokens for the pub
π
Ollie @#123
Oooh…. the irony of that event now. They deserve eachother as team-hates….probably.
Time for a chill-pill. Lee is the CMC’s newest supplier.
Just remember Lee, DLL settles its invoices, 60 days e.o.m. Feelgood is as parsimonious with his cash as any member of The Arsenal board.
Cole, Clichy, Toure, Flamini, Fabregas, Nasri, Adebayor, van Persie, Henry, Walcott (?),
All gone, since the move to the new stadium, as they all had the required ability to inevitably win trophies elsewhere, or, as Dr C said, with varying numbers of each other elsewhere.
Hey fellas, I’m back in the US and ready for the bar again π
Ok so when do we get to shoot him?
TS, I’m not saying it’s a good solution just one that may keep us in the same ball park?
Crosses the ball over in an extravagant manner while he yawns π
Bang!
BMBD
Well in Lonestar, you were always on the move 8)
Thanks, Wind. Inch-perfect cross that was.
Just finished backdrinks and feeling purved. Youze guys are bringing me down with the handwringing over that dutch bloke. I say fuck ’em, and move on. Onwards and upwards I say. Fact.
The one thing I do know is:
“Them that’s got shall get.
Them that’s not shall lose.
So the Bible says, and it still is news.
Mama may have…
Papa may have…
but God bless the child that’s got his own.
That’s got his own…” fact.
The Arsenal will bejust fine without all these bitches. Feo – I’m talking to you.
BMBD.
Well said my man π
Well in, LG.
Heh,
Snowy in with us plebs.
I’m overdrawn with excitement.
@ 195 : Card. Marked.
Great post Snowy. Hope to see you soon.
The Clock End will be a better place for your arrival. Good man, Snowy.
Great stuff snowy. I take it your new choice of location means there was no North Bank Lower Tier? Or is the Clock End a voluntary choice?
I see Snir’s back, hold your horses!
And well in Lonestar.
Clock end is closer to the pub π
Defence rests. 8)
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-some-players-will-work-on-fitness
Shit news for my and Eandy’s s favourite player… π
I think I’ll only consider going for the season ticket if I can get something in a low row in North Bank Lower….
aw shucks ..slow start for Tomas to the season again it is, damn six to eight weeks is a LOT, if everything is going to go okay he might be back to full match fitness around October, having to fight for his place in a squad yet again.
I hope he is going to be able to pull off same form like in the second half of last season, I want to see midfield made of LJW, Arteta and him since I think that would work just too good to not be excited about it:P
AW says he will fight to keep RVP (or was it Cesc …LOL)
I’ll bet they are all upper tier, Ollie. Best take it and request a move every summer until they can accommodate you.
Morning folks – and cheers Esso and ‘holic π
Ollie @208 – not my first choice but nothing available in the lower tier π Will be doing as ‘holic recommends @ 215
Zico @210 – excellent point π
And well in Lonestar
Honestly, ‘holic, I’ve thought about it, and I don’t see that much point for me.
If it’s to get tickets in an area I can normally get tickets for, having to find a taker for probably around half the games, while removing the option to sit with mates at some games (or alternatively find a taker to even more games), a grand and a half is a bit steep.
Long term investment and all that, I know, but I’d rather have been bumped up the Silver List to be honest.
cogna. he has to say that, we know he will sell if the price is right. it is just a tactic to push the bids up.
Hey Snir: How’s the anger management training going? I told the Holics that you had checked into the Carlos Kickemhard Centre for Positive Behaviour!
Missed you Bro…
π
Class act that bloke Snowy. Nothing all wrong with the Clock End. At least nowadays you won’t have to stand there freezing your bollix off huddled together with all the old codgers like Holic & his dad …
π
“What’ll ye have? Will ye have a pint?”
“I’ll have a pint with you, sir.”
And if one of us doesn’t order soon
We’ll be thrown out of the boozer
GT 220 nothing wrong with the open clock end of old enjoying they finest of British weather . Old codgers….we were in our prime then.
An added attraction was a visit to the central latrine beneath the clock end …..this would cure most ills and certainly was a good training ground in learning how to minimise the need for a piss π
Uplympian: North Bank bogs weren’t much better mate – a sure cure for a blocked up nose I can tell you …
π
Wanted to know, for everyone that goes to games in the UK regularly and for those who used to or have gone at any time, what is or was your favourite stand at Highbury/The Ems?
Mine’s the North Bank Lower, was there for my first game and I met a great Gooner who was a Season Ticket Holder there around the 5th Row and we had a good talk before, during and after the game, wish I got his name but the entire atmosphere was electric especially after the Ox notched his first for the Arsenal with a 30 yarder or so, good times π
Mine has to be the North Bank, innit…
Any of the old codgers remember when it was the Laundry End?
I dont remember freezing me nuts off in the clock end. Too much running about to do that. And I was watching from the other end.
Here is a bit of history on the North Terrace and the South Stand, as the North Bank and Clock End started out.
http://angryofislington.com/2012/01/29/bluffers-guide-to-highbury-pt-2/
And here is the matching piece on the East and West stands, which you might want to read first as it is part one in the two part series.
http://angryofislington.com/2012/01/27/the-bluffers-guide-to-highbury-pt-1/
Where is everyone?
Where indeed?
A toss up really Wind, between the comfort of my current seat, Centre Block, Upper Tier, West at The Emirates, and the view you get there, and some decent old style Arsenal fans around me too, as compared to the North Bank terraces, where there were so many great memories – Anderlecht 1970, the Double of 70/71, the emergence of Brady, Rix, O’Leary, Stapleton (sorry) – but some pretty uncomfortable ones too.
Uncomfortable in terms of standing in the freezing cold with what we now see as terrible facilities, and also in terms of “running about”, as Esso described it, dodging missiles and the latest set of marauding masses.
There was atmosphere on that terrace though, and a raw noise you don’t often experience now. And a peanut seller !
As the ticket discussion goes on, any recommendations in which area to buy(or try to buy) tickets for chelski game in price/comfort/view ratio?:P Price ranging from 60 to 80 pounds would be okay-ish:)
I’ll put some money on us facing the same issue with Song next summer as we are with Van Persie this summer. This is why we need to sign a proper defensive midfielder this summer. They claim that they want to win trophies but as soon as an attempt is being made to strengthen the team, they jump ship. Being that Song’s agent is supposedly that Dein fellow, it’s almost inevitable that he won’t want to sign a new deal with us. Very unfortunate…methinks
Yes Impeccable, but you are not calculating the fact that we’ll have won the league and the champions by that time.
Have you seen what Lukas and Giroud are like? π
Here`s a clip of Giroud: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ikoO9bXyo
@Bird: Heh! Wouldn’t we all love that!
Eandy, you won’t get much choice for Chelsea. Unless you’re a Silver, all that will be left is Upper Tier for Reds. Due to the demand, Clock End will be your best chance.
Also, what would have been about Β£67 last year will be closer to Β£80 due to new pricing structure….
Unless, of course, you bide your time and get lucky on Ticket Exchance.
Thanks Ollie:) will aim for that then I suppose, also any idea how many tickets you can buy with one membership? Need three and bit afraid if I wont have to wait for general sale for the third one. Also @Bird, I have huuuuuuuge expectations from both Lu-Lu and OG, after they settle down of course:)
Only one I’m afraid, Eandy. The only way you get to buy several with a single membership is if they go to the ‘Friends&Family’ Sale Period, but that’s most unlikely for Chelsea. Definitely not going on General Sale.
I might be able to help.
Ouch, thanks for the info. Hopefully will be able to set it up somehow then, don’t want to book hotel and flights without having tickets first.
Might be better to avoid a category A game Eandy if you are looking for 3 tickets based on “Red”.
The good news is Lars’ wallet is available for Categories A, B and the newly discovered C.
(So I hear). π
A post from a very special guest, after much re-formatting! >>>>>>>