1989 Remembered
Oct 13th, 2012 by 'holic
Continuing with the ‘lost’ posts I produced for Arsenal-Land, thanks again Darren, we jump forward ten years to 1988/89, and a season those of us who were there will never forget. When you hear people talking of football provoking every single emotion, never has that been more true than in this campaign.
George Graham’s first two seasons as manager of Arsenal were notable for a couple of reasons. The League Cup had been brought to Highbury for the first time as two Charlie Nicholas goals saw off Liverpool. There was also a culling of what the media loved to call our only big name superstars, most significantly Kenny Sansom and Nicholas himself.
On the eve of the 1988-89 season Graham believed he had forged a squad to challenge for the title. He had painstakingly promoted some of the club’s most prolific youngsters such as David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Martin Hayes, and Paul Merson. Hard working and promising players he had encountered in his days as Millwall manager were drafted in. Steve Bould and Lee Dixon arrived from Stoke while his first signing had been Perry Groves from Colchester. Even his ‘bigger’ signings were being greeted as ‘workmanlike’ or ‘honest professionals’. Nigel Winterburn from Wimbledon had succeeded Sansom at left back. Kevin Richardson, a title winner with Everton, was brought in to balance the youthful flair and enthusiasm of Rocastle and Thomas. Brian Marwood added width and a stream of crosses for Alan Smith, acquired from Leicester City, who was equally adept at leading the line or playing as a target man. Throw in two Gunners legends, a youthful Tony Adams and the vastly experienced David O’Leary, a first class goalkeeper in John Lukic, and the midfield craft of Paul Davis, and you could understand Graham’s optimism.
On the opening day of the season an Alan Smith hat-trick was the feature of a 5-1 mauling of Wimbledon at Plough Lane. The next away game brought an enjoyable 3-2 triumph at White Hart Lane, but in between these triumphs had come a 2-3 reverse at home to Villa. Indeed the first home league win did not arrive until 22nd October when QPR were defeated 2-1. There were further defeats at Sheffield Wednesday and Derby but the Gunners finally hit the top of the table on Boxing Day with a 3-2 win at Charlton.
Whilst the league campaign was progressing satisfactorily, the Cup competitions were nothing short of disastrous. Arsenal had featured in the last two League Cup Finals but after seeing off Hull 5-1 on aggregate they had the misfortune to draw Liverpool in the third round. Rocky Rocastle scored an absolute cracker at Anfield to earn a replay, but a scoreless draw at Highbury led to a coin toss to decide the venue of the second replay. Liverpool called correctly and won 2-1. The FA Cup involvement was even briefer, West Ham winning 1-0 at Highbury after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Upton Park in the third round.
Back in the league the team were undefeated from the end of November until the 21st February when Coventry triumphed by the only goal at Highfield Road. Pressure and expectation were building and highlighted by the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford at the start of April. Tony Adams netted at either end and was shamefully portrayed in the Mirror with a pair of donkey ears. By the season’s end Captain Fantastic would be ramming those taunts down a few throats. Indignation lasted just two weeks. On 15th April we pipped Newcastle with a Brian Marwood strike, but events at Hillsborough that day were to wipe football off the calendar for the remainder of the month. 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death before the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest and a nation mourned.
Football returned with a live televised home match against Norwich that resulted in a five goal drubbing, Alan Smith netting twice. Five days later Martin Hayes proved his value to the squad with the only goal at Middlesbrough and the title looked secure. However the nerves were to return with a vengeance as Derby completed a double with a 2-1 win at Highbury. Then Wimbledon came calling and left North London with a point from a 2-2 draw. Arsenal and Liverpool were now level on points but the Merseysiders would play West Ham at Anfield before we went there for the decider. The final week of the season was packed with emotion and drama. Liverpool and Everton fittingly contested the Cup Final, and the red half of the city claimed the honours. For the first time the talk was not of Hillsborough, but of a double that was surely now inevitable, and seemed nailed on when West Ham were thrashed 5-1 to put Liverpool 3 points clear and with a better goal difference. The scene was set for the 26th of May.
During the second half of the season George Graham had ‘fiddled’ with his formation for key games. The 4-4-2 that he had used almost exclusively was switched to a 5-3-2 utilising David O’Leary as a third central defender alongside Bould and Adams. The media had slaughtered this as a ‘negative’ tactic designed to throttle the life out of opponents. They had reckoned without Graham’s tactical nous. This formation gave the full backs, Dixon and Winterburn, free reign to attack down the flanks safe in the knowledge that cover was in place. In fact the formation was more usually a 3-5-2. So it came as no surprise when the team at Anfield was announced and O’Leary was in.
The lucky fans with tickets joined the giant queues on the M6, some not arriving until nearly half-time. By Saturday morning, when the match was the talk of the nation, it was apparent that just about everybody else in the country was watching the live television broadcast. Arsenal made an immediate impact when the teams came out and each of the Gunners carried a bouquet of flowers, which they distributed to Liverpool fans around the packed stadium. They would give no more presents on this night.
In his book ‘Addicted’ Tony Adams detailed Graham’s message to the team. ‘Pressure, pressure, pressure all over the field. Make them kick it long. We’ve got two 6ft 3in centre-backs who will mop it all up. I won’t be too disappointed if it’s still 0-0 at half-time. We can maybe get a goal early in the second half and go on from there.’ And that’s exactly how it played out. Alan Smith rose to delicately flick a free kick beyond the grasp of Bruce Grobbelaar, and after an anxious few seconds when Liverpool defenders protested that Smudger hadn’t got a touch, the referee pointed to the centre circle. 1-0 however was not enough to claim the title, and as the minutes raced away commentators on both television and radio spoke of Arsenal losing the title in a grand manner.
With seven minutes left Michael Thomas burst through the centre to confront Grobbelaar, but the Liverpool keeper saved. A Hollywood scriptwriter could not have penned what happened next. As the seconds ticked by Liverpool’s Steve McMahon glared nervously at his teammates and raised his index finger, ‘one minute’ he barked at them in turn. Into injury time the game went and then came that “Fever Pitch’ moment. Lukic to Dixon, on to Smith, and clear through the middle strode Michael Thomas again. This time the finish was clinical. Thomas performed a memorable forward roll and shattered red-shirted bodies sprawled on the turf in despair.
Ten months, thirty-eight league games, and the title had been won in the 92nd minute of the last match of the season. Tony Adams received the trophy and I’m sure most of us thought back to those cruel taunts of a few weeks earlier. Credit also to the Liverpool fans, most of who stayed to applaud the Gunners as they received their medals. Nice touch that.
So George Graham had landed the first of his two league titles as manager in a season that provoked every single emotion. A season which would change the way we watched football forever. And yet a season that ended like no other and finally got people talking about football positively again.
115 Responses to “1989 Remembered”
I was born on the 26th May, we won the league on the 26th May. And the beat goes on………………
Evening big man. Sorry you won’t be around for QPR. Steve-o can buy me two pints though, I suppose 😉
Fitting that Esso got first drink!
Cheers.
Esso not in for QPR? :'(
This week really is turning into utter garbage.
Its gutting mate. Feel quite bad about it, just stuff that has to take precedence right now, known what I’m saying! Really trying me best to ensure LWC’s still goes to plan. Anyways, interlull s’minterlull – these recent peices are 100% absolutley fucking top!
That night was a Friday. I was (once again before) out of work; living in Sittingbourne and had been up town all day for (what turned out to be useless) interviews. By the time I got back everyone had disappeared up the Beauty of Bath, a pub I was n’t exactly keen on anyway. Watched it on home on me own, during which I put away approx 3 litres of red wine (one of those cardboard jobbies). When IT happened I ran up and down St Pauls street screaming me head off, then got a cab up The Beauty and fucking wrecked the place. Got banned for life. Bothered? Not really.
1989? My favourite year that .. 🙂
Sorry to hear Esso. Not the life ban ;-).
Hopefully see you for LWC if I make it too. Take care.
Looks like Gervinho will definitely be away in January while Ba & Cissé won’t be. Not that there was much doubt after the first leg, mind.
Although, heh, checking the text commentary :
74
Les spectateurs de Sangor sont dépités et mettent le feu aux tribunes. Le jeu est arrêté.
Ba&Cissé might not make it out alive. Senegal supporters setting the stands on fire, game stopped.
Football in Africa, bin bags these aren’t.
And a further heh, just as I was wondering why the Stadium was Sangor, France Football have edited their post. It is of course ‘Senghor’.
Just read last drinks about Schalke Ollie. Fucking shit mate, hope something turns up for you. I’ve put me QPR ticket up on top cos I think I cant make it; aint completely ruled it out yet. Bad times mate, right now, but things will get better.
OK if your ticket get snapped and you can finally make it at the last minute, I can still scour Tx as I have unused Red. Time on the web much limited during the day though as I am working on customer premises until the end of the month at least.
Speak to you soon.
Awesome. It was such a great night.
1989 – momentous year?
Not really, got married and bought my first house.
Anything else happen?
Oh, yeah, like Esso, watched that game on my own and sat stunned at the end, in disbelief (not dis-similar to the Liverpool players, actually).
Anyway, Roxette is impressed that I can remember the year we got married so easily, without really twigging why…. 🙂
Good evening,’holics.
Great post,Guv,the way you tell these stories is even greater,oh what i will give to experience a season half as amazing as the one you just recounted.
Esso,great memories.
Ollie@9,it pains me that such things still happen in Africa,Nigeria went through today after mauling Liberia 8-2 on aggregate,unfortunately,i can’t bet a single Pound our fans won’t have done something similar to what the senegalese fans are doing if we had failed to qualify.
Evening all. Sorry, got waylaid watching the events in Senegal. I pray everybody came home safe, but it didn’t look good.
Best history posts going, Holic.
Everything is there. Not a wasted word.
Marvellous stuff.
David Price is boxing !?
Knocked out Ordinary Harrison.
Must be getting on a bit now ? 😉
Quality education this! I have been telling anyone that cares to listen (and most that don’t) that this is our year (I really honestly believe that) and its to coincide with my beings transferred to London. Can’t wait for my 1st ever visit to the Tollie and a return to the Emirates.
Seems Feo’s out of the Poland match. Hopefully not too serious though it did seem that way.
Pity about the Senegal riots but even sadder that the Swerve seems destined for the repeateadly proven form sapping forum that is the African Cup of Nations. Might be Feo’s opportunity to get a look in down the centre though.
Apologies if I’ve mentioned this before…
I was out for a drink with the wife and another couple that evening, so I set the video recorder – the match was live on free-to-air television in those long-ago days. Come 9:15 or whatever, I was at the bar buying a round and listened to Thomas’s shot going home on the barman’s radio. Cue one very happy Oxon returning to the table.
Back home I watched the video. There was a splendid half-time interview with the panel; I particularly remember the Liverpool representative explaining how Arsenal were playing fairly well – for mere mortals, as compared with the gods that were Liverpool – but were basically just there to make up the numbers. As the guv’nor reports above, lots of Arsenal fans got caught up on the M6 and kick-off was delayed. As a result, my recorder switched off only a few seconds after the final whistle (could have been much worse), but it did mean that I never got to hear the scouse pundit explain how come they’d lost by two clear goals.
I’ve still got the tape – no player any more sadly. If anyone can tell me how the post-match panel interview went, I’d be immensely grateful.
Thanks again, ‘holic. Great post, great memories, great club!
COYG ICDDR
Are you saying this post is recycled from elsewhere? I demand a refund.
So bored without football but it could be worse, I could be without a life.
Oh.
Always a pleasure to bowl down the ol’ memory lane with you guv. We’ve been down this way a couple of times before and of course regular Holics will recall my “The day I won the title standing in the heart of the Kop” story. But today I want to recount the back-story to that day / week.
Disillusioned and disaffected did not do my feelings justice as I looked at the wreckage we were in after the Derby & Wimbledon games. Games I was so certain we’d win that I never even considered the possibility of what my mate Dale was suggesting to me now:
“Look Tel it’s the only game we will have missed this season. I have gone with you everywhere this season and now I am simply asking you – as a friend – to come with me to Anfield. I am certain I can get the tickets”
And it was true. My devoted, Liverpool-supporting friend Dale had accompanied me to every single Arsenal league match – home and away – that season. As I slumped there on my sofa in the living room, I felt like the ass-hole that I really was: I didn’t have the guts to tell him that I didn’t give a fuck about Liverpool.. [not entirely true] I did used to give a fuck but first Heysel and then Hillsborough had cured me of that. I blamed Hillborough for the late season slump that the Arsenal were experiencing. And I was certain it was about to rob us of a title we fully deserved were it not for the nation-wide pity fest being heaped unto Liverpool just as we were gearing up to knock them off their perch – the despicable bunch of cunts. [Its a complicated story but I lived in Italy during the Heysel tragedy and so my view is perhaps coloured by my Italian friends who were there or had relatives die in that disaster] ..
Anyway, all this I kept to myself. Not daring to tell even my best mate at the time who would have been crushed I am sure. He was certainly an uncommon Mugsmasher in that he saw way more of the Arsenal than his own team….
“OK if you can get the tickets I will come” after about another hour of Perry Mason pleadings from Dale. I only agreed to shut him up and I was certain we would not get tickets at that late stage..
So it was with a resigned “OK. Great” that I greeted the excited news that yet another “Cuz” of Dale’s – who worked for the FA or something – had come up with the tickets. And so it was that the last week passed with my funk if anything giving way to indifference .. I certainly remember being in a funk on the drive up there. But somewhere between “here and there” as they say things suddenly changed: For a start Dale was getting that “feeling” at the pit of his stomach. Then he was like: “well if you guys win it won’t be a tragedy” .. “you deserve to win something for the way you’ve played this season” etc..etc
By the time we were walking back towards the stadium having parked the vehicle at the house of yet – you guessed it: another “Cuz” of Dale’s, I was positively bouncing along such was my confidence. Confidence that held even after I discovered that we were to be in the sacred Kop; confidence even after the Kop sussed “us” out and we had to pretend to be Americans; and confidence that I am sure saved our lives after I leaped into the air when the second goal went in and could do nothing more than land like the HULK wanting to bite the head off the nearest Scoucer who dared come anywhere near me..
Oh what a day…what memories.. 🙂
Was a decade years in ’89. Couldn’t have followed the events as keenly as you because King Kanu hadn’t joined the Arse bandwagon then, carrying the whole of Nigerian fans along with him. I just kept imagining how I would have felt if Arsenal had won it the way Man City did last year, which seemed a carbon copy of the Arsenal set of 1989. Just wish Arsene did more tactics and had more ambition to make us enjoy footie again. Think I’ve posted before, but have to say I do enjoy this bar even if I’ll only order barley.
Great stuff ‘holic. Really enjoyable, the last two posts
I’ll have a pint in memory of 89 (even though I was only 1 at the time!) 🙂
Good morning people. Sun is out in Swindon 7, melting the first deep frost of autumn.
Today I shall chuck on an autumnal pullover and head off for beef and Wiltshire Gold.
…with extra parsnips 😉
Morning Holic.
Dense fog 25 miles west of you. ‘Twas the first big chill last night alright.
The beef and Wiltshire gold does sound a good idea though. 🙂
Another lovely piece. Remember those games against Derby and Wimbledon, we had it in the bag before those games and the feeling of dejection leaving Highbury after the Wimbledon game in particular was sickening. Then West Ham did their usual and got thumped to make the task at Anfield seem, at the time, impossible. I could not recall any side winning by 2 clear goals up there, let alone us. Had no ticket for Anfield, but decided to go anyway. Hoped to get a ticket outside, but just felt I need to be there, inside or outside the ground. In the end I didn’t get there at all, listened to the game in the car stuck on the M6. Mickey scored as I reached the end of the M62 at which point I stalled the car in the excitement. I could see the glow of the floodlights at Anfield as the final whistle blew…so near and yet so far!
Got to be done bath.
Support your local farmer.
…and brewer 😉
Welcome 65.
You must have left well late. That traffic was like it all day, and they were warning on the radio to leave early if you were going.
Thorough –
“Just wish Arsene ….. Had more ambition to make us enjoy footie again”.
Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieron Gibbs, and although they have been tough rides, you gave to include Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott in his band of adventurers too.
How much enjoyment do you want mate ? 😉
Morning Holic, bath,
Fine frosty ones to you. A crisp sun is shining here in Welwyn Garden City. Off out with the new dog now in Wellingtons of a quite different sort.
New dog eh?
Pedigree breed?
Name?
Let me guess – Dutch pointer, Dennis?
You’re right ‘Holic, did leave late having been at work all morning and not heard the radio. Painful journey, but still worth it for the night out in Liverpool after!
G65 – must have been epic in Liverpool after the game – it was pretty damn good in my front room. 😛
A new dug, as z and bath would say.
It must be a Scottie, called Primrose 😉
Fog lifted. Nice and sunny.
Watched Sunday Supplement, time for a shower then off for a walk, Sunday Roast at the local and a couple of nice pints of Wadworths’ brews.
Fantastic series of post ‘holic Sir. Today’s had more meaning & was made all the more sweeter by fact that I was born the 9th day of that glorious May.
Being such a relatively young gooner, who so far, has had only the honour of supporting the club from quite far off, your posts, the historical ones most especially, are a real spring of knowledge & joy for me.
They really help me connect to & learn so much about, the history of this great club we all support & that means a lot of good things to me.
So, I often find myself savouring each line of your posts like the skillfully aged, fine wine that they are; one slow, deliberate sip at a time with pauses in between, to fully appreciate the beautiful flavours & textures contained in each tiny mouthful (or maybe eyeful), all the while never wanting it to end.
How you manage to write great stuff like this consistently beats me.
Keep on keeping up the great work good Sir!.
You won’t believe how many people in far corners of the world depend on you for proper, healthy & complete education on how to be a true gooner & what exactly being a true gooner means.
Have a good one Sir ‘holic!.
Thanks DW.
Wadworths eh? Bath may be the only man doing better than I in a minute. Love 6X.
Unless Arkells have got the 2B back in my country pub.
Holic, bath –
A Scottie named Primrose ?
It’s not, I’m afraid, but she is a keeper. 😉
She’s a Golden Retriever – Standard Poodle cross, and seems to be growing about a foot a week.
No, she doesn’t have fourteen feet, but she is already quite large !
Dug?
Rottweiller. And she only has two feet. 😉
Oh, and I have two Spaniels.
These continually want to go for a walk, and seem to know the way better than I do to my local. 8)
Surely you know the way there – just not the way back. 😉
That’s why I have dogs….. 😉
Good Day All. Holic, DreamWright speaks for me (cept the young part 🙁 ). When you do your history posts, I go digging. Interesting trivia ( to me ) was they were only allowed 2 subs apiece. And Michael scored with only 25 seconds left on the clock ! That’s what I call a Heart Attack waiting to happen. Just the kinda of game I love 🙂
He didn’t really score ‘with 25 seconds left on the clock’, abb. In those days you really couldn’t tell how much was left. See ‘one minute’ 😉
Zico @ 40. Now I just know the lovely Roxette takes a peek at what you post (surely she does 🙂 ) You’re a brave lad. And Spaniels are the best! Trev, I call Goldens ‘Deceivers’, but they’re great dogs, very happy for you 🙂 . Doggy Treats at the bar, courtesy of Lars.
Oh Ollie 🙂 See Wiki ! Sorry you and Washed Up in France, are having such problems…wish I could help!
Hey Trev. Congratulations on your keeper of a pooch. I expect the mixture will be advantageous in that the Poodle’s curly fur could make the difference in stopping some shots, while the Golden Retriever’s agility is just the thing all keepers must have. Dr. Z though I imagine the Spaniels are excellent candidates for midfield berths, in the manner of Xavi and Iniesta, perhaps?
… or would that be Cazorla and Arteta? Can’t see Arteta as a Spaniel though …
Words can’t describe how much I love and appreciate the history posts Holic, especially since I was born 5 years after Anfield ’89 & only became aware of the Arsenal 7 years after my birth 🙂
DreamWright @37,spoke my mind,word for word(except am 2years younger),i couldn’t have put it down in words any better than he did.
Rub it in fellas 🙂 But hey, as long as I look young, what do I care 🙂
And what is my secret to eternal youth? The Arsenal, of course ! And watching The Boys from Brazil (Kaka, Oscar, Hulk and Neymar) doesn’t hurt, either 🙂
Two excellent posts ‘h.
Wembley ’79 was my second appearance in said venue, turned out a lot better then the first. Unbelievable scenes, we went from smugly content to totally dejected to euphoria in less time then it will take me to type this post.
’89 was also an unbelievable high, like Tel’ I’ve covered this one before so I’ll just skip to the open bus ride from Highbury to Islington Town Hall, what a party that was. my mates and I followed the bus all the way, bobbing and weaving through the crowds not wanting to miss a single second of basking in the glory. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much spilled beer on me or I’d ever been so hoarse, screaming and cheering for the lads on the bus and the balcony. Good times.
Here’s to give you an idea;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GssctcuJeqo
Lars.
What a story (from previos drinks), I’m curious what action, if any, LFC will take against their employee.
Ooh the embarassement of African soccer, no wonder Arsenal is shit-scared to come here for pre-seasons…i thought we had outgrown this after the worldcup 2010!
the comfort of mates at the bar. Whatever u throw at me barman, put it on Lars tab…perhaps an 89 sspecial?
H2H@55: if they do anything at all they’ll probably send their players out wearing shirts with Cheng’s face on them before their next game.
😆 Heh Lars
Everton have Chang on their shirt. 😉
Nice couple of pieces holic any plans for more ?
Felix Baumgartner – a bigger diver than Gareth Bale 😉
There are others d,d. 😉
Excellent stuff, Holic. Your mention of QPR early in the piece prompts me to put on record that the winds of good fortune are blowing me Londonwards for Schalke home, QPR home then up to Fife for the baptism of new fife gooner Finn.
I promise to make appearances at the Tolly for both games and will look forward to seeing one and all then (probably briefly mind).
Nice job on the plane and game tickets, Her Nellieness. Where would I be without you?
Great post holic. Gonna stick Fever Pitch on now and open some 6X just to bring back the memories.
See you at QPR then, BtM. 8)
QPR should be a bit of a BtM reunion then. Steve-o is over from Singapore, zico is down from the independent state, and I suspect that will persuade a few other reprobates to come and say hello.
from memory is was on about 5 am(saturday) here
was at home with sioe mates, and they were amazed at this man jumping around the house at the end.
remember opening the whisky at the end , no work so off to sleep for the rest of the day
Great pieces Holic.
Both made me think where and what football I was involved with at the time (1979-1989) as an American.
I grew up with the sport as my true love. I could be found with a ball at my feet since about age 6. Even when I didn’t have a proper ball, I was known to be in the back yard kicking a basketball against the fence. I think the fence was replaced over time, one board at a time. I continued to play all the way through college despite having 2 knee surgeries before I was 21.
The Arsenal was not on my radar at the time. I was an American kid living in Dallas and there was no Internet and no real television coverage of any football, except for big international tournaments ( think World Cup finals.)
We did, however, have a professional league and Dallas did have a team. The North American Soccer League was a hodge podge league of professional teams that constantly flirted with bankruptcy. My team was called the Dallas Tornados. They were a team of mostly European players who played in front of crowds typically of only a few thousand. I remember going to the games and actually being allowed to sit on the sideline. At halftime me and my friends would go out on the field and shoot on goal. The only time I can remember not being allowed to do this is when Pele and the New York cosmos came to play, I believe it was 1977. That game had more people than I could have imagined, everyone wanted to see him play. He transcended the sport and his name was synonymous with it. His playing in the league gave a level of credibility and he was followed by Beckenbauer, but neither could save the league. A similar migration of players is occurring now in our professional league now with Henry, Beckham, Keane and others.
The NASL struggled for a few more years before it finally collapsed. In its place, the Major Indoor Soccer League took over and I began to watch indoor. The Dallas Sidekicks played for several seasons, but what I remember most about these games was a Brazillian named Tatu. He was a very gifted player who scored regularly ( it was indoor, after all. ) and would take off his shirt after every goal and throw it in the stands. He continues to live in Dallas and is involved with coaching in the area. Sad to say, but this was the football of my youth.
Now Dallas has another professional team, FC Dallas, previously called the Dallas Burn. I have since moved from the area and have never seen them play live. I hate to say it but there is not a team here in the states that I have any interest in supporting in anything more than a casual way. The closest team to me is still almost 4 hours away and the quality of play is a real step down from any of the major European leagues.
That brings me to Arsenal.
To be continued……
@ 66
Reprobates of the world, unite. 🙂
@69
where do I sign up?
Morning Campers,
Been away a while not at her majesty ill hasten to add, been on a tour of Asia, If youve never been but have always planned on going id defo recomend Laos What a country !!
Love this piece still my Favourite Arsenal side, full of quality and more importantly of good people, Wimbledon brings back memories im seen at the front on Match of the Day with my Fred Flinstone printed jeans on 🙂 in my defence tho i was 12 at the time 🙂 !! Loved going to Plough lane a right crap hole and the que from the Texaco Garage ? Was a mare but many good days were had 🙂
May 1989
Young Shaft wakes up early one Saturday morning.
He wipes the crud out of his eyes and walks out into the living room wearing his He-Man pajamas. He sees the figure of a man with a huge afro and glasses sitting in the front of the TV watching football in the early morning darkness. Still yawning, he steps out of the corridor scratching his head. He opens his mouth to speak.
“Daddy, what are you watching?”
“History being made son. History being made.”
“Can I watch too?”
“No. Since you’re up, go and study for your Common Entrance exams.”
“Steups.”
@ 70
You can try here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Heh,
Just a quick note to give everyone some advance notice:
if anyone is in need of “a footie fix” during the inter lull – the Republic of Ireland will be playing against the Faroe Islands tomorrow evening guys ok…!!!
🙂
Work done!
Tell you what, though. I’ll be a bloody sight happier when the summer’s over and the footy season starts again.
What?
Oh.
COYG ICDDR
Just heard on the radio that the Premier League are moving towards a winter break, for 2 weeks, just after Christmas.
So just as we rid ourselves of the monthly Interlulls – sounds a touch euphemistic, that – we will be hit with a domestic lull.
I can’t honestly be bothered to try and think of a nickname for it.
Clubs have squads and reserves to use if players need a break that badly. That might even introduce some unpredictability into the results, although it will, as usual, favour the biggest and best squads.
I think I just defeated my own argument there, but hey, it wasted another couple of minutes of this most boring and interminable of Interlulls.
Please Premier League – NO MORE LULLS, of any kind.
I can’t help myself, after all – guess it will be called the Winterlull. 😉
Coffee please, barman.
Barman ! BARMAANNN !!!
Oh well …….. 🙁
Kos calls Suarez a
ratfaced, bucktoothedcheating cunt.http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8166133/-You-Always-Want-To-Give-Him-A-Kick-
How could anyone possibly disagree?
Apart from the guy on here who used to always defend him when I suggested that he was a toerag when he first arrived in the PL.
I’m not one to say I told you so or have a gloat……….
Who am I kidding, ofcourse I am.
I told you he was a cockspanner.
77 Trev
The Yulelull?
They’ve been talking about it for a few years now, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Been sitting around the last few days trying to figure out the proper antonym of “footballistically” and the best choice seems to be “interlullistically” …
Sorry Trev I didn’t see your #77. I guess a better antonym in that case would be “lullistically” …
Felix Baumgartner’s sky-dive record already under threat;
https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/257826160627552256/photo/1
H2H,
That particular poster has seen more red cards here than Joey Barton.
He is also wired to the moon.
Trev – will it be the winterlull?
Hey zico – seen the last line of my @77 ? 😉
Obviously not 😳
zico @73 – Europe?
zico @ 86 – love the emoticon.
Haha, the fact that no one even commented on my earlier post ( or probably even read it) confirms my point. We have a shit league here in the states that relies on semi-retired players from other leagues to lend it credibility. The teams try to put out a finished product and I am sure it is entertaining to go to the games, but it is not even comparable to other sports here. ( my writing probably sucks just as much)
The amount of youth involvement here is second to none, yet we have never produced a world class American player ( excluding women). We have had some good players and the one position that we do excel at is ‘keeper. I just hope that sometime soon we will make that step up and produce a player that will break through that ceiling.
And the “winterlull”? Why the need to break up the season?
I would just call it bull shit.
bath @ 87
Google (maps) is a bit of a bastard.
It should have directed you toward a well known boozer on the corner of Hornsey Road. However, depending on the configuration of the equipment you are using (ooh er), that link could have resulted in a host of different results…..
(In my case it showed a map of my location – just envisage a desk covered in hate mail….)
Anyway, come along on the day. I will sign you up, personally, you reprobate!
Norcal,
I was waiting on “part 2”.
After all, it has to be more interesting than part 1 😉
Cheers Zico. I agree. It was boring. Even going to the games.
Maybe some day. 😉
Indeed NorCal – on all points. Except the crap writing. 😉
90 Zico.
I was wondering what that was all about, when I clicked on the link I got a map of the U.K.
NorCal. (I too was waiting for partII)
I remember the NY Cosmos, Pele and Cruijf too. The whole league was made of razamatazz, cheerleaders and astro turf, the yanks weren’t quite ready for “soccer” and it died a quick death.
Many thought that “soccer” would take off in a big way when the US was rewarded the World Cup in 1994, but that never really happened as I found out when I was booked for a gig in L.A. in 2002. I was staying in The Standard on Sunset Boulevard and a mate and I when up and down the strip trying to find a bar that was showing the US who were taking on Portugal, as we thought it would be great to watch it among the locals.
We found a Sports Bar that had about a hundred big screens all around the gaff, but not one of them was showing footy, after a word with the manager we managed to get it on a screen in a deserted corner, a great game that the US won 3-2, one of the shocks of the tournament and absolutly noone gave a shit.
Last season my sports channel broadcasted the Play-offs, I must admit I didn’t think the standard was that bad (except for Robbie Keane) and the stadiums look pretty full too, so maybe there’s still hope for “soccer” in the good ol’ U.S of.
H2H , Zico
Part 2 and why Arsenal? is coming. The interesting thing is it does revolve around the ‘ 94 World Cup but not because it was in America.
Yes the stadiums and crowds are getting better. There are some rivalries building. They have put money into some of the infrastructure to build “soccer” only stadiums , it has come around but the product is still second rate. The bigger draws are still semi-retired European and Mexican stars.
I have a friend in Dallas whose 12 year old son has been asked to play for the FC Dallas youth team. What I hope is that they build with these youth teams to produce a better brand at the grassroots level that will lead to a stable environment for the game to eventually flourish here.
H2H 83…. When asked about Felix Baumgartners record sky dive, Gareth Bale’s reply was that he may have the better quality but will never get near me for quantity 😉
Norcal, we continually read how the majority of kids playing sports in USA are now preferring “soccer” to the other perceived favourite American ball games. If this correct?
Pushes a reverse ball to the on-rushing full back…………
Who neatly nutmegs the centre back and drives the back across the pelanty area……….
…..a side steps leave the keeper on his arsenal and a unguarded net for………..
Header ping a ling
Well in Norcal….a silent roar from the spartan crowd watching 😉
Yes uply. It has made significant strides since I was a kid but for some reason ( I have my theories) we still lose out after about age 12.
Snir alluded to writing a paper on the subject in previous drinks and I would love to read it. I can also write more on the subject if the ‘ Holic and bar dont mind.
Just thought with the interbull I would write some perspectives from across the pond.
Thanks for the assist.
Drinks on me today.
Lars put that melted credit card away.
Loved your original post Norcal. Love any stories why anyone gets into football. I got into football because of a tribal playground ritual – my old man, who at that early age was my barometer on life was a serious egg chaser and considered ‘soccer’ (this is not an americansim but stems form british rugby types piss taking pronounciation of ‘association’ as opposed to ‘rugby’ football) a game for long haired pooves. The playground battles dictated that I needed a football team to follow, as no one recognised rugby those days at all. Luckily my Mum steered me towards Arsenal.
Thanks Esso. Drinks are on the bar for all who wish.
Struggling for a century, I see.
Why do you think I offered to buy Ollie? The place is deserted!
There should probably be a comma in there somewhere, otherwise I just offered to buy Ollie.
OR not, heh, where did all these posts come from? Well in NCA.
heh NCA. I’m cheap though.
“Wales boss Chris Coleman wants Gareth Bale to be protected”
He’s evolved from mere chimp to silverback?
heh Nonny.
Heh Uply.
Nor Cal, from what I’ve gathered footy is popular with the kids and the girls, but at college/uni level the traditional US sports take precedent.
I also believe that marketing has a lot to do with it, as the tv companies can sell comercials between all the stop-start moments in Am’ Football, Basketball, Baseball and Ice Hockey, but soccer is two relentless periods of 45mins and only has one break, half time, so the chance to sell ridiculously overpriced airtime to sponsers is diminished making the game less atractive to the networks.
Heh Nonny.
Guest post from Steve T >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>