Experience In Reserves
Oct 9th, 2012 by 'holic
Watching reserve team matches on Arsenal Player prompts fond memories, and the differences between the set up now and when I first saw them are marked. Having said that the make-up of the U-21 side that defeated Reading at Underhill was much closer to the first Arsenal reserve sides I recall in the early sixties.
Back then a Saturday when the first team were away invariably meant we would drop Mum off at my Nan’s so they could go on the razzle at Chapel market at the Angel. That gave ‘holicdad and I a chance to take a leisurely stroll up the Arsenal. No point in getting there for the start and paying a few coppers to watch the stiffs when you could walk in the exit gate at half-time for nothing.
Back then of course substitutes hadn’t even been introduced so if you weren’t in the first team and you were fit there was no point travelling with them. That meant the team that took to the field in the Football Combination, the reserve league in those days, was very much a mixture of experienced first team squad players with a sprinkling of the best youth players who had worked their way through from the junior sides in the South-East Counties and Metropolitan Leagues.
Perhaps not surprisingly the first reserve game of which I have fairly clear recollections was against the neighbours. For some reason, don’t ask me why, the name of the Tottenham goalkeeper, Johnny Hollowbread, tickled my funny bone. That was probably in 1963, about the time I have my first memories of the senior side. Throughout the sixties we would repeat that trip, entering the open gate at the Clock End, checking which way Arsenal were attacking, and if necessary walking around in front of the West Stand to get to the North Bank to be at the right end. The gate that would be shut at first team games was left open for the reserves.
The crowd was never particularly large. Obviously the derby might pull in a thousand or so, but generally a few hundred were dotted around the terraces and the lower tier of the East Stand. There was one meeting with Tottenham at the end of the decade when both sides had players returning from injury. Funnily enough I cannot recall exactly who ours was, but Tottenham fielded Jimmy Greaves up front and from memory 29,000 people turned up, which was a bigger crowd than the first team played in front of that day.
The reserves also provided me with my first memory of ‘invading’ the pitch. In the wake of a 6-1 win over West Ham to lift the Football Combination Cup in, I think, 1970 a number of lads poured onto the pitch at the end of the game. I can still recall looking around from the centre of the playing surface at the magnificent surroundings. I yearned to play their one day, and eventually got my wish, but not sadly as the free scoring centre-forward for the Gunners that roamed my imagination that sunny Saturday afternoon.
Living in the Thames Valley I would also check when the second string were away to Reading and would invariably make the trip as you could get into the centre of the main stand at the old Elm Park ground and sit right behind the bench. I still remember the ‘crowd’, such as it was, turning on one of our cockier young kids at one game there. No names, no pack drill. He didn’t make the step up to the first team anyway, but after about an hour of him getting some serious stick the bloke a couple of seats away from me leapt to his feet and informed anyone and everyone that if anybody else abused his son they would get a straightener a bit sharpish.
By that time the club had made reserve matches free to attend but my gut feel was that attendances were on the decline until the reorganisation that brought about the Premier Reserve League. The moving of fixtures to Underhill was also a smart one, and the televising of fixtures in the early days of Arsenal TV seemed to be reasonably popular as well. The new set up based loosely on an U21 age group promises to be a forward thinking step to allow a more natural progression, and regular games, for those who haven’t quite made the grade at 18 and who might have been hurried out of the door in years gone by.
It was very unusual last night for such a strong representation of senior players to be included at this level, but with Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Bacary Sagna making their recoveries, Andre Santos and Francis Coquelin getting valuable playing time, those who made the journey were rewarded with a good look at some quality players. Mind you, it is a fair bet the talking point on the way home might well have been young Serge Gnabry, if the highlights on Arsenal Player are any guide.
I must try and get up to one of these games soon. I promise not to invade the pitch this time, honest guv.
315 Responses to “Experience In Reserves”
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I-lull
Sliding in the box…..
Serge Gnabry is the name of someone who should be making breathy-voiced records, in French, with a young model who weighs less than his lunch.
And by lunch, I don’t mean his meat and two veg.
Am I turd?
*feigns ridiculous Irish accent*
No fourth
ah, finally done with four days of crazy work.
so many good drinks in the last bar, tabs, h2h, zico, joe, well played. snir, that’s a brilliant video, though not quite as funny as the alan davies one you sent me.
nice piece today, ‘holic. made me actually look up jimmy hollowbread…
nonny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Fa4lOQfbA something like that?
glad the interbull falls on a weekend away, 30th high school reunion, can’t quite believe it’s been that long!
pints of old crafty hen, if you please, for those assembled.
6-1?
We were conceding sloppy goals back then?
I bet it was zonal marking…..
Top 10?
COYG ICDDR
Heh at zico
Evening ‘ Holic,
Love the history and perspective you provide.
Always a pleasure to read.
Nice piece Guv; helps the attempt to maintain interest during ANOTHER bloody interdull. Please, Mr Blatter, pretty please, can we play some football sometime soon?
Didn’t the Arsenal have rather a good run in the combination and/or South East counties league (third teams) sometime in the mid-to-late Sixties notching two or three wins, or was that in the Seventies? Of course, those were the bad old days when we went seventeen years without a trophy. That’s right, 17 years. Tell that to the kids today and they won’t believe you…
COYG etc etc
Oxon,
Blasphemy. You say this isn’t the clubs longest trophy drought?
I am going to go support the Manc’s, at least they win things.
Or ‘ hotscum?
Holic, What continues to amaze me, is that your recollections from your early youth are still firmly within your grasp. The tiniest of details recounted (and they are ones I enjoy the most). Plan to watch the highlights tonite but from what I’ve seen of Serge, I wholeheartedly agree. You may not have realized your ambitions to play..but we are fortunate you found your ‘true’ calling. Especially for those like me, who have missed out on so much.
scruz – exactly. A mate and I, in our youth, were in hysterics hearing that record, thinking they were singing Shittay, in a heavy French accent.
Of course we were too young to realise that if they had been singing erotically about poo, they’d have been Germans, not French.
As a wise old season ticket holder used to say to me:
“we are not the biggest club in the league, but for a club our size we are doing okay”
FG – from the last Set of drinks, Denilson delivered a few long range goals in his tenure as a permenant fixture. Always a pleasure to see.
Did you know?
After Dennis Bergkamp, until he left, RVP was the most skilful Arsenal player?
Did you know?
Wrighty signed as a professional Footballer at 24 years of age, and then went on to sign for Arsenal at 27.
NorCal – Whisper this, but we didn’t win anything, honest, not nuffink, for 44 years up to 1930 – and that lousy run included losing to (gasp) Cardiff City in the FA Cup final.
Bloody interbull.
Night all.
Great post,again,guv.
Norcal,i’m with you @12,but before we go support the Mancs,allow me to scream: Wenger out! Gazidis out!! Usmanov in!!! Bring back Dean the saviour,where has our Arsenal gone?
Memories holic….the reserve games were often interesting and particularly against the LWC. Both teams put out their strongest reserves they could..a game not to lose in front of a relatively big crowd compared to most of these games. One particular match was quite feisty and we included one Billy “flint” McCullough, a tough old pro from Northern Ireland in our defence. After 1 particular robust tackle, the ball ricochet into touch. Billy was first to pick up the loose ball but the lino gave the throw to the LWC. Billy was having none of it though and the oppo tried to wrestle the ball from Billy without success…he had no chance. Finally the ref went over and insisted Billy gave the ball to the LWC. He eventually took one step back and threw the ball full force into his face, knocking him sparko. An early bath ensued!
In fact in the early sixties when crowds were often sparse,even for 1st team matches, you could stand behind the goal at the clock end in the first half to watch us score and then walk round behind the West Stand to the north bank and watch us score at that end. Unfortunately Crowd trouble with away supporters started up in the mid sixties and that route was eventually closed for safety reasons.
Recollections of my first trip to England (just sixteen). It was the third week of April, and it was so very cold! Stayed at Richmond College with my English Lit. Class. Within walking distance to the park. When I saw my first football pitch, I knew I was home. Pure magic for me (always rebelled at the thought of watching American Football). Was constantly delighted by the variety of accents, and me and my buddies got a kick out of trying to speak like a proper Brit. We soon found out the British love their chocolate as well as their Ale (had a taste of a shandy) and experienced sleeping with a down comforter for the first time, heavenly. We made our way North, and it seemed the accents were becoming more ‘colourful’ (harder to understand!) Final destination, Edinburgh (Princess Street, with a majestic view of the castle). My best friend Andrea and me, sneaked out of the hotel after midnight and roamed the quaint streets, soaking up the atmoshere. Envious of the rosy cheeked lasses, who possesed a sophistication, we could only admire with resignation. Good times indeed.
Richmond is a very nice part of London Abb – the Park and the river very nice on a summers day. Mmm..your first experience of sleeping with a down comforter…is that an American slang for a good man.
I’m sure Dr Z can explain how they got their “rosy” cheeks better than I.
Sophisticated…well you must have met Roxette then
Hope you have had further trips to old blighty since then.
Hey Uply, Just finished watching the highlights. Yes, been back there since, but the first time is special, is it not:)
Oh Uply, one more memory to share. Our teachers took us to a Disco, located on the Thames River. They had Go Go Dancers in bird like cages. I distinctly recall our chaperone, Mrs. Leonard chirping “That one girl there, her thighs are too chunky to wear such a short dress!” How funny to remember what she said, so long ago.
Anyone still up? I found a long clip of the reserve match against Reading. Check it* out before it gets taken off youtube! Jack looks alright, so does Gnabry and Akpom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snxUqQnG4gs
*I hope it’s the right link. I can’t double-check because I’m in work
Cor, Seems to work just fine, thank you
Now to watch!
Hey Cor, It’s actually against West Brom. No worries though. It shows Kyle Ebecilio, who I believe has real prospects (kinda reminds me of a young Diaby). You must let me know what you think, when you have a chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz5f7AcckNs&feature=plcp
Highlights of the game for anyone without Arsenal Player.
@27: Hey abb, sorry about that honey. Damn these company computers. I watched the Reading highlights at home, then got to work and tried to search for it and share it using my terminal which blocks video so apologies for posting the wrong vid
As far as Ebecilio goes, I haven’t seen him play that much so can’t offer too many opinions. According to Jeorge Bird he’s advancing very well though. He described him as “A good passer of the ball who is also strong in the tackle, Kyle’s performances during his time in North London have not always been the most consistent, but he has demonstrated glimpses of promise and, given that he is highly rated by Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff, could receive some first-team outings this season.”
Should bode well for the future.
I’m more excited by Toral though. He looks amazing to my untrained eye!
So Saturday night was a hum dinger. Older brother, a gooner through and through, and young nephew who is 9 and a gooner in the making. We all watched the Arsenal play a cracker at my old local pub and, obviously, two of us got too far into the Guiness. And when the youngin later bedded down, breaking out the Jameson the older brother proceeded to drink me under the table. Truly fun night, however, illadvisadly decided that posting seemed a good idea.
Apologies to all in the bar. Unpardonable drunken conduct. Won’t happen again.
A jury trial in a far off land in 3 weeks time means sober three weeks and little sleep but will still be checking reading the ‘holic’s wisdom when the chance arises.
Humbly offer a round on my tab, if anyone fancies it.
Cheers.
Cor, Good stuff there. Thanks!
Homer, It’s ok. Get some shut eye and you’ll feel much better. Don’t want anybody feeling bad. Goodnite holics.
CoR. Thanks for the highlights, whatever club it was we were playing against. I think their ground was called The Hawthorns, though.
Hahaha.
Je te demande pardon!
I promise to make it up next time 8ball
Abb,
Whilst Wolfgang may disapprove, there is no transcending the sexes here – you were in fact on Princes Street.
Ugh, stupid airport, stupid o’clock and it’s not even half-past interlull.
Just read the post again.
Johnny Hollowbread followed by Johnny Hollowheads, the more things change……
Uplympian, Rosy cheeks?
In my experience, they tend to be covered up…..
Long days, long weeks, I’ve got a headache even before starting.
The pain is trying to get a parking space. I’m lucky that two days in a row I got the last space in their tiny visitor car park, but that’s through getting up earlier than usual.
It won’t last.
Parked in the nearby hotel on Monday, not too comfortable with that…
Bah. Have a good day all.
The one good thing about Interlulls is that it usually means a history post, which is something I always enjoy. Great stuff as always, Holic!
It’s a bit of a shame that many of the U21 games will be played behind locked doors at the training ground. Not sure how it would affect the pitch (but I can’t see it affect it too much to have one more game every other week or so), but why not play them at the Emirates?
Pints all round except for Ollie who is apparently the designated driver today
heh Lars.
Start watching from 21:00 and tell me that cunt isn’t the most biased motherfucker.
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/video_audio/174101.html?genre=6;sport=3
I genuinely think I hate Stewart Robson more than the MOTD nobs.
Morning Snir
I really don’t know why you get so worked up over Robbo.
We all know he is anti Arsenal,so why bother giving him air time and getting indigestion over it.
Much better to focus on the pleasures of life,like waking up in the morning with a smile on your face and a Boner to be proud of.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper.
heh – sordid Sweeper in archaelogical dig
Holic great post taking us back into the past and what watching Arsenal was back then.
Trev from the previous blog- Non taken
I guess for people that earn a living talking about football, the least they could do is pronounce players names correctly.
Abbs, amazingly I have never fainted in my life but if there is anything that can lead to it, it is getting in close range to that poster boy so keep the smelling salts around just in case.
Snir always appreciate the videos so keep up the good work.
43 Clive…life can be hard at times
Back in Black
Emirates Control Centre, 1500 hours
Command is seated behind a cluttered desk. He sips from his glass of Château Margaux ands scratches his head absent-mindedly as he watches a rerun of Monaco v Châteauroux on his flatscreen TV. He suddenly becomes aware of voices being raised outside of his door. As he clicks mute on the remote control, his door swings opens violently, knocking his marble Gunnersaurus bust to the floor. A tall man sporting dreadlocks and a luxurious moustache enters, followed by a rotund female secretary in an agitated state.
Matilda: I tried to stop him, sir.
Command: Pas de problème, Matilda. I’ll deal with it.
Matilda flushes and turns to leave. She ponders whether to pick up the pieces of the bust but decides against it. She closes the door quietly behind her. The man adjusts the collar on his black leather jacket and walks around the mess into the centre of the room.
Command: Why are you back, Shaft? After last season’s clusterfuck, you didn’t really think I’d let you in the field again?
Shaft: Failing to eliminate Blatter and protect our Platini impostor was unforgivable. I know that. But I did get to Fulop in time though. Enjoy that third place? You’re welcome.
Command: I have to look at the big picture, John. All you did was help us achieve the bare minimum, but we wanted much more than that. Blatter’s still growing in influence. Our enemies have also strengthened significantly. Do you know how many annoying gloating emails I have to put up with from Ole Stopwatch?
Shaft: Forget the defectors and all that, boss. If you let me back in the field I’ll make it worth your while.
Command: Well, what do you have to offer?
Shaft walks over to the desk and sits down heavily into the chair across from Command. He produces some folded sheets of paper from his right jacket pocket and places them on the desk. Command picks them up and peers at it over his spectacles like a librarian. His thinly pressed lips then become a smirk and he looks at Shaft. He then presses the intercom buzzer.
Command: Matilda, get Steve in here please.
Shaft: Heh, I thought that’d get your attention.
A bald man with the look of a grizzled old soldier enters the room after a few minutes. He removes his red and white wool cap and walks over to the two seated men. He offers his hand to Shaft.
Command: Shaft, meet my new number two.
Number Two: Glad to finally meet you John.
Shaft: Likewise.
Command: Steve, I don’t know how, but John has managed to get his hands on the instruction manual for the V-05. Maybe now we can finally adjust its settings down from “Verminate” to “Perfect Hold.”
Number Two: That’s great news, boss. I’ll get this down to Colney right away.
Command: Good. Alright Shaft. I’m prepared to give you another chance but you can’t fail this time. You’ll need a new team so I want you to locate the most incompetent, unintelligent and out-of-shape men around.
Shaft: What for?
Command: To infiltrate the Referees’ Assocation. I’ll contact you later via the usual channels with more operation details.
Abb…thanks for your memories…fun filled heh. Discos….be careful, you are showing your age
Shaft@47: heh!
Shaft you have been given a second chance don’t screw it up ok?
Uplympian. I am not that old and I do remember discos
Ebecilio definitely has something about him. He came on during the first U-21 game against Bolton and impressed me greatly. One quick turn and surging run past three opponents had the crowd gasping and looking at each other. He’s very powerful and athletic and runs with his square shoulders held unusually high. A very interesting prospect.
Ok, haven’t back-drunk yet but will get on it when I’ve got this off my chest.
A little context first. In football supporting terms I’m a late bloomer, and for that reason consider myself a lesser fan than pretty much all the regulars. I come from a (large, 7-person) family where following a football club was never a hobby for anyone, which would explain why I was never bothered about playing it or supporting anyone as a lad. I was packed off to a traditional private school, where rugby was always the order of the day in autumn and winter, cricket and athletics in the summer. Finally, aged 20, I got interested. I needed a team to follow and I’d heard from my mum that one of her cousins missed her wedding to watch the Red and White play at home so I took that as a sign and made the right choice.
So glad I didn’t talk to my old man because he has a soft spot for the impoverished neighbours.
The looming blot on the landscape is this: my best mate’s stepson (age 7) is a born and bred Islington lad. His school have links to our fine club and players have been to his school on various occasions to coach and chat to the nippers. He wisely settled on the Gooners as his club (and seeing as his dad – and I to a much lesser extent – are the gents he spends most time with, he wouldn’t have been allowed anything else!). But since the big-mouthed skunky turncoat showed his true colours, his faith has been tested. He just loves the guy. Recently he’s started saying quite worrying things like, “I think I quite like United,” and “I might start supporting them.”
Best friend and I are absolutely bricking it. He’s been doing his best to explain how players come and go but the club remains YOUR club, how most Arsenal players today used to play for someone else and might move on again in future. Best friend had a pair of tickets to the CL game last week and he took the lad, so hopefully a win like this will help him realise where his allegiances SHOULD lie.
So Holics, will this be enough? Is there anything else my mate can do to convince the poor misguided little mite that you only get one club for life and he’s already made the right choice come rain or shine? I’m hoping someone else with more experience of this can offer some much-needed insight.
@50: I’ll try not to Firstlady!
It’s Tony Adam’s birthday today, is it not?
And Charlie George?
Happy birthday you Arsenal Legends!!!!
Nice post Holic, cheers for that.
Camberwell, nice story mate …
1.As many tickets to games as your mate can afford. If cost an issue, I’d take him to the u21s and ladies games. Anything where he can see the red and white. My first experience of Arsenal was the reserve games. I don’t remember differentiating between the huge crowds at first team games and the much smaller Reserve ones at that age. Arsenal is Arsenal.
2. Give him another “favourite” player pretty sharpish by extolling their virtues at every opportunity. I would also get him along to the shop, stadium tours, museum etc. Reruns of the 79 final at every opportunity
3. Denigrate Man Utd and RVP in terms that a seven year old will understand. ie they are miles away and you will never see them, RVP hurts people like mummy, RVP is a cheat and Arsenal had to sell him etc. Be unscrupulous, lie, say whatever you have to.
4. Tell him he would have to go and live next door as your mate just can’t have Man Utd fans in the house, it’s against the rules.
5. If all else fails beat the living crap out of him until he submits!
Tabs, cheers for the solutions – plenty of stuff to work on there.
1. Doable, especially the reserve games.
2. Never thought of that. The boy needs a new hero! Maybe Cathorla if I can get the chance to show him some youtube vids.
3. Brilliant plan. “RVP is a big fat liar”, “he plays with Rooney who uses swear words and cheats all the time” (again youtube will help with that) etc etc.
4. Yes, or threaten to deny him his favourite drink (cranberry juice).
5. I’ll keep this one in reserve and hope he never forces me to use it!
Haha, excellent stuff Camberwell.
Big fat whoppers mixed with a liberal dose of fear – the template for any religion!
TaBS has it covered, Camberwell, with the exception that 5 should move up the list and 6 should be added.
Disown the little sod.
Camberwell,
There are times when political rectitude needs to take a back seat.
Option 5.
Alternatively, run him past the Tollington on match day and let him see his glorious future self. Oh…….
Since we have a lot of foreigners, we might have a problem…
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2012/10/05Oct-Football-Referees-News-Release.aspx
Holic, his parents should have thought of that one sooner, surely. He deserves to be put in a foster home for that little misdemeanour.
Zico, ha! “One day, son” (gesturing to spreading waistline) “all this will be yours.”
Good stuff ‘holic.
Being an ‘olloway lad my Sarurday’s were divided between a walk up to Market Rd for a kick about on the astroturf or bunking into the Sobell Centre or the Hornsey Rd Baths if we were feeling the need for sport related exertions. There was also the cinematic choices of sneaking in the fire exit of either the Odeon or the ABC/Coronet, both on the Holloway Rd.
Ofcourse the other option was to walk up the Iseldon Rd past the Rainbow and turn right just before hitting Finsbury Park to visit the greatest place on Earth, the Home of Football. First Division home games were a must, no questions asked. Reserve games were always a decent option and made you feel like a toff, because we could climb up into the Stands and watch our beloved team sitting on a seat and not precarously balanced on a crush barrier, oh how we felt like kings.
One player sticks in the memory for me, our top scorer and if memory serves top scorer in the Combination League in a season in the late 70′s, a good lad with a fine head of hair who unfortunatly didn’t have the same goalscoring success as he did in the reserves, but is not doing too badly today. A certain Mr Brian McDermott.
http://cards.littleoak.com.au/198283_fks_soccer82/014_brian_mcdermott.jpg
Camberwell -
Record Slur Alex McPurplenose doing a bit of his open mouthed chewing into camera – there are many minutes of it with even the edited highlights on MotD – and keep replaying subliminal flashes of it whenever your son is around.
Tell him that RvP loves this man and took his children to go and live with him in a place that is grey and miserable where it rains ALL the time.
Ask him how any father could want to take his children to be near to such a disgusting, bad mannered old man, and tell him that all Man Utd players do that to their sons.
Advantages: It won’t cost you anything, and you don’t even have to lie.
Hehs at Cam’, Zico, Tabs and the Guv.
As a parent I’d have to advocate telling the child the truth.
United fans are the most dispicable, dispised scum of the earth and they’re all destined to go to hell.
Honesty is, as they say, the best policy.
H2H @65 – Heh good stuff. I’d stopped going to the Reserves by the time Mcdermott came along. Good little player, but in my view never really had the physical presence even sufficient for the “small nippy” man. Presumably you would have seen Raphael Meade, Chris Whyte from the same era?
When I initially went to the Reserves the big star was Peter Marinello, who was finding it impossible to dislodge Geordie Armstrong, and who I remember seeing score a hat trick in a 7-1 win against someone or other. Brendan Batson, the right back, was the one that got away, whilst I think a chap called Woodward was the Captain.
I went to the Reserves pretty regularly until about ’75. Even at that young age it was great fun trying to spot who would make the big step up. Brady and O’Leary were obvious shoe-ins. Stapleton and Price much less so. Along the way a whole host of characters who were not quite good enough – Powling, Matthews, Rostron, Ross, Hornsby etc.
I’m trying to think of a player from that era who everybody said was “certain” to make it, but for whatever reason didn’t. I’m afraid my memory is failing me, though I do have very vague recollections of a nippy little right winger called Bobby Harding who everybody raved about and who never made it.
One I do remember was a guy called Paul Davies (not to be confused with Paul Davis), who was the brother of Wyn Davies who played for Southampton. He was an absolutely hopeless centre-forward and got a fair amount of stick from the crowd, who didn’t even consider him good enough for the Reserves. Much to the crowd’s hilarity he stayed in situ for a number of seasons, though I’m pretty sure he never played for the First Team.
He was an absolutely hopeless centre-forward and got a fair amount of stick from the crowd
Then the crowd grew up.
Some become lawyers.
The less able now write for Le Groan.
God help you lot….I have two hours to kill at an airport – and an expense account…..
Tollie practise.
Indeed Dr Z
Am seriously laughing out loud at the suggestions coming through on how to instill gooner DNA in a little boy,i’m noting all the points,they might come in handy when i have my own kids in a few years time. Camberwell,how about you buy his favourite toys for him and tell him they came courtesy of The Arsenal?
Brendan Batson. Now there’s a stage name to be envious of.
Actually, I got to see him on my small screen growing up in California when he was playing in the old First Division. Speed to burn, as I recall.
Nice one Tabs, I was of a slightly later vintage following the reserves then your goodself. I indeed saw Whyte and Meade and I believe Davies and Vaessen were there too. It’s hard to remember because after 1980 with the departure of Brady and Stapleton, without being properly replaced, many of the reserves were drafted into the first team, (see, it’s not a Wenger thing) so my memory is a bit fuzzy about certain details. For the younger ‘holics, this was before players had their names blazend on their shirts or even a great big screen in the stadium. All info was gained from the matchday programme (for first XI games) and half the time they weren’t correct either, so the team list would be read tout over the tanoy by a guy who’d crammed six pairs of socks in his mouth. (well that’s what it sounded like, although still not as annoying as the guy nowadays at the Emirates.;))
Camber or just tell him winning is not everything as I think it is the lure of trophies calling him,tell him arsenal has a style of football that the manure cannot match and that in the near future Arsenal is going to rule the world while manure falls into a slump!
Nice history posts, Guvnor, Tabs, H2H.
Never really went to Reserve games myself, but I used to go to London Colney a lot – yep, the old one that burned down, where the height of entertainment was a table tennis table – with a couple of mates, and watch the youth team.
One of my friends had lost his mother at an early age, and his father decided that they had the house room to take in an Arsenal apprentice.
The one I really remember was a lad from Nottingham called Lawrie Redmile, who was similar in playing style to Peter Simpson.
He played in a youth team that included a clever little winger called Tosh Thompson who appeared a likely eventual replacement for Geordie Armstrong.
Great days and all very different to present times.
After their own training session, the lads we had got to know used to meet apprentices from all the other London clubs and play for fun in a local park. Games that the three of us regularly joined in with as we were all in the county set-up and didn’t honestly look out of place.
As we regularly used to see George Graham, Frank McLintock and Theo Foley together at the Training ground, it could surely only be a matter of time before our apprentice ‘mates’ put a word in for us and we were invited for trials with The Arsenal !
Sadly, but obviously, it never happened, but it fuelled many boyhood dreams while it lasted.
Tabs @68 – Rostron, as in Wilfie, not Wolfie.
A game of nearly famous names to fill more endless Interlull minutes ….
Nice one Trev.
News of Park MKI
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19899911
There is no defying gravity – Guinness travels in a downward direction.
Unlike my expenses, heh.
H2H, Trev – Lovely stuff.
Did you get to play with anyone famous Trev?
Not using my tab today then, zico?
Milk it for all it’s worth Z’.
Airport booze comes at an extortiant price, but tastes twice as good when someone else is footing the bill.
After seeing H2H’s link i Couldn’t help but picture Arsene coming across that article and thinking “whatever made me pay 10 million British Pounds for him”
What a lively bunch we have here! Can I start by giving a shout out to Ollie ? Our morning sunrise, regular as clockwork
Zico, you are something else, feller (winks). Enjoyed the memories shared by you lads of the Arsenal, back in YOUR day (cheeky smile). Camberwell, please take First Lady’s advice (I’m begging you). Or take him to some of the Under 18 games. Youngsters his age identify more readily with teenagers. Or he could be a Junior Gunner (very expensive though !) And Holic,as I remember, your household has a similar problem 
As for you Uply, sinbin now 
Lars, are you telling us that your tab covers the aviation business too?
Damn, you must be the King of Sweeden.
H2H, no – only that he is drinking at the airport instead of in this bar
Now for the serious stuff. Snir, I’m not at all surprised. Refs are human, after all. But very troubling, all the same. Great piece. matty t @ 51, hello! So you also see something in Kyle. Enjoyed your take and look forward to more of your input on our lads.
Refs are human?
Who knew?
Think you will find Phil is still a dildo.
Oh, that’s a shame Lars.
*Calls up mate to tell him the beano to Schipol is off*
Cheers for the advice all, I’ll pass it onto my mate.
Also, I’m going to start implementing all of it starting the next time I see the lad.
One for TaBS, Jim de Garis!
John Woodward went on to spend time at York, I think.
Abb….knew I was travelling in dangerous terrority…unlike you to give a straight red and not a yellow first.
Zico 89. There is a difference between a dildo and Phil Dowd….the former is useful ( so I’ve been reliably informed;-) whereas the latter is utterly useless.
‘holic, I remember Edward Woodward moved to New York and became The Equaliser…..
Oh.
Uply,
What you (or anyone else) do with referees in the privacy of your own home is probably for another forum
Heh Holic, Jim De Garis!!!! Remember the name, if not anything else. Midfield?
Also remember a chap called Carmichael from that era, who I think was a centre-half?
8Ball @73 – Batson was a pretty good player as I recall, though he might have been viewed as a better player than he actually was because of his link with the other two black players at West Brom, Regis and Cunningham, both of whom could play a bit.
Bit of a big cheese at the PFA now I believe.
H2H 65….in my mis-spent yoof, it would be ABC Savoy Holloway Road,
the Astoria cinema later became known as the Rainbow, and walk past the Finsbury Park Empire which was still open! The swimming baths were known as Montem Street baths and the Michael Sobel centre was yet to open.
The highlight watching the reserves was being able to sit in the posh seats in the West stand. Also with the normal small crowds, you could here every thing the payers were saying / shouting – both illuminating and funny at times.
Back in the late 50s / early 60s, even for league games the gates were invariably opened at the start of the second half and people would walk in to the terraces and watch the remainder of the game for free. Mind you some of the dire performances at that time you couldn’t blame them.;-)
…Gilberto wins the ball and passes to PV4…
Zico 95 heh.
Lobs ball into the area for the onrush ing…….
Ping
Doh.
Good morning.
Well in cent
Well in cent for the 100……are you now known as dollar or euro
Good morning,Norcal.
Uply,thanks for the assist,i will remain humble and keep my name even though i’ve scored my first senior goal. *cheeky smile*
Cent gets numéro cent. Apt. Well in!
Nice one Uply sir.
In my day you could also get in free after HT, they did have stewards at the gates to try to stop you, but those old gits (to us at the time) were too fat and too slow to catch a cold.
Well in Cent.
Ollie @104,nice one.
H2H,thanks.
Hey now ‘Holics!
Are we still winning? Inter-what? Oh.
I’ve missed you guys.
Cent @ 100 – good to know others have kept the “ping” alive in my absence.
Fantastic piece of work Shaft.
Regarding instilling Gooner DNA in the progeny, I find that surrounding them with Arsenal merch from an early age helps. Baby Lady Gooner has had the blanket, sleeping bag, and throw pillow all in her room since I brought her home from the hospital. Also singing sanitzed versions of classic Arsenal chants works well. Finally, just watching games together is probably the best bet. Then again, whispering “Arsenal. Arsenal. Arsenal.” in their ears as they sleep can’t hurt matters
Finally, before I’m off again, in honor of Mr. George:
Char-lie. Char-lie.
Char-lie. Char-lie.
Born is the Ki-ing of High-a-bury.
BMBD
Lonestar. Good to see you are alive. Dedicated a ” ping” to you in yesterday’s drinks @400.
You are almost like batman, you heard the “ping” and then there you were.
Ladies cup final shortly on ESPN, for those with nothing better to do.
Bought my tickets last night for the family pop across the pond.
Not cheap when your buying 6, but everyone is so excited. Leave a month from today. We can’t wait to see The Arsenal live and in person.
I’m up for any suggestions on things to do and see. Will be there 2 weeks. London, Paris and Dublin are on the agenda. Going to the away game at Villa. Can’t wait!!
NorCal – next time you are over here in Europe you should not miss Prague *shameless advert of his country* The city up to par with the greatest european capitals in my opinion:)) Actually ..Paris and Prague are quite similar in many ways
) Hope you will have blast on your trip:)
If you go on a visit to Prague, leave the wife and kids behind in Paris
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Koscielny-touche/318871
Riberycunt….
Nonny 109. And those who have ESPN….
Dr Feelgood can heartily recommend Prague.
And Talinn.
And Krakow.
And Bratislava.
And Budapest, York, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Munich, Amsterdam, Cologne.
And New York City.
And some places he’s forgotten.
Roxette disapproves of Geography.
Eandy,
I have been to Prague. Many years ago. Loved it. But then I was 23 and traveling around Europe with 5 women.
I remember eating at a Mexican food place just off the square. Random to say the least. Your clock is still my favorite glockenspiel in all of Europe.
Cheers
NorCal, I will also be at Villa away – will you be in the away section?
And Interlulls can just go fuck themselves. Before even one game has been played it has claimed it’s first Arsenal victim. The sooner we do away with these idiotic mid-season qualifiers the better.
Zico,
Been to a few on your list too. But the older of my progeny can only miss so much school. 16 days is all we can do at this time. Hopefully it is the start to more future travels.
http://www.francefootball.fr/Medias/Photos/201210/644×416/koscielny-touche-au-genou-droit.jpg
Lars, it’s all wait and see at the moment. You never know, it may not be much.
Ollie, it MAY not be much but knowing our luck it’ll probably be something serious
Lars,
Yeah. I think we are going to sit in the away section. Unfortunately to get 7 tickets we will have to go thru a ticket broker and pay a premium.
Cheaper to set in Villa seats but not sure I could keep my emotions in check and my 5 year old really couldn’t.
And no that is not a reference to the little boy inside me.
Sweet stream for the football, only about two seconds behind the game
http://www.hahasport.com/v-4/6/6/v-460763.html
Cheers Nonny.
heh NCA
abb @ 21, very nice recollections of your 1st trip to the UK
The Sweeper @ 43, X_X
Shaft @ 47, this made my journey home
I presume you’ll be getting to know more of Matilda over the season? 
Camberwell @ 52 & various, very interesting discussion on how to cement your mate’s stepson in the ways of the Gooner, the new hero to replace the little boy inside the grown man should work a treat until he can get to the age like me where he loves the club as a whole more than any player & doesn’t need a player to convince him of that:) (After Henry left [it was like a punch in the gut honestly] it was Fabregas, the little boy & now the mighty Arsenal!)
H2H & Uply, the amount of stuff you guys did in your youth without getting nicked is phenomenal (*o*)
Nice assist Uply & lovely ping ‘Cent’ Man.
And on that matter, Good to have to back in this here establishment Lonestar
I suspect we might not know before tomorrow at least, Lars, but we’ll see.
NorCalArsenal @ 110/118/121, I hope you enjoy your trip
Wonder when I’ll get around to an away game myself…
Cheers, NorCal!
I have always enjoyed the Dark Knight, and midnight is best for marauding…enjoy the trip.
BMBD
These nostalgic posts by ‘Holic get you thinking, always a dangerous past-time for yours truly, especially when the Guinness is provided gratis on the company invoice.
I freely admit that the following has but the briefest and most tenuous of links with Arsenal, but if you’ve nothing better to do, read on and let me share with you a memory from the time when others were nipping in to watch the Arsenal reserves for nothing. It also has a link of sorts to the conundrum set earlier, by Camberwell.
When I was on the cusp of teenage life, my eldest brother and dyed in the wool “Hun”, tried the old indoctrination trick on young Master Feelgood. Jock Stein’s all-conquering Celtic were matched with the other half of the ugly sisters and big brother took me to watch them contest the Scottish Cup Final. Rangers had recently won a European trophy but were still underdogs as Stein was clocking up 9 championships on the bounce. My bruv thought taking me along that day would ensure that I followed his own self-righteous path and take up the colours of the Establishment team. (In vain, as it happened).
Now, this was at a time when Scotland actually produced footballers of real talent, unlike the journeymen of today, and therefore should have been an attraction, in and of itself, irrespective of who was playing. For a young zico, though, it was all about going to a real, massive football match with the grown-ups. Or put another way, escaping the depressing ennui of a Saturday in the 70s, in the years before the fruitless pursuit of a shag became the sport of choice.
Some perspective:
Match attendance – 122,714 (yes, google helped, I didn’t count them)
Match ticket – the princely sum of £0.88 (that’s what it says on brother’s ticket stub which he still has)
Match programme – £0.10 – disproportionately priced even then!
It was not uncommon in those days for attendances at Hampden to broach six figures, (some way short of the record 149,000 which witnessed Scotland v England in 1937 – I think ‘Holic might have been there) and yet, I don’t remember it being particularly claustrophobic.
I remember being surrounded by lots of drink, and being disgusted by the smell of it. (Hey, I was only learning).
I remember lots of police horses, Plod hopelessly not in control of them, and the occasional nipper being rescued from a trampling by the emergence of hairy hands whisking them from danger in the nick of time.
I remember during the game, lots of adults pissing into empty tins of Tennent’s, aiming blind at the target and caring less for accuracy.
I remember how vast Hampden looked empty, and the visceral emotions that ebbed and flowed from both tribes, once it was full.
I remember Kenny Dalglish scoring the opener (those celebratory arms raised skyward which would soon become familiar at grounds throughout England) and many angst-filled cries around me of “fuck, here we go again.”
I remember the bedlam around me when the equaliser went in.
I remember seeing many people, young ‘uns and grown men, sporting miners headgear, emblazoned in club colours. I didn’t understand then that this was the then state-of-the-art protection against a potential controversial refereeing decision, which would inevitably induce an indiscriminate hail of bottles thrown in every direction, and at no one in particular.
I remember in the end, the underdog won, and there was some Royal patron or other there to present the cup.
I remember my brother being an unbearable twat afterward as if the win was the most natural thing in the world (brothers, eh?)
That was my first ever cup final of any description. It left an impression on me, of course. I think about it sometimes when I look around the magnificence of thr Emirates and marvel at how primitive we all (football fans) were back then.
And why am I telling you this? (Apart from being bored in the interlull).
The next match my brother took me to was later that summer.
Glasgow Rangers v Arsenal. 65,000, for a friendly.
There was only going to be one winner.
(2-1 as it happens, George and Radford)
Just watched Artetas close up on player and I have to say..how lucky we are to have him in our team. This lad has everything set up so right in his head its unbelievable for the professional footballer of these days. So humble and perfect example for youngsters who can learn a lot from him.
You can probably tell my flight was delayed
and wow zico, marvelous post :O
I have seen a short clip of 3 seconds of Koscielny trying to walk before giving up. No picture of the actual clash though.
Looks painful, but it’s not like he went on a stretcher.
*tries to convince self of lightness of injury despite not believing it*
DOOOOOOOOOOMED.
Zico 129…….beautifully described….at least the Scots have a worthy educational system. Your reflection of how primitive following football was in yesteryear very poignant.
Drinks on expenses / delayed flight……will your employers be putting out a profits warning ?
Ladies should be ahead but still aren’t.
Surely nothing can go wrong in such a final against Brum though, right?
Nearly jinxed it. Thankfully Brummie missed a goal more open than Giroud vs City.
Nonny, cheers for the link!
zico, great stuff. Very much enjoyed reading that!
Good evening, ‘Holics.
Welcome back,lonestar(even if briefly).
Norcal,enjoy your trip and i hope your visit will help instill gooner DNA in your kids.
Norcal @116, you toured/travelled Europe with FIVE women?
Wind,hi,mate.
Zico,another great piece @129,keep them coming sir.
Ollie and Lars,fingers crossed Bergkamp will do us a favour Re Koscielny.
Oh, what a goal by Little!
1-0 Little! Great stuff.
She’s probably the best Scottish player, men and women included, Lars.
Brum who haven’t had a corner before that goal, now get their second.
Nearly scored on that one as well as the first.
Holic, the beauty of your history posts is not the immaculate detail you portray, but their ability to coax the memories of your drinkers out for us all to read such as Zico’s @ 129. Well played, the both of you good sirs.
One Scottish pissing memory deserves another, I suppose. Easter Road, Edinburgh, circa 1979. Hibernian v. Aberdeen and an away victory thanks to goals from Joe Harper who scored the most in the league that season. I didn’t have any idea that Alex Ferguson was the manager of Aberdeen that day. I didn’t know him from Adam but Wikipedia says he started at Aberdeen in 1978 so Ferguson it must have been. Anyway, at halftime I went in search of the bathroom and was having trouble finding one so asked a man who pointed me in the direction of a cinderblock wall at the back of the stands where all the men were urinating in the open air. No enclosure whatsoever, and everybody taking it for granted, except me. Knowing that Easter Road is still in use it makes me wonder whether it has the same or upgraded bathroom facilities …
Update. Mixed news.
Koscielny’s “injury” looks like it’s not serious,he might even play against Japan.
Poldi took a slight ankle knock in training with the Germans.
Ladies wins!
Kim Little is truly amazing. Pride of Scotland, zico?
Well played, Arsenal Ladies!
Ollie@141: heh!
Cent, where did you get these news?. Trying to monitor things here, no new news.
thanks, nonny. watched the second half of the ladies’ game, and it was impressive. a couple bangs off the woodwork before that little no. 16 worked her magic. lovely goal! watching her dribble and move off the ball she reminded me of the men’s no. 19, saint that he is.
congratulations, ladies.
Ollie I know you’re not a fan of it but its all coming from Twitter, Julien Laurens tweeted the same about 10 mins ago as well, big scare, was in pain, not anymore & will be ok for Friday.
Congrats to the ladies. They seem to be dominating at the moment. May it long continue.
She has little competition, Ollie.
Chuck my coat over
There’s the thing Wind: training was open to journos today unlike yesterday. So I can take his initial report.
Second one hopefully true too, but let’s see.
I hate journalists on twitter more than anything else in the world though
. It’s attention-seeking central, who’s more ITK than the other ITKs, etc.
heh zico, here’s your coat, indeed.
Uply @ 134
The flight got called before the Administrator was called in
Double double double
The ladies have won the double
While the scum from the Lane
Have won fuck-all again
The ladies have won the double
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Rassurant-pour-koscielny/318893
Ok, good
And the source is in fact the FFF not some journo on twitter.
Who probably got his news from the FFF.
That’s why I hate them.
Oh yes, it says exams showed nothing and he’s scheduled to take part as normal in the last pre-game training session tomorrow evening.
The soi
You know, in the old days, nobody would have batted an eyelid. We would have learnt later than well, not much happened.
Now people jump on news, especially when they are potentially bad.
Eloquence personified, Trev!
Put it that way: I was quietly confident when I actually saw that short clip I mentioned above. Did that brilliant journo mention that?
Or did he say it could be bad?
I see Ollie. Here’s to the Ladies doing the Double, and here’s to Koscielny being ok. Was watching the last 10 mins of the West Ham Away Game, and when Koscielny came on for Poldi he did indeed show 3 fingers to Mertesacker for the 3 man defence, hope to see more of it on occasion.
Oops, iPad !
NorCal @152 – dominating ladies. Interesting …….
More good stuff Zico.
Tabs – I don’t know if I played with anyone famous, many of them were anonymous to me.
Lawrie Redmile played for the Reserves but I can’t remember whether he eventually played for the first team or not.
Peter Feeley, who started at Enfield and went on to play for Chelsea, was just leaving the county squad as I joined it, but he was never an Arsenal player.
In one of a few attempted comebacks after far too much knee surgery, I joined a team that included Gordon Ferry, who played for Leyton Orient and Barnet, and was on Arsenal’s books for a year. Again I’m not sure if he made it to the first team or not. Certainly not regularly.
Unfortunately, my knee proved too far gone by then, otherwise .i just know I would have …….. Well, neither of us can prove that, can we
Cheers Ollie, this iPad has a mind of its own.
Trev, if you have ever viewed my Twitter account you will see confirmation on my wallpaper about your Gordon Ferry question
Evening all. Been mooching around under the bonnet and writing a lengthy piece for someone else so missed the girls. Looking forward to seeing the Ladies on Arsenal Player.
A drop of malt is in order…
Ollie,sorry i was away,good to see you’ve confirmed the news yourself. About Poldi,the news came from an account that reports on the German National team,it said it’s just a knock,hopefully it won’t be anything to lose sleep about.
Congrats to the ladies on their double. Lars,can we have a round on your tab to celebrate them? Thanks.
Trev, I am sure we would have hailed you as a legend and an icon these days
Cent, of course! My tab is always open. Champagne all round to celebrate a great lady double!
Hey, Had My Lonestar radar on, and finally a bleep! So good to see you. And Congratulations to our Ladies. To be honest if they took on our Lads, not sure who would win. Very proud. Now to backdrink Bolt style.
Go, Ladies!!
We know ladies are really what it’s all about, anyways.
I’ll take the malt and go to bed.
Cheers, ‘holic!
Holic, I’ve never been on Twitter at all. Wouldn’t know where to start, I’m afraid.
Am interested in your answer though, but I don’t have an ‘account’ ?
http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/11-11-1964%20LUFC%20v%20Arsenal_files/image014.jpg
5 years, 11 appearances…
Lars,thanks again,you’re far too kind.
Abb am not too sure about that either but am sure Steph Hougthon is a better defender than Squillaci and she has a better shot than Chamackh.
Hey Cent, Think it would be mighty close
Btw, last set of drinks. Very nice what you said.
Evening abb and cent.
To all. Have the hawkeyed noticed anything different tonight?
Abb,thanks for the compliment ma’am.
*starts looking for things that have changed but fails miserably*
You’ve had a haircut?
Good evening,’holic.,would the cahnge you’re talking about have anything to do with Abb?
Good evening,’holic.,would the change you’re talking about have anything to do with Abb?
The sitemeter?
£25 free bet?
Or is it more subtle?
Oh Cent !
New shoes?
Can something different be spotted on an iPod or should I have seen it on the pc?
Back drinking…. Got as far as camberwell @wayback
I second TaBS’ idea of an alternative hero. I could see the writing on the wall last year with Skunky and was worried for Boy Catalan.
Hence the signing of Prince Poldi was most useful. I sat him down immediately and made full use of various YouTube videos with the catchy song …. And haven’t looked back since.
Boy informed my Dad this weekend that although Skunky was good, we were fine as Poldi was better. He also removed him from the arsenal team when he plays FIFA 12.
Job done.
PS. I believe Poldi is a better hero fugure than Cazorla for young boys. Cazorla is for us of a more mature taste who appreciate the nuances of genius. I believe Giroud appeals more to the fairer sex. And Wolfie.
Well the suspense is killing me
Feel rather foolish.
Cufflinks?
Zico, Bet you drove your teachers to drink !
Dentures?
*Gets into bubble-wrap suit*
Abb 191…..and he teached them how to it.
Meet the stand-in barman – well coiffered hair-style, and a dazzling smile reflecting off his shiny cufflinks.
Although he has new shoes, he’ll never fill those ones left behind by that Goonerholic fella…..
My 193. How to DO it ! Grhh
Holic “as featured on four four two”?
PV4 to DB10
Ha Ha Uply, That’s what you get for messing with me
You’ve lost weight ?
Thanks for the link, btw Holic.
Now Trev, Honestly !
You’re invisible?
Certainly a Daper Dan man, heh Zico.
Did that plane ever show or are you still stranded in Caledonia?
Has there always been a “search” bar at the top?
Well in,Zico.
Am surprised nobody picked up on my “PV4 to DB10″ move,looks you were all too busy looking to solve ‘holic’s puzzle.
NorCal Most emphatic yes! I’ve used it myself.
Well in Zico and nicely set up abb.
Link to twatter ?
Hey NCA – it was delayed an hour and a half but I’m home.
It’s impossible to get stranded in Caledonia, btw.
So many pubs, so little time….
Fake tan ?
New bling?
Ok, let’s be serious.
You’ve got Wolfie’s gold Speedoes on ?
Your hovercraft is full of eels?
Glad you made it Zico.
Maybe I should add North of Hadrian’s wall to our travels.
My Grandmother was Scottish. Hard headed and a bit mean. Last name was Savage, so I guess she came by it naturally.
ABB,
I was never good at finding Waldo either. Now if they would have hidden a naked woman in those pictures, well…..
A bubble machine?
Changed your Y Fronts ?
You’re pining for the fjords?
Hey NorCal
Come on, ‘H, spill the beans.
I’ve got another stupid o’clock start tomorrow……
zico went too far with cuffLINKS!
Me too Zico. Gots to go to work
I thought in your own way you had nailed it there z, and were offering a cryptic clue
You are now serving Guiness with a straw and umbrella?
So it’s got to be the Link above the sitemeter?
You now post from a bathtub full of Heinz’ finest?
Which doesn’t appear to work at the moment
‘holic, if you won’t reveal what’s new about the site, please will you put me out of my misery and list the team in the pic you linked to @174. I think I recognise George Eastham in the middle of the front row with his hand on the ball, and I guess from the date that the keeper was Jim Furnell, but otherwise no idea…
Answers on my desk overnight please, my bed calls.
Night all
COYG ICDDR
Bedpans await me, must dash. Will wonder all nite what it is. Nite all
Don’t even remember what ebuzzing was. I’m off to get rid of it.
Further up…
Is it that ‘self guided tour’ banner ?
Has to be be the link to twitter.
Is the just giving link new???
Alas, my attempt at gratuitous self-promotion in the new ‘holic elsewhere links has failed miserably. I’m off for a sulk
Oxon 224. Don Howe & Billy McCullough either side of “Big” Jim Furnell
(goalie). Joe Baker and Terry Neill to the right of Georgie Eastham &
Geordie Armstrong bottom right of photo. The others I will need to get my thinking cap on…..the player on bottom left reminds me of Peter Storey but it may be just before his time.
Your instinct is good thus far, U. Except Peter Storey isn’t there.
Geoff String, Alan Skirton and maybe a young David Court ?
Frigging iPad – Geoff Strong !
Joe Baker next to Eastham ?
Trev knows
And the other central defender?
G’night all…
Geoff String? Sounds a bit ropey…
Anything positive happen yet in the football world during the interlull? Not that I’m particularly expecting anything, mind you.
The football world beyond Goonerholic that is. It is a given that positive things happen around here throughout entire interlulls and summers as a matter of course.
Hey 8ball, only thing I can find is us tying Akpom down to a professional contract. Does this make up for yesterday?
If not, I’ll pull another rabbit out of the hat after my department meeting
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/392985/20121010/arsenal-chuba-akpom-england-forward-striker.htm?
CoRs,
I saw that too. Good for Chuba. He has shown real potential in the early going for the reserves. I like the look of several young guns.
NorCal @ 211
We are ALL savages, didn’t ya know?
Guvnor @ 230
Why don’t you just post a link to your “other” piece in the drinks?
It’s what tabs (MW) would do.
OK, before I back drink, there’s something I noticed yesterday on the iPod that I hadn’t noticed before but could have always been there, but I’m not seeing again: on top of the archives, there were link to ‘holic’s contributions in other places (which I noticed because he mentioned he was writing something for someone else, but there was no link to anything new).
Now I’ll check what the new thing mentioned last night was.
230: I see I got it right. What do I win?
Good morning Europe. How’s tomorrow looking?
Today is ending with me still in an operating room. Anyone have a rich sister?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19858746
heh
NorCal – UK is dry in some places, wet in others at present. Wet everywhere later on.
Having a rich sister sounds like rank bad planning unless you’re rich yourself. She might get rich through luck or talent, but allowing her to hang on to it…
[Exactly the same applies to brothers, and indeed relatives of whatever stripe.]
In the absence of riches, I’m off to work…
Have a good day, all.
COYG ICDDR
Oxon,
If she got rich thru talent, I’ll take her.
Good morning,all.
Nonny @237,it definitely sounds ropey,i’m sure if he was a mordern day footballer his teammates will call him “G string” in the locker room.
Really interesting stuff there, goonerholic. Thanks very much.
Good on the bloke who stood up for the young player.
Done a very rapid back-drink from previous post – really interesting and thoughtful comments on icons and legends. Just to clarify re Dennis/Thierry issue, I was distinguishing between club legends and icons. I don’t think they’re the same, and I wouldn’t necessarily rate TH over DB as a club *legend*, either. Happily, there are quite a few ex-players who could merit the title of legend.
@ Oxon Gooner
In the light of that, please understand that I am well aware of TH’s bad behaviour towards the end of his time with us – bluntly, he often acted like a primadonna. When I put him forward as the icon of modern/Wenger’s Arsenal, I was referring to his almost total identification with the club. For me, his contribution and demeanour on his return last January helped to erase some of the less endearing memories.
@ 21 arsabeatbarca
Delightful! I can just imagine you there. I had no idea your connection with football went that far back.
@ 40 Lars
‘holic *is* The History Man.
@ 63 Snir Geuli
I saw that the other day. Confirms what I have long suspected.
@ Camberwell Gooner
I have nothing to add to the excellent advice you have been given. Good luck.
@ 130 Eandy
Agree 100%. That’s what I’m talking about, baby!
****
The ladies are awesome. Goonerholic, I hope you are right and we will be seeing the Ladies’ match on player? I’ve asked about it before and they said then they don’t do ladies clips.
@ 15 Goonertown
yes – never got enough credit for that aspect of his game, I felt.
***
is meant to convey. Is it wry amusement? scepticism?
This seems as good a point as any to ask what this symbol
I realise that I am talking to myself at the moment, but is there really any need for Didier Deschamps to play a slightly injured Boscielny in a friendly match tomorrow night?
Oxon224/holic236/Trev233. Trev does know…..missing CB must be the subject of the original post viz Gordon Ferry.
FunG 252. Re Dennis / Thierry…..the latter did taint himself a little with his prima donna attitude in his last year with us but his overall contribution both from a football perspective as well as his representation of the club still makes him worthy of iconic legend. Dennis equally so and totally pure & untainted. How lucky such players were gooners.
Thanks CoR for the Akpom story, and I hope he makes it at Arsenal in the long term. Did everybody see the Arteta/Cazorla interview?
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/10/arteta-interviews-cazorla-for-as-awesomeness-ensues/
Nice work Dr Z @129.
Trev@165 – Blimey good stuff. Closest I got to playing with the stars was playing against Frank McLintock’s son at primary school level! Played Cricket with Mark Ramprakash though. Does that count?
That said, I’m afraid to say that none of the names you mention meant anything to me. Just goes to show that the sixties, without any success to hang its hat on, is a much neglected era of Arsenal’s history, and that unless you were there to witness it in person, (which I wasn’t), then much of it will not be known.
Of Holic’s team picture, I wouldn’t have got front row extreme left, or any of the back row save for Don Howe and Furnell. A much glossed over period. Hurry up with that book Holic!
Mr C @188 – Make you right. Poldi or Giroud a much better “hero” for a seven year old to hang his hat on rather than the more cerebral skills of Santi. All about the goals at that age, and I’m not sure Camberwell should rely on a stunning Santi strike every week.
Dr Z @243 – That’s what agents are for!
Afternoon all.
Wind 125.
Who said I never got nicked?
====
Congratulations to the ladies, another double, niiicccceee.
====
Has Zico left the airport yet?
If so, why?
Had the booze dryed up or did he break his expense account?
255 Fun.
Your question should be;
is there really any need for Didier Deschamps…………
Fun@252. I was very pleasantly surprised at TH12′s contribution last year. I guess the surprise shows my character flaws. I’m happy to acknowledge both his contribution and my flaws.
Please have a mid-day snifter on me while I return to work…
Mummy, will the interdull be over soon? Please, Mummy.
COYG ICDDR
H2H @ 260
I had a feeling they were going to bundle me into one of those orange jumpsuits if I didn’t leave voluntarily.
tabs – you know what they say about people who can’t remember the 60s….
A drinks account and free clothing in this autumns in-colour?
You the man.
And nice bracelets
Heh.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-19906942
Happy Birthday, kid! Heh.
@ 257 Uplympian
“How lucky such players were gooners.”
Absolutely. Both legends, in my book.
@ 261 Holloway2Holland
ha ha
Quite right. I stand corrected.
@ 262 Oxon Gooner
Character flaws? You? I’m not having that. Thanks for the snifter and help yourself to a beverage of your choice.
And abb, Firstlady and mamie, cocktails/champagne ordered, whatever your preference is.
@ Camberwell Gooner
I’ve been thinking – the-find-him-a-new-hero strategy is a very good one but it should be one of the kids, someone with whom he can identify. Maybe AOC? He has a high profile, so his friends won’t go, “who?”, has great technical skill and he is likely to score spectacular goals, which will please the young man. Whaddya think?
Hehs at Dr Z and H2H.
Dr Z, as regards the sixties, I can’t really say that I was at the forefront of the change in the Zeitgeist.
That said, I probably did overdo it on the gripe water on a couple of occasions
Trev @209 – No-one gets the Gold Speedoes. No-one!
Last night I saw an interview with Morrisey from the Smiths, what a depressive, anti establishment saddo, but he did say something that tweeked my interest. He seemed to get irked at the fact that the presenter referred to him as an Indy legend, as he refered to a legend being something that may or may not have happened, so I decided to look the word up.
leg·end (ljnd)
n.
a. An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
b. A body or collection of such stories.
c. A romanticized or popularized myth of modern times
Did TH and DB10 actually happen?
Sorry, it’s the interlull getting the better of me.
Fun, I’ll take that drink right now, please. Spent the last 20 minutes looking for the “missing link’. I should have been given xtra clues, cause I’m a bit daft
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
Been out of the bar for a while – at a literary festival dontchaknow?
Too much to backarse but caught tabs wise words to Camberwell – could not agree more plus Holic’s option 6.
This Interlull is insufferable (literary festival rubbing orff), probably because it’s come round so quickly after the last one.
H2H @271 – they did indeed and it was truly a privilege to watch them in their pomp.
H2H @ 260,
abb,
In the quest to find what you seek I’d suggest you head in a northern direction up the Seven Sisters Rd until the smell gets unbearable, you will then come across a delaptated structure posing as a stadium. Every now and again said building is full of “missing links”.
What was it like watching Arsenal in the 60s?
Nurse ABB & Cent – thanks for keeping the light on for a brutha to find his way home.
Zico – your contribution @ 129 was quite possibly your best remebrance to date. I really enjoyed that.
‘Holic has all you folks fooled. The updates weren’t links or cuffLINKS…you all failed to notice the tricked-out, mag wheels and infinity sound system courtesy of royalties from his various appearances over the internets. Big shot.
BMBD
Remembrance … Of course.
BMBD
Abb….further to H2H 276, in the 60s Seven Sisters Road used to be known as “murder mile” * but nowadays it’s a little more refined. The only trouble would be when you get to the eastern end and turn left into Tottenham High Road…it was not called Tottenham Marshes in its previous incarnation without reason. Nonetheless the inhabitants have managed to maintain their original lifestyle
* for our continental friends “killings kilometre”.
CoR 277…..watching the Arse in the 60s was quite painful at times with little or no glory to show for it until we approached the end of the decade. It was a mixture of a few sublime players mixed with a fair amount of dross….but they were our dross! There were occasional forays into the transfer market with mixed success but normally the directors were of the short arms / long pockets variety…..so some things change little over time. The hard core supporters were there every match and would normally go to the same part of the ground each game and a camaraderie was built up over the years. At each start of the season we would be full of optimism that this was our year but this soon evaporated and we then lived from game to game. There was always the pub to re-invigorate after the match. The Arsenal was our team and we supported them through thick and thin…end of.
Maybe the closest to it today perhaps would be an Aston Villa supporter.
Nice idea Fun. I don’t know how a little nipper views football but it looks to me like they just go for the ones who get the most glory. Maybe I’ll try and show him various clips of different players and see how he reacts.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8157782/Heysel-Prompted-Del-Piero-s-Liverpool-Snub
One for abb. Doesn’t it make you love Del Piero even more? Great stuff.
Nice remembrance zico @129.
Brought me flashbacks of the mens latrine at Hampden – a walled off section of the inside of the brick wall surrounding the ground with a shallow trench dug in the mud. Trying to piss in an empty Tennants can was a luxury in comparison.
My own first top level Scottish game was when the old man finally succumbed to my pestering and took me to Ibrox to see Hearts play the Huns in the Scottish Cup. Unfortunately he took us to the home end and Hearts were 1-0 up at half time. The internecine strife at HT was shocking for an impressionable youngster beaten only by the surprise that we were suddenly apparently standing in a torrent pouring down the terrace – yes it was piss – these guys didn’t even bother with trying to aim it in a can – they just pulled their dicks out and pissed. I guess if they really didn’t like you they pissed in your pocket. It was great practice for the next 15 years of watching my team from behind enemy lines.
Uply@281 – I really can’t allow the short arms/deep pockets crack to pass without comment. Sure there weren’t many transfers back in the day, but that was true throughout the game as far as I remember. When TPTB did go out and buy, they were prepared to spend as much as it took £200k for Alan Ball doesn’t sound a lot by today’s standards, but as I recall it was a Football League record for the time.
Just off home now to enjoy Fun’s drink. Thank You ma’am.
COYG ICDDR
Bath. Those Scots are quite the civilized lot, apparently.
For FunGunner: it’s best not to overanalyze the
.
Hey Tabs @259 -
I used to play against Danny Blanchflower’s son twice a season, so that was a chance to really get stuck in !
Let him know I was there, like.
Oxon…..you are correct …..there were many fewer transfers back in the 60s but we rarely were at the forefront of such activity. Alan Ball’s transfer certainly excited us all…’twas early 70′s I think. Enjoy Fun’s drink and have same again on me.
Uply – ‘many fewer’ – oxymoron ?
8ball @286 – Glasgow was European city of Kultyur in the mid 80s dontcha know? Public lavs were clearly not part of the assessment (or quality of fitba).
Guvnor,
Following last night’s controversy I deduce that you have, or had, added a link to the site that points to pieces that you have written elsewhere. Because of my boundless sympathy for someone living in Swindon my genuine interest in absorbing as much of your wisdom as possible I’m a bit bored, I’ve made a thorough search of this page and others on the site and am hanged if I can find it.
Please could you provide instructions on finding this link on a laptop. Ideally, the instructions should be adapted to be followed by one of the meanest understanding.
Many thanks.
Heh Bath,
Latrines?
How posh.
Given the delightful tales of DrZ, 8Ball and now Bath evidencing the historic Caledonian penchant for urinary sport, one can’t help but wonder if the Kilt , affording as it did an ease of access that the more masculine trouser could not hope to match, became the national dress as a result of the need for Scotsmen everywhere to express themselves on the go, as it were?
Uply@288. Surely we signed Ball just after the World Cup? 1967 or 1968, I thought.
COYG ICDDR
Uplympian,
It is simply wrong, then or now, to get excited by a man with red hair.
Let’s give you the benefit of the doubt, and say you were excited by the fee
Sorry U. Wikipedia was my friend.
We signed Ball in December 1971, just after the (first :smug:) Double, rather than just after the World Cup.
COYG ICDDR
zico – it was the brick wall with a pish generated furrow at its base.
tabs – good anthropological observation there mate – quick pee/quick shag take your pick.
Heh Bath haha
and if there’s a tender young sheep dallying in your vicinity….
Ping. For old times’ sake?
BMBD
Expressing myself has proven to be a challenge on that darned Picadilly Line, skirt or no.
well in Lonestar – quite lost sight of the ton, in the heat of dialogue.
Well in Lonestar.
Heh Dr Z.
frottage works better in jeans.
Talking of morons in the Interlull, there was some fairly random food based comment in the paper today, fresh from the shiny new St George’s centre.
Spud Walker saying how delighted he was to ‘eat soup with Phil Jagielka whowas one of his heroes’.
Not to be out done on the food or stupidity front, Joe Hart entered the fray. He opined that he, and England generally, would miss the very talented, great centre back, John Terry, and that it was great just to ‘sit next to him and eat chicken and pasta’.
Oh yes, he said, John ‘the guy is a really good guy and, football wise, an inspiration’.
That wouldn’t be the really good guy then who has been slung out – whichever way you choose to look at it – of the England set-up for his racist activities.
That wouldn’t be the really good guy who shagged his team mate’s partner, and not for the only time, caused division in the international squad.
Or would it be the footballing inspiration – the guy, and captain who senselessly got himself sent off for kneeing his opponent, who was looking the other way, in the arse, in the middle of a Champions League semi-final.
Or would it be the total berk who turned up to the final with his kit on under his suit, so that he could run around with his mates, who had done all the work, like he had been playing all along.
Good guy. Inspiration ?
I can’t decide who is more bloody stupid – Terry or Hart.
I’ll leave Ollie to add a few four letter expletives.
Thanks TaBS & Bath.
Back to meetings. I think ruggers take the cake for self-”expression.” I’ve seen grown men pause, close their eyes in deep focus while in a muddy ruck; then carry on like no one’s business.
Moments later, the aroma of their “expression” made everyone aware of their thoughts. Dirty f@ckers.
BMBD
Hehs @ Tabs, bath, zico.
As a 1 pint of Guinness man, I’ve often wondered how you super imbibers make it home with a dry trouser.
All cunts Trev!
Bath, I wondered what it was you were doing last time I saw you in The Tollie!
Ah, the C word contained at my 308 was aimed at Terry, Hart et al and not at myself, Dr Z and Bath who sneaked into your 307!
Trev 289 back to school for me.
Zico / Bath / Tabs multiple hehs – top form.
Lonestar – congrats on the lurking ping.
Trev – catheter leading to 3 litre reservoir strapped to left leg is the wy to do it.
Oxon – who needs Wiki? http://goonerholic.com/2006/10/about-a-ball/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
tabs @309 – that was quite evident mate.
horses for courses.
So England, having rid themselves of their racist captain – oh no, he’s not, is he – have appointed the other bloke.
You know, the fat granny shagger who is just back from international suspension for kicking an opponent in the back of the legs while he was looking the other way.
Anyone see a pattern emerging here ?
Personally, I just cannot understand why we’ve lost enthusiasm for the national team.
Cashley now admits improper conduct.
What a premium collection of ‘inspirational guys’.
What Tabs said @308. Can’t stand the sight of them. Classless twats.
Ollie @ Class act @ 283. That was a very touching piece. Thanks !