Germany? Been There, Done That, Chucked Up On The Border Guard
Mar 11th, 2013 by 'holic
I’m looking on jealously as a number of you prepare to journey to Munich for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture. The grey cells flicker dimly as I recall my first venture into Europe following the Arsenal.
In the sixties and seventies the novelty of European competition was restricted to home legs for me. That all changed when we qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1978. We had not played competitively on the continent since being outgunned by Ajax in the 1971/2 European Cup quarter-final, and so I made the decision to go wherever we were drawn.
These days the prospect of a trip to Germany, as I have said above, leaves me green with envy. Thirty three years ago I ended up green for entirely different reasons. Lokomotive Leipzig had a bit of European pedigree and had knocked both Wolves and Ipswich Town out of the 1974 UEFA Cup. When we were paired with them there was a nervous wait to see if the trip would be possible. Leipzig, you see, was the wrong side of the Berlin Wall.
Thankfully a trip was organised and on the morning of 26th September two coaches departed North London bound for an adventure in Eastern Europe the following night. Never having ventured further than Calais by bus before I wasn’t entirely prepared for the journey that lay ahead through Belgium and West Germany. Fortunately spirits were kept high at the back of the coach by another travelling fan, one Cardew Robinson, an old school comic and actor.
What felt like a circumnavigation of the globe ended with us arriving at the ground just fifteen minutes before kick-off. We were put into a terrace on one side of the ground while directly opposite running battles were taking place between the locals and, it later transpired, the supporters of another local side. Fortunately the hosts were far more hospitable to us than their neighbours.
The match itself had lessened in importance since we had comfortably won the home leg 3-0 a fortnight earlier. A Liam Brady goal in the first half strengthened our hand and we went on to record a 4-1 triumph, hailed by the press on our return as one of the memorable away performances in Europe by an English team to that point. We were also treated to a brief debut glimpse of the sixteen year old Paul Vaessen, who would go on to make history with a late winner in a Turin semi-final nineteen months later. What a shame his story would end in tragedy.
Match over we were taken back to our hotel, one of only two in Leipzig allowed to take in Westerners. “Are the Arsenal team here?”
“No”
“Where is the other hotel?” A short and seemingly profitable taxi ride away a handful of us were in the lobby of the team hotel, pockets stuffed with East German marks exchanged at three times the proper rate in the cab. The team descended a flight of stairs and headed for a large function room next to the lobby. “Come on in lads”. Terry Neill didn’t need to ask twice. As the boys tucked into beer and sandwiches an impromptu ceilidh started, and the highlight was Liam Brady and Sammy Nelson turning cockney in attempt to get the starstruck guests to contribute. We returned the favour with a version of the Wild Rover.
The following morning we boarded the coaches to come home. Our guide advised if anybody had any local currency left to spend it in the hotel as it could not be changed back into pounds. Four lads, guess who included, sprinted back into the hotel, but to buy what? Vodka! Brilliant. We reboarded the coach, bottles of the stuff everywhere. Once we were on the way the guide kindly pointed out we could only take one bottle each out of the country.
Trust me there are only so many bottles of vodka you can give away to people who don’t want them. There was only one solution. As Father Jack would have observed in one of his more lucid moments, DRINK. So it came to pass that I turned green. I remember passing a used paper bag to a gun-toting guard on the border, before sharing some of the vodka with him minus the bag. I remember Cardew Robinson praising my comic talents although I suspect he was merely humouring the tedious drunk lads in front of him. Finally I remember the ferry ride home from Ostend, in my own personal cubicle, with an ozone-filled big white telephone. It was of course a choppy crossing.
So as your short flights and comfortable train journeys deliver you into the beautiful modern Bavarian capital for a day or two of bratwurst and lager I would ask you to thank your lucky stars that you are travelling in some comfort to Munich in 2013, not by charabanc to Leipzig in 1978. Have a great time, but most important of all…
…come back having seen us win 4-1.
107 Responses to “Germany? Been There, Done That, Chucked Up On The Border Guard”
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Die Holle………
2 dies?
Haha, great story ‘Holic, cheers for that.
4-1 eh. What we wouldn’t give for that scoreline in Munich. Was feeling fairly confident earlier, and thought we might win on the night, if not progress.
The news that neither the Keeper or Jack are playing has rather knocked that confidence I have to say.
Wow. Fantastic times. How interesting, thanks ‘Holic. I have met Sammy several times and he’s an absolute charmer. Must have been amazing to meet them all then. Here’s hoping for at the very least a positive result this week.
Tip top story there, sir.
I was at the home leg, my very first tatse of European football, o how we laughed at the funny names of the team and their players……
Well, we were kids and the world was a much larger place back then, innit.
That night was one of the great nights, Poppet. Sadly I have been trying to live down the following two days ever since
Fear not tabs, although not having Woj in goal worries me a bit, but who knows..maybe Vito will pull off one of the better showings. Absence of Jack (and I know it sounds ridiculous) does not worry me that much since surely (and if not now I dont know when) that means TR7 is going to start instead of him giving us the same forward drive as Jack while scoring a brace.
3-0 to Arsenal, whole football world in awe and meeja getting in front of each other with articles about how they have always believed..cant wait!!
We’ve all had at least one of those days after … yours was definitely worth it
. Well deserved I might add.
Didn’t go to the away leg ‘holic but remember the home leg. We were a coming team then and I think got past Split next. If only we ‘d not sold our best players at the start of the 80s we could have had a hell of a team! Sound familiar?
Top half?
Lokomotiv, surely. No ‘e’ at the time.
Eandy – Heh, hope you’re right mate. What a night that would be
4-1 on the cards!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1._FC_Lokomotive_Leipzig
25% of flights cancelled from Paris tomorrow. Thanks for the train (risk of missing connection in Stuttgart not negligible though), you’re right ‘holic, should be fairly comfortable.
Also on the bright side, it looks like Munich, while cold, will be markedly less cold than Paris for the next couple of days at least!
Wow, sorry, ‘holic! A big flaw in my memory (and German logic).
I remember Bordeaux playing them many years ago.
I seem I’m not the only one who made the mistake though.
http://www.scapulaire.com/Seasons.php?Season=1986-87&Comp=CX&Bilan=1
In fact, if you google ‘Bordeaux Leipzig 1987′, you see the wrong spelling many times.
I suspect many papers in France had them without the E, maybe we weren’t sure what was happening behind the Iron Curtain, but my mistake for bad research.
I plead guilty, your honour.
Can you keep your cold weather, Ollie. It is absolutely arctic here
I remember listening to the second leg on the Radio, with very bad sound.
Losing on penalties in the semi-final was painful.
I think I trust you more than Wiki, Ollie.
Not this time though.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-LOKOMOTIVE-LEIPZIG-V-ARSENAL-UEFA-CUP-/271166755294?pt=UK_Sports_Memorabilia_Football_Programmes_ET&hash=item3f22cc51de
That weather is coming from your end apparently, ‘holic.
So can YOU keep it and stop pushing it our way?
I didn’t have any doubt about Wiki there, ‘holic.
They also beat les Girondins in 83/4 Ollie
Miracles can happen, I mean Downing scored the other day after all.
Charlie has a point
Ollie @20,
If the bad weather really is coming from Holic’s end, I wish he would just sit down.
Top drawer post, Guv. It’s always a pleasure reading about your adventures following the Arsenal.
Tabs, I read the news about Jack and Chesney too. I don’t think it will be Vito replacing Chesney though, Fabianski, remember him? Is back from injury and has played three games with the reserves prior to the one they played this evening, which he didn’t play, so I’m guessing he was not involved with the reserves today so as to have him fresh against Bayern.
I saw that Trev
Good tale, by the way Holic. You old rogue.
Right, time to go to bed soon.
It may be all white when I wake up.
Just seen this though:
http://news.arseblog.com/2013/03/report-wilshere-out-of-bayern-game/
Bah.
Great post, cheers Neighbour
Evening all. I must say I have really bad feelings about Wednesday. No Jack or Shezza does not in anyway help I must say. The thought of Flappy or vito between the sticks just fills me with even more fear.
For those going I wish you safe travels and an enjoyable time. Me???? I might just record it and hide behind the sofa.
Enjoyable read holic.
Bad news.
Ankle ligaments. Season over for young Jack.
Heh, great story, Holic!
Let us hope that Woj and Jack are only rested due to minor injuries, we need them on Saturday. I am actually looking forward to this game, I am very well aware of the possibility of us getting tonked good and proper, but seeing as we don’t really have anything to lose I hope we can just go out there and play without that sodding handbrake on.
Out for the season?????? Where did you get that Lurky?
…and then I read lurky’s post. There are no expletives strong enough in the English language to express what I want to say if that is true.
lurky – source please? If you’re going to post something like that at least give us that!
Twitter, reliable.
https://twitter.com/GeoffArsenal
I wish he is wrong, more than ever, but he was never wrong before.
Twitter? Reliable? There’s an oxymoron.
Anyway I’m sure if it’s true I’ll just find out when I wake up tomorrow, time to watch some HBO…
Thanks Lurky but you will forgive ne if I say that I will wait for something a tad more concrete than a Mr anonymous on Twitter. Fingers crossed he is way off the mark.
Don’t blame me. As I sad before, I hope he is wrong, and I will be devastated if he is right, which he usually is.
Don’t blame you Lurky. The fact is that there are now far too many anonymous internet warriors who just fabricate stories as they see fit.
Like Andy Gorams, we multiply.
Lurky from what I’ve read so far it seems he has a problem with his ankle BUT he has not been pronounced as been out of the season yet.
I see Uli Hoeness said he has tried so many times to sign Arsene for Bayern. Alright then, let’s add him, and Bayern, to the list of “delusioned people” who don’t know that Wenger has “lost the plot” and “has no clue about coaching”, right after Madrid, PSG, France, Brazil, England e.t.c.
Cent, if you read the newspapers, they claim it is only a precaution. That news appeared on Arseblog too.
As for that guy on twitter I’ve linked before, he deleted the info a minute ago, as he normally does that when he tweets delicate matter.
I knew that he is going to delete, that is why I posted it here.
Cent, make you right about Fabianski.
As for JW, gutting if true.
I have always wondered why the backdrop of football has not been used that well for the classic spy novels set in the cold war era.
Imagine George Smiley recruiting a young Arsenal player, someone of the true working class stock, and creating an anti-capitalist ‘identity’ (track record of politically inspired rebellious actions on and off the field ), then have him defect to the other side in an away match at Leipzig … The winger who came in from the cold …
I think we play our best when we don’t think too much about the consequences and are willing to press a bit rabidly for the sake of restoring some pride, individual and collective. Will watch the match without any expectations except that we will play with conviction. If that can be matched with tactical discipline and an off-color day from Bayern then only a miraculous result can be expected, but leaving the field with heads held high would do well for the PL run-in.
“The fact is that there are now far too many anonymous internet warriors who just fabricate stories as they see fit.”
You’re making that up…
Noted, Lurky. Hopefully Jack won’t be out for too long.
Cheeky 50Cent? Good night people.
Looks like we will be without Sir Ches, Jack, Poldi and Sagna … while they will be missing Schweinsteiger, Ribery and Boateng with Robben doubtful.
Anything could happen.
I’m saying 2-4.
Oskar
Great adventure story Holic, cheers.
If Jack really is out for the season, it must be the bad Karma I induced while guffawing at the Spuds the other night. I apogise of course. Its a fair cop Y’honour, I just couldn’t help meself.
I was talking with a small child the other day — he came up with a quite brilliant plan to improve the Arsenal team. “Why” he enquired, “Dont they just buy some really good players”?
Anyone know the answer?
Bed got out of, shower had – now for breakfast and then a taxi to the airport at 8. Up the Arse!
Heh@54
Another great tale Holic….I am sure that there’s a book in your back history mate. Do you need an agent? Tabs may be able to lubricate the channel to Daily Mail serialisation.
Careful Wolfie!
Morning all.
Well, the 10-day lull is almost done and dusted and we’ve been treated to that rarest of spectacles, someone else actually doing us a favour in the league. Thanks Smashers.
So what do we have going into tomorrow’s game?
Our second choice keeper (or is it the third?). That’s worth at least one easy goal to the Germans. 4-1.
Rozzer instead of Wilshere. I know everyone thinks the boy wonder is the team engine but I have to confess to being less ‘whelmed’ than others (not underwhelmed, definitely not overwhelmed). Might possibly give us a goal. 4-2.
No Poldi. He did score our only goal but no reason Santi can’t do just as well. Sniff of a goal?
Theo – misfiring since he signed his contract. What a surprise. Can’t see him being especially helpful.
Giroud. Maybe Santi can set him up. 4-3.
So that’s 1-2 to us on the night, 4-3 aggregate win for Bayern, Giroud and Rosicky to score. We go out on a good winning performance after a slack performance in the first leg – exactly like last year!
The new info on Jack injury is that he will be only 2-3 weeks out. He will miss Bayern, Swansea and the incoming internationals, but should be back after.
Apologies for pressing the panic button yesterday, I needed someone to share the bad news, it was late in the evening, my cat was out and my wife was sleeping. Or it was vice versa.
As for tonight game, what are the odds of penalty for Barca and AC Milan red card?
Re: Lokomotiv. Wikipedia is a revisionist source, unlike my memory.
Lars, have a good one mate.
Bath – Heh
Lurky – Good point! Chances are very high I should think. Worth a punt.
Jack out for 3 weeks. Is that 3 weeks or an Arsenal 3 weeks???????
Oh, Steve T, mate, don’t make strangle a puppy.
64 should have read “don’t make me” see? I’m already shaking. I just hope this is just Arsene taking the Fergie route of using ‘injuries’ to protect players from stupid International friendly games.
Interesting omission in Arteta’s interview when he says all the positive stuff about the club. Not a mention of the “great” manager and he would usually be the only thing players talked about, once upon a time.
Afternoon all.
Bon Voyage Lars, and all traveling ‘holics.
Cent, they are not stupid International friendly games.
They are stupid International WC Qualification games.
We’ll take an early lead before Bayern equalise before HT
We’ll score 2 late goals to take it to ET
We’ll win penalty shoot-out
Then edge past Galatasaray in the QF
Charlie, if that happens I’ll eat my hat, and paint your house.
Nurse ! Uncle Charlie, quick !
Lars, have a good trip.
I’ll have whatever Uncle Charlie is on.
Better make it two.
H2H, well spotted, sir.
The Cheltenham roar.
They’re off!
Arteta sounds ready to whip the lads into shape. Lord knows they need it. Hand him the whip and I’ll get the video recorder.
well, ‘holic, you’ve surpassed yourself. that is a marvelous story. one i’ll come back and read again after wednesday if things go as i fear. jack and chezz out? crap. good luck lads, i hope it’s not too long a row to hoe.
Fabianski, Diaby and AA make the trip to Munich.
I can think of nothing to write here that won’t come off as either anti-, snarky, or jaded. Oh, wait a minute … hey, at least its raining here!
And after its last prediction (spurs), my crystal ball has a new home: bottom of the Delaware river.
I just hope the squad surprises me … in a good way this time.
Cheers all.
and that is another terrific read ‘holic.
To the tune of the ‘Fools & Horses’ theme:
No Jacky Boy, No Dia-by
Szczesny’s benched, The Meerkat’s free
Sagna’s hurt, Diaby’s back
We’ll give those krauts a heart-attack
God bless Santi’s feet, long live Santi’s feet…..
(With apologies to any members of the bar who are of German heritage. I love your country, I really do.)
* B*ll*cks re: first Diaby, should’ve been Podolski
*
Loving that story mate. I remember a chant, that season, which was my first in the North Bank – directed at some herberts getting above themselves – ‘Where were you at Hadjuk split!’. Did you do that trip as well?
AA is on the plane?
Hahahahahahahaha – ahem, sorry.
*straight face* We’ll be fine lads. Honest.
Lars – if you get the chance, take a trip out to Andechs monastery (beer will never seem the same for the rest of your life) – I cannot be held responsible for any acts, un-natural or otherwise, that you might engage in thereafter.
The Feelgood Foundation has taken up residence there of an afternoon before….
For the un-initiated…..
http://www.destination-munich.com/kloster-andechs.html
How was the trip to Enschede, z?
Didn’t OG* I hope.
*Over Grolsch.
I hope Ollie didn’t get caught up by the snow this morning.Big traffic, plane and train problems in the north and Paris region today due to anticipated snowfall but they didn’t anticipate so much( 8 foot deep snow drifts in places).
I will be getting the plane tomorrow morning from Nice and hoping that the person who has got my ticket won’t have similar trouble .Although Alsace is much closer to Munich and should have more efficiency dealing with extreme conditions.
As concerns the team AW is going to put out.I hope Gibbs is fit to start ,Vermaelen drops to the bench with Kos and BFG in the middle and Jenks right back ,Arteta, Rosicki,Santi in the middle Theo OG and Ox up front.
Alle ist klaar
yah yah yah
Aaarsenal
Actually I did, OG H2H. Dirty work, but somebody had to do it…..
As forvte footy – Impressive stadium, shit team
*for the*
Why do monks get to drink all the beer?
washedup: When there are 8 foot snow drifts about wouldn’t it be the thing to get the plane TO Nice? Mallorca? Just sayin’
Dr Z, thanks for the link @83. When i make enough money I’m definitely drinking beer there, all seven of their recipes.
Washed up, based on his posts on Twitter, I think Ollie is well on his way to Munich(that’s if he is not there already).
With a stadium name as The Grolsch Fortress you’d expect it to be impressive.
Heh TS – very good
Chaps I feel disloyal but tomorrow night I shall be in Gloucestershire waiting to pop over to Cheltenham the next day. This worked very well as a strategy when we beat Roma a few years ago but Bayern are not Roma…self- evidently . In a funny sort of way I’m not concerned about the Bayern game because I think we lost it in London. But it’s a funny old game and I felt much the same at Anfield in 1989. ( never did hear what happened there)
If you have any tips for Thursday I am keen to hear them especially if they are nailed on to win.
COYG
Alright Esso,
I skipped Split, but went to Belgrade. Topical, given it was just about the coldest I had ever been, and the locals were decidedly unfriendly.
Two trips behind the Iron curtain my introduction to European travel. I must have been mad.
aaaah, zico. kloster andechs. one of the highlights of a ’94 trip to europe. walked from herrsching on the ammersee, along a path i imagined had been ridden by those in armor, or those of the cloth. only to get to the monastery and spend the after-noon hours on their terrace, drinking the spezial hell and the doppelbock dunkel, rounding it out with their obazda cheese, andescher horndl, and their fabulous bread. what a brilliant day, thanks for reminding me…a great day trip from munich.
and, by the way, you don’t have to take seefelder strasse if you walk, you can walk through the forest west of the hill, and come up from the west…
and bt8b, it’s because they *brew* all the best beer. see abbey beers, belgian, as well.
Heh ‘holic. And then we went out at home to Belgrade. The last time I can remember seeing SuperMac play (I could well be wrong); he came on as a sub when we were chasing the aggregate equalizer, which we got through Alan Sunderland (no thanks to him). Then they equalized on the night – a quite brilliant late goal, which put us out 2-1 on aggregate. All this from a worsening memory.
scruz, you’re expecting me to remember the walk back down that hill?
All I remember is the lake, aryan beauties and my eyes on stalks
Just found this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0ZSLx6atA6w
Supermac wearing #12 indeed!
Great find Esso, I was there at that one too.
They’re going for it in the Nou Camp.
Barca 2 up already.
I think tales of their demise were a little premature.
Talk about chalk and cheese in terms of performances.
Messi is on fire.
I still don’t know how he found the time or space to score the first..!
Brilliant find Esso cheers. Was at that game. Pretty sure it was one of Mark Heeley’s very few first team games. Remember him? Kind of like a blonde Marinello without the skill!
As for Messi, just unbelievably good.
54 goals in 42 games so far Tabs.
And there were 5 defenders around him when he scored the first..!
Everybody, needs somebody >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brilliant goal for Villa.
David not Aston.
Why didn’t we sign him… ?