Guest Post – One For The Road
Jun 4th, 2015 by 'holic
As the 2014/15 season slowly passes into history it is time for one of ours to reflect on a remarkable personal achievement. I think Snowy may overestimate just how many people have achieved the ‘complete’ domestic season, and how often. I know I only achieved it once, in a time when it was very much cheaper than today both to watch matches and to travel to them (and they were mainly 3pm on Saturdays). Anyway, it’s time for me to thank Snowy, take a back seat, and let you digest her tale.
As I clicked on ‘Purchase Train Ticket’ for the third and final trip to Manchester this season it finally hit me. Provided I didn’t fall under a bus before the last few games of the season, I would realise an ambition that I’ve been chasing pretty much ever since I started watching football. To attend every single Arsenal domestic league and cup fixture in one season, both home and away.
Now I know there are many who post here who have achieved this many times over, and my little landmark may therefore seem impossibly minor. But it means a lot to me because in recent seasons when I’ve got pretty close there’s always been something that meant I missed a couple. An illness, the moving of a distant away fixture to midweek, a last minute meeting being put in my diary by an inconsiderate work colleague.
So, for want of a better word, it had become a bit of a “thing” for me to achieve of late, and this season – despite the best efforts of Sky and the BBC schedulers – I finally got over the line. And now that I have, is there anything to commend it?
Well clearly every season will offer occasions where watching the game on a dodgy stream that freezes every thirty seconds seems, with hindsight, an infinitely preferable option to seeing it in person, if only for the fact that it wouldn’t be what is occasionally several hundreds of miles from home when it’s all over, and we’ve just lost.
So be aware: there is absolutely no redeeming feature about the mileage you will rack up going on the road. The early starts. The late finishes. The public holidays spent travelling with a monstrous lurgy when you’d rather be in bed. The rearranged holidays when fixtures are moved. The long walk back to the station in the cold and rain after an utterly baffling loss, only to discover that not even the Costa Coffee is open, and the train will not have a buffet service.
Then there’s the rail replacement services. The moving of fixtures after you’ve arranged (and paid for) your travel. Getting back to London after the last Tube has gone and wondering if you’re ever going to find a Cabbie who’ll drive south of the river when it’s the middle of the night and pouring with rain.
All of these are the grubby motes in the otherwise sparkling eye of the regular travelling supporter. And while we’re all fairly sick of these niggles by about Christmas, by the tail end of the season they are just so soul-sappingly wearying, that I swear you can feel every last one of them aching in your bones, and that’s before you even start counting the cost in money terms, a rookie error I made once several seasons ago and won’t be repeating anytime soon.
So why should anyone put themselves through all this when every second of every game is available at the click of a remote control or a mouse? Well mainly because, at the time of writing, football is still a live event not a television programme, and absolutely nothing on earth beats being there.
Sometimes it’s the small things. Watching the pre-match warm up and catching someone being ribbed by a teammate for some minor error. Hearing that clever/funny new chant for the first time. Seeing a pass so utterly sublime that you look in wordless wonder at the complete stranger standing next to you, to find they are looking back at you with exactly the same ‘did that actually just happen?’ expression. The players coming over to the away section to say thanks after the game. The nod of recognition from a familiar face for which you have no name. The ‘war’ stories of thumping defeats. The funny stories. The jokes.
And sometimes it’s the big things. Being entirely consumed by a visceral collective roar as the ball finds the net. The times when the atmosphere crackles with so much shared energy it could light a small town. That particular feeling the entire away section experiences as one when you hear the final whistle after a bruising victory. The singing until your voice has gone after a loss.
Clearly those things can also happen at home games. But there is something about being outnumbered and surrounded that makes us feel somehow braver and noisier on the road. So we sing and we chant and we occasionally lurch roaring into the air like a single being in a way I wish we’d do a little more often at home.
But mainly what really makes it is the people. The people who are kind enough to offer a lift to an ‘impossible-to-get-home-from-using-public-transport’ fixture. The people who make the effort to block book train tickets for a large group. The people with the stories and the jokes. The people who bring the rum.
Of course we have our fair share of muppets, like any club, but over the years I have never stopped being amazed by the many acts of kindness, large and small, you can see on pretty much every match day.
There are probably as many reasons to love being a regular away supporter as there are Arsenal supporters, and I count myself as fortunate beyond measure to be among them. Also I am hugely grateful that the Club, who we are often quick to criticise, who were thoughtful enough to arrange chartered trains for those tricky Monday night fixtures this season. Without that, my ‘every domestic game’ would still be a distant dream, so thank you Arsenal – a classy gesture much appreciated.
So would I recommend going on the road for the whole season? Hell yeah. But if you do, please don’t come running to me in early December to complain because (a) Sky has rearranged all the Christmas fixtures at the last minute and (b) you’re broke. I’ll be too busy looking for someone who remembered to bring some rum, and nodding to all those familiar faces whose names I’ll never know.
87 Responses to “Guest Post – One For The Road”
Guest? I wonder who and must read.
Top post Snowy and a magnificent odyssey to read about. 🙂
Her, Holic? Her??? Top man Snowy!
Good thing there’s rum in it and not just Costa Coffee, whatever that is.
That’s why you are a top man, Snowy. Excellent read.
For some of us far-flungs, even getting to be at a single home game would be monumental achievement; to see an entire season’s worth of matches beggars the imagination.
Very nice, Snowy. Those moments when you just know you’re witnessing something extra special ♥ Cheers!
@ #4 😉
Excellent stuff, Snowy!
But mainly what really makes it is the people.
Amen to that.
i just thought that was fuckin outstanding
.
cheers fella
Top man Snowy.
Congrats on doing the full circuit!
Fantastic.
I bet the highlight was the that hour on the Bakerloo line with me last Saturday though. 😀
Respect, Snowy.
Awesome Snowy. I make most of the home games and but a handful of aways but the aways are the memorable ones. What was your favourite this year, of all those long trips?
The greatest away support has the greatest supporters. Superb achievement Snowy and wonderfully extolled.
Great read Snowy – attending every domestic fixture is an awesome achievement- made even better by the humour and appreciation you infuse in it from the above post. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent read. Thanks Snowy.
Absolutely wonderful post Snowy.
Brought back great memories for me,of away travels with my old Dad over the years when i was growing up.
Going to places near and far,Carlisle was the furthest.
That Carlisle trip was the longest in our time together,it turned into a 5 day round trip,as Dad had a friend from the War,who lived up that way.
So we had a nice little holiday at the same time.
I got all misty eyed reading your post,taking me down memory lane and thinking what a fantastic father i had,whose love for the Arsenal was imbued in me from a very young age,and which i still carry with me today.
I shed a tear or two when i thought of that emotional Cup final win over Liverpool in 71,when the old fella and i shared a long wordless tearful embrace at the final whistle.
Thanks again.
cheers
The Sweeper
Since catching ALL domestic matches from the comfort of sitting in front of the flat screen or computer is well nigh impossible for the vast majority of us — life and management have a way of intruding — your achievement of seeing all of them in the flesh is truly extraordinary. Your choice of drink, Snowy!
Thank you for the kind words folks.
And zico of course that 60 minutes was a particular highlight!
In answer to Countryman100 – there are two particular away favourites this season that will stay in the memory, but for entirely different reasons.
Man City was magical. Didn’t actually see many people I knew there, but the game itself was amazing because it was such a complete performance and it really felt like we’d turned a corner against the ‘big’ teams. Hugely satisfying.
The second was probably (just about) the furthest, and that was Newcastle. Was fortunate to be in a big group of (mostly Tollie-based) Gooners, and second half aside, we just had a splendid day out with laughs from start to finish.
Honorable mentions for Hull (Guinness at £1.99 a pint, and a lovely tribute to Rocky from the catering staff at the ground) and ManU in the cup game for the beers beforehand, the post match trip home on the chartered train, and ‘Dat Guy’ breaking all those Stretford hearts!
Happy days indeed. None quite make up for Spurs, Swansea, Southampton and Stoke, but let’s hope we put that right next season…
😉
I know Wenger specialises in embarrassing Arsenal but it would have been the mother of all embarrassements if Arsenal had failed to win the FA Cup after facing nothing but dross throughout the competition.
It probably says something positive that our hoodoo is no longer away games against the top four but rather away games against clubs that start with “S”. 🙂
revenge.
Completely agreed here that Manchester United are dross.
Snowy,
A wonderful post to record a wonderful achievement. You are a credit to the club and I’m so glad you feel a real sense of delight about having achieved it. I meet away supporters from other clubs who suggest they are cursed by having to go on the road.
I consider myself a regular because I make nearly every home game. My support pales in comparison to yours
Well done mate
snowy, wonderful. top man, indeed. i’ve never been to an arsenal game live, home or away, but i had a lump in my throat reading your compassionate, eager, and fine post. well accomplished, and a couple of pints of your choice on the bar at your leisure. lars’ wallet, of course.
Lovely stuff Snowy, you’re a hero… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU9JAvZGaIg
Öskar
Wonderful post, and as others have mentioned not missing a single match in a season in itself is a very impressive achievement.
For quite a few years Arsenal web-site used to carry this blog/report after every match by a gentleman named Frank Stubbs — if I recall correctly — and I guess some of you may know him. In his introduction it was just nonchalantly mentioned that he missed altogether something like 6 games in his entire Arsenal supporting life spanning more than a couple of decades or something like that…don’t remember the exact numbers but it was staggering. Hats off!
Whenever I need a little inspiration for imagination and artifice (and working later at night) to let me watch a mid-week game live on TV smack in the middle of a work-day here in Boston, I think of fans like snowy and him.
that’s true, Faustus. knowing the sacrifice so many make to be at the games makes getting up at 430 am just that much easier…mine is just a little inconvenience, not a way of life!
scruz @ 26: I am sure constantly switching between the coffee and the beer at such pleasant hours becomes a kind of way of life… 🙂
Mid-week match, we played terrifically and everyone is celebrating here, I spent a couple of hours watching the game and then come here to join in the celebration. Virtual drinks are offered while most locals are drinking also the real stuff…I brace myself for an espresso-laced late night. 🙂
Top Man Snowy! Not something I’ve ever achieved. Got close in late 70’s – early 80’s, and was game on for it in 89/90, until a *cough* legal precedent intervened.
Great piece; great achievement. Top man.
COYG
Morning transfer buffs and squad strengthen fanatics.
Falcao, Higuain and Martinez are all said to be seeking moves this summer.
Do we need to add another Striker of this caliber to challenge for the title next season?
We still have Sanogo, Campbell and Welbeck who can challenge for a start against Giroud. A player who suffered his first injury last season since joining.
I say any one of those three above would be welcome.
Anybody wish/dare to comment/pass insult?
A wonderful post Snowy than compliments your achievement and dovetails with the positive nature in how the season has ended.
As an ex-pat, I always feel a little envious when I hear stories like this and readily appreciate the magnitude of the achievement. And when I hear how the batton of history has passed through several generations with stories from people like Holic & Clive it makes my 36 year love affair with the Arsenal feel like a one night stand. There is such a wonderful sense of tradition and history from the people in this forum. Sharing and learning of those experiences makes one feel that we’re ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ at times.
I thought I would leave our old friend at 19 there so you can fully appreciate how special he has become. 🙂
Well played, Holic 🙂
Good decision, barman, and a small drink on the bar for another comedy legend. You know who you are.
I can never find the spacebar when I need it.
COYG
Great post Snowy and…. WOW!!!
Every game home and away, that’s massive. Extreamly well played.
*stands and applaudes.*
Top stuff Snowy. Loads of effort and commitment and clearly well worth it. Well done!
I have only ever been to one away match- a pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient, who I had a season ticket for at the time- seating me in the home stand anyway (I did wear my Arsenal shirt).
I would love to go and experience the atmosphere you describe. I have investigated this many times over the years and unfortunately the doors are pretty much shut on getting an away ticket.
So, the people who have made us the best away support in the league deserve to continue their good work. They’ve just done such a good job now there are loads of us who want a taste and can’t have one.
Except through posts like this one. So thanks Snowy and H.
Thanks Snowy for an evocative post – I feel now like I almost know what it’s like to experience a cold, wet night in Stoke. And I’m very happy that I haven’t. Top Gooner.
UTA.
Sober assessment of post-Blatter FIFA from author David Goldblatt:
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/3/fifa-after-blatter-how-much-will-change.html
Includes a reminder that any nominee for president has to get the backing of five of the six FIFA constituent regional associations just to get on the ballot — a little provision Blatter slipped in to the rules to ensure he never had to face a serious external candidate.
Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
The Sepp is dead. Long live the Sepp.
The most explosive headline coming out of the debacle yet : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3112217/Germany-sent-rocket-propelled-grenades-Saudi-Arabia-swing-2006-World-Cup-vote.html
😀
Snowy, top stuff, top man – some achievement that.
Didn’t want to dilute the pure deserved congratulation above but I did note that our transfer gossip addicted friend – who keeps asking to be insulted (see @30 above) – managed to completely ignore Snowy’s post and achievement in order to bring us his latest rumours.
When he’s finished his virtual replenishment of the squad, he might like to register the fact that we won, no retained, the FA Cup less than a week ago with some sublime football played by some actual ‘real’ players. Maybe he would consider they deserved a moment of appreciation before being ‘replaced’ by the latest trawl round NewsNow which we can all do, should we have the slightest inclination.
#herewegoagain
We’re not playing tomorrow? Are we all expected to go on gardening leave again? 😉
Don’t feed the troll, Trev.
This time last week I had Cup Final collywobbles but it is nice to bask in the contentment of a second successive Cup win. It’s hard for Wenger haters to mount much of an attack after a performance that almost every non- Arsenal football fan I have spoken to since has rated very highly. So let’s enjoy the success we have achieved before we get back on the roller coaster that is the transfer window . It’s really important to enjoy all aspects of supporting a club. The history of the club which is so rich and distinguished , the culture of the club which is unique and classy , the facilities we have which compare with any in the world and besides that a team that is developing very promisingly and contains a good mix of home developed players ( in a 2015 context ) and big , exciting buys. But football is becoming too focused on money as this week’s events in Zurich illustrate and if all we focus on is money and transfers this basses a lot of what is good about supporting Arsenal. I get as excited about a big buy as anyone and enjoy transfer gossip at times but this week I am enjoying more the warm glow of a good season and a great triumph. Let’s not rush on past that without enjoying it to the full
Great post snowy and as someone who still did not manage to fly over for a visit of a Home of Football, I envy you beyond limits and very well done on completing the fabled combo of every domestic game.
As for away support, only fan I can recognize is Bully, since camera finds him quite often during our games. Huge props to you and rest of fans travelling with the team, best away support in a country by vast margin.
Shame that the relentless support is not transferred to the home games, but reasons for that were discussed here into great details after BtMs post I believe, when he was escored out of the stadium during Galatasaray visit.
It is a real pity, since once Emirates get going, the atmosphere is electric.
Away Gooners?
The best of the lot.
Hats off to you laddies.
..can you boys show me the way to the Soberland?
After all your travels Snowy I wonder if you have considered following Arsenal on their European trips or perhaps on their Summer overseas jaunts. It could be costly I suppose but you are already probably spending a small fortune on Arsenal related travel. 🙂
bt8b – Snowy went to ALL the Champions’ League away games as well this season. Every single home and away competitive match this season.
Snowy
One thing you haven’t mentioned in your excellent post,was whether at any away game there was ever any potentially violent confrontations with the home supporters.
We read a lot about any skirmishes between fans,taking place away from the Stadiums these days,because of the heavy Police presence at them.
So i wondered if you had encountered any. ??
Is Snowy Vic Akers in disguise?? 🙂
Haha – I’d gladly offer to be Vic’s stunt double bt8b!
In fact I only managed 2 away CL fixtures in the end (all the home ones on the season ticket) – Anderlecht and Monaco.
In answer to your question Clive, it’s generally good natured, but a few issues – the ‘platformgate’ episode at Stoke for example. Anderlecht away was a bit spicy too – as a result I suspect of a combination of too many being on the Belgian beers all day together with a game that looked like it was heading south until quite late in the day. No full on fights that I saw, but a few beery skirmishes in the ground, definitely.
Monaco on the other hand was all that Anderlecht was not – magical, electric atmosphere from start to finish and not a hint of trouble even when we didn’t get that final goal we needed. Although I did hear of someone who fell into the water in the Marina afterwards and ended up in hospital…
All in all a tiring but very rewarding season, with real signs of progress. Have loved every minute (apart from against the dreaded “S” teams…)
And as for the summer jaunts, am not sure that even if I could afford them as well as all the rest, that I’d want to take a seat that would otherwise go to someone who may never get another opportunity to see them in the flesh. I’m lucky enough to get to see them all the time during the normal season, happy for someone else to get a ‘turn’!
I cant believe it … im already bored!
Aaagghhhh!!!
Nice post snowy. Top marks.
Making many of us quite envious.
Homer @52 – What took you so long?
One bit of contrarian transfer tattle I heard on the Arsecast was a familiar voice saying he didn’t think we should sign Cech, and his reasoning as I recall was that since Mourinho has made a judgment that the bicycle helmeted one is no longer good enough to be Chelsea’s main man in goal and so he is also not good enough to be Arsenal’s main man. Impeccable logic I would say and add that he’s expensive and a possible Mourinho agent.
A sound judge sir. The case for the prosecution points you towards his performance against Bradford City in the FA Cup. 😉
It takes one to know one maestro. 😉
What will be next?
Now we have both the Arsenal stewards and the Manchester United stewards working against our best interests. I would shout conspiracy but being the measured sort wouldn’t think of it. 🙁
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33035470
I’ve just read that you’ve been at Marakana, Mr. H.
When was that?
I assume Lodestar will be supporting Juventus today, but in his absence,
BMBD.
forza Juve!!
bt8, Holic,
said the same myself.
If we need a top-top quality keeper then let’s get one -if it’s really that easy (sarcasm intended). Like you, I’m not convinced that Cech is the man.
Ten years ago, when we were first linked with him, maybe, but my last recollections of Cech in goal for Chelski were of a keeper being criticised for his performance at crosses and set pieces.
I like Ospina’s calmness and reactions but have read comments from no less a judge than Bob Wilson who has reservations about his size and consequent ability to reach some shots and high balls.
I like Szczesny’s potential but he has to get his head together on and off the pitch. No more Almuniaesque charges off his line when not absolutely necessary, and no more smoking in the showers – or anything else guaranteed to raise Arsene’s goat.
The answer is clearly Ospesny or Szczespina.
Neither would cost anything but do they exist ?
Piece of cake this management lark, innit !
That is an amazing post snowy and I have to say the achievement of attending every single game is absolutely immense…
I have to admit feeling envious as well because attending one Arsenal game remains a dream of mine sitting here in India. Am already saving for that but it seems it would take me a couple of years to get there. I want to get there before Arsene calls it a day because he is a major reason for my love of this fantastic club.
Your post was beautifully punctuated with the raw emotion of being a fan and the wonderful camaraderie shared between completely unknown people united by their love for the Arsenal. You made me want to be there amongst that crazy bunch of people. A wonderful way to cap off a week of celebrations. Thank you for making my day richer and reinforcing the fact that this madness is totally worth it…
These guys make management look tougher than it is Trev.
Just buy Neuer. Duh.
Not sure the answer is Buffon either watching him tonight. Alan Smith suggested that Ter Stegen made a horlicks of Tevez’s shot and Buffon would have done better- and then Barca scored after Buffon spilled an easier shot. It just proves goalkeeping at the top level is a very difficult job.
If he recovers from an awful injury Fraser Forster of Southampton is the answer, he is a monster physically , great reflexes and relatively young.
Vermaelen on camera for 1/10 of a second during victory celebration. I’ve heard fame is fleeting but this is ridiculous. 😉
Barca just demonstrated the importance of having a good finisher/s…!
Would do us well if we could up our game in that end.
We’ll still win the Premier League next season though.
😀
Listening to Liam Brady tonight was just a sheer joy.
As an ex-Juve player he said it would be 3-1 to Barca and in doing so he went against his heart and he was proven to be right.
Two great clubs, a great match and a wonderful occasion. This is what football is all about.
I hope we get to this level one day in my lifetime.
Absolutely right Joe, it was a wonderful game. To think we led Barca with ten men in 2006. Will a chance like that ever come again? I was very impressed with Juve as well as Barca and Morata really impressed me as did Marchisio. Barca’s full backs were incredible tonight but Juve matched them for part of the game in midfield.
High octane, high quality football.
Apparently we trousered £ 3 million tonight as part of the Vermaelen transfer . The gift that keeps on giving.
Agree BB (#67), we should put in a bid for Messi, Suarez and Neymar immediately!
Unfortunately, Ttg, our interest in Morata seems to have cooled and the latest hot rumour has been for Vidal … who had a shocker. 🙁
Öskar
I haven’t seen much of Juve this season but the CL final suggests that both Vidal and Pogba have been massively overhyped. Given the way they played and behaved it appeared that they only needed a couple of red noses and they would fit right into a circus. I seriously hope we’re not looking at either.
UTA.
Pogo would be way out of AW’s ‘value-for-money’ level anyway, Noosa. Vidal, however, is a much better player than we saw today, the kind of no compromising hard man who could add steel to our midfield. He’s also a fellow Chilean international for Alexis, and would be more reasonably priced than Pogo. He’d fit in nicely, imo.
Öskar
@71 Oskar
Not exactly, but as much as I love our forward (Giroud), I would not be opposed to Arsene bringing in competition.
Vidal likes to go forward, we have too many midfielders in that position. Would be really surprised if we made a bid for him. Coquelin is first choice for me.
If we keep all our midfielders then I daresay we’re only in for a striker and a goalie (assuming Sczesny is out of favour). Otherwise we’ll probably have the same time with no additions.
😀
time=team.
😀
…with Tony Robinson!
Dunno if you’ve ever come across it BB but TimeTeam is a UK tv programme, presented by Tony Robinson. Who also played Baldrick.
And went to my old school. (Long before me, mind.)
And I’m not bloody well explaining who Baldrick is!
GSD,
Never explain ! 🙂
I never really do Trev- but this is on account of my not understanding much of anything anyway. Wink
🙂
Well, BWND (Barcelona Were Not Destroyed). Suppose there’s always next time.
Very sad news about Kenny Sansom’s circumstances. Still on the sauce and sleeping rough.
Coming in the same week as Charles Kennedy’s death it’s a chilling reminder of the destructive capacity of alcohol.
A very refreshing jug of chilled freshly squeezed orange juice is on the bar for y’all.
Freshly squeezed orange juice?
No, thank you. Never.
No wonder you’re yella! :/
Thanks Snowy. Now have some more of my drunken nonsense. >>>>>>