1971 – And All That
Apr 8th, 2010 by 'holic
Let’s put this week behind us and start looking ahead to the upcoming North London derby with an unabridged version of a piece I wrote for a publication that was available when the sides met at the Grove in October. 2 Halves was A Fanmade Production in association with Rebel Alliance & Parlour Magic Productions. Thanks to GilbertoSilver at Gunnerblog for inviting me to contribute.
There are not many advantages to reaching, or even passing, the age of fifty, but Arsenal supporters of that vintage were blessed to witness a handful of significant events that we would otherwise have missed.
Those of us who had grown up in the shadow of the neighbours in the sixties experienced an unbelievable night in May 1970, when the European Fairs Cup was clinched on an emotional and dramatic evening at Highbury, and celebrated with a good-natured pitch invasion. Little did we know that just a year later we would witness even more euphoria at the other end of Seven Sisters Road.
A little scene setting is in order. My grandfather, born at the tail end of the nineteenth century had the choice of following Tottenham or Clapton Orient, the two nearest clubs when he was a lad in Islington. Whisper it softly, but the Orient were not his choice.
By the time my father came along there was another option. He was eight when Herbert Chapman led Arsenal to an FA Cup Final triumph, and his support was secured with five Championships and another Cup triumph over the coming decade. Of his three brothers, only one was persuaded to follow the dark side, which came in handy when seats were required at the Lane.
The first North London derby I recall anything of was in the early sixties, but the game didn’t remain in the memory as much as the fact that I was smuggled into the ground on a ticket for another game. I must have been the youngest jibber ever at Tottenham!
As the 1970-71 season unfolded it was clear that Arsenal were the only real challengers to Leeds United. Those of us who had not been around to witness their seventh Championship eighteen years earlier were being treated to a new experience. Fate decreed that the final match saw the title contenders and FA Cup Finalists away to the neighbours who had claimed the first double of modern times just ten years earlier.
Young supporters today don’t believe me when I tell them that the match at White Hart Lane on May 3rd was not all ticket. Reserved seats were sold in advance but unreserved seats and terrace spaces were available and first come, first served. It was pretty obvious there would be a lockout so it was no surprise when we arrived between three and four in the afternoon (for a 7.30pm kick-off) that we were already at the back of a very long queue.
Having checked around the ground we lined up hoping to get into the Park Lane end, which looked marginally the shorter of the queues. Behind us thousands were still arriving, and continued to do so. The High Road came to a virtual standstill.
Around seven, or thereabouts, my world caved in. Following the opening of the gates we had shuffled along, getting ever closer to the clicking turnstiles and the biggest North London derby ever. Three people from our target the doors were shut in our face. White Hart Lane was full. Estimates of the number locked out that night vary wildly from fifty thousand to a quarter of a million. It’s a fair bet that there were more outside than in.
The old man tried to console me. “Come on son, we’ll go around the other side and find a pub with a radio.” That’s the other thing alien to the younger Gooners today. There was no television coverage of the title decider, just news cameras.
Then came a moment so unreal, yet so vivid, I will never forget it. As we walked around the back of the shelf there was one turnstile open, and nobody, but nobody was trying to use it. A note of some persuasion, rather large I suspect, was pulled from the old chap’s pocket and thrust at the bloke on the gate. Seconds later we were in, and climbing the stairs to squeeze into a space that didn’t really exist at the back of the shelf.
Although surrounded by Tottenham supporters we were not far from friendly voices. It was evident that the majority of the 51,192 lucky souls inside were of a red persuasion, having come to witness the landing of the title on enemy territory. That would be easier said than done.
To be totally honest only a handful of incidents remain in the mental recorder after all this time. I do remember the game was played at a frantic pace. Spurs were determined not to lie down without a fight, literally at times.
A favourite tactic of theirs around this time was to launch a high ball into the box and get Alan Gilzean to clatter into Bob Wilson in the Arsenal goal. Yet again they didn’t disappoint. In fairness Arsenal had a side that was well versed in the sort of physical battle that was developing, and the visitors gave as good as they got.
The complexities of goal average, the method used to decide which of two sides level on points would come out on top, meant that a goalless draw would hand the title to Arsenal, but a score draw would gift it to Leeds. We prayed for a win to solve that particular problem.
Three minutes remained when Ray Kennedy climbed above the Tottenham defence to head home George Armstrong’s cross. It happened virtually in front of us, and I can still see it with far greater clarity than the faded newsreel of the time. Cue Pandemonium, and then a horrible realisation. If Tottenham scored in the last three minutes, the title was gone.
The longest three minutes of my life saw a rearguard action, the like of which I don’t believe I have ever seen repeated. Tottenham threw the proverbial kitchen sink, and then more, at the Arsenal goal. Bob Wilson was again the target for the most brutal assaults.
Those three minutes seemed much longer than the eighty-seven that had gone before. Then, it was over. I don’t remember the Tottenham fans leaving, but they weren’t there any more. Everybody was hugging everybody else. There were lots of tears of joy, and then I looked down and there was just a sea of Arsenal supporters celebrating as they had a year earlier, on the pitch.
Once we reached the car I just wanted to get to school the following day. The Tottenham fans there had the bragging rights for a long time. It was my turn now. Five days later I was at Wembley as we ended their claim to be the only club to land the double in the twentieth century.
I feel extremely privileged to have witnessed that evening. The limited allocation for visiting supporters at both grounds nowadays may not have diminished the rivalry any, but the atmosphere is certainly different. There will never again be a night quite like it!
87 Responses to “1971 – And All That”
6X Please. I feel like a treat……
Holic, did you know that the best statistic in world football is this. Arsenal have won the league more times at Shite Fart Lane than the spuds????????
How good is that? That is always one to throw in when the odd one or two start to get ideas way above their station.
Make that 2x6X’s – or one 12X.
Cheers.
Yes, that is a top stat Steve T.
pint of Old Peculiar please. 😉
you was priviledged to have been there .I feel priviledged to have read your experience.GENIUS
Cheers Snail, (raises glass of refreshing brew in acknowledgement)
Fantastic piece Holic. I was only 5 at the time so have few memories of events. The final was more memorable for me as I was able to watch the game on TV. Great read.
Top top post Holic’ I have not been around at that time to remember any of it but the way you wrote this piece I was trying to imagine like I was there myself.
It must of been magnificent words can’t really describe it.
There is nothing better than winning the title at Three Point Lane.
You know what Holic I can’t put the week behind us. I think Arsenal is in a dangerous situation right now, we are in danger of becoming a second tier club after heavy defeats against the elite. We are in danger of missing out on a new batch of supporters who want to follow champions. Arsenal need to wake up and spend big because there is more at stake than they realize.
Wonderfully evocative piece, ‘holic. I started supporting Arsenal the year before and was rewarded the very next season with the double. A similar article on the Charlie George Cup Final would do very nicely.
Thanks Swiss,
I’ll save that for a big date with Liverpool, I think. I was there, and have a couple of tales to tell of the day.
stonroy, I hear what you are implying, but really, spending big is relative. Arsenal are investing in an infrastructure that builds great sides. I hate to make the comparison, but Liverpool in the seventies and eighties is proof positive that works. For every Dalglish there was a Heighway. The big buys and homegrown lads were supplemented by relative unknowns from a supposedly lower level.
Our day is coming.
Win the next match.
It’s not about spending big Holic, it’s simply winning trophies and we desperately need to win a big one by the end of the next season or we are in danger of being something of the past.
As a relatively new Goonah, I love these stories. Make mine number one with a Bulleit.
I remember that the match itself wasn’t covered on the radio, just updates of the latest score from Tottenham. The DJ on the programme that I was listening to was a wind up merchant. He interrupted his show to say “The game is over and the title has gone North…” For a second I automatically thought this meant that we’d lost out to Leeds, until he added “To North London. Arsenal are champions.” At which point I went absolutely mental.
Stonroy, Barcelona went from 1999-2005 without a single trophy and I’m sure you wouldn’t dare call them “something of the past.”
Top post ‘holic. Let’s hope a weekend off leaves us in good position physically and mentally for our next visit to the Lane. I’m thinking that United are crumbling and there for the taking so second at least looks a real possibility. They’ve been mega reliant on Rooney and Blackburn can cause them problems this weekend.
My memorys a bit hazy on this as I was 10 but pretty sure my grandad took me to this match and we didn’t get in.
My g’dad was spurs sorry to say 🙂
Like a lot of N London families, the allegiances are split within families at times.
I seem to remember a few playground fights the next day which we got slippered for lol
No more mojitos for me ‘holic 🙁
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@ Stonroy.
“Arsenal need to wake up and spend big.”
“It’s not about spending big Holic.”
Not quite sure what you are really trying to say? Every post I see from you is negative. I have no problem with opinions and certainly no problem with people that disagree with mine. But what I really don’t get is the people that come on here and constantly moan about problems but offer no solutions. It is no different to Momoney in the previous post.
I am sure we would all like to see new faces. I am sure we would almost all agree on areas that need improving. But we do not have the money of a Barca, Chavs or Manure to spend. As much as we might not like that, those are the facts. So who do we buy? Which realistic targets fit in with our budget and wage structure?
I would love to win trophies every year. I have been lucky enough over the years to see various Arsenal captains lift all kinds of trophies, and I hope it will not be long before that continues. But let’s be constructive and realistic. I would love to know who you really think we can go out and buy that will turn us into the world beaters that we all crave.
As the saying goes……. You can only piss with the dick you have.
And as for us losing the next generation of fans???? Well, I really have no idea where you get that from. Both of my kids have Arsenal running through their veins. I am sure I am not the only parent that can make that claim. If my memory serves me right we still have 30,000 on the season ticket waiting list. I want to win things but trust me, we really aint in that bad a state. A few minor adjustments and who knows?
Keep the faith.
brilliant!
@ Steve T, my unborn son is a rabid gooner. He better be or I’m giving away all my money to beagoonerbeagiver.org.
A great read, Goonerholic I was 16 and just started work up the west end, I left early and went to the game, but didn’t get in so close and yet so far everyone stayed outside the ground waiting for info on the match. all through the game “someone scored ” I think nearly every player for Arsenal scored on the rumour mill, but when the goal did go in , the noise from the ground told us, we were still all jumping up and down when the whistle went Fantastic!!! all the girls were running up and kissing us what a night and we never saw the match !!! I have never seen so many people outside a ground as on that night , and it will never happen again, because you would watch it on the telly, but it was one of the best nights ever
@stonroy, how is a team with an average age of 23 in immediate danger of being “something of the past.” And if Arsenal miss out on new “fans” who only want to follow champions, then I, for one, could care less. There are already too many fans who think that all that matters in football is trophies and because of that become blind to what is really happening at their own club. This side is making steady progress and if we don’t win a trophy this year, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s far more like the beginning.
Thank you, again, ‘Holic for another incredible essay on the Beautiful Game from the perspective of a great Arsenal fan. Your memories shared are a gift to us all. What glorious times. I’m glad I was at least around for a repeat with Henry when we took the title their again not so long ago, Mad Jens antics and all.
Fascinating how a few years without a trophy brings either the love or hate right out of people. Wheat from the shaft, I guess.
On another note, here’s a great little write-up about Cesc’s early days as a footballer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/31/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-arsenal
Cheers, Holics. Barman, got any Caol Ila 18?
Agreed with comments above – doom mongering with a team this young is a bit redundant. I will buy the Liverpool methodology – we have a system and it will bear fruit while also keeping the club solvent. I don’t want to win the league once and forever be paying for a Tevez or a Toure (I wanted to mention the Everton defender they bought but I’ve forgotten…it’s late)
Lovely piece about Spurs ’71 – my brother told me about that one….at that age it was all Hector’s House and Mary Mungo and Midge for me. I didn’t get taken to Highbury regularly until we turned into an awful side – Trevor Ross was just coming into the side so around ’74 I think. Pretty cruel punishment. My earliest Arsenal concerns were whether we’d get relegated. Hard to imagine now. Unless of course we’re buying this ‘something of the past’ theory.
Faith is being kept
You just gave me goosebumps Sir ‘holic!
Amazing stuff, ‘holic.
Okay for starters I never ever said spend big, you will not find that in anything I say. Steve T I’m glad your kids support The Arsenal mate but you can’t be that daft to think that’s what I’m talking about when I say a new selection of fans?? A gooners kids??? Arsenal is more international now than it has ever been and football has changed forever in the last decade. It’s a worldwide product, how do you think a lot of the people who don’t live in England decide who they are going to support? They want to identify with champions don’t they. With the influx of the Chavs and the Northern Chavs we have to find a way to win trophies (i.e stay relevant internationally). The way you talk you seem to forget that we HAVE MONEY, or do you have information that I don’t have? We paid off a shit load of our debt this year and that doesn’t include the money from the sales of Adebayor and Kolo plus Hleb, Henry etc. We MUST put a percentage of all transfer sales to acquiring other players, so we do have money. Who would I buy? If that’s the question you are seriously asking me then I can go crazy, we have at least 40 million to spend from estimates so I would buy a world class goalkeeper, Akinfaev or loris and yes if it has to cost us 15- million then so do it, we can give Lyon Denilson Silvestre and half a dozen other junior kids that won’t make it. I would get Hangerland in defense and a truly world class goal scorer, Dzeko for 20 million. If we ship out all our excess weight then we can do it.
See you think I come on here and say a few things that sound scary and it’s called being negative, you’re the kind of person that looks to someone else for his life to change for fear of looking at the cold hard truth. I love the Arsenal and I have for over 35 years but that doesn’t stop me from questioning what’s going on. In regards to Barcelona not winning anything for 5 years look at what they did in that time, fired managers (And by that i don’t mean we should fire Wenger) they brought in a lot of players and they proactively tried to change their future…What do we do? We buy Vermaelen and get rid of two first team players, one of who if we had brought in a like for like (Adebayor) we could be well and truly ahead. As far as you saying I’m being negative all the time then all I can say is you are flat out wrong, for the most part I come to this site to follow Holic down his fantastic roads of nostalgia. So there you go, we’re done.
Sorry forgot to talk on this staying relevant with a team this young business… International relevancy is based on winning trophies (see above) I don’t care how young the players are that has nothing to do with staying relevant, fans don’t look to the players because they are young like them they look to them to feel like a champion, they look to Arsenal for that. By the way we are not the only team with young players, we just got humiliated by one. Barcelona have Pedro, Sergio Busquets, Pique and one Lionel Messi all younger than 23 plus others I couldn’t be bothered looking up, but one thing they do have is experience where it counts, not youth all over the field …Anyway that is another story.
10 stonroy
Arsenal need to wake up and spend big because there is more at stake than they realize.
13 stonroy
It’s not about spending big Holic, it’s simply winning trophies and we desperately need to win a big one by the end of the next season or we are in danger of being something of the past.
29 stonroy
Okay for starters I never ever said spend big, you will not find that in anything I say.
Yeah JT what’s the point?
Okay I see where I said spend big, I didn’t mean that, but read what I said recently look at the points I am making.
it’s like George Bush is being interviewed….
This is amazing, i’m dealing with kids who want to play a game of I told you so instead of being men and discussing the actual points.
Careful this doesn’t turn into another ‘my Dad is bigger than yours’ chain please ‘holics. stonroy has been around a while and we have to accept that people have views that may differ from ours and have a right to argue them as long as they can explain themselves logically. Good debate is healthy. Sadly on most sites it quickly turns confrontational. I would rather that didn’t happen here.
As long as people aren’t being abusive to individuals at the club or its supporters they are welcome here.
Cheers ‘holics.
Cheers Holic.
Stonroy: I consider this a tired argument that has been done before. Personally I have faith in the steps the club are taking for long term, sustained excellence. I’m anticipating several years of success in the near future, and can see constant improvement coming from within the current squad.
I am willing to accept being competitive and finishing third, if it means a paying off the loans sooner and becoming a financially self sustaining club, with quality young players rolling off the line and into the first team, supplemented by the odd big buy (which comes straight from our budget, not from a loan).
And my point was just to point out you were a little inconsistent. I think the technical term is ‘being a smartarse’ 🙂
Guys….. I reckon we have a whole summer to discuss all of the things that need / don’t need to be done. And very good discussions they are. We’ll have nothing else to talk about as there won’t be any relevant football!
For now let’s enjoy the fact that this season isn’t over yet – we are playing the spuds, we are 3 points off the top. Will Clichy keep up his mad runs? Will Eboue win Dancing with the Stars? Will RVP make a shock comeback and score a hat-trick? Will Arshavin ever score again?
Surely these are the things to concentrate on right now? The time for transfers etc is later.
Of course, feel free to disagree….!
Well JT you may find this argument tiring but it was pointed at the people who asked these questions of me above? In regards to being competitive mate, it does not mean getting humiliated (and boy were we humiliated) by teams that we are supposed to be competitive with, Chelsea Barcelona United. That’s the point of my whole argument we are not world beaters like these clubs right now, and new fans will see that and go somewhere else. Most of us started as gooners through family members, but the millions in Africa, Asia USA etc don’t have that luxury.
Hey Catalan. Hope life hasn’t been too painful with the in-laws this week 🙂
Catalan Gunner I accept that and leave it till the summer. Holic as always you are a gentleman sir.
Hey ‘Holic.
Why should it be? Nothing happened did it? There was going to be an Arsenal game but that was cancelled and we all went to the pub instead! 🙂
They have been gentle with me.. so far! A few of my patients have had a laugh, but then I just give them more pain… so he who laughs last…..
A tipple of your choice sir…
Chelsea and Man Utd may have beaten us badly but last I checked we were right behind them in the league table. Liverpool embarrassed Man Utd at Old Trafford last year and a fat lot of good it did them.
As for Chelsea being world beaters, how many European Cups has all their money won them so far? And how manay managers have they gone through in the last 5-6 years?
Great, now I’m being an argumentative git on a post that was supposed to be just looking back on a great moment in our history.
Yes, CG you are the voice of reason today.
The spuds game doesn’t start until the thursday here, which happens to be my birthday. I think that is an excellent omen. St Totteringham’s Day on my birthday? No other presents required thanks.
And stonroy, I agree with you about the ‘new fans’, which when properly explained, doesn’t sound nearly as bad as before. I often wonder why we don’t have a pre-season tour to a ‘developing’ football market. Our current pre-season regime doesn’t seem to be doing us any favours in terms of player conditioning (sure we run out games strong, but we get a lot of soft tissue injuries). Why not take the lads to Asia or Africa, probably make a stack of money and win a bunch of new fans?
This brings the history to life, the little and big things that come to mind. My first memory of watching Arseenal was the cup final in 71. It was not so cool to be a girl fan back then and I cried when Liverpool scored. My Mum-also long time fan said not to worry Arsenal would go on to win as they always did better after going a goal down and they did! It was all so simple then. My children now cannot understand my hatred for Leeds, but it goes back to those times. Their children will probably not understand their dislike for Bolton! This football supporting is such a family thing.
I don’t agree with any of that
Heh,
You are in argumentative mood this morning, Mr Jackster 😉
Stonroy,
I agree with regards this squad certainly needs adding to (i think ive probably bored people silly with it on here lol) to be competive in such as winning things, but id disagree for your reason why the last thing Arsenal IN My View needs is 1000s more corporate and over seas fans i couldnt personally give a moneys if a bloke in timbukta wants to support us or not, with what Arsenal charge they should easily be able to sign a few players each season as it is,
Now i know some overseas fans on here may see this as a dig at them but trust me its 100% not meant in it that way, The problem i have is Arsenal seems to be losing its way with regards the Local population and what the Club itself stood for and still says it stands for like many clubs they seem to be chasing the big money whilst alienating a whole generation of fans, You can see come the carling cup games what a night at Arsenal means to a whole host of kids and parents happy to be able to afford tickets for them and there nippers, Id rather if we are going down the route of self sustanability with just the odd purchase here and there that other money was directed at affordable tickets for local schools etc rather than massive new contracts for players that havent and may never win anything at the club,
Anyways Nice post holic !!! Nothing like a NLD to puts the wrongs right 🙂
And if your all going to Tottenham clap your hands!! Loved that ditty, about 25,000 would clap even tho we only had 4,000 tickets lol !!
Holic
Another erudite nostalgic trip down memory lane.
On a scale of 1-10,on this occasion i think i will give you an Eleven.!!
Only 5 days and 9 and 1/2 hrs to the most important game of our roller coaster season.
Onwards and Upwards.
Cheers
clive
Stonroy.
Many thanks for that. I don’t find you scary one bit. Just have a problem with people that are full of negatives and never actually come up with solutions. It is very easy to have a go when things are not going right. Finding the answers is a whole different ball game. Having now you have explained your views I now understand what you mean. If you are ever that bored you can scroll back through many previous posts that I have added on here and you will see that I actually agree with a lot you say.
I argued pre season that we needed to bring players in. I agree re a keeper. Like you Lloris would be my number 1 choice. He is young and looks top drawer. I would also spend big if it needed it on him. When we debated strikers on here Dzeko was my number 1 pick. That said, with the way Nic has performed, RVP on the way back and Chamakh on his way (apparently) I would revise that now. I would love to see us try and sign Villa again. However I fear that we will be out priced in that one.
I agree re a centre back. Not sure it would be Hangerland. If we wanted him we would have got him by now. I also think we need another strong holding player.
Other points I have put on here included the fact that I would be devastated if we were to fall just short having had the money to spend. Also, that I believe that if we had managed to keep certain players that have left and just added those to this current squad then we would be that much stronger. If you add Gilberto, Famini, Hleb, Kolo and Ade to our current list then I am more than happy with that. I have argued several times that I have no problems with any of the above leaving, however I did think that we needed adequate replacements brought in.
Don’t agree at all re the support. As far as I can see out support grows on a daily basis. We are the club that others want to watch. With the increase in TV coverage we now reach out to a whole new fan. A fan that can support from miles away and still buy into the package. If we carry on the way we are this will only continue to grow in my opinion. I see kids all over the world in Arsenal kits. I have pals all over the country who have their own clubs but have taken Arsenal to their hearts. I am pestered all of the time to see if I can get any of them tickets. I would suggest that our fan base has never been so big.
So you see, we are not that far away after all.
Right, let’s go do the spuds…….
Keep the faith.
holic, I have a copy of that Two Halves zine and remember this piece – loved re-reading it, I love whenever you talk about our history. You sometimes jog my memory about details I’d forgotten about.
hey stonroy, nothing wrong necessarily with talking about whatever weaknesses we need to address — heaven knows I do it quite enuf myself — but I just think you chose the wrong article and wrong time to do it. holic posted a great piece that allows us to just take a breather, forget about Barca and injuries yadayadayada, and just remind ourselves of our wonderful history, something that defines who we are, and why–despite whatever some of us may have been feeling this week–we should be proud of supporting such a great, storied club.
We’ve got a derby against the scum to think about. And we’ve got 6 days to just relax, take a breather and enjoy whatever football there will be on hand this weekend (Spain’s el classico, the FA cup, the championship, etc.).
There’ll be plenty of time to debate what Arsene should do in the summer. (btw, for me it’s not so much bringing in new players, it’s changes in training that mean more to me–and maybe looking into various forms of religious sacrifices to the Deities of Football to finally end this injury curse).
Thank you ‘Holic for your outstanding and eminently readable history lessons. May we view 1971 as the beginning of Arsenal’s permanent ascendancy over Spurs.
Maybe stonroy is George Bush?
Apologies if #56 is not true.
Terrific stuff holic. I enjoyed reading the piece when it was part of that two halves (name?) thingie that GilbertoSilver compiled and I enjoyed it now as well.
Win the next game (as you say).
Positively brilliant post, ‘Holic. Top shelf.
‘Holics, I’m hoping to mention this in the next piece, but in the meantime if any of you who were over in Barca ‘recovered’ the She Wore A Yellow Ribbon flag from ‘some railings outside a pub after the game’ could you drop me a line, gooneratgoonerholicdotcom, and I will connect you with the rightful keeper of said flag.
Thanks.
As a U.S. native who only discovered Arsenal a couple of years ago, and wouldn’t have been old enough to remember this even if, like Nick Hornby, I’d grown up 40 miles from London instead of 40 miles from New York, but who’s seen the tape, with fans seemingly going back for miles, all I can say is, ‘holic, you are one lucky (insert expletive of choice). I saw an interview with Ken Friar where he told Bertie Mee not to go back out afterward, and Mee did so anyway, and came back in 20 minutes later with his clothes torn, saying, “They’re mad!” This seems to be one of those days in sports where all the lies they tell about it turn out to be true.
Excellent as always, ‘holic. Always good for young’uns like myself to get some good perspective on the club before our time. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s so beautifully written, either.
Taddy Porter, if I may. WTNM.
Evening Holic & Holic`s
Out done yourself again Holic
Being born in 1971 I can only think of what a great day that would have been to be there, but i am lucky that my dad was at the game so got to hear many stories about our performance that the atmosphere was electric and what a day it was to be a gooner. Your walk down memory lane was fantastic and brought up fond memories of dads stories of the season and the ups and downs and the final unbelievable joy what was to turn into the double.
There`s been so many great pionts made on these posts today, some I agree with some I don’t. I must agree most with Steve T and the future of our club. To me the out look is very rosy, 3 pionts behind the leaders with a injury ravaged team and not the best keeper in the league but we are still there. For sure we need to strenghten but I am not to sure about the amounts we have to spend being banded around. Holic made a point the other day that the financial burden of Queensland Rd will be lifted in the summer and there should be a decent amount to spend but I will believe it when I see it ( fingers crossed everyone)
The players some have suggested all sound brilliant and I would love to see them in a Arsenal shirt especially the Lyon keeper ( sorry forgot his name) But I cant see it and think the boss will have to get his wheeling dealing hat on again and uncover more jems the rest of the world seem to miss or just not recognize their potential. Not to sure if Chamuka is coming thou i think he would have signed by now if he was. Plenty of other clubs will offer more money a week and that’s where he will go. What you have never had you wont miss i say. Don’t get me wrong if the board give Arsene 50-60 million i will do a somersault in anticipation of the new signings. But lets wait until the summer to discuss that and also Arsene gets the business done before the world cup and everyone jacks up there prices by 50%.
Regarding the next generation of gooners i don’t believe anyone has to worry about that at all. My son born in 1998 yes a double winning season, A ha a pattern is forming, hopefully we wont have to wait until his son is born to do the double again. Anyhooo he is Arsenal mad and so is most of his class mates so no glory hunters there then just red blooded junior gunners. The future is bright the future is red.
I look forward to a nice 4-0 win at the crap shite lane.
I Believe
Nice comments from Fernando Torres about us:
“Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has backed the Gunners to take the title.
‘I want Arsenal to be the champions,’ he told CANAL+. ‘They have the best fixtures of the three. Wenger deserves to win the title and to be imitated for his work he has done in his time there.'”
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/sport/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Sportarsenal&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sport&itemid=WeED09+Apr+2010+13%3A15%3A47%3A177
Nice post – i started supporting Arsenal around this time but was a bit young to remember any of this. Thanks for jogging distant memories!
Did you know spuds are “celebrating” fifty years since the last league title next year?
Thank god my Dad took down to highbury and not WHL all those years ago – think this was due to the large irish contingent of players in around this time.
I just like to say a big thank to my dad for that! (and Pat rice, sammy nelson et al)
Top post again Holic
win the next match – any which way will do.
Awesome memories, sadly it was a year before I was even born and my first Arsenal experience came when I was 17, Up until this point I had zero interest in football.
Then came the moment that changed my life, A match on TV featuring two teams my brothers supported, you may have heard of them – Arsenal & Liverpool, The year was 1989 and I only watched the game because nothing else was on, and yet also there was something so intriguing about it this game, I had been hearing all week that Arsenal needed a two goal margin to win and at fortress Anfield Liverpool just did not give away one goal often let alone two in such a vitally important match.
Just over 90 minutes later I was an Arsenal fan and have remained as such ever since, not just because they won that day, But because everybody on the TV was saying they could not win.
Does it make me a glory hunter, I honestly do not know, But here I am over 20 years later with varying degrees of fortune favouring the Gunners and here I shall be for….. well as long as I live 🙂
Excellent piece. Keep the midweek history pieces coming Holic. Truly gives us “young generation” of Gunners something to ponder not for a few minutes, but hours or days as we realize the changes that have taken place and how it was back in the day. Really appreciate these pieces ‘Holic. Cheers.
jesus….hw old r u holic…96 ?
lad you better know you’re in 2010 not 1970 !
There’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle young fella, me lad 🙂
I don’t know if this makes me different from other relative newcomers or not (I have always liked Arsenal but haven’t become fanatical until the past 6-7 years or something), but I absolutely love reading about the old days. I firmly believe that in order to properly know where you are as a club, you have to know where came from. Top writing as usual, Mr ‘Holic, I could picture it all before me and it almost felt as if I was there myself despite never having been to the Lane and not even being born at that time. I could even feel a sense of nervousness as you described the onslaught of the final three minutes!
And as for the Arsenal losing out on the next generation of fans because of not winning anything, I’m not at all sure about that. I am a member of the official Swedish Arsenal supporters’ club and as of today, we have about 4250 members – and this is about twice as many members as there were when we won our latest trophy so we have doubled in size despite winning nothing at all during that period. This is of course no proof in the greater scheme of things but at least it is an indication of the Arsenal still being very attractive.
If only the final whistle had gone shortly after Bendtner’s goal on tuesday too! 😉
Great stuff, ‘holic. I’ll have a simple coffee today.
All right, you can add whiskey and cream.
Morning gents, morning ‘Hols. Can’t a gooner get a lay-in these days without all that racket above. Now that you’ve stirred me I might as well add my two penneth.
Stonroy – hear what you say ol’ fella. Perhaps a little too passionately conveyed? The drinkers at ‘Hols Bar are Red & White, and will often polarise matters concerning our first love.
The truth is probably somewhere between what you feel and JT’s views.
We have a corker of a manager in Le Boss. Why pay 8mill for Chamak when you can get him for free in the summer. Remember he wouldn’t have been allowed to play for another club in the CL.
JT – whoa! What’s all the talk of third place? I can at least sniff second! No early towel throwing please!
Stonroy – please don’t worry about future gens of goons.
My first love blossomed in ’74. I was only 7. Never looked back. I can count 16 other gooners that would have supported A N Other FC if I had been shy so to speak.
Ahhh *sips coffee*.
Top post ‘Hols. But you make me feel old 😉
Good Afternoon, is this a wolves free zone finally? il have a pint of bitter then
wow…….what a brilliant post!!
Lars, it may be that what’s going on in Sweden with the growth of Arsenal fans is actually indicative of what’s going on elsewhere too. The press loves to write about the international following of Manure and Chavski but based on the nationalities of players at Arsenal it makes a lot of sense that the fans are increasing internationally in a proportionate way. Maybe Ljungberg has something to do with the growth in Sweden?
as well as winning the league @the sh*thole more times than the TinyTotts we’ve won the league @the bridge more times than Chels
@behind the 8 ball: Ljungberg has probably had a bit (but far from everything) to do with it, as did Anders Limpar in the early 90’s.
’74: If the lads go down fighting, win every game and still finish 3rd, I’ll be satisfied. But by ‘being competitive’ I would prefer that meant being 10 points up with 5 games to go – that would be fairly satisfying too.
It’s been a consistent year really, if we’d even just drawn our home games against cska and manu, then maybe our destiny would be in our hands.
Win the next game!
I am late to this thread but have had now opportunity to read all the posts.
Thanks for a great memory jogger ‘holic. I was only 6 at the time but this was the very year I declared my love for all things Arsenal….thanks too to my neighbour (slightly older than I) and best pal of the time, Neville P, to whom I will always always be grateful (who strangely enough no longer follows football when I chanced to meet him many years later).
Re the comments on future signings, I agree that it is probably a discussion to be had as a postscript to the seasons end however the devils advocate within compels me to draw to your attention an interesting little stat I was reading only the other day.
To quote….
“But look at the top five clubs in Europe by net transfer expenditure this season and they are:
1. Real Madrid – £226million.
2. Manchester City – £128.4million.
3. Barcelona – £98.45million.
4. Inter Milan – £83.24million.
5. Lyon – £70.17million.
Avert your gaze from Madrid’s European catastrophe and City’s immense gamble to force their way into the Champions League elite, and you are left with three of the four European semi-finalists. Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona, Inter and, most notably, Lyon appear to have pretty much got what they paid for. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool did too.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1264949/Des-Kelly-Why-did-flop-Europe-Look-spent-money-.html
A refreshing Orange juice for me please barman.
Keep on believing 🙂
Nearly got washed into the sea by the rain in Rio! Ended up watching the Barca game on Slingbox in Rio airport.
I was wearing my Denilson top which attracted a lot of attention. The Rhythm King, Sultan of Swing, Samba Sensation is not well known in Brazil. He left Santos before anyone was aware of him. I enlisted AT LEAST 10,000 Brazilian’s to my “Get Dunga to Take Denilson to the World Cup” campaign. I left my No 15 shirt in Sao Paolo with a devoted new gooner.
(By the way, the Brazilian’s told me Dunga means Dopey from the Seven Dwarves – maybe that’s why he’s persevering with Gilberto)
Brilliant News! – A bunch of Fluminese Fans almost savaged me in Rio when they saw me in red. Apparently WELLINGTON is the best thing for decades to emerge in Brazil. They cant believe that AW has managed to buy him for Two shillings and sixpence!
As for the Barca game: It was great to be able to raise the roof off Rio Airport when Bendy put us ahead. Tough to take from there on in.
A huge difference between the teams? Not really – especially with the heart of our team missing. Messy made the difference, I think Alex Song would have kept him/Xavi quieter. Bottom line – 1) Barca’s skill level was even higher than ours (and ours is the best in England) and 2) their determination to close down and win the ball back was a HUGE learning for us.
I’m sure AW is replaying the lessons from that game on a daily basis.
Caiperhinia please, ‘Holic. I’m on the beach now with the Slingox. You can expect some regular rambles.
Loved to read your blog. I am a bit older than you and have followed the Gunners all my life (had the good fortune to be a shareholder for the last 30 years). I was at Wembley to see them beat Liverpool after seeing every Cup Tie in the lead up that year. I was one of the unlucky ones locked out at WHL on the memorable night (my brother came down from university and climbed in that night) and we did what you nearly had to do – go to a pub and listen on the radio. We went to a pub in Seven Sisters Road nearer to Arsenal end of the road and listened intently. Great night and when coming home on the train we were sat next to some Leeds supporters who had come down to see the last match in the Championship hoping that Leeds would win the title. I can remember that they were very complimentary and sincere. Great times – Kennedy to the rescue just as he was in Brussels two years earlier (I was there to that too).
Keep it up.
Didn’t make it along to WHL on that balmy May evening, Holic. I was still living in Auld Reekie then and Dundee were away to Partick Thistle at Firhill that night. Sounds like your game might have just shaded mine as I seem to recall throwing up some zzzzzzzz’s around the 60 minute mark in Glasgow. Firhil for Thrills. Johnstone’s for Rolls.
A sidepoint only fellow ‘holics…..
Tottenham 0 – 2 Portsmouth
One can only laugh 🙂
Long injury list. Late winner. Crushing Tottenham dreams.
Portsmouth: Were they Arsenal in disguise?
Great post.
Like you I was at Highbury for the Anderlect game, WHL for the league and Wembley for the “double”.
I was 12, got to WHL at 4 in the afternoon straight from school still had my brief case with me!!!
Queued up outside the Paxton Road end got pushed, pulled and crushed when the turnstiles openned, managed to get in at 7 for one of the most memorible nights of my life.
The place exploded at full time, never seen so much red and white in that ground, danced on the pitch (with my brief case).
Keep up the great work.
Steven
I was at that game at WHL in 1971. My dad and I had queued from 3:50. The crush was quite frightening as we were pushed against the brick wall next to the turnstile. One man freaked out (at the crush) and we lifted him out over our heads. Amazingly, we got through the turnstile and into the stadium at 7:10. Strangely, I remember a parked car near the turnstiles…I suspect it suffered some damage!!! When we got into the ground we were surprised to find out we’d been queuing for seats. (We were at the Arsenal end.) Because of ‘goal difference’ we had to draw 0 – 0 or win (a score draw would be no good). I remember a man near us drinking whiskey from a hip flask throughout the game. The tension was immense. Towards the end of the match George Armstrong crossed from the left and Ray Kennedy headed the ball in. There was still time for Cyril Knowles to unleash a shot which clipped Peter Simpson’s shin and went over the bar. If that had gone in the Championship was gone. At the final whistle Arsenal fans were turning cartwheels on the Spurs pitch…I’ll never forget that moment.
Approaching Manor House on the bus back I met some school-mates. It was all clenched fists and “Yeah! We did it!” – thanks to Ray Kennedy’s head and Peter Simpson’s shin!