Guest Post – From Neal, Down Under
Dec 24th, 2014 by 'holic
A change of guest, focus, and style for this piece. Following BtM’s look to the future Neal Milsom looks back, having swapped life in London for the land down under. Thanks Neal, for writing from the heart.
Well, my first blog, and from as far away as you can get from home. Home is a funny word eh? Where on earth is home? Where the heart is? Where the family are? Where you were born? Or where your team is?
I was sold first time I walked into the North Bank. I had found my home. No longer reading about it in the papers, I was there. Yet forty years later I’m here in Perth, Western Australia.
When I’m down, I think of Michael Thomas and Steve McMahon and his “one minute left”. That lifts me every time. The scousers were the enemy for me then. As if to demonstrate what a funny old world it can be last week my local pub here in Perth was invaded by the WA Manchester United fan club to watch their match against the bin-dippers. They sang their songs taking the mickey (apologies, couldn’t resist) out of the scousers. After seven $5 Stella’s and at half time was I chased out the pub for singing “49 undefeated”. Lucky it was my local and I knew the bouncers so they looked after me!
I remember Liam scoring that goal at White Hart Lane back in Christmas 1978. Like ‘holic I was at Wembley to see us beaten by Luton, of all teams. I was in Spain on a family holiday when we signed Supermac, Malcolm Macdonald, for a British record transfer fee of £333,333. It’s in my scrapbook. I had the Champagne Charlie hair. I saw Jon Jensen score his goal.
I’ve never been to the Emirates/Grove, call it what you will. I never saw Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp or Robert Pires do their stuff in the flesh. Damn it, I missed the Invincibles and couldn’t afford to fly to Paris. Instead I watched the Champions League Final in Koh Samui in a beach bar with fifty other gooners and absolutely loved it, bar those oh so painful last thirteen minutes.
I still get up at 3 am to watch our team. We had a thousand Aussie-based Gooners at the casino in Perth to watch us win the FA Cup Final against Hull City last year. That made up for bloody Luton! My boy wears his Arsenal shirt with pride although the wife doesn’t totally understand.
My point? No matter where in the world I happen to be watching my team my heart, and my home, will always be in the North Bank, Highbury, where first I set foot all those years ago. Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.
Have a great Christmas, those celebrating it, and I wish you a great holiday wherever you are. Cheers ‘holics.
32 Responses to “Guest Post – From Neal, Down Under”
Down under?
nils, perfect. Merry Christmas to you and all gooners everywhere!
Great post.
Wouldn’t have minded being with you for the “Champions League Final in Koh Samui in a beach bar with fifty other gooners” 🙂
Feet squarely on the ground. Until they are not on the ground.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30596096
Can’t really say this would add any pressure, undue or not. Course not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOUyKvNZ6U
Spot on old chap.
Nice one, Neal, from one Up Over. 😉
Most satisfying to see Merson select Bergkamp ahead of Shearer in Sky’s best Premier League XI, much to Le Tissier’s disgust.
Easy choice though. Bergkamp won three Premier League titles and without him, perhaps Thierry Henry would not have been the force he was (only perhaps, mind)
Shearer? Kicking Neil Lennon in the face is not a trophy.
Short, sweet, and compelling. Magnificent.
Cheers Neal.
Happy Christmas ‘holics.
A nice Xmas Eve read, Neal!
Merry Xmas everyone.
Great post Neal.
Now Let’s light that barby and crack open the good stuff.
Pork belly on the webber, pool cleaned, lawn mowed, kids presents opened, now crack open the first of many…
Merry Christmas to all from Aus
Hi everyone,
Lovely piece Neal, very heart felt.
BTM, Our Delia’s response to your futuristic piece, struck a cord in me. But guess what, you don’t always have to agree with something, to enjoy it. xx
Want to wish everyone a beautiful Christmas, wherever you are.♥
And so looking forward to your company, on Boxing Day!
Goodnight Holic and holics
Cheers Neal,
`
Succinct and heartfelt indeed.
I’m just gonna slide a double of The Glenlivet halfway round the world for you and if you want to join me in a drink it will be my pleasure.
The Glenlivets I have left for the rest of you have each been cunningly placed in the last place you would think to look…
Merry Christmas to you Holic.
And to all holics everywhere.
Does that count as a ‘Christmas first’?
Great read, Neal. No matter how far you stray from the North Bank, you never leave it.
Seasons’ greetings to ‘holics everywhere, and, last but not least, to the ‘Holic.
Happy xmas to gooners everywhere..thks for putting it up Holic. I’m on Twitter @nealm13 if anyone fancies following an upside down old gooner !
Merry Christmas to every Holic in the world!
Health is what I wish you most that does definitely come first in life, the rest of your dreams surely will follow 🙂
All the best to the landlord of this fine establishment! May this time bless you and your family, a true inspiration for everyone!
Merry Christmas all! Have a cracker!
Drinks are on the bar for everyone to share (Lars you shouldn’t be throwing that credit card again fella 🙂 )
Thanks Neal and same to you!
Have a peaceful and blissful X’mas!
To all Goonerholics!
😀
Merry Christmas to Holic and all holics.
Fine piece Neal. Those down-under Gooner venues sound like fun.
A merry Christmas to one and all.
COYGs.
Enjoyed your piece Neal, thank you.
Great post and such warmth on the day representing the festive spirits.
I wonder can i also write here to share my feelings, the Indian Gooner from 18 years?????
Happy Xmas to all, thanks holic,nice 1 neal.
Lovely post – merry Christmas ‘holic and ‘holics everywhere.
Thanks for the post Neal – that’s whats going to a footie match should be about.
Happy christmas to Holic and to all the enlightened people who frequent this bar.
Chambers burnt out?
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/23/arsene-wenger-calum-chambers-too-young-play-often-arsenal
Lovely post Neal. Familiar and great memories- except Luton!
Merry Christmas everyone
Happy bubblemas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Com’on you rip a rawing reds!
Great read Neal. I could relate to everything you said. I’ve been in Oz now for 39 years, and live just south of Perth, in a place called Dalyellup. Like you, I’ve never actually been to the Emirates stadium unfortunately, but have this dream to one day be there. The last time I got the chance to go back was in 1995, when I saw Wrighty score ‘ that ‘ goal vs Everton at Highbury. Great memories, and thank God for Foxtel eh?
Gooner in oz…yes indeed…I have been to dalyellup ! Next time your in perth give me a shout and we can have a few cold ones and waffle about the old days ! Get me on Twitter @nealm13 ! There is a quiet a few of us oldies on there and great photos and memories are shared…join the club mate. Cheers. Neal