Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal

Book Review – Supporting Arsenal Is A Funny Old Game

Oct 24th, 2016 by 'holic

Author Dave Seager with contributors Alex Brooker, Jim Campbell, and Tom Rosenthal at the launch

It was an early start to the journey to the match on Saturday given that Dave Seager was launching his latest book in the Tollington at 11 am. In it Dave shares the experiences of fifteen of the funniest Arsenal supporting comedians plus, hidden in the middle of the book, one from a follower of the neighbours at the suggestion of Alan Davies.

‘Supporting Arsenal is a Funny Old Game’ is also providing a contribution towards Comic Relief, which I know is something that really got the author excited. The tagline to the book is ‘seriously funny, yet funnily serious’ and that sets up what follows perfectly.

From the opening chapter with the revered Jewish hooligan (you’ll have to read the book!), Ian Stone, to the last when Alex Brooker reveals why he couldn’t tell Marc Overmars and Kanu apart at his first live match, you get to share the Gunners experience down the years with some very funny, intelligent, and interesting people. Barring the one in the middle, obviously!

Many have tales to tell of those at the club who they have met in various circumstances. Alan Davies waxes lyrical about Arsene Wenger, Romesh Ranganathan talks about his first meeting with Ian Wright whilst hungover, and Gary Marshall shares tales from his after dinner experiences with Paul Merson and Ray Parlour.

Those of us who may have been following the club for a little longer are catered for too. Clive Anderson recalls his first match seeing Stanley Matthews make his final appearance at Highbury. Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran predate that and prompted a few memories to resurface.

And that is really where this book scores for it is the conversational nature of what appears on the pages. These are first and foremost football supporters talking about shared feelings and experiences. It was fitting that the launch should have been in an Arsenal pub because it feels as though you are chatting about football with distant acquaintances over a pint.

Dave will be in the Tollington again before the Reading match tomorrow, when one of those mentioned above will also do a quick solo spot. So go along early, have a chat and a giggle, and buy a really enjoyable read.

If you can’t get along tomorrow then visit Legends Publishing here to buy that gift to yourself or the Gooner in your life.

The ‘holic pound

You will by now have worked out there is no time for a Reading preview here, which is a blessing in disguise for you. I haven’t got a clue who will be starting for us, or for Reading, so I’m chucking a Hail Mary at the bet and going with 3-1 to the Arsenal for no good reason whatsoever. Don’t waste money you haven’t got on following that!

And wherever you are watching the match, have a good one ‘holics.

Posted in book reviews | 53 Drinks

53 Responses to “Book Review – Supporting Arsenal Is A Funny Old Game”

on 24 Oct 2016 at 5:17 pm1scruzgooner

let’s just hope for NOT another version of the 7-5 of a few years ago, excepting a win.

will have to have a look at the book, sounds like a good read. thanks for the review!

and hope you’re fully recovered, holic…
on 24 Oct 2016 at 5:49 pm2countryman100

Some team news here

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161024/team-news-giroud-santi-and-ramsey
on 24 Oct 2016 at 6:01 pm3Trev

Cheers, Holic,

Sounds a good read.

Are you also selling that Amy Lawrence book that folks are talking about through the bar ?

I’m not even sure of the title as events have overtaken me a bit but I thought I’d give the bar a nudge if you are ……
on 24 Oct 2016 at 6:31 pm4Bathgooner on tour

Sounds a good read Holic. Your review sells it very well. I hope you are on commission! ??

As for the Reading game, your guess is better than mine so I will be happy with that result though I was getting used to the delivery of a clean sheet. ?
on 24 Oct 2016 at 6:36 pm5Bathgooner on tour

Trev, it’s called the Wenger Revolution and the Tollie was still selling it when I was in there a couple of weeks ago though it is available on line at a more competitive rate and you may be able to access the most prominent online retailer through the Guvna’s site and make a small contribution to the management costs of this fine establishment with your purchase. ?
on 24 Oct 2016 at 7:56 pm6Ttg

Trev
I’m not sure I’d recommend buying Amy’s book it’s more a collection of photographs . I read it on a flight last week in a few hours mainly because I liked because I liked some of the photos but it’s not really a long read .
As for tomorrow I quite fancy us winning 7-5 after Saturday! I always did like tennis. Reading are our bunnies we have beaten them every time we have played them in our lifetime so they are guaranteed to win tomorrow.
I think he will play Giroud and try The Corporal at right back and play Maitland/ Niles in midfield. If not Wenger is in for a nasty call from MN’s Mum!
I am going and anticipate a 2-0 win
on 24 Oct 2016 at 9:11 pm7Trev

Thanks, bath,

and TTG. I’ve heard good things about Amy’s book. Hmm, quandryfied !
on 24 Oct 2016 at 9:16 pm8Trev

Holic,

No time for a preview about Reading, so we got a post all about … reading.

Funny old world, innit ? ?
on 24 Oct 2016 at 9:30 pm9Goonersince54

Shouldn’t be too much of a stretch to win comfortably tomorrow,particularly as we have home advantage.
Get Giroud some game time,hopefully Rambo also not far away now.
Need the numbers with busy schedule coming into Nov/Dec.
On a sad note,poor old Abou is having another operation on his buggered ankle,he has hardly played for Marseille since joining them last season,and is now out for around 4 months.
on 24 Oct 2016 at 10:06 pm10Trev

A shame Abou is no longer a local Diaby. ?
on 24 Oct 2016 at 10:49 pm11Goonerholic

Trev ?

Post updated with a snap now that my image host isn’t suffering a dos attack.
on 24 Oct 2016 at 11:39 pm12TTG

Trev,
Perhaps I was unfair the book evokes lots of memories, it’s just more of an album than a book. It is possibly the most involved Arsene has ever been in a book about his time there.
I remember writing with Amy in the early days of the Gooner. She was a very keen fan then and she must be so pleased to be living the dream. I saw her at the ground before a game last year with her little one. She must find it hard to be objective!
on 24 Oct 2016 at 11:43 pm13TTG

Team tomorrow
Martinez
Jenko, Gabriel, Holding, Gibbs
Mainland- Niles, Elneny
Ox, Iwobi, Raine Adelaide
Perez
Subs,
Macey, Bielik, Zelalem, Willock, Giroud, Bola, Mavidid

That’s a very blind punt
on 24 Oct 2016 at 11:48 pm14Chris

Reading about reading rather than Reading has readied this readerly reader for ‘holic’s readily readable post-match readdressments.

When your ready, Guv’nor.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 12:43 am15Goonerholic

Thank you Chris. I will scrawl the usual stuff as the match progresses. Hopefully a stream will enable the usual ‘at the final whistle’ nonsense.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 12:45 pm16Vinay

Giroud please to start and play a 4-4-2 which will suit Perez as well. Giroud has been missed and it was reflected in the boro draw we had. Ramsey still short should mean elneny to start and maybe have the ox in the midfield. Won’t be a canter but I will be happy with a 1-0.

Critics still going gaga over pool and chelsea and how their fixtures will be kind for them to win the league. If championships are won by 9 games then we would have been champions and relegated in equal measure over the last few seasons.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 1:51 pm17bt8

As this link confirms, against Nottingham Forest in the previous round Chuba Akpom won a penalty, got an assist on the second Perez goal, and nearly scored himself in the first half from an assist by Reine-Adelaide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glm_GSQBu_I

I wouldn’t expect Giroud to take Chuba’s place among the starters but it would be good to see him in a second half cameo.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 2:25 pm18Delia Block 30

Seems as though Reading are bringing a noisy 5000 with them tonight, so likely to be a lively night at the Ems. Haven’t been to a League Cup tie in many moons so looking forward to a fun night.

Hope it doesn’t go to ET or Pens as there will be a mad rush to make the last train!

A few goals please Arsenal. COYRs
on 25 Oct 2016 at 4:56 pm19Goonerholic

Have a great evening Delia, and good luck with that home leg.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:08 pm20Steve T

I normally say that this all depends on what Arsenal team turns up. I can’t think of anything more valid for tonight. I will just be happy if I’ve he’s d of everyone be on the team sheet.

I was at Reading with the saucepans for the 7-5. As were several others of the regulars. It was probably the most bizarre evening of football I’ve ever witnessed.

To those going, enjoy. To those not, enjoy also

Drinks all round.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:12 pm21Ttg

Not a bad prediction @13 for a match like this 11/11!
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:15 pm22Ttg

I got one of the subs wrong 17/18
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:34 pm23Silly Second Yella

Come on.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:45 pm24Bb

Come on!

Lucas to score !
on 25 Oct 2016 at 7:55 pm25Esso

Anyone got a stream – flash for preference. Any help much appreciated.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:12 pm26ATG

Wasted two sitters already great tackle by Gibo at the other end
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:15 pm27ATG

http ://0eb. net/video/600271.html
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:16 pm28ATG

Esso just get rid off spaces in the link
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:19 pm29ksn

Ox, as per Player 1-0!!!!
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:20 pm30scruzgooner

beauty of a run by the ox, arrows it into the far bottom corner.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:20 pm31ATG

Get in the OX ???
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:21 pm32scruzgooner

we keep winning the ball deep in their half, it was just a matter of time. and now let’s see if it becomes one of opportunity, too.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:21 pm33ATG

I may have a delay in my stream here come on!!!
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:23 pm34scruzgooner

holding looking pretty good so far. our front four isn’t in sync, but understandably.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:26 pm35scruzgooner

cheers, arthur, here’s a shot of zubrowka on the bar for ya…maybe it’ll slow you down in time with your stream 🙂
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:27 pm36bt8

arsenalist.com has an excellent high definition link to AOC’s goal.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:30 pm37scruzgooner

whew, that was a break.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:35 pm38scruzgooner

halftime, we should be up 3-0 or 3-1 at worst. lucas has been mostly good, but he also blew an absolute sitter of an assist.

happy, though, overall.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:36 pm39bt8

What break, scruz? Continuing my tradition of excellent timing I got the game up on Arsenal Player as ksn suggested just in time for half-time. 🙁
on 25 Oct 2016 at 8:41 pm40scruzgooner

bt8, it was when gabriel ducked and deflected the reading shot about a foot over the bar…could have just as easily gone in. would have levelled the score right before the half.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:02 pm41bt8

Gabriel will probably have a significant part to play in our league campaign so I hope he gets enough playing time along the way, and gets a chance to build up his confidence because he can be important player for us.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:14 pm42ATG

Tank just bulldozed Perez
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:19 pm43scruzgooner

man, we’re making it hard on ourselves.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:20 pm44ATG

Unlucky OX and Iwiobi
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:21 pm45ATG

Come on Scruz this the Arsenal you should get use it by now ?
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:22 pm46scruzgooner

lol, too true, arthur.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:22 pm47scruzgooner

beautiful shot by iwobi, tipped over by the keeper. from 20 yards.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:23 pm48scruzgooner

ox with #2 on the rebound. great holdup by holding.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:25 pm49scruzgooner

how the hell can that not be a red on moore when it was a red on granit? he kicked out at OG to trip him up. unreal.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:25 pm50scruzgooner

zelalem in for ox. well done today, ox, though you weren’t as good as you needed to be excepting the goals, i’ll take the goals.
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:34 pm51scruzgooner

nice save, damien!
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:40 pm52scruzgooner

i feel like cba, without the wit.

2-0 to the good guys. not the greatest game, i’d like to see better next time. hopefully lucas’ knock isn’t three weeks…
on 25 Oct 2016 at 9:45 pm53Goonerholic

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>