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.
53 Responses to “Book Review – Supporting Arsenal Is A Funny Old Game”
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…
Some team news here
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161024/team-news-giroud-santi-and-ramsey
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 ……
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. ?
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. ?
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
Thanks, bath,
and TTG. I’ve heard good things about Amy’s book. Hmm, quandryfied !
Holic,
No time for a preview about Reading, so we got a post all about … reading.
Funny old world, innit ? ?
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.
A shame Abou is no longer a local Diaby. ?
Trev ?
Post updated with a snap now that my image host isn’t suffering a dos attack.
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!
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
Reading about reading rather than Reading has readied this readerly reader for ‘holic’s readily readable post-match readdressments.
When your ready, Guv’nor.
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.
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.
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.
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
Have a great evening Delia, and good luck with that home leg.
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.
Not a bad prediction @13 for a match like this 11/11!
I got one of the subs wrong 17/18
Come on.
Come on!
Lucas to score !
Anyone got a stream – flash for preference. Any help much appreciated.
Wasted two sitters already great tackle by Gibo at the other end
http ://0eb. net/video/600271.html
Esso just get rid off spaces in the link
Ox, as per Player 1-0!!!!
beauty of a run by the ox, arrows it into the far bottom corner.
Get in the OX ???
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.
I may have a delay in my stream here come on!!!
holding looking pretty good so far. our front four isn’t in sync, but understandably.
cheers, arthur, here’s a shot of zubrowka on the bar for ya…maybe it’ll slow you down in time with your stream 🙂
arsenalist.com has an excellent high definition link to AOC’s goal.
whew, that was a break.
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.
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. 🙁
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.
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.
Tank just bulldozed Perez
man, we’re making it hard on ourselves.
Unlucky OX and Iwiobi
Come on Scruz this the Arsenal you should get use it by now ?
lol, too true, arthur.
beautiful shot by iwobi, tipped over by the keeper. from 20 yards.
ox with #2 on the rebound. great holdup by holding.
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.
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.
nice save, damien!
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…
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