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Self-Serving But With A Genuine Message To Close

Oct 10th, 2019 by 'holic

Here is the post I had hoped to run with last night, but was probably best left for a day, as things turn out. It is a bit me, me, me for a while I’m afraid, but it’s an international break so there isn’t much fresh football news to discuss, and eventually it reaches a point I hope will resonate with many of you.

By now most of you will know I have not been at my best of late and it is beholden on me me first and foremost to thank so, so very many of you for your good wishes and uplifting messages which have kept me out of dark places while with your great help I have been dealing with things. That seems particularly fitting on World Mental Health Day. If you know anyone who shows signs of suffering as such be available to talk to them.

Today I have taken a phone call that has changed entirely my perception of where the investigations I have undergone were I thought leading me. However I am a very lucky individual. The diagnosis I expected required that I change my diet and give up alcohol which I did a fortnight ago. By complete good fortune the actual diagnosis requires exactly the same, so I have a head start on the future.

Which leads me in a roundabout way to the world of social media. Stick with me, I think it will be worth it. It will be evident to my followers that my time on Twitter (I really was a rare dipper-in to Facebook anyway) has been massively reduced. The reasons are many and varied. First and foremost I am not suffering fools gladly right now and for all that I have handpicked who I follow, so many lovely people, I do get utter lamebrains retweeted onto my timeline.

I don’t blame those who do this. Some of the nonsense on there is incredulous and I understand astonished folk sharing what they find unbelievable. I also tend to get dragged into political stuff that I try to ignore but cannot if utter tripe’s being tweeted. I get and respect we have different views of the world, possibly better than most as a once one nation Tory who believed in a property owning democracy now utterly appalled by the far right rabble who have assumed power and are so busy abusing it. I digress.

In the early hours of the morning i try to catch up with who is saying what in case it provides a talking point for the blog, footballistically as it were. I see people who share my new hours and wonder what they are going through. On the odd occasion I’ll drop a friend a line to check all is ok, for this is where social media can do great good. So we reach a segway.

Last season when Crystal Palace came to The Arsenal they followed up on a walk they had already made to an away match. At Fulham as it happens. The organiser, Paul, a friendly, energetic young soul wanted to know if I would help to promote the walk and possibly get Arsenal supporters to join their Palace counterparts along the way. The cause was not fund-raising as such, but to raise awareness of mental health issues in  young men who tend to bottle things, and often end up paying the ultimate price.

Not only was I happy to help, but I also expressed a desire to join at least a part of the walk and shake his hand. Even then, although I didn’t have a clue why, that proved beyond me. “I’ll join you next season” I said, if it is run again. Little did I know what lay ahead at that point.

It is happening again, and this time Paul has acquired the backing of the Samaritans and CALM, thoroughly deserved endorsements. You’ll see a graphic below which sums the event up better than ever I could. I will add but this. Indeed a number of ours did join last years event, making for a better atmosphere, new friendships, and a different and thoroughly enjoyable pre-match experience.

Perhaps it is something you might consider? (Apologies, I am unable to shrink the graphic to fit the page size but check out @HC15OnTour on Twitter for the whole image. Thank you.)

Posted in comment | 145 Drinks

145 Responses to “Self-Serving But With A Genuine Message To Close”

  1. on 10 Oct 2019 at 7:46 pm1Self-Serving But With A Genuine Message To Close – Arsenal FC News

    […] Original article: https://goonerholic.com/2019/10/self-serving-but-with-a-genuine-message-to-close/ […]

  2. on 10 Oct 2019 at 7:55 pm2bt8

    Strong support from afar for what the words are worth, but very happy for your relatively mild diagnosis. Giving up the alcohol will be all for the good after a lifetime of tippling. Onward to bigger and better things, hopefully. Thanks for your writing, as ever.

  3. on 10 Oct 2019 at 8:08 pm3Gus Caesar

    ‘Holic. We’ve never met in real life but i’m sorry to hear about your health struggles. We all have them at some time or other. Us Gooners stick together and as one of the most-loved Gooner bloggers I can say that we all wish you the very best. Two things:

    1. I love my drink. Last year i took the whole year off alcohol for charity. The clarity & freshness of mind it gave me was amazing. I’ve since gone back to it but you have nothing to fear. And there is no reason why your life need be any worse for it. My tip: lime & soda!

    2. I’m not on social media at all. Have weighed it up & obviously read twitter accounts etc but it’s an echo chamber that, as i see it, frustrates people as much as it brings joy. We survived fine without it until recently. There are many Gooners i know who avoid twitter etc like the plague. No one will stop reading your great content on here because you’re off twitter for a bit.

    Be strong & remember that it’s a beautiful world. Don’t let the bastards get you down!

  4. on 10 Oct 2019 at 8:09 pm4Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Cheers H.

    For me, personally, it is posts like this which help elevate your blog above all others. I love your match previews and reports, I love the drinks (and the way you have created a space which encourages dialogue and discussion). But I also love the way that you remind us to put football in context. There are many here who come for a lot more than debate about the team we all love.

    Years ago a friend of mine suicided. (I cannot say ‘committed suicide’ as I am not of a religious persuasion which requires me to see this as a crime ‘committed’ and a couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be trained on a suicide prevention course by one of the UK’s leading experts in suicide and its prevention who made a compelling argument that our traditional language in reference to this is outdated and unhelpful.) He was not a truly close friend. But I had known him for years and ten days prior to his death he attended my birthday party. I was just out of my teens and found it hard to comprehend and deal with.

    Although we do not always share lots about our personal lives here I will say that, in the years since this incident, I have done a lot of work with men and men’s issues (like suicide, which is far more prevalent in men than women), as well as with the homeless (who are also overwhelmingly male and obviously at a higher risk of suicide than those who have a fixed place to live) and to see these issues highlighted in the context of a football blog warms my soul.

    Football means a lot to many of us and, despite all the scoffing talk from those who mean well enough but do not really understand (it’s only a game!) as a wider football community, beyond our club allegiances, we need to look out for each other.

    Dave, I offer you my heartfelt gratitude for this post. You are a good man.

    I won’t have a ticket for the game. But I’ll be there for the walk. Football is the most important of the unimportant things. But this is important.

  5. on 10 Oct 2019 at 8:15 pm5Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Well said Gus.

    I’m not on social media either (no weighing up- life is just too short to invite a litany of scumbags into my life for the dubious offset of hearing from people who I would phone or meet up with if they were actually my friends (or exchange messages with here!)) and although I’m back on the booze I did over three years teetotal and thoroughly enjoyed that period of my life. Of course, i love my booze these days but if I had to quit I’d be fine with that.

  6. on 10 Oct 2019 at 8:31 pm6Goonerholic

    Than you bt8 and GSD, long term and valued friends and supporters.

    Gus, that means an awful lot, thank you. Those bastards will learn not to mess with this fella, hopefully.

  7. on 10 Oct 2019 at 8:50 pm7Mark Earle

    Hi Dave, as always positive thoughts sent to you from me here in Ireland.
    I enjoy your blogs, and the time you take to e-mail me. I have never met you but one day when I am in the old country it be an honour to do so, you may not be able to share a pint with me but I’d love to swap stories of the Arsenal with you, saw my first match in 1971, we beat Leicester 3 nil, Raddy got 2 and Geordie the other, you never know we may have stood next to each other one time or another at the grand old lady that Highbury was.

    Keep up the great word and i am so very grateful for what you do

    Mark

  8. on 10 Oct 2019 at 9:14 pm8Goonerholic

    I’d like to think so to Mark. I was certainly never an occasional visitor. ?

  9. on 10 Oct 2019 at 9:57 pm9Countryman100

    Hi Dave

    A humbling post. As I think I said a couple of weeks ago, my alcohol consumption has dropped right back as I’ve entered my 60s, thanks to Drs orders. I have felt the better for it.

    Sadly I am away for the Palace game, and have already given my tickets away to someone on our row, so they can bring their kids. But all credit and I hope it draws a large crowd.

    My next away report likely to be Leicester in November. My son’s University town and I have made it clear that although I’m paying, I expect a top notch Ruby after the game.

  10. on 10 Oct 2019 at 10:04 pm10Pip

    Cheers and good luck with everything

  11. on 10 Oct 2019 at 10:29 pm11Pangloss

    All the best Dave.

    I think that drinkers above have said everything that I would like about this place and your achievement in creating and fostering it – and probably at a much lesser length than I would.

    Come on you Goonerholic

  12. on 10 Oct 2019 at 10:53 pm12Cynic

    Great post, H, and I hope you had better news than you expected. I don’t know how you will keep this going without all the booze to keep you sane, but long may you continue to do so.

    And what GSD said about Twitter.

  13. on 10 Oct 2019 at 10:56 pm13TTG

    Wonderful post by the Guvna and as these great posts suggest there is a positive and clear way ahead. Only a temporary abstinence should be required.
    I’d like to echo the admirable GSD whose posts are one of the reasons I enjoy coming here and continue to do so. I have a faith but I entirely respect those who don’t and GSD makes a very good point about suicide. In one aspect of my voluntary work trying to resettle prisoners I encounter the Samaritans and one friend is just training with them t9 be a counsellor. I’m sensing all of us can speak about mental health as we can speak about our liver disease , our diabetes and most types of physical illness. That’s good and that’s why the march is a great thing. GSD I may have a spare ticket for the match and if it does become spare you’d be welcome to be my guest. I will know in the next couple of days In other news Tottenham are crap. It’s official ?

  14. on 10 Oct 2019 at 11:30 pm14North Bank Ned

    A wonderful post, ‘Holic. I hope I am reading it right that your diagnosis is benign. All here will wish that to be the case.

  15. on 11 Oct 2019 at 1:07 am15Bill Gregory

    Hi H.

    Firstly let me say I hope you get 100% better very soon.

    For info, I have read your comments both before and after games each season and I don’t know if you fully understand how far and wide your reports reach. and how much we look forward to and appreciate both your comments and drinks. Personally, your comments are a must read each weekend prior to and after each game.

    Let me say that I am and have been an Arsenal supporter since 1950 now as an 82 year old I still cannot sleep until I see their results after each game. Bear in mind afternoon games take place in the early hours of the morning her in OZ and for the last two years have not received TV coverage and lucky if we get some short snips of games.

    For further info, I played in the Hampstead and District league from the age of 15 to 27 when I then emigrated to Australia in 1965 with
    my wife and 2 kids serving in the Australian Air Force in which I served for 25 years.

    Again, let me say all your comments are very very much appreciated
    Keep up the good work and up the gunners.

  16. on 11 Oct 2019 at 1:17 am16OsakaMatt

    A great post Guvnor.
    I’m very glad to hear that
    you’re a lucky man.

    It was good to read about
    Paul. I admire what he’s
    doing and how he’s going
    about it. Reading about
    good people trying to do
    worthwhile things ?

  17. on 11 Oct 2019 at 9:22 am17Noosa Gooner

    Holic,

    Please add my best wishes to those above. Heineken Zeros still taste like beers but with less sugar than many soft drinks – just saying.

    Still the best Arse blog by a long way – long may it continue.

    Cheers and UTA.

  18. on 11 Oct 2019 at 9:58 am18Goonerholic

    Pip, ever a delight, and a very welcome one at this potentially difficult time.

    Bill, those words mean so much. I wish I could express myself more fully than with a heartfelt thank you.

    P, C, TTG, NBN, OM, NG. You are stars. Always there. I hope this season gives you what you have yearned for in recent years. You deserve it.

  19. on 11 Oct 2019 at 12:29 pm19North Bank Ned

    No, ‘Holic. You’re the star.

  20. on 11 Oct 2019 at 1:28 pm20Cynic

    I hope this season gives you what you have yearned for in recent years.

    Unlikely. Some other gimp won the Euromillions and it won’t be at that level again for a while.

    What?

    Oh.

    And what Ned said.

  21. on 11 Oct 2019 at 1:30 pm21Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Cheers TTG. Top man. If the ticket does become available I would love to come. Please ask H for my email address.

  22. on 11 Oct 2019 at 3:40 pm22Trev

    Holic,

    I’m a bit mystified as to why your very best writing is always accompanied by an apology…. ?

    A superbly assembled piece which turns out to also be quite topical.

    Stay strong – big change isn’t easy.

    You have my number if it ever feels like a chat would help.

    This place has been a friend to me more than once over many years. The very least we can do is return the favour.

    Take care, mate.

  23. on 11 Oct 2019 at 5:07 pm23Bathgooner

    What Trev said, H. All best wishes.

  24. on 11 Oct 2019 at 6:32 pm24Goonerholic

    Trev, Comprehension is something I think that can no longer be taught. I thank you so much, my friend.

    Bath too, it would appear to be. I’m very lucky to know you both. ??

  25. on 11 Oct 2019 at 9:29 pm25TTG

    England have been pathetic tonight .
    Defensively they look like Arsenal , their midfield gives the back four no protection
    But their attack isn’t as good as ours ?

  26. on 11 Oct 2019 at 9:40 pm26Countryman100

    TTG

    Too many Spurs or ex Spurs players.

    England are Spursy.

  27. on 11 Oct 2019 at 9:48 pm27ATG

    A great deal of diving from the England players are they learning from Spurs? 🙂

  28. on 11 Oct 2019 at 10:56 pm28bt8

    England struck by a late goal from Zdenek Ondrazek the Czech Cobra, who plays for the highly esteemed FC Dallas of MLS. How the mighty are falling.

  29. on 11 Oct 2019 at 11:46 pm29Paul

    Keep well Guv, you’re a top man and long may you continue to give your thoughts and observations.

  30. on 12 Oct 2019 at 12:37 am30can't be arsed

    ‘holic
    listen ye not
    to a single solitary fucker
    who tells you
    it’s easy to go off the gargle

    IT ISN’T

    .
    .
    .
    i miss drinking
    but i love herself more
    and she deserves bla bla etc

    i tried toking but it sent me mad
    and made me boke
    .
    .
    now
    take this whatever way ye want
    herself has added you to her prayer routine
    i set no bla in that
    but she does
    and she knows you have been kind to me
    so i thought i would let you know
    that people are thinking about you

    (mainly the cows)
    moooooooooooooooooooooo

    ps
    if you get there before me
    hide Chris’s tv remote
    ?

  31. on 12 Oct 2019 at 12:41 am31can't be arsed

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyT9jTW7MHc

  32. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:00 am32can't be arsed

    though
    that being said and sung
    i would join hands
    with boris cunt so’s i could rip his bastardin arm off
    and beat him to fuckin buggery with it
    and
    wither gove and cummings
    by the experience
    of life close up

    the pair of dismissive arrogant wee daisies

  33. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:03 am33can't be arsed

    .
    it’s always
    Oh so easy
    to talk the big game
    when yer hiding in the disabled toilet
    shouting out the back window

  34. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:11 am34can't be arsed

    i know
    i am fucked

    bla whatever
    everyone’s gotta go

    but i hope i’m around long enough
    to see the cunts involved in this fiasco
    exposed for what they are

    wee twats never got over being picked on at school for being wee twats

    .

    “Shall you lead us into battle King Gove ?”
    .
    .
    “Well battle is a strong word with many ……”

  35. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:13 am35OsakaMatt

    A proud day for the Andorrans.
    I remember when they first
    joined the Federation

  36. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:18 am36bt8

    Andorra has roughly 1/5 of the population Iceland has, but nobody thought Iceland was big enough to make it to the WC finals.

  37. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:26 am37can't be arsed

    osaka M

    i sat on the beach today
    i had my wee trangia
    my wee foldy chair
    and comestibles

    a leisurely walk there
    a leisurely walk back

    i listen mostly to 70s electronic music
    or 70s dub

    cos
    i have a wee speaker i put in my pocket
    i can hear it
    but it doesn’t interfere with the sounds around

    if you have the atlantic ocean vying for yer attention
    who could deny the big wet fuck

  38. on 12 Oct 2019 at 1:29 am38can't be arsed

    hello 8ball

  39. on 12 Oct 2019 at 2:03 am39can't be arsed

    and
    ‘holic
    can i suggest same

    the seaside
    the ocean
    it’s just wonderful
    .
    i’ve said it before
    but
    i sing this song in my mind
    everytime i’m zig zagging through the reeds and dunes

    “Im going down to the seashore to wash my brain”

    60s garage classic
    can’t remember who
    old age

  40. on 12 Oct 2019 at 2:17 am40can't be arsed

    and
    sobriety is fuckin useless
    but she watches me like a hawk

    she reads this too
    after my situation

    ?
    (nosey bint)

  41. on 12 Oct 2019 at 2:38 am41can't be arsed

    what are yer plans for no beer , ‘hol
    fortunately and to the well hidden hilarity
    yeah
    my vomit reflex is on a fuckin hair trigger
    so i miss it
    but even the thought gives me the dry boke

    what you gonna do to distract yerself
    .
    .
    if you were here
    id heat you up some stew on the beach
    then tell ye to eff off

    bloody mooching bastard
    I’M NOT A SOUP KITCHEN !

  42. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:12 am42bt8

    No tv remotes in heaven, cba. All done by telepathy.

  43. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:16 am43bt8

    Good thing, too. Chris’s was the largest known to man to match the size of his jumbo screen tv

  44. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:19 am44bt8

    Thierry Henry runs on continuous loop in heaven doncha know

  45. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:31 am45can't be arsed

    ? 8ball
    i think i’ll be going downstairs
    and
    i’ve no doubt Chris will have already set up
    a red hot rock n roll club
    which he’ll let me into for free once
    then bar me for my
    BtM endorsed good looks
    and their effects on Lusty C.M. Hither behind the bar

  46. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:46 am46OsakaMatt

    I didn’t know what a trangia
    was. A Swedish mess tin it
    seems for heating up ones
    sausage and beans.
    Though I’d imagine in these
    days of strait-laced social
    conformity heating up ones
    sausage in a mess tin may
    be frowned upon.

  47. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:53 am47OsakaMatt

    Anyhow, that sounds very
    contemplative cba.

    I was also looking at a large
    amount of water this morning
    as the edge of a super typhoon
    (though there’s nothing super
    about it) dumped it on my
    stupidly unumbrellaed head.
    I should’ve brought a
    trangia.

  48. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:55 am48can't be arsed

    i love my trangia
    i take grub and my foldy seat
    and have a lovely wee lunch

    can’t see it more than a few times more
    it’s getting cold and i have the energy levels of a snail
    .
    .

    pre-liver falling out
    i’d have several homemades too
    so
    it was quite the catered affair

  49. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:58 am49can't be arsed

    i saw the typhoon on the telly
    scary stuff big man

  50. on 12 Oct 2019 at 4:01 am50Bill Perry

    hey H
    Just wanted to throw my thrupence in from distant NZ
    I was regular at THOF through the seventies until I emigrated to the USA.
    Your blog fully captures the spirt of those times and I share many of your views re the current team as we are of a similar vintage and so perhaps have a shared culture and therefore a shared view of the changes over the years.
    I now reside in Auckland
    I have three pet hates:
    Foaming at the mouth religious types
    Foaming at the mouth right wingers
    Tottenham Fans
    The first two are unfortunately rather too prevalent in America for my tastes
    Numbers two and three rather to prevalent in Blighty
    Hence my retreat Down Under ( mostly mercifully free of all three!)
    The only thing I miss about England is The Arsenal!
    And your blog brings that to me every week with a balance and respect for others that is hard to find these days. Thank You!
    The fact that cba ( an unapologetic Anglophobe) loves you is testament to your evenhandedness and all round good blokeness.
    (cba is amongst the most intelligent of your contributors in my view, and the standard is high for most others IMHO)
    I wish you all the luck in your recovery and hope that it is a speedy one and that we can continue to enjoy your lovely blog for many years to come!
    Get well soon, and if you fancy a break in NZ , let me know

  51. on 12 Oct 2019 at 4:24 am51can't be arsed

    i should warn you 50
    i have no money
    no prospect of money
    and the life expectancy of an insect
    but thank you for your delusions
    it’s nice to see bad judgement is rampant in mighty NZ

    one of only two countries i ever wanted to visit
    Canada being the other

    have a tune
    an NZ classic

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjW3MT8D9RY

  52. on 12 Oct 2019 at 4:38 am52can't be arsed

    ya fuckin bollix 50 bill P
    that’s me huntin out me oul singles
    fuckin nearly 40 some o these other side o the world ones

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FT-4sNe-as

  53. on 12 Oct 2019 at 4:57 am53can't be arsed

    herself likes the chills though
    and
    over the years also
    this song has raised its head
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uHHVQnd7vM

  54. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:06 am54can't be arsed

    ps
    i take issue with “amongst”

  55. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:35 am55OsakaMatt

    @49
    Yes, a scary one so the weather-
    girl says. I think it’s a load of
    hot air.

    Well, it amused me.

    And I’m amongst the wittiest
    posters today

  56. on 12 Oct 2019 at 10:50 am56Goonerholic

    My dear friend, cba. I did wonder what ailed you. It would appear we are brothers in more ways than one? Are you type one? I’s important.

    How ironic you should mention the Atlantic, which has a spiritual pull on me too. A fortnight today I am off for a long weekend in a room in Weston overlooking the most wonderful of oceans.

    I wish I could have sausages in my mess tin. From now on I’m brown bread, dairy, fresh fruit, nuts, and fresh veg. I have a wider selection in my kitchen than Covent Garden.

    The no-alcohol thing is surprisingly straightforward right now. Three weeks ago I was chucking single malts down my neck and for a few now I’m not. I have discovered I love cranberry and blueberry juice, tea, and, would you believe, water. It’s absurdly delicious.

    My love to herself, and those gorgeous cows. Thank you for being there, you daft bastard.

  57. on 12 Oct 2019 at 11:28 am57Goonerholic

    Thank you so much, Bill. Your kind words are much appreciated.

    I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.

    You lot are the mutts! ??

  58. on 12 Oct 2019 at 2:36 pm58North Bank Ned

    Typhoon seems to have hit Kanto rather than the Kansai, so trust you are unaffected, OM.

  59. on 12 Oct 2019 at 3:39 pm59TTG

    Bill Perry
    Loved your note. I especially hate fascist Tottenham fans too.
    One quibble. CBA might be a handsome bastard but he’s not very bright.But we still like him . Now I sound like Dick Emery , Unai’s English great uncle .
    In other Arsenal news….there is none

  60. on 12 Oct 2019 at 4:11 pm60OsakaMatt

    Yes, wet rather than windswept
    it seems Ned.
    Though it’s 10 past midnight and
    I’ve been quaffing wine safely
    indoors with friends since
    3pm so not sure I’d notice
    anyway 🙂

  61. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:27 pm61Lewis Borg-Cardona

    Hi Holic,

    Long time reader but rare poster.

    Very much hoping your health improves asap.

    To cut a very long story as short as possible, an acquaintance of mine had a rugby injury recently which laid him low and off his feet for a couple of months, after an operation. He and his wife and two young children (10 and 8) were recently back from a holiday in France and he seemed to be on the road to recovery. Then two weeks ago we met his wife in the park and she told us her husband had hung himself only days previously. By all accounts post operative depression is a common occurrence, which I was not aware of. He was in his early 40s.

    Needless to say I shall be joining the walk, so thanks for tipping me off about it.

    Cheers !

  62. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:52 pm62Cynic

    A proud day for the Andorrans.

    Have they finally got the better of Captain Kirk?

  63. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:53 pm63Cynic

    Oh boo. Note to self, read the entire drink before falling over your own comic genius in your rush to make a joke

    🙁

  64. on 12 Oct 2019 at 5:59 pm64Cynic

    I have discovered I love cranberry and blueberry juice, tea, and, would you believe, water.

    Fuck’s sake, someone hand him one of these will ya?

    https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GE8AAOSwsWVcuJXx/s-l400.jpg

    😉

  65. on 12 Oct 2019 at 6:16 pm65Evian van Perrier

    Water delicious? Some more than others, I must say.

  66. on 12 Oct 2019 at 7:04 pm66Goonerholic

    Hello Lewis,

    Thank you. I’m sure you will enjoy the walk. Everybody last season loved it.

  67. on 12 Oct 2019 at 8:40 pm67scruzgooner

    dave, this place is yours. you listen to all of us with our personal stuff, high time we gave you an ear.

    (he says before talking about himself, be warned). i’ve suffered from melonchalia most of my life, and have had both suicidal thoughts and depression (both more than 30 years ago). i have two friends attempt suicide, and one of my best friends ever succeeded. if i could be at the palace walk i’d be there.

    there is nothing worse for people than the overt and covert messages that flood the world with some supposed “normal” mental health path. as we see with physical health, and indeed, people, it’s all shapes and sizes. thank you for your post, and i expect we’ll see the “‘holic book of arsenal and brown bread cookery” before long. as always, be well.

  68. on 12 Oct 2019 at 9:35 pm68Goonerholic

    Thanks scruz,

    You’ve been to the well and come back. Big hugs. We’re stronger for having been there. Now I want to live more than anything.

    Always here for anyone who needs.

  69. on 13 Oct 2019 at 12:34 am69scruzgooner

    living is wonderful. it’s a sad state of affairs when anyone feels otherwise (never to say it isnt shit at times); even sadder when they keep it bottled up for fear of disapprobation.

    your value to this assembled crew, past and present, is the purest gold. (always: virtual bar, real friends!). i can imagine your family feel that way, too.

    as an aside, and to make no comparison, jet lag sucks!

  70. on 13 Oct 2019 at 4:08 am70bt8

    mid-lull drink

  71. on 13 Oct 2019 at 4:22 am71OsakaMatt

    @63
    Never mind Cynic, an ale on
    the bar for you.

  72. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:41 am72OsakaMatt

    ??????? vs ?? is on in the rugby, which
    is nice. Off to the bar to watch
    with some friends.
    It’ll be little consolation to some
    devastated by the typhoon but I
    hope Japan win (no Scot bashing
    intended, well no this time anyway)

  73. on 13 Oct 2019 at 1:55 pm73North Bank Ned

    Glad you missed the typhoon, OM. Pictures from Tokyo show some pretty bad destruction.

  74. on 13 Oct 2019 at 1:59 pm74North Bank Ned

    Big win for Japan. Wind in their backs, so to speak.

    Has Scottish sport imploded?

  75. on 13 Oct 2019 at 2:26 pm75Trev

    Tributes, richly deserved, from around the globe, Holic.

    Lovely stuff from the two Bills and others.

    It was an inspiring and enjoyable read right up to the point where we were presented with the un-unseeable vision of cba sitting on a beach with his beans and sausage in a mess tin.

    Ahem.

  76. on 13 Oct 2019 at 3:32 pm76Cynic

    Women are on BT Sport if anyone is missing Arsenal. Beating Chelsea 1-0 at the mo

  77. on 13 Oct 2019 at 5:10 pm77can't be arsed

    ahhh
    would ye ever all pull yerselves the gether
    ya big bunch o misty eyed lumps

    ?
    #moooooooooooooooooooooo
    #when yer heart is breaking
    #moooooooooooooooooooooo
    #when yer arse is chafing

    and

    Trevor
    i had STEW in my trangia
    report correctly
    don’t come around here
    and put your beans and sausages
    in my mouth

    i’m very particular about that

    ya english bastard !
    (special request for bill P)

    ?
    .
    so
    ?
    and fuck off
    the lotta ye

    m’lud not you – I’ve taken a personal interest in you
    oh yes
    YOU !

    ya cheeky wee fucker

  78. on 13 Oct 2019 at 5:35 pm78can't be arsed

    yeah

    YOU !
    .
    .
    .
    dave
    i hate to add to the diabetic coma inducing
    SPLURGE
    of love for you

    but

    not just you
    but
    this place too
    has been a real haven

    we don’t agree on everything
    that would be boring
    but there’s one thing
    we all agree on

    UP THE ARSENAL*

    .
    .
    .
    .
    .

    .
    *and thunder T is long overdue a boot up his

  79. on 13 Oct 2019 at 5:37 pm79can't be arsed

    and
    don’t get me started on cynic

  80. on 13 Oct 2019 at 5:40 pm80can't be arsed

    ps dave
    i’ll message you

  81. on 13 Oct 2019 at 6:40 pm81can't be arsed

    oh and in case i forget ‘hol
    herself says hello

    she really is called herself
    i’m sure it sounds odd
    but
    that’s how she’s known

    she’s a lovely woman
    and
    she has promised to police glasgow
    and indeed herself herself

    so
    when i climb atop ‘holic mountain
    and
    blow into the conch
    (easy trevor)

    it will be me
    calling you all cunts
    not an interloper

    ?

  82. on 13 Oct 2019 at 6:57 pm82can't be arsed

    spoiler alert dave
    now where did it all begin

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6OrxQ5cKaOQ

    ?

  83. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:06 pm83TTG

    CBA
    You’re quite right I am due a boot up the arse but I’m still way too quick for you. Speed merchant me ?
    I’m afraid the Queen didn’t mention you during my weekly audience ?

  84. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:07 pm84can't be arsed

    really gonna struggle
    to find
    the next few tunes
    in my attempt at
    a musical accompaniment
    to cover the rest

  85. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:09 pm85can't be arsed

    83
    you adorable old tart

    and right on your age too

  86. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:11 pm86can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    .
    last year

  87. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:13 pm87can't be arsed

    nah
    i can’t pull it off
    (OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH MATRON)

    the MIGHTY tabs is the only one can do camp

    PROPERLY !

  88. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:20 pm88can't be arsed

    here
    have a tune

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_RqPun2WIE

  89. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:33 pm89bt8

    88 a tune about my speed for
    sittin here by the wood smoke

  90. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:35 pm90can't be arsed

    8ball
    ?

  91. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:36 pm91can't be arsed

    the only version
    played chez arsed

    just love it

  92. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:40 pm92can't be arsed

    ‘holic , ned and thunder T
    were barely out of their teens
    when that was recorded

  93. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:43 pm93can't be arsed

    clive was the shoeshine

    .
    .
    (boy did he get his revenge)

  94. on 13 Oct 2019 at 7:49 pm94can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    the night of the long buffs

  95. on 13 Oct 2019 at 8:15 pm95Goonerholic

    Thank you cba and herself. ?

  96. on 13 Oct 2019 at 8:26 pm96TTG

    GSD,
    The Palace ticket is yours.
    I will be in touch via email .

  97. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:14 pm97can't be arsed

    dave
    can’t believe ye still associate with us
    well
    me in particular
    though

    i’m totally wonderful

    are you aspiring to something ?

    my looks are achieved by centuries
    of lookers

    it’s a blessing and a curse
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jtScxMtncw

  98. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:20 pm98bt8

    Video killed the radio star
    But must not have been a
    Looker like cba

  99. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:20 pm99Pangloss

    cba – I think you have mentioned living in the Finsbury Park area in the early 80’s. Did you drink in the George Robey by any chance?

    I recall meeting a friend there for a quick pint before walking down to Highbury before a game. A couple of your countrymen were playing pool and discussing the next shot; one said, in an accent I can’t recall and would never have been able to identify “You don’t like Orangemen; hit the orange ball”… I just wondered.

    (I’m not sure that we caught a glimpse of the pool players, so I cannot attest to whether either of them was devastatingly handsome.)

    I hope the weather continues to be kind for your beach-sitting activities.

    COYG

  100. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:31 pm100can't be arsed

    pan G
    i did
    but it wasn’t me

  101. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:34 pm101can't be arsed

    if you saw me
    you’d remember
    that sinking feeling
    you went home with
    of
    why was I born to mooses

  102. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:39 pm102can't be arsed

    and
    contrary to popular belief
    i am NOT a sectarian person
    despite those orange bastards provocation

    (another one for bill P whoever the hell he is)

    (it’s a joke bill – it’s a joke)

    (you english bastards don’t get it)

  103. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:50 pm103can't be arsed

    i didn’t have a local
    money was tight
    but at the time you are on about
    i mostly drank around
    the top of holloway
    junction road

    i was sending money home
    and
    to be honest
    i preferred a carry out and going to see a band

  104. on 13 Oct 2019 at 9:55 pm104can't be arsed

    and
    to be honest pan G
    though i make fun of my accent

    if it had been me you’d heard
    you’d still be living in the corral
    i keep my hypnotized devotees in

  105. on 13 Oct 2019 at 10:06 pm105can't be arsed

    i am* an enigma

    .
    .
    .
    *was – am dribbling and dying recently

  106. on 13 Oct 2019 at 10:10 pm106can't be arsed

    i let them all go
    the ungrateful cunts

    disrespectful screaming

  107. on 13 Oct 2019 at 11:43 pm107bt8

    So, between Papa and Sideshow who is the whipping boy of the week? Clearly not Mustafi as he has mercifully been taken out of the firing line. But for how long? (To add another superfluous question)

  108. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:14 am108impressive failage

    Otherwise known as bill P
    Damn! I revealed my true identity – the ravages of age…getting sloppy
    cba – you were never a sectarian in my mind – octogenarian maybe?
    TTG – always enjoy your posts – we will have to agree to disagree re cba’s IQ – no doubting his Hollywood looks of course (isn’t Hollywood in Norn Iron?)
    His only failing seems to be his musical taste but every one of us has a failing of some description or other. Mine is a low tolerance level for twats, one of the reasons I like this particular bar is the complete absence of same.
    cba – thanks for reminding me of the poor musical standard here in NZ and sad to hear of your financial woes – I come from a long line of paupers myself. But I’m still kicking and reasonably free of disease (occasional bout of scurvy aside) so its swings and roundabouts eh?
    Maybe the farmers of the North Of Ireland will get a subsidy after Brexit.
    A chap can dream….
    Life expectancy of an insect?
    I hope you mean the rare but exceedingly long lived Irish Weta.
    Gosh
    Isn’t the interlude over yet?

  109. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:18 am109can't be arsed

    the MIGHTY MIGHTY imp fail

  110. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:23 am110can't be arsed

    you cunt
    fuckin champion
    .
    see 109

  111. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:36 am111can't be arsed

    time for a tune
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSRAhebMb5Q

  112. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:41 am112can't be arsed

    i wish i was ruder to bill P
    ?

  113. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:47 am113can't be arsed

    and no imp fail
    i have been told im checking out
    buying the farm
    goodnight Irene

    but sure
    it is gonna happen to all of you
    but you all
    didn’t go through life
    with beautiful women following you about

    so
    smug is what done for me
    ?

  114. on 14 Oct 2019 at 12:59 am114can't be arsed

    herself promised not to read here
    any more
    so i can say it
    but
    she really is unbelievably gorgeous
    Audrey Hepburn type but with AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    .
    .
    though
    she never saw Ramones
    or Buzzcocks
    or any other terrific band without ‘the’
    .
    .
    .
    she might have called christy moore
    a talentless sweaty karaoke cunt
    which to be fair
    there was a queue for
    .
    .
    so
    i’m still supremo

  115. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:00 am115can't be arsed

    just

  116. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:20 am116can't be arsed

    .
    .
    just skinned up
    doesn’t agree wi me much any more

    but fuck it

    cheers Chris
    cheers gooner T

  117. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:33 am117can't be arsed

    song for Chris
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXMHp2NSw8

    you’d wonder how a black man on the opposite side of the world to england would be called Geoffrey

    .
    .
    song for gooner T
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztq7-kkygZk

  118. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:39 am118can't be arsed

    how’s that for ye imp fail ?

    reverting to type ?

    politely calling a spade a shovel

  119. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:50 am119can't be arsed

    i recall the scottish regiment here in the seventies
    big girl’s blouse of a ribbon on their headgear

    i will say this though
    whatever opinions they had about catholics
    whatever dog in the race
    they might have been perceived to have had
    about us

    can i just say
    they treated us
    with only a smidgen more disgust
    than you english bastards

    which
    to their credit
    was decent
    given their
    “Im fick innit gotta gun wooooh”

  120. on 14 Oct 2019 at 1:55 am120can't be arsed

    bill P
    where can i collect my performing monkey money ?

  121. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:02 am121Impressive Failage

    The usual channels cba
    I take you are an Equity member?

  122. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:15 am122can't be arsed

    wi my back an these feet ?

    get tha fuck outta here !

  123. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:30 am123can't be arsed

    i used to have a press card
    which was entertaining
    when the “murder machine”* searched me

    it went two of two ways

    “oh right”
    cos i would answer my name
    age
    and
    where i was coming from
    which i always said ‘over there’
    and
    where i was going to

    yeah
    pre empt that answer ya bastard
    .
    .
    .
    *double points ?

    and
    the other way

  124. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:33 am124can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    total nightmare with these dumdums

  125. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:37 am125can't be arsed

    why do you people set such store in yer ARMED forces when you turn face about if you go into a pub and its full of squaddies ?

  126. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:41 am126Impressive failure

    I’m no doctor cba, but have you considered sleeping at night?
    Colour me old fashioned, call me what you will, but I understand that in medical circles its considered rather a good idea.
    Of course
    You might be saving all your sleep up for when you’re dead.
    Which is a good deal more rock n roll

  127. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:45 am127can't be arsed

    imp
    i have chronic insomnia
    and currently
    level AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH pain

  128. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:46 am128can't be arsed

    but
    i’ll take yer polite hint

  129. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:52 am129can't be arsed

    though 125
    i stand by

    who ever heard someone on the phone say
    “Bring all the kids out , the place is full of squaddies , it’s a lovely atmosphere”
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    imagine those bananas with guns

  130. on 14 Oct 2019 at 3:30 am130OsakaMatt

    @73,74

    Thanks Ned.
    My son lives in Kanagawa
    right in the path and things
    were pretty hairy with
    flooding and mudslides.
    Luckily, he came through
    ok though he rang the local
    evacuation centre at one
    point. The centre was full
    and they suggested he walk
    to the next centre a mile
    away. In a typhoon?
    We told him to stay put as
    his apartments on the 2nd
    floor. Walking a mile
    seemed an odd suggestion
    but to be fair your options
    narrow very quickly in a
    typhoon. Stay or move, both
    are risky.
    The Scottish RFU fully
    deserved to lose after
    threatening legal action
    – insensitive and
    disproportionate. It was just
    a game. A cracking one as
    it turned out. Scotland
    fought hard but Japan were
    the better team over the
    game.

  131. on 14 Oct 2019 at 2:35 pm131Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    TTG @96.

    Brilliant!

  132. on 14 Oct 2019 at 7:22 pm132Goonerholic

    Maybe an international special tomorrow night? Maybe not, since I forgot about it all and Scotland yesterday was the first match I watched. ?

  133. on 14 Oct 2019 at 8:48 pm133Countryman100

    Half time.

    Racist scum 0 England 4

  134. on 14 Oct 2019 at 8:56 pm134Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    We should sign that Kraev bloke. Just based on his hairstyle.

  135. on 14 Oct 2019 at 9:01 pm135Countryman100

    Aiming at completely recreating the hair bear bunch.

    https://tenor.com/view/hair-bear-bunch-hair-bear-gif-6128258

  136. on 14 Oct 2019 at 9:21 pm136Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Exactly Countryman. They play with an intensity lacking in the Arsenal team, especially midfield. The psychedelic backdrop helps (can we get that installed at Colney?) but I also think hair may be more of a factor than I had previously considered. If we shot enough electricity into Xhaka to make his hair look like Guendouzi’s then I bet he’d sprint a bit quicker.

  137. on 14 Oct 2019 at 9:41 pm137bt8

    Must be the second half of the lull. Better be.

  138. on 14 Oct 2019 at 9:43 pm138bt8

    Thanks for the typhoon news, OM, and glad that you and your son are alright.

  139. on 15 Oct 2019 at 3:07 am139OsakaMatt

    hello bt8, thanks.

    6-0 away win is not to be
    sniffed at. When these fans
    are called Ultras does it
    mean Ultra Stupid?

  140. on 15 Oct 2019 at 10:05 am140OsakaMatt

    5 more days of drought

    Still, Game of Thrones just
    came on the free to watch
    TV (well, a tenner a month)
    instead of PPV which I refuse
    to watch. Or I’m too stingey
    – one of the two.

  141. on 15 Oct 2019 at 10:49 am141Dorset Mick

    CBA@114,

    That’s the best description of Christy Moore that I’ve ever heard!

    I live the thick end of 20 miles from the coast, so go mushroom hunting in the New Forest instead for my sanity and health. There are tonnes of the blighters at the moment.

    Stay well all.

  142. on 15 Oct 2019 at 3:48 pm142Trev

    The New Forest is full of mushrooms singing Queen songs – “We are the Champignons ..”

    My mushrooms have grown so tall I can’t reach to pick them.
    I have very high morels.

    And a coat, somewhere ?

  143. on 15 Oct 2019 at 4:05 pm143Dorset Mick

    Trev,

    What a “fun guy” you are!

  144. on 15 Oct 2019 at 7:56 pm144Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    @141

    LIBERTY.

    A cryptic reference for the psychonauts.

  145. on 15 Oct 2019 at 8:14 pm145Goonerholic

    Food for thought? I hope so. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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