"We Support Our Local Team"
May 14th, 2010 by 'holic
Usually sung by supporters of small hoofball teams from the Midlands and the North. I’m itching for the first time someone sings back at them “Don’t you know that you could move?” Idiots.
I have to say though it isn’t something that would make me shift uncomfortably anyway, having been born in God’s part of London. In days gone by I would have a second club too, as I moved west through the Thames Valley. The ‘local clubs’ provided affordable entertainment when Arsenal were playing out of range of the pocket.
Eventually though, I got as far west as Swindon, and yes, I did think twice about moving here. Twice they left me feeling as low as it gets. I was at Wembley when the Robins, then inΒ the third division, beat us in the League Cup Final of 1969. You don’t need me to tell you what I went through, not only on the day, but also when I got to school on the Monday morning.
A decade on and the Arsenal of the Liam Brady era were toppled 4-3 at the County Ground in another classic League Cup encounter. I made the trip down the M4 suffering from a really embarrassing ‘stomach upset’, and spent a fortune on programmes because there was no paper in what passed for a toilet on the old Stratton Bank in those days. What was that? Oh, yes, too much information indeed!
Even when we won it seemed to coincide with bad news for me. The third round of the FA Cup in 1972 gave Arsenal a chance for revenge in Wiltshire. Inspired by new signing, Alan Ball, the Gunners won comfortably, 2-0. My ticket, however, was used by someone else. What would have been my first visit to the town was ruled out on the night before. Hastily called up for a five a side tournament in the school gym, I played in bare feet. Some lump in size tens landed full square on my foot and both broke and dislocated one of my toes. No Arsenal for me.
I’ve lived here now for just over twenty years. You can see the floodlights from the room in which I am typing, but I have never really got into watching them. Obviously I was at Wembley when they reached the dizzy heights of the Premier League with a remarkable 4-3 win over Leicester. They only lasted a season.
A long queue enabled me to pick up a ticket next to the Director’s box for Arsenal’s only League visit to Wiltshire the following season. A predecessor of the ‘holic pound was lost when Kevin Campbell applied a touch to a goalbound effort from Ian Wright, on whom I had punted heavily to score the opener. It seemed like he was making amends when he scored a fantastic goal from the left flank near the halfway line and turned to acknowledge me, the only one in the North Stand leaping up and down at Arsenal’s fourth goal!
So tonight I am sitting here watching a stream of a game just down the road. Yes, I want Town to win, but if it doesn’t happen it won’t burn a hole in me like those painful reverses over thirty years ago. If they win, and go on to reach the Championship, I’ll be happy for an evening, but I won’t live on that for years to come like Arsenal’s numerous triumphs.
You see, my local team isn’t, and never will be, the Arsenal.
46 Responses to “"We Support Our Local Team"”
Pint of your finest cider, please barman.
And another great read, as per usual.
Thank you, maestro. Cider is a speciality in these parts. That’s another reason I shouldn’t have moved here π
*waves*
greetings from the alcoholic free zone.
π
Hello mrs.
A rare pleasure to see you in these parts π
Come on ‘holic, tell us the facts. How old are you? When I first started reading your blog I thought you were a dynamic 30-something.
Over the season I’ve come to realise you are probably more of my vintage. Still dynamic, mind π
But I was 8 when we lost to Swindon and whilst I related to Arsenal (being London born and admiring of their unique kit) I had yet to be snared by the fascination of Alan Ball’s white boots into becoming a fully fledged Gooner.
I still think white boots look best, particularly with our white socks.
Steady DAF, despite its sometimes brash content, there is a sensitive side to this blog…
A pint of Kroney, please barman.
Swindon and Wrexham….brrr big shiver. I live in the states now and have for 20 years. I am glad they have MLS and I am a Colorado Rapids fan by Arsenal connection only but I could not give a fig really.If they make it to the play offs perhaps.
With the internet and satelitte TV I can follow the Gunners as close as ever. I may not be in Hackney anymore but with the sound turned up and my belly protruding out of my classic 1970’s home shirt with no.7 on the back it will always be the Gunners for me.
Tar Heel Gunner, so sorry to hear you don’t get your kicks in Hackney anymore. Holic, if you please I’ll join in the pint of cider to celebrate the west country. Cheers!
“Don’t you know, don’t you know, don’t you know that you could move?” I figured the appropriate response to “We support, we support, we support our local team” would be “Your support, your support, your support is fucking shit!”
In one of his books, Dougie Brimson included a glossary, and for some clubs he had a little to say in it, usually poking fun at their “crap ground” or their “appalling kit” or their hooligan element (handy or otherwise). He spoke surprisingly well of Arsenal. But, when he got to the S’s, here’s what he had to say: “Swindon Town: Snicker, snicker.” That’s it.
Tomorrow night, if all goes well, I will see my first live Arsenal player. Sort of. Freddie Ljunberg and the Seattle Sounders are coming to play (ahem) my local team, the New York Red Bulls. “Metro” (from their former name of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars) are top of the MLS Eastern Conference, but Freddie and the Sounders are defending champions of the U.S. Open Cup (our version of the FA Cup), so it should be a much better match than the last one I saw, that atrocious 3-1 loss to the LA Galaxy and the washed-up Beckham. It beats watching it all on TV — especially these last 2 months!
Hey Uncle Mike, Thierry might be on his way to NY if the rumours are right.
I met Paul Mariner once over here after an Albany (NY) capitals game.Stand up bloke and invited me out after the game to the bar they were heading to.Couldn’t understand a word he said though.
We get the why don’t you support your local team all the time up here. Problem with Celtic its a family thing not geographical.
Great read memory is not faded ‘holic.
Oh, your t-shirt. Got the first run today and eh I have sent them back. You get what you pay for.
Though, you might have been confused with the logo but all will become clear on the first June.
Good lad, Lord.
I must have a word with said nephew and see if he wants to come to the Dubaibury Cup. I hope you sign autographs. He’s not impressed with me at all, but you are the second coming of Christ π
I haven’t book yet for the dubaibury cup but should be within the next few weeks. Need to speak nicely to mrs lotw.
Oh tell your nephew thanks!
Just because you’re not local to your team doesn’t make you less of a fan…your team is akways you’re team and there’s nothing like ‘finding’ them for the first time. If you live in N5 London or New York it makes no difference…esp if adebarndoor has an opposite opinion. I wrote about this in the online gooner this season..if you’re a fan of the Arsenal you’re alright by me wherever you call home.
Fine writing as ever ‘holic..drink raised to the blog entry and the weekend
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Well I was born in Barnet, but sod that! the way the club is treating the fans these days, I might switch and take my boy to watch some gritty footie!
I have had 2 calls now from the club offering me tickets in the (wait listed) club level! daft pricks don’t even look into the system and see that I already have my ST’s and just applied for one more with the same number.
I just hate the lies, there is no need the club should be forthright with it’s supporters.
The ex-wife once sat in a legal meeting with PHW who called the Arsenal fans sheep, I thought she was telling me that because she didn’t like me paying attention to footie and not her, now I realize it was the truth!
A real shame, transparency is all I am after, we have no money so be it. Don’t tell us we do and throw the season!
four fingers of Ardberg please barman!
It is funny when you talk about having “other teams.” I guess we all grow up and have affections for smaller clubs along the way. I spent some of my growing up days in Bristol and have pals who are both City and Rovers fans. Always check for their results but am also very glad that I do not have to watch that shite week in week out.
These days I tend to make 3 or 4 trips a year to see the O’s. Mainly because I can take my kids. Can never get a ticket to take them t o The Grove unless the pal I go with can not make it. I keep thinking that if I take my boots that I might actually get the second half one week??????
Hey, Tar Heel. Isn’t that North Carolina country????? Stayed there once and found a fine establishment that sold Draft Bass. How my eyes lit up. Some of the student regulars got a proper education that night I can tell you.
So holic, in honour of my North Carolina trip I’ll have a pint of Bass please. Mrs T will be very impressed in the morning.
Keep the faith.
Great post! I feel the same way.
‘nam boy myself – West Ham were my nearest team. Went there, they have that awful *bubbles* song that they love so much. Don’t get it – losers song? Went to the Arsenal: class prevailed. Fairs Cup final great night, will never forget it… 41 years later!
Large glass of red please?
Up the Shrimpers! Or should that be down? π
Yes remember Arsenals league visit to Swindon very well.
Boxing day 1993. I was there, remember Paul Merson falling over his feet.
Probebly pissed
Great topic `Holic!
Some faithful holics may remember I’ve been following Liverpool’s road to mediocrity with some interest. That: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppavK4P7RhY&NR=1 was my first deep football heartbreak, a real big one at that. Les Verts sold their soul shortly after and never really recovered, oscillating between top and lower divisions. Revenge is a dish best served cold, 33 years later Pool have it coming too!
Depressed Gooner: Want to know what depression is all about? Have a quick look at Pool blogs and forums…
And yes we’re all sheep mate, sorry to break you the news π
I particularly like this one from a guy who finally saw the light
http://robbohuyton.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-im-sick-of-being-liverpool-fc-fan.html
Should be a recommended read for the Arsenal doomers.
Well, I don’t have a local football team. In fact i’d have to travel a few hundred miles to even find a half decent team. (half decent by Third Division Standards).
However, I have around 20 different cricket teams I can pick from. It’s weird cheering for Freddie Flintoff I must say.
Yes, I’m a plastic fan from India
thank you holic. i have been reading your wwriting for years but never thought to leave a comment. bottle of laphroaig and i’m commenting. lovely stuff as usually, we really like it here.
-orri (from the great white north)
Was having this exact discussion the other day with a guy that’s moved Plymouth way and had been to see the pilgrims on a few occasions, Ive been to Brentford a few times to but it just dosent feel the same we both agreed the best way to describe it was as if you were having a quickie with your bit on the side you know it’s wrong it defo dosent feel right and it leaves you feeling dirty after but you just needed to have that fix π
Had a cracking day tho when my local non league side drew Millwall in the FaCup this season that was a blast,Terraces full house some great little tunes getting sung then all back down the local for a lock in, And as they were a local non league side it didn’t feel half as bad;)
AWESOME mate. Loved it.
What nelly said at number 2 there, ‘holic.
Congrats to Swindon on the first leg victory, and I’ll have a pint of whatever traditional Ale you have over there π
Keep a glass of Bordeaux for tonight, after the end of the biggest ever second half of a season failure.
thx 4 the thought ‘holic, I recognise the probs of moving away and looking at ‘2nd clubs’ to support for more than 40 years
I made the right choice at the age of 7 whilst living in London E5 thanks to Brylcream boy Denis Compton (for you younger ones he and his brother played for Arsenal, Middlesex and England) , and moved around a bit whilst growing up – (it was only when older that I looked at A-Z of London that all this moving was on 2 pages of the A-Z!)
went away to Manchester and lived next to Maine Rd – there was temptation in the era of Bell and Lee, but gooner I was
Took son from Wakefield to see us play v Bremner and co, but was I tempted – nope (unfortunately my son become LU supporter – I’m still impressed with his home and away trips following them )
Newbury in the 80s and Windsor in the 90s – nuff said about local teams and also earlier blogs about trying to get on gooners membership lists
( not aided by seeing sad decline of Denis Compton in local pub near Windsor)
now in Cognac – Cognac is like Hackney Marshes level in 50s!!.
Bordeaux – 90 minutes away ain’t bad for a lower premier team, but lack our all round class
thank goodness for moveable tv satellite dishes and the internet (its slow in the countryside) to follow the team
come on you gooners and just for a change, a glass of pineau locally made by a similar process to cognac but an aperitif for next year
im a belfast lad and grew up with hurley (l0ve the game, it sh0uld be seen t0 be believed) but watching the arsenal in the late 70s was s0mething special as is t0day s0 my l0cal team was” lamh dearg” but they d0nt play play f00tball. n0w living in philly my l0cal team is the uni0n they play f00tball d0 they c0unt as sec0nd clubs? ill have a v0dka and c0ke tyvm
*F5s*
H3h!
‘Holic please send me a glass of cognac gooner’s aperatif for next year, and while you’re at it a case of your finest bordeaux would not go amiss during this long summer when all the chelsea backers will be crowing about the double.
@35 bt8 once again JT(england?) cheats his way to a cup, elbows nudges holding back etc, and from what I’ve seen all season its infectious(Bollack, Alex…..).
Sooner there are assistant linesmen like 4 Europa the better.
In fact like in tennis, each manager should have the right to 3 photo reviews by a 5th linesman per half, which can either
be reviewed whilst play continues but will be brought back for valid claims
or stopping play immediately for a penalty or goal resulting,
sorry bt8 which flavour of pineau do you want, white or red?
cognacgooner, It being summer the white seems the way to go but never having tried either one, i would like to follow it up with a test of the red to fill out our Arsenal colours. Fair enough?
Born in the Cherries “domain / beach”, moved up to the Cottagers, and have now fallen on my feet somewhat with my local club!
Thankfully my Dad (Finchley), took me aside when I was 9 and advised that I could support whoever I wanted, as long as it was the Arsenal!
Best advice ever. Other than the way never to get a girl’s name wrong…
bt8 can’t argue with that tho’ both go down very well all summer as very light cold tipples
Shit
At 11.21 on the Arses I thought you said you were off to post
*stops F5ing*
Born in East Barnet, my neighbours, as my dad worked on Saturdays, used to take me to see Barnet every week, home and away, in what was the old Athenian League. Big local derbies vs Finchley and Enfield Town, and travelling as far afield as Wlthamstow, Grays and Leytonstone.
Then, one evening, when i was 8 years old, my dad took me to a midweek floodlit game at Highbury, against Sheffield Wednesday.
We stood on a completely uncovered Clock End, and i was just dazzled, metaphorically and actually by the floodlights shining all the way down the roofs of the East and West stands.
Seas of undiscernable faces, peanuts for a tanner a bag, those broad white bands at the front of the East and West stands – still a feature today in Highbury Square – the huge Clock behind us, the police marching band, a tube station actually called ARSENAL!, the buzz of people and big headlines on the London Evening News and Evening Standard, a crowd like i had never dreamt of, WHAT kind of team was this.
What this was, was utter magic. Those players, after Barnet, were utter magic. Baker, Eastham, Armstrong – just utter magic.
I felt like that boy in The Snowman who actually meets the real Father Christmas. Arsenal were Father Christmas. There was no chance that that could ever change.
I soldiered on at Barnet, just until my parents dared to let me go to Highbury with my mates, and Arsenal has been a strangely important thing to me, as it is to all of us, ever since.
Peter Hill-Wood should be careful when taking the loyalty (following) of us fans for granted. I meet and talk to a lot people at Arsenal who have long, long memories of this club. Somehow it does make them/us feel more a part of an Arsenal family, – so often referred to by our ex-players – than just a lot of sheep.
Jackster, you want your bumps felt π
Trev, great post. The old Athenian and Isthmian Leagues featured large in my youth (Marlow and Wycombe Wanderers, and to a degree, Maidenhead United and Slough Town).
You might like to check this link from the ‘holic archives. The ‘Bromley Boys’ book is still available from Amazon. It might stir a few memories.
http://goonerholic.com/?p=1472
Boy it’s quiet. Even the rumour mill only throws up Phil Jagielka. It’s all quite unbearable. It’s like an episode of Countdown…. I can hear that fucking music counting down with that big clock. And Arsene and Ivan standing either side with Richard Fucking Keys as the host! As the World Cup draws closer we are closer to signing a fucking tea lady than addressing our (my- heh!) needs.
And breathe….
Tick tock tick tock…..
Nice one ‘Holic, just be glad you’ve never had to deal with Dover Athletic or Aston Villa for a local team!
Good afternoon
As a “local” boy growing up in Tufnell Park and Manor House there was only one team to support – enjoyed many years being able to nip up the road to watch a game – alas time moves on, people move on – living near Cambridge now can be a bit of an effort to get to the Emirates ( never mind the cost) – still get to watch most matches online or on telly – we move but our hearts dont!!
Bottle of Sol please