Longing for those North Bank Days

Nostalgia

Just finished cloning my collection of Arsenal books, when I came across an old favourite of mine called “The End, 80 years of life on The North Bank”.  The book is made up of short paragraphs from supporters, players etc

If anyone wants 10 minutes break from it all, I have picked a few amusing quotes (I have removed expletives):

Petrrovic. That man was a genius.  he was a replacement for Brady, never given the opportunity and then they sold him.  The last game the North Bank were screaming his name, they knew it was the last time they would see him play.

Going to football, going to Arsenal particularly for the big games is a love/hate thing.  It is not something you can do casually; it is not like going to the cinema.

I’ve got glasses, underpants, socks, french letters, I have got cannons all over the place.

On the occasion of the Leicester City match our band gave the first rendering of the Up the Gunners march which, we hope to add to our musical programme as the Club song. Today when it is played once more the lyric will be sung by Monte Rey.  The March has been composed by Gilbert Stacey and it will now be possible for copies, words and music to be bought at all cafes and bars in the stadium at the price of 6d (six pence) A F C PROGRAMME

 Unfortunately the present day Arsenal fan does not appear to be interested in a club song.  the old one lasted 30 to 40 years but was suddenly considered to be ‘SQUARE’. We  ran an opinion poll via th supporters club and a new song was devised, but nobody sang it so we gave up

A F C PROGRAMME

People wore rosettes I had a red rosette and went to the Peterborough cup match when we lost 2 -1 I picked up a further 8 rosettes from the terraces, when people started slinging them away.  they lasted me about 10 years.

Avoid barracking the players and the referee and don’t be too partisan . Dont call ungentlemanly remarks to players, it does not add to the pleasure of your fellow spectators   Herbert Chapman 25/8/1928

 John Barnwells confidence was destroyed by The North Bank , I think Jon Sammels would say the same and there have been others.  there are always going to be lads who are the butt of the crowd. Bob Wilson

 Ian Wright has got it.  I mean he goes into the crowd when he scores and he is celebrating as much as we are celebrating.

If we get beat by a better team, I will clap the other team off.  Very few times have I done it though.  Spartak Moscow were one.  they done us 5 – 2 that team was outstanding.

Before Wilson , after Kelsey we had McKechnie.  McKechnie, McLelland, Burns, Furnell – put all of those together and you wouldn’t end up with a goalkeeper.  But that McKechnie I’m not being hard on him but he was a lump.

That’s what football is all about its a mix of all ages.  You go to pubs and there’s the 15 year olds pubs, the 20 year olds pub, there’s the old geezers pub whatever.  but football mixes it all up and I hope seats won’t stop that.

There’s a different atmosphere when you’re standing.  It’s more fun.  when you stand you’re part of the game and I do like to have a good shout. You’re all standing there together and once that goes, the game is not the game anymore.

The Bank Holiday weekend we won the last league Championship and Liverpool were playing at Forest.  Four of us were down early.  We went for a drink at the White House in Green Lanes,

Outside- you couldn’t get in – and Forest scored.  Everybody went mad.  I was shaking like a leaf.  I thought I have got to go to the ground.  I didn’t know what to do.  I got to the North Bank, pacing up and down. I had more wees in that half an hour than I’ve ever had.  A Guy came in with a portable T V everyone was going to have a look.  Before that, Liverpool had equalised.   And I just watched his face.  If Forest were attacking, you could see it on his face.  they scored.  He’s got the telly in one hand, he’s sort of juggling with it.  the whole north bank went mad.  that last five minutes were the longest of my life.

The question of the erection of a refreshment stall on the unused ground at the Gillespie Road entrance was left to the manager for further reports. A F C Board minutes 9.5.28

Arrangements have been made with Messrs Gilbarts, the popular confectioners, to purvey their toothsome commodities in the Highbury Ground.  the salesmen will wear distinctive attire.

By Retsub.