London Calling

 The start of a new season. At last!

It doesn’t matter who you support just the fact that all the teams start level gives everyone hope, however unfounded. I always go into every season believing Arsenal can win every trophy they try for. With M. Wenger at the helm trophies have become regular visitors to Highbury and those hopes seem justified and logical, but I’m actually no different from any other fan. When Terry Neill was manager I went into every season with the same conviction! But for Arsenal fans this season is different, very different. We’ll be leaving our beloved Highbury. I’m sure I’ll mention that many more times but suffice to say that it occurred to me that I’ve sat in the same seat at Highbury for longer than I’ve lived in any house!

So this year it was Newcastle at home to start the season. Now obviously living amongst the bar codes this game means more to me than the average Gooner, and fortunately in the time I’ve lived up here (7+ years in purgatory) they’ve only beaten us twice (one of which shouldn’t be counted, being the Graham Poll show). Obviously their dedication to not winning trophies adds to my mirth. Something like 50 years since the FA Cup and about 80 since the league. Big team? Don’t make me laugh.

As soon as I got near Highbury I noticed the number of people wearing the new home shirt. There was hardly a white sleeve in sight, so the club actually getting the shirt on sale early seems to have had the desired effect (30,000 sold in the first days is a figure I heard). Personally I don’t like the shirt purely because it’s not red and white, but it’s growing on me, although since they were going for an authentic reproduction of the kit in our first season at Highbury I was surprised to see that keepers appear to have worn day glow orange that long ago…

First thing to do when getting to Highbury was to collect my season ticket from the box office. It’s amazing how much post from Highbury doesn’t make it. Having said that I think that the fact they used to print the name and address on a blank ticket with ‘This is not a ticket’ emblazoned on it, with that and the Arsenal logo clearly visible through the envelope window, may have given people a clue what was inside!

Obviously the queue for replacement tickets for my part of the ground was the longest. Sods law. Should have expected it really. But I was early so no worries. When we got our tickets (my brothers hadn’t arrived either) it was a little strange. Rather than the comfortingly thick season ticket books with the rip out coupons that I’ve got used to carrying around for nearly 30 years there was just a card in the folder. These are a trial they’re running for the entry system that’ll be used at Ashburton where you just hold your card up to a sensor and that opens the turnstiles. To be honest I felt a bit of an old hand at the system having been to all the games we’ve played at the City of Manchester stadium where they’ve got the same system that seems to run very smoothly up there. My brother just looked worried.

I always have a bag with me so I’m used to having it searched but this was different (and to be fair pre-warned). Normally it’s a cursory feel for bottles and here’s a little tip. You’re not supposed to take bottles in so as to avoid you throwing them at the pitch. But they will let you take plastic bottles in after they’ve confiscated the top. My tip for today is having a spare top in your pocket. Let them take the top and politely thank them for letting you have your soft drink back, then when you’ve walked a few yards….

As I said, this was different. There were trestle tables outside the turnstiles (North Bank) and I was directed straight to one of them to be searched. I was frisked (can’t remember the last time I was frisked at a home game) and the steward had a good root through my bag. There was one thing he wasn’t sure of and I was directed to a couple of coppers. I later found out that the stewards had been given training as to what to look for and what was ok, but were (quite rightly) told anything they hadn’t specifically been told was ok had to be checked out by the police. As you’ll have noticed I’ve no problem with this under the circumstances, but I did feel a little bit silly giving plod the ‘offending’ article. It was a small plastic flag with a 10-inch plastic pole that I’d picked up at a game in Amsterdam and was giving to someone. I think plod felt a little silly inspecting it – but he checked it, looked down the middle of the pole, and was happy. Turnstile, slap my card next to the sensor and I’m in.

Up to my seat in time to notice the legend Highbury 1913-2006 ‘printed’ four times on the pitch (and looking superb), one facing each stand, before the ‘Players Day Parade’. Led off by Charlie George, and ranging in age from Alf Fields through to Ray Parlour they were announced, and then set off round the pitch. A few players (step forward Perry Groves) appear to have taken a fancy to cream cakes but they all made it round the pitch after many handshakes and autographs. The wonderful Bob Wilson in particular appeared unable to refuse a single handshake.

So to the football. As seems the case with all clubs that have to pre-qualify for Europe Newcastle looked decidedly sharper without threatening. Jenas’ red card was as blatant as they come, but as it was against Arsenal and Sky managed to convince themselves it was Gilberto’s fault for not getting out of the way, it was later changed as you know. Disgusting. At least the far more balanced Match of the Day 2 saw it for the blatant foul it was. I don’t do Sky personally. And I won’t.

Then there was the streaker. He ran on the pitch, danced around a bit, and then looked forlornly to the side of the pitch. Not one steward, or plod, was paying the slightest bit of attention to him. The poor sod ended up walking dejectedly to the side of the pitch where he was nicked. Quite surreal really.

So, the season had started and the first three points were on the board. And whilst all the Geordies were making the long trip backup north, rather than doing that myself I just had a 30 mile drive to my Ma’s house where I was staying with my son for a few days. I must admit to a little chuckle when I heard a traffic report on the radio talking about part of the M1 being shut because of an accident!

One game – three points. All is well with the world.

Come on you red(currant)s!