It was November of 2001.
I met up with an English mate of mine at Finsbury Park; I had to follow my London A to Z to get there, as the authorities had closed both the Finsbury Park and Arsenal tube stops in fear of crowd trouble. So, I had a good 20-minute hike up the Tollington Road, but it was a blessing in disguise as I saw streams of people simply walking out their front doors dressed in red and white.
We went for pints, where we ran into the host of Sportsnet’s Saturday EPL show, and then made it onto the North Stand, where more than a few fans were surprised I could make a go of it in shirt sleeves (must be the Canadian blood).
It was a magical scene, and I enjoyed the simplicity of it all; I have become far too jaded thanks to the gimmickry that accompanies every North American pro sporting event. And that’s what I’ll take back from my first visit; the simple relationship between fans and team.
Oh, and Richard Wright punching in an own goal and playing the WORST game I have ever seen an Arsenal keeper play in a 4-2 loss to Charlton.
Came back the next Monday to see the Gunners beat ManUre in a Worthless Cup match, with Wiltord getting a hat trick… but let it be said that I was more than glad when Wright was sent off to Everton!
2 Responses to “Richard Bloody Wright”
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April 4th, 2003 at 4:14 pm
Heh, good one EG. The way you set the pleasant scene then unload on Wright with both barrels blazing. Nice.
April 7th, 2003 at 3:50 am
For those not aware, Arsenal had 25 attempts at goal to Charlton’s three. Richard Wrong punched the fourth into his own net giving charlton a 100% success rate for attempts at goal.