Arsenal America

Ed. - Raise a pint to this man! First year of Association football after WWII and he starts following the Gunners. They finish 13th that season. Fifty-eight years later and here he is! God bless you Sir…

My Dad took me to my first league match AUG 1946 it was the begining of a lfetime of supporting the Gunners. In those days it was not unusual to have a 60,000 gate. I never sat in the stands always stood at the clock end. We would get to the game at lease 2hrs early to get in. There were no lights to play under so some games started 12 noon. The police would use horses mounted to control the crowd waiting to go in. It cost 6d I guess about 20 cents then for kids to get in.

All the players were paid 10 pound per week. So they played for love of the game. I have fond memories waiting outside the Arsenal tube station to get player autographs. They didn’t drive exspensive cars back then.The training gruond was at the back of the clock end. I left London in1959 I still have memories of great games & dissapointments, but how HAPPY I get to beat those BLOODY SPURS. GOOD LUCK! Keep cheering our GUNNERS