The lack of football-friendly pubs in Jackson, Mississippi has not given Frank Garrison the blues. The Atlanta native settled in Jackson about 8 years ago, and when the idea of Branch Offices was floated around, he eagerly volunteered for duty.
Frank first caught sight of Arsenal watching the Fox Sports highlight shows in the mid-late 1990’s. In the spring of 1998, He made it to Highbury where an FA Cup tie was taking place. Unable to get inside for the match, he was still in awe of the stadium, the neighborhood, the supporters and the atmosphere.
The romance continued as Frank watched Arsenal players help France win the World Cup that very same year. He also says, “It helped that the name, Arsenal, did not include a specific geographic reference, so it was easier for me to feel an alliegance to a club that did not have a place name in its title”. By the time he made it over for his first match, the love affair was complete.
After his initial trip in 2003, he went back again in December/January 2005/2006 to see the Gunners against West Brom and Villareal. More recently, in November 2007, Frank saw Arsenal and ManUre play to a 2-2 draw, as well as an away match versus Slavia Prague.
His favorite memory is the Champions League Semi-Final match in 2005 at Highbury. He recalls, “Final night match at Highbury, only European Semi at Highbury, and I was there. 1-0. Magical.”
Frank is also an Ole Miss season ticket holder and says “Supporting Arsenal is the closest thing I’ve found to (and in many ways, it surpasses) the fervor, the passion and the dedication of SEC football here in the USA. The devotion is absolute. I have to respect that”.
“Aside from the fantastic football”, Frank continues, “my experience, while certainly not extensive, has been that Arsenal supporters are the friendliest, most open supporters there are if you know what you’re talking about, football-wise anyway, and I usually do (I think)”.
The lack of football-friendly pubs, means match meet-ups in Jackson, are highly irregular. When they do happen, they’re usually at Frank’s place.
ArsenalAmerica Jackson, MS Branch Manager, Frank Garrison “with” Lauren.
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