Ooh to be a Gooner!
Sport was all around me (in a great way) when I was growing up. My father would be playing cricket in the summer & then football in the winter. For me, at school, it would be hockey, tennis & athletics & gymnastics.
I loved football and watching MOTD was a Saturday ritual. Then, as the years passed, I maintained a mild interest until that drifted away gradually.
The spark was reignited thanks to JB. A lifelong Arsenal fan. On a bitterly cold February evening JB took me to see Arsenal v Leicester City at the glorious Emirates Stadium. 2-1 to the Red Army against the then current leaders. It was a magnificent evening of football.
In the passing years since, I've been lucky enough to accompany JB to loads of other matches and I even know most of the songs now. (I don't sing the rude words).
Just as at a day of cricket at Lord's, there are traditions to be kept for the Arsenal evening games.
1730: Meet JB at Finsbury Park
1740: Drinks in the Auld Triangle (cash only pub, quickest and best service I've ever encountered). There's a pint of Guinness for JB, a half for me with some blackcurrant
1745: Pork Scratchings
1758: Second bag of Pork Scratchings
1815: Second round of drinks
1820: Chat about Arsenal's prospects in the forthcoming game
1900: Time to head off to the Emirates
1915: Burger from the best van. It's a quarter pounder with cheese for both of us plus soft, juicy, fried onions. Mustard.
1917: I ask for, & receive, extra napkins
1930: Burger consumed as we walk but with onion casualties along the way
1945: The crowd's buzzing and we're in the Emirates
1955: A Camden Pale Ale for JB and a red wine for me. This is North London after all
2000: Kick off
2005: Singing, shouting, supporting, goals, sometimes none
2040: JB heads to the bar early to queue to get the drinks in
2045: Half time
2047: Visits to the facilities
2050: There's a question: "Do you want a hot dog?" “No thanks, I'm good."
2052: A Pale Ale & a red wine for refreshment
2100: Second half
2105: Hopes, chances, disappointments
2115: A repeat of 2005
2145: Full time
2146: Clapping
2150: Important match analysis
2200: A nightcap in the Auld Triangle to round off the thoughts of the evening & the highlights are on the telly, too
2230: Last orders
2245: Bid farewell
AMM
