A personal tale of my earliest Arsenal experience, and my favourite player.
“My first game to watch The Arsenal was in season 61-2, and the match programme was presented to me by Chas a good few years ago now. I stood on the South Bank, on my home made wooden stool, and waved enthusiastically to our Dad as he sat in his West Stand seat.
The opposition had two players who played a significant part in North London football in the years that followed. In defence was a big, blonde centre back called Ian Ure, and in attack a tall streak of p*** ( sorry, old habits) called Alan Gilzean.”
My blog initials stand for LiamBradyGod. Needless to say my favourite player of all time.
He signed this black and white photo for my Bros at an Arsenal event, but only if they could name the other players in the picture. They could. Can you?”
I have one other story about Liam that I would share since it also illustrates what a good lad he was/is.
Twenty years ago my son was travelling to Loughborough Uni for an interview and spotted Liam in the queue for a taxi to the University. ( He was going to a conference himself at the University). Matt plucked up courage to talk to Liam mainly to tell him I was his greatest fan. Liam chatted with Matt about the Arsenal, offered to share his taxi (and paid for it), and wished him good luck with his interview on arrival at the University.
A story Matt relayed to me with glee on his return, almost surpassing for me the news he had been accepted to read a degree at the University.
Written by LBG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Lovely story LBG … here’s a reminder of ‘the magic left foot’
An interesting Post LBG.
It made me stop and think of the players I have watched since I was a child fan to the current times.
That became more difficult than I thought it would be, as I have collected all sorts of bric a brac and other paraphernalia – like CDs, photos etc — and they tend to be ‘best bits’ of games showing goals scored in cups etc that I did not actually go to, or were before I was born.
I am thinking on it.
The players identified by Chas in the Photo is a bit difficult, but maybe Rix and Sunderland??
Rasper,
I will definitely not be pulling your leg today!
Kisses and cuddles;
Signed: The Ugly Giant
Great stories. I wonder if there will be fans in 40 years time talking about that time they saw Lacazette on the bus. I very much doubt it. Footballers are totally inaccessible these days (regardless of what their publicists post on Twitter!) and for the most part come across as spoilt pricks with little personality. It’s mainly the reason I don’t enjoy watching England anymore…I don’t like any of the players! Maybe it’s just me becoming grumpy bastard as I get older! 😂
I can imagine the stories now….‘I remember that time when I was sat staring at my phone, ignoring my wife and children, and Mesut Özils official twitter account retweeted something I’d written about how cool his celebration is. Best day of my life’ 🙄😂
Good point, FGG,
There is a lot better chance of seeing and talking to ex-players after their careers turn them into more normal human beings.
I have been to a couple of ‘tours’ at Highbury and the Emirates, and met some recent Arsenal players, and very interesting stories they had to tell — making me even. more cynical about the. meedja exclusives during the transfer windows.
I don’t want to name-drop, as they were available to any fan who wanted to speak to them – and lots did. 😁
I have also bumped into both Arsenal and Spuds players doing family shopping, or in local parks, feeding the ducks with their kids.
[Not feeding the ducks with their kids exactly — but — with their kids, feeding the ducks.] 🥺
Lovely article, LBG.. nice to reminisce, hey!
That picture.. is that in the opening of MOTD? Sorry can’t name them ☺️
When I’m at the Emirates, lower tier.. if I see some commotion going on near the tunnel, I race round there.. had a selfie with Sol…
One time I clocked Petit (my first AFC love 😍) round there, just as I got round there, he disappeared down the tunnel… absolutely devastated 🥺
Nice. I wonder if those days would return, and what kind of financial collapse would need to happen.
A nice little break from current b******s.
The others in that photo are Steve Walford Graham Rix and Steve Gatting… your welcome.
How lovely LBG …….. I love stories about supporters meeting their Arsenal idols. I hope we get a few more to enjoy.
I met Petit soon after he joined us …………. oh my goodness, such a godlike creature, even my spud supporting girlfriend was swooning. It was at a rather flash party for my nephew and even though Petit didn’t speak very good English at the time, he was happy to have Gooners chatting away to him. No selfies in those days sadly but my nephew was delighted. (It should have been Ian Wright in attendance but it was the weekend that he broke Cliff Bastin’s goalscoring record and he was busy. Petit was an excellent substitute 🙂 )
And you are welcome Phil, to praise for getting them right.
Thanks to all for positivity on post, and, since I’m early on today as I have a beer festival to attend, sorry if you didn’t like it!
When I first sent this in, we seemed to be looking for other light hearted ideas for the blog. I thought an “irregular” feature on ” Your favourite/most potentially valuable piece of Arsenal Memorabilia” might be interesting. If taken up by bosses, I have several other veryspecial bits.
Thanks to Rasp/Peaches for putting up the post and keeping their/our blog going!
Really nice walk down memory lane LBG, I never tire of recalling that day.
Whenever I think of Ian Ure it reminds me of Swindon Town, influenza, The Horse of the Year Show, Bobby Gould crying, a pitch like the Hackney Marshes in winter and being surrounded by carrot crunchers from Wiltshire.
I’d much rather remember Chippy block tackling Peter Taylor and then bending an unstoppable shot around tubby Kendall.
Thanks for the post LBG, I like your idea about the memorabilia, and I shall be working on a theme to cover this, your post today gets off to a great start. Sadly my only rush with an Arsenal star was Charlie George when I was in my teens, he was right next to me but I didn’t pluck up the courage to speak to him, so not comparable to your story 😂
Wonder which currently arsenal player would do something so nice hmm
Take an Emirates Tour, Rasper — Charlie G is nearly always there — and his views might surprise you! 😁
Lol @ FGG
Maybe lacazette could be working on arsenal stadium tours in the future
Sue lower tier really, lol
LBG yeah I’m old school I remember the good times of 50p to get in the North Bank (lived in Watford) I used to go to school with my “There’s only one Liam Brady” scarf proudly dangled around my neck. You’ve really never experience anything like Brady born is the king of Highbury belted out by the whole stadium. Wonderful days back then. I went to every single game and even went to every single match v Liverpool semi finals (Hillsborough/Villa Pk/Villa Pk/Highfield Road.. still got the programs & the tickets.. Here’s to another season and hello to all those on here. Another rollercoaster ride awaits no doubt about that!! Cheers..
LBG
You didn’t explain how you met LB to ask for the autograph, where, where, more info please?
50p…………new money then?
Morning all. What a brilliant post. Did I mention my sons name is Liam !!! Got a great Brady story too but for the time being, as far as that goal, I was in the Park Lane that day !! The ball took off wide of the post and curled back on a trajectory that if it hadn’t hit the net, i’d have caught it !!! Remember it like yesterday!! Great memories. For those of you that didn’t get to experience those days, I can tell you getting out of that stadium that day wasn’t much fun either !!!
Halep masterclass overwhelms Serena in the final.
Icardi leaves Inter Milan prep to negotiate his transfer to….most likely Atletico Madrid as Diego Costa is on his way out. Selling stars but recouping quality players as well.
Oblak – Vrsajilko, Gimenez, Felipe, Lodi – Koke, Llorente, Saul – Joao Felix, Lemar – ICARDI
Then they have Savic, Thomas, Herrera, Vitolo, Correa, Morata as a back up and then some young players like Arias and Sapojnic too.
They have sold Godin, Hernandez, Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Griezzman and about to lost Diego Costa so that is quite a team in terms of depth. Expect them to sign Icardi, maybe 2 or 3 defenders.
By the way – amaxing post, I love these stories –
and they lost Rodri
Two reports in the french press that Arsenal offered 80 mln EUR for Lille s Pepe. I d be happy if we could get him. Our front 3 would be quite potent then and our back up would also be decent. That said, I d rather see the club secure a strong CB and DM before they get to the forwards
I was excited by that too RC…. but then Ornstein rubbished it!! So back to square one…. waiting……. and waiting…….. sigh………
Sue Right at the end it has something for you
Hahaha nice one, Fred.. 😂 although not the ending I was hoping for!!
I wonder what Unai has written down on that clipboard of his?!!!
And btw Fred, what’s wrong with the lower tier? 😆 I’m not always down there.. just occasionally, although it can’t be bad if you get to take selfies with former players & most importantly – meet Gunnersaurus!!! 😝
🙂
It a running joke with me, chas and ants
Last time I came to England they were doubting I was in the upper
And they insinuate that no one from AA sits in the lower tier
I actually like the lower tier being close to the players but from there u hardly see the game sometimes
Nothing wrong with the Lower Tier, Fred, that’s where the atmosphere is and everybody stands, like proper football… 😉
It’s being reported that we’ve made an improved £25m bid for Tierney, hopefully not another wind up!
It has it’s bonuses being down there, Fred.. like you say – close ups of the players.. at Arsene’s last home game, I was sat a few rows back from the little kid he gave his tie to – great pictures taken! Plus i was behind the goal when Cech saved Deeney’s penalty – priceless!! Also more chance of being thrown a shirt 😂
But at the Palace game, I was the first row, upper tier.. and it was superb, the view was amazing!! So at the Emirates cup I will be sitting up there again 😊
I just saw that, Kev… what’s the betting we’ll want to pay in installments, over say… 10 years??!! 😄
As long as we get him Sue, it’s really getting like it always used to be with transfers taking an age to be finalised. 😴
Yes I hope so, Kev… we need some good news right now & Tierney signing could be just the tonic!
I will never sit behind the goal post ever again, lacazette scored a screamer against hudder and had me dogging whole game
But yea all have their bonuses
Morning all
It was a great beer festival- 245 castle ales….and Halep beat Williams. There is a God!
Yes Sue it is on the start of MOD. That Motson commentary was almost as good as Chippy’s goal. Like Mike M, I too was behind the goal and 4 goals against the Spuds finished off by my hero made my day. Know what you mean about leaving the ground after a game as well, and the Vines family at that time went North, pressing our way BACK THROUGH the Spurs “fans”.Got another true story about queuing up at Shite Hart Lane, with Chas and Ant and our Dad, and not getting into the match. Save it for another day – but the year was 70-71.
LB – That photo was obtained by my Bros at a much more recent event that they attended without me at the Emirates, but I was over the moon that I sent them there with the photo. It was a big Club event, and I have signed photos from TA, Wrighty, Bob Wilson and Charlie George from the same event. Much to my wife’s disapproval, I have one bedroom bedecked and called “The Arsenal Room”.
Thanks again for appreciative comments. COYG.
caste
Are you hanging this morning then, LBG?! 🍺
I was glad about the tennis too (actually, very glad!!)
Fred.. dogging?! 😜
Never met a hero, but I did get to talk to Bobby Gould at a fundraiser in Bristol around five years ago. Smashing bloke who did the presentation free and brought his Arsenal memorabilia with him and was dead chuffed when I introduced him to a 1950’s Bristol Rovers player.
The only time I’ve come across a footballer.. was at Thorpe Park.. was just walking to join the queue to ride The Swarm.. who came off it & nearly walked into me? Only Razor bloody Ruddock! Of all the footballers – why him??!!
To this day, I still think looking at that expression on his face was more scarier than the ride itself 😂
It looks like we’re going to sign Everton … we should do ok with two squads to choose from 🙂
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everton_Soares
Lol good one rasp that why we can’t get rid of mustafi
Everton…it is a promising signing but I would much prefer to go after Bergwin or Neres who are more proven in European football…He was in the Team of the Tournament of the Copa America so must be decent 🙂
We are also looking at Ruben Dias to replace Koscielny
Leno – Meunier, Ruben Dias, Holding, Tierney – Everton, AMN, Torreira, Pepe – Lacazette, Auba
Martinez – Bellerin, Sok, Mavro, Kola – Chambers, Bielik, Guendouzi – RN, Iwobi – Nketiah
we can sign some of these kids definitely have better control than than some of these players
always know when a comment is RC78 always listing out a whole set of players lol
Well done Djokovic!! What an enthralling match! 👌
…and well done England, even more enthralling & dramatic.
am so annoyed with Fed losing this match – he blew it.
Elsewhere: PSG to sign Diallo and well positioned to acquire Gueye.
At Arsenal: Dani Alves keen on PL move with Man City and Arsenal possible destinations. He is asking for 140 000 EUR/week and a 2 years contract.
Fred – just trying to synthesize the rumours into line-ups :-p
What match is that
Just saw United signed Maguire and in return Leicester signed Dunk
United really are bolstering their defence… something we need to do!
Tennis, Fred – Wimbledon
Celtic reject Arsnal 25 Mln bid for Tierney due to its structure rather than amount
Our negotiating really is monotonous
Well guessing we would get it done eventually (Hopefully)
didn’t realize out game is tomorrow yeppy, got confused cause of the time they have listed
Glad that holding and bellerin are in pre season training so that means they would be good for the start of the season
It’s on at 2am here, Fred… no chance I’ll be watching!! I’ll wait till it’s on Free Sports & watch it then
Just been catching up on all our transfer news (what little there is of it 😆) so underwhelming… I have that Monday morning feeling…. 😬😳 can’t I just go back to bed!!!
Morning all ….
….. New post ….