I am indebted to Yankee Gooner, one of the people I follow on Twitter, who reminded me of this little gem from Fever Pitch:
How could Nick Hornby suggest that back in the dim and distant anyone could possibly devote so much time and obsession to supporting a team that on the face of things they clearly hated?
It seems contrary to any logical behaviour and surely no one feels like this now, especially as there are so many choices of teams to watch on the TV, so many different forms of entertainment; if you think your team are rubbish, then either change your team, or your pastime. I suppose back then there wasn’t that much choice, live football didn’t happen on TV, so if you wanted to follow a team you were pretty much chained to the local club. If you were lucky in the Post Code lottery, you grew up close to Liverpool, or Arsenal, or Manchester United: unfortunate and you were left irrevocably chained to Oldham, Millwall or Portsmouth.
For on the face of things there is nothing rational about such behaviour, about hating so passionately the thing you are meant to love, and it beggars belief that anyone should behave like this nowadays in an era where quite frankly we have never had it so good (and I speak with some authority as I remember the three day week, the power cuts, the football specials and those pitches, shorts and haircuts – particularly the Baseball Ground and Charlie George for some reason). Perhaps however this masochistic impulse is deeply ingrained in the football fan, and looking at the responses on the various Arsenal Twitter feeds, and listening to some of the crowd reactions at the Emirates it would certainly seem to be alive and well in 2014. As far as I can tell, some sections of The Arsenal’s support are exactly like Fan 1: we have been top of the league most of the season, and they still think we are rubbish. How odd to be like that, and how agonisingly self-defeating, but the answer, I think, lies in his last line: to live in hope is all well and good I suppose, but it tends to have a terrible effect on your experience of the present, as almost by definition its suggestion that things must be better in the future also confirms that things ain’t great right now.
Especially so, of course, if your present existence isn’t all beer and skittles – and for so many that is the unfortunate situation. Few of us are true masters of our own destiny. Instead we are forced to work for others in jobs we do not enjoy, if we are lucky enough to have jobs at all. The daily grind eats into the soul, each repetitive task taking us further and further away from all that we thought we were promised in childhood, when everything seemed so rosy and full of possibility. Small wonder then that the fame and fortune as offered by a lottery win or X-Factor success looms so large in the hopeless dreams of the rank and file. And that is where the football club comes in, for each week it also offers an escape from reality and the illusion of success – but actually a much more tangible one. Each match is keenly anticipated and planned for, teams are picked, tactics debated. Those of a certain age believe they are the manager, younger ones the players. Briefly, the football fan owns the team, for his ticket or his TV subscription (items often dearly bought and involving sacrifice elsewhere) means he has invested in the club just as surely as the millionaire owner or the board of directors have done. All is set fair – let the good times roll! Momentarily we are invincible. The stadium is full of glamour, the latest top signing a beyond-human thoroughbred, the sense of belonging as the anthemic hymns belted out palpable. This is indeed the Promised Land, and giddy with anticipation the cares of our lives fade away, for we are by far the greatest team the world has ever seen.
Except most times they don’t of course. A bad decision, a moment of brilliance from the other team, an all too human error from our champion reminds us that actually everything is shit. We are, after all only mortal, our champions have feet of clay, and if work wasn’t bad enough already we know that on Monday every other fan in the world will be mocking us, buoyed and fed as they are by the sensationalist headlines that await every reverse, and extra-especially every failure to be outstanding from The Arsenal. It doesn’t matter that overall we are doing really rather well, that we are infinitely better off than every other club in the UK bar possibly two financially doped, but oh so beatable rivals; the fact remains that our dreams (however unrealistically) have been shattered. If you are lucky enough (and I can’t believe I am just writing this, because that is the weirdest definition of lucky you will ever see) to know that everything is terrible anyway, you will think something along the lines of “oh well, never mind, how foolish of me to think we might beat Barcelona or Bayern” and just get on with your real life: if however all of your hopes are pinned on the team, and if you were foolish enough to believe that one day that team would unload all good into your life, then of course you will be beyond angry, for your sense of betrayal will be absolute.
And so you resort to saying that they are rubbish, that they were last year, and that they will be next year too. If you are old-fashioned you will share this view with yourself and maybe a mate or two. If you are modern you will broadcast this betrayal of these fancy pants to the wide world you imagine will be listening on your various social platforms. For a moment you will hate your club and its players (especially the fancy ones that promised so much), because they have just reminded you of how much you hate yourself. But hatred is surprisingly close to love, and, as they say, hope springs eternal, and there is already the next game to look forward to….
Thanks to @foreverheady for today’s article.
Positively Arsenal 
Got to this late. Quite simply superb and insightful.
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Gainsbourg69 March 18, 2014 at 9:40 pm
He fucking deserves it, Hunter.
haha yes maybe so , i dont deny it…but vidic went for the kill there, oh yeah.
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Can’t blame Chamberlain for wanting to copy this wonderful goal. I guess that it is what inspired him.
Another apprentice for the Little Master.
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The under 19s were superb….they outplayed Barca for much of the first half. They missed a penalty…..they are a talented bunch. Chuba Akpomb is very good…..
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8WAhu_Ru4o
Zimpaul
March 17, 2014 at 8:17 pm
What a strike by Tomas though, I mean quite a few footballers can smack a ball, but this was cartoon-stuff, THWACK! SWOOSH! KAZAAM! It wasn’t just the manner of the striking that produced the gasp but its ridiculous daredevil spontaneity, a momentary run into space with half a dozen options, a second later the football was still rising as it blew a balloon in top left netting (from Tomas’ angle), the keeper had barely moved. A true striker’s goal as they say or as we say at Arsenal, a gifted midfielder’s goal.
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As each game goes by I am more and more convinced this is the best crop of youngsters we’ve had for years. To outplay barca at barca without your Captain and having to play with 10 men for about 30 minutes and come from behind was truly amazing. There are so many players that will ply their trade in the various leagues we provide in this country but for the first time in a long time they genuinely have shouts for the first team. When you consider some of the players are playing not only their first season at U21 level but several age groups above where their birthday would place them.
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Very enjoyable read FOREVER. tnx for the posting.
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Fantastic stuff Hunter: keep telling it as it is.
It is not hard to see Arsenal and Manchester City as the two main English clubs in 5 years time. Arsenal because of their sustainability and long term plan, City because they too are developing infrastructure and have their eyes on tomorrow. In horseracing terms it will be similar to the rivalry between Godolphin and Coolmore. Chelsea look too short term to me and no real sense of an empire emerging, although I look anxiously at the swathe of land earmarked for development Earls’ Court way (where the exhibition centres are) – all too easy to see a new stadium there but in fairness that would be no bad thing for West London. Man Utd have their global reputation but that could haemorrhage catastrophically and they must be very worried right now about their lack of vision – they never thought to look beyond the glory years. And Liverpool may always have the occasional dreamy season that will please the romantics – but will always be at their best playing the “slightly downtrodden but look at our passion” card with no desire to take their place in the grown-up world – a club stuck in a sate of perpetual adolescence. if you like.
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One of the best posts I’ve ever read.
PG, please ask someone, one of the old-timers maybe to write the AW millenium post.
Not me, perhaps someone who as at or watched or remembers game # 1 and will be at or will watch game #1000. It’s an epic occasion. Some stats, how many goals, how many wins/losses, how many players.
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Excellent @foreverheady
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After everything that’s been going on I’ve not commented on just how good this post is. The empathy that every fan, from whichever club, felt with fever pitch which gave rise to its success was about hoping for that ultimate prize but never daring to announce it. Its basically hiding behind a black cloud because if you have a go at your own club it disarms the barbs from other supporters. Many of the modern critics are more about trying to appear more knowledgeable than anyone else and having put their foot in one camp its now stuck there forever, however ridiculous their stance appears. The life of a real fan, as depicted in fever pitch, is not easy especially now money has even more loaded the dice but the enjoyment must always be in believing that the tape at the finish line will be broken by your team
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Foreverheady
The current plan for many parts of inner West London is to close both hospitals in Hamm&Ful boro, do loads of ‘social cleansing’, and re Earl’s Court, kick all out and build towers for whomever. So, no stadium envisaged:
http://shepherds-bush.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/west-ken-planning-permission-granted.html
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Also just had chance to read the main post which is excellent; think A_or_b’s comments (9.30 am) are also very much on the money.
Fins – the Auld Triangle was once one of my refuges on the way to Finsbury Park on match days when it would be rammed to within an inch of its life. Hard to imagine Usmanov getting in the door to be honest. On non-match days it’s not the most glamorous of watering holes so again, given AU has his own box at the Ems, it’s hard to envisage him taking a (considerable) berth there in the meantime. I could of course be very mistaken.
The U19s blew hot and lukewarm last night – having periods of absolute domination over Barca’s trainee divers and other phases of being pegged back. Scoreline doesn’t really reflect the match – two goals right at the end in a minute when we were going all out for another equaliser suggests a slaughter and it was anything but. Very much agree with the comments re quality of AFC talent, looks to be a rich seam there.
One of the less savoury aspects of the encounter was the degree to which Barca’s youngsters have been drilled to not just go down looking for a free kick but to then roll over, keep on rolling, on and on until said free kick and card has been issued. Congratulations to them for getting our goalkeeper sent off for a weak challenge, their parents must be so proud.
Truly dismal stuff, only highlighted by the refusal of our lads to copy them.
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If you have five minutes and enjoy a bit of humour have a look at his quiz
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10705233/Arsene-Wenger-David-Brent-or-Friedrich-Nietzsche-who-said-it-Take-the-test.html
I managed 50% of which I am proud
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Thanks Rantetta. Glad that no stadium is planned anyway.
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Brentford will build a stadium in W.London before Gazprom:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26577915
AA
I confess that I may have mis-understood this line below to read that good old Uncle Usmanov, who also tried to buy the Tinies and Liverpool (so it says), was or is a huge fan of Arsneal, and beer
From the Daily Heil:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-485299/Usmanov-fears-Deins-role-Arsenal-dream.html
“Usmanov, whose sizeable girth demonstrated his love of ‘Guinness, lager and English pubs’,” *no offence to DC or Goonerdyllan. The Heil’s words, not mine*
No offence to people that are clinically obese, but look at the size of him! I simply made the reasonable assumption that he must obviously go for pints at the local pubs around the ground. All of them. Made sense to me, though I admit I could be wrong.
All a part of Usmanov’s Arsenal dreamtime.
Those PR Gurus that he has employed in order to help him buy the club have been doing a good job. Or maybe not.
Also what I noticed whilst fishing out that link is that how many comments or articles there have been on groaning sites over time with comments like the following: “Arsenal will never win anything till Usmanov is in charge.” A remarkable comment for anyone to make when discussing footy, if you think about it.
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As for the Triangle. Always good to see a pub that plays live music!
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Nicolas Tesla, Arsene Wenger and who else for the holy trinity ……..
ahhhhhh Bob Marley … fixed.
free energy, glorious football, great tunes
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Read the post again this morning, beautifully written foreverheady!
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I’m going to re-post because I left two links above, the Mod can leave my previous effort in limbo:
Brentford will build a new stadium in W.London before Gazprom:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26577915
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AA
I confess that I may have mis-understood this line below to read that good old Uncle Usmanov, who also tried to buy the Tinies and Liverpool (so it says), is a huge fan of Arsneal, and beer.
From the Daily Heil:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-485299/Usmanov-fears-Deins-role-Arsenal-dream.html
“Usmanov, whose sizeable girth demonstrated his love of ‘Guinness, lager and English pubs’,” *Sorry DC & Goonerdyllan. The Heil’s words, not mine.*
No offence to people that are clinically obese, but look at the size of him! I simply made the reasonable assumption that he must obviously go for pints at the local pubs around the ground. All of them. All of the time. Made sense to me, though I admit I could be wrong in my understanding of Usmanov’s Arsenal dreamtime.
There was another article in a red top that even had a picture of Usmanov in his local! Pulitzer prize winning journalism. Alas I couldn’ be arsed to dig it up.
Those PR Gurus that he has employed in order to help him buy the club have been doing a good job. Or maybe not.
Also what I noticed whilst fishing out that link is that how many comments or articles there have been on groaning sites over time with comments like the following: “Arsenal will never win anything till Usmanov is in charge.” A remarkable comment for anyone to make when discussing footy, if you think about it.
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I like the Triangle. Always good to see a pub that plays live music.
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Great post FH.
And thanks for the quiz anicoll, 75% here, beat that fellows! To be fair I nailed almost all Wenger quotes but rest was just guess work ha.
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Oh and great comments all. Thoroughly enjoyed reading them all.
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Shoot.!!! 35%. phoeeeee
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Saw this whilst skimming twitter in my lunch. Still can’t be bothered to sign up to tweet myself, (I’d spend way too much time on there!) but alongside those comments on the Woolwich Arsenal’s Footballing ethos I’d like to see this information included in the 1000th celebration article that will hopefully discuss the marriage between Arsene and Arsenal, not just Arsene at Arsenal. I would offer to write it if I could write. And spell. And stuff.
The story of Modern Football:
From 1992 –
Chelsea net spend: £646,024,000
Man City: £571,427,000
Man Utd: £295,110,000
Liverpool: £287,835,000
Aston Villa: £166,065,000
Tottenham: £163,732,500
Sunderland: £130,065,000
Newcastle: £91,720,000
Fulham: £91,966,000
Arsenal: £62,791,000
Yet it the 5live programme on AW (I only lasted a few minutes) they only glanced over spending as a topic. Bob Wilson spoke about it far far more. Instead the presenters pushed the Scrooge slur, because Wenger, you see, he doesn’t like to spend.
You can’t be a football journalist and simply forget the significance and impact on the game, the contrast between the clubs, of the numbers above without making a concious effort to avoid the topic. Especially in an era when so many clubs like the giant huge clubs Glasgow Rangers or Leeds United did not just go bankrupt but in some cases have ceased to exist.
Fit and Proper my Arsenal. But hey. At least Hull City will get to keep their name.
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kam,
35% ?
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Oh I get it!
Sorry ‘kam I had to vote for the goal from the F-Word. Maybe that is not the right choice, but there will always be great goals by great Arsenal players against the tiny ones. But a goal from kick off, just after Arsenal have scored? Not just a goal buta run straight from the c.circle (they gave the ball away) past the befuddled Tottenham players? That was special.
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FINS
I was taking the quotes quiz COLL put out earlier. I failed miserably. Although I am beginning to question the intentions and integrity of the quiz formulators for placing AW in such distinguished (not) company. (0(
…………..
I think I’m inclined to believe your theory as far as the EMIRATES construction loan and a condition by lenders to have him sign first. Great comments yesterday. As always..
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For anyone who likes a statistic and Arsene Wenger here is an orgy of both;
http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20140318/wenger-1000
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Thanks ‘Kam. A shorter version of what I was trying to say yesterday was that it doesn’t really matter if there was a condition anyway. We can look back now and see that the club and the manager made the (much longer) commitment to each other, in sickness and in health.
I’ll have to try that quiz later on.
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Rantetta, that sounds a lot like what they did in Miami in the last decade. Pushed all the undesirables out (poor people of color) and create a soulless neighborhood for Hipsters and spoiled college kids.
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AW has not disappointment me nor ARSENAL in many aspects. His loyalty and also the dedication to the project are praiseworthy in this day an age. amongst his other traits. Truly in a class by himself FINS. we are blessed.
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Gentrification they call it. Gertrafuckingiaction. Its happening in LA too. In many of its neighborhoods. Most US cities are going through it.
USA , USA ,USA …. !!!!!!
phoeeee
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Arsène Wenger milestone games
Game Date Opposition Venue Result Score
100th September 30, 1998 Panathinaikos H WIN 2-1
gate 13 …everywhere …. …hehehe …….
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Let’s just spend the week talking about 999 games, and the one to come.
It’s a joyous occasion.
We have been blessed, and we are blessed.
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Hahaha. something about that number . Right HUNTER??
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I have one thousand reasons to love Arsenal but also just one.
A glorious non-stop adventure that has never failed to provide everything I ever wanted or needed from football, a thrilling journey, drama, memories and creative spirit.
Well done Wenger, you done good.
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Gains 3:29pm
Yes, people with the ‘right’ kind of tattoos.
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I’m not telling anyone where that plane is until Arsenal FC sign up Sanga, Arteta and Wenger for the long term.
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Anicoll
I got 60%.
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I got every Arsene one correct and none of the others.
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Worryingly I got most of the Nietzsche – he would probably have made a great manager
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DC
should have known you had something to do with that plane missing.
Happy belated st. Patty’s day to you. How’s the headache.
COLL
that is worrisome.
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Having re-read the post in a most peaceful state of mind I must commend foreverheady for an absolutely fantastic piece.
Top top quality. Well done.
We are truly lucky to have the manager we have.
After reading the Wenger 1,000 piece on the dotcom, anyone who thinks otherwise should immediately switch over to the red & white of Stoke City!
As I was going through the behind-the-numbers piece I just kept hearing hunter13.
The bravest & most blatant of positivistas.
You were always spot on hunter…….keep the fire burning!
But forgive me, I must repost ZP’s @4:20 for its eloquence:
“I have one thousand reasons to love Arsenal but also just one.
A glorious non-stop adventure that has never failed to provide everything I ever wanted or needed from football, a thrilling journey, drama, memories and creative spirit.
Well done Wenger, you done good.”
Says it all really.
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Wonderful comments today but particularly good from ZimPaul – I have reproduced that for Twitter (hope you don’t mind ZP).
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ok..im going for the test now… youve all made me jealous
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mmmm i ve stopped at q.2 …this is hard…ive heard of nitche ..the other one brent ..mmm no
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JOEL is playing very well despite the stump that bas•••d Phil Jones placed on his face..
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heh gk, great little player joel, looks he can stand his ground, but lets laugh at maniatis and roberto hahahaha and hohoholebas puhuhuhuhuhhuthis dominguez only escapes criticism , its vary rare you find midfielders slower than veron and riquelme…. ah hang on ryan is on the pitch…
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I don’t know which would be better.
1) the hated olympiacos to knock the despised manure sobs thereby putting them to true shame or……..
2) for the scum to advance and in the next round come up against barverians or real mad to really get put to shame.
•••• add 1 b) same as one except JOEL to put the dagger in deep into their hearts.
The idiot manure fans at the pub are saying so what. ARSENAL lost to olympiacos three times. Never mind that it was always the kids against their first team. Never our first team even in the dead rubber match two years ago.
Hah. Manure fans. What are you gona do. it is what it is.
I think I’m 50/50 on the options. What say you all.
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Hahaha. JOEL is a tough kid ..
And giggseee needs to have been put out to pasture or stud two maybe three years ago. ohhh wait. There was a bit of studding. Chame chame chame.
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