Arsenal: It’s about the fans – Jamie Dalton

To me, Arsenal are an institution, something to rely on every week, an escape from the humdrum of daily life, my little piece of solace from a world which can be cruel and unfeeling. The sight of thousands of people coming together for one reason is an inspiring sight, a movement all in the name of one cause, one team, we win together, we draw together, we lose together, the most important thing is that we did it together. In defeat we take it on the chin and move on, but through victory we achieve harmony, beautiful harmony, Arsenal harmony.

The one thing that’s missing from my Arsenal indoctrination is a wonderful back story about how Arsenal is in my blood, how generations of Dalton lined the queue’s at Highbury, each taking their sons to begin a new chapter, for if I had gone down that road with the Dalton family, I would be wearing the Green and White Hoops of Glasgow Celtic or the Blue and White of Greenock Morton.

I got involved and interested in Football around the age of 4/5 – My father worked as a video recorder technician and was always bringing home new video recorders and tapes, I had a Barcelona kit bought for me when I was a toddler but once Dad wanted to get me into football, that was it. My favourite video was a 2 programme special on the 1970 Brazil team and the back story leading to their triumph. The second part was the official FIFA film of the 1986 World Cup, I remember replaying that video over and over again, my favourite match being the quarter-final between France & Brazil, Stopyra, Platini, Careca, Papin…brilliant and still my all-time favourite game.

When it came to picking a team, I had no allegiances, I had a clean slate, I didn’t understand the concept of “Your local team”, I had it narrowed down to 2 teams through reading papers, watching games etc. Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers. Odd choices I know, father was aghast at that time because in the 1970’s he used to go and watch Tottenham with one of his school friends to pass the time and was very indifferent to Arsenal, but he’s always been the type of man to let me make my own decisions ( I don’t think I could do that, My kid WILL be a Gooner).

Few weeks past and I remember Dad sitting me down and telling me I had to pick one. This was an alien concept to a 4/5 year old but to this day I still remember looking at him and saying “Arsenal”. He looked and me and said “fair enough, why Arsenal though?” And I looked at him thinking I would be in trouble and said….

“Because I can’t spell Queens Park Rangers”.

The rest is, as they say, history. I look back at the 20+ years I’ve supported Arsenal and certainly think I made the right decision, I won my father round in regards to Arsenal and when we go to Arsenal it’s father-and-son time that I hope lasts forever.

As far as my Arsenal story goes, and all the great tales I read about “Arsenal Families” dating back centuries with fathers, mothers sisters and brothers supporting the Arsenal – I like to think the Dalton “Dye In The Wool” Gooner stories started with me…….

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