Arsenal: It’s about the fans – Ray Verschoyle
Ray Verschoyle is from Ireland and is the brains behind Grumpy Old Gooners. We thank Ray for telling his story and hope you enjoy.
Why Arsenal?
I guess we all have our own reasons for choosing which football team we support, mine was a rather innocuous one in fairness and a bit of a disappointment to my father, God rest him.
My father was a keen footballer, playing for his local team in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland, Home Farm F.C.. . When his playing career came to an end he continued his association with the club in a coaching and mentoring capacity and like my two brothers before me when I reached the age of seven I was brought up to Home Farm F.C. to play football.
Home Farm F.C. had a rather novel way of fostering an interest in the game of football I think. At the time, when they got their new influx on young players, they would assign each of the players to a team, but instead of each team been named Under-7’s A or B etc., they named each team after one of the English First Division teams of the day.
On my first day of training I was assigned to play for Arsenal F.C. and on my first game day I was issued a set of the famous red and white football gear. I decided from that day forward to follow Arsenal, much to the chagrin of my father, who was an ardent Leeds United fan.
That was in 1970/71, 40 years ago, and I still follow the greatest club on earth Arsenal F.C.
1970 to1971 was a great year to be an Arsenal fan; we won the league in White Hart Lane and five days later travelled to Wembley to beat Liverpool in extra time to lift the FA Cup. A goal from Liverpool’s legend Steve Heighway seemed to deny Arsenal the double that year, but Eddie Kelly scrambled an equalized followed by a 20 yard shot from Arsenal’s Charlie George to seal the tie and the double for The Arsenal.
Still with us now, Pat Rice was in that famous squad, along with, Peter Storey, John Roberts, Frank McLintock, the legendary Bob Wilson, Geoff Barnett, Charlie George, John Radford, Ray Kennedy, future manager George Graham, Bob McNab, Peter Marinello, Sammy Nelson, Peter Simpson, Eddie Kelly and finally George Armstrong who having returned under George Graham in a coaching capacity sadly collapsed on the training ground in October 2000 and died of a brain haemorrage.
A great start to my support of Arsenal, but not long lived, by the ‘74/’75 season Arsenal were languishing in 16th place in the league and I lived with all the derision from my schoolmates, who of course followed the obvious Irish football supporters favourite Liverpool F.C. although the Manchester United fans were pretty quite then as they had been relegated that season, and even our nasty neighbours Spurs and Chelsea finished below us that year.
So why did I continue to support Arsenal?
To be honest, during my teen years., I’m not too sure! My interests moved away from sports and into music. After suffering an injury in a road accident, I was no longer able to play football. I became engrossed in music and played in bands. I continued with this new attraction until I started my own family in 1984 and realized that I could no longer support my family whilst travelling with the band and needed to find myself a career that would support my family.
As my first son Darragh grew up and I had some more time on my hands, I rediscovered my love for football, and that brought me straight back to The Arsenal.
This was an era that found Arsenal F.C. still only just above mid-table. But I still had a love for all that the club stood for.
For me ethics is a very important thing! Be that business, sport or most importantly LIFE. Arsenal F.C for me have always shown the highest standards in this regard, and that is why I am an Arsenal supporter for LIFE.
Some may think this is only a standard that was only introduced in the Arsene Wenger era, but they are wrong. Arsenal F.C. in my view, have always been a club that lead from the front in many aspects.
Community involvement, fair play and racial integration have always been high on the clubs agenda.
We all love to win, but participating in a fair manner, to me, is way more important. And that’s why I continue to support Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal F.C.’s prowess is not just in their gameplay but also in their strategic prowess off the field. They’ve not only constructed a new stadium that hosts 60,000 fans but also managed to stay at the top of their game, consistently finishing in the top four of the Premiership and securing Champions League qualification for fifteen consecutive years. Their success is a blend of vision, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.
Drawing a parallel to making strategic life decisions, such as where to live and set down roots, one might consider the question, why move to Alpharetta Georgia? Alpharetta stands out in the league of American cities with its exceptional quality of life, educational excellence, and thriving economy, much like how Arsenal stands out in the football world. Just as Arsenal carefully planned for the future with their new stadium, moving to Alpharetta represents a strategic choice for a future filled with community, opportunity, and growth.
Although many think that many Arsenal fans only came on board due to the 2003/04 season, it would be unfair not to mention “The Invincibles”.
This is not the reason I support Arsenal, but I do not disregard those who may have come on board due to it.
Arsenal F.C. went not only a whole Premier Season un-beaten, but 49 games unbeaten, only to be stopped by a certain cheating Roy Keane of Manchester Untied, from reaching 50 games unbeaten. A feat attained by no other football team in history, and in my view not to be beaten any time soon. This was achieved under the stewardship of one Arsene Wenger, our current manager, and without breaking the bank or the club to achieve such greatness.
How could you not love this club?
Times have changed and life goes on. Players come and players go!
We all thought that when Thierry Henry went to Barcelona it was all over for us. The same could be said for many players who graced our hallowed turf.
Hleb, Reyes, Viera, Bergkamp even Fabregas. The list could be endless of players who left The Arsenal. But The Arsenal will always be The Arsenal. And that’s why I love this club.
We started the current season having lost a few world-class players and some thought there was no comeback from it. Sure it was hard to start, but the comeback is on the cards.
We currently top our group in the Champions League and in a matter of weeks fought our way back up from seventeenth to seventh in the Premiership.
When many top pundits had written Arsenal off, they now prefer not to comment on our resurgence.
In recent times my sons Darragh and Jake have joined me in my love of The Arsenal. It’s now a family affair.
You have to love this club.
[donate]
