It is strange for me†to think that as my children grow up (with the democratic option of the “Henry Ford school of football” – any club you like – so long as it’s The Arsenal) that they will never experience the pleasures of a day out at Highbury. My first game was an FA Cup Fifth Round replay against Bolton Wanderers; Alan Sunderland (twice) and Frank Stapleton (all without reply) ensuring that I went home happy. Ultimately, the season ended in miserable fashion, but to this day, the wonderment of that first visit has helped to cement my love for the Club.

Highbury was, of course, distinctive – steeped in history and somehow capturing the values and ethos of the Club and by association, its supporters. First designed by Archibald Leitch and opened in 1913 at a cost of £125,000, the Club bought the stadium outright in 1925, for £64,000. Perhaps the first significant change was the introduction of the clock – originally showing a 45 minute countdown – installed at the North End or “Laundry End” as it was then known. This was moved to the South “College End” in 1935, giving rise to the section later becoming known as The Clock End.

In 1932, the opening of a new West Stand – designed by Claude Waterlow Ferrier and William Binnie at a cost of £45,000 – heralded the first phase of what may have then been regarded as “Arsenalisation”, had the marketing men held sway in those far gone days. The Art Deco character was replicated in the building of the East Stand, at a cost of £130,000 – the disparity in cost comparative to its facing predecessor accounted for in no small part by the unique facade and famous Marble Halls. Eventually becoming a Grade II listed building, this stand opened in 1936; by which time Arsenal had gained a reputation as “The Bank of England Club”.

During the course of the Second World War, the North Bank, as it was then called, was bombed, the ground having been utilised in the war effort. Arsenal played sporadically, games being hosted down the road at Tottenham Hotspur. The roof of the North Bank was not repaired until 1956, by which time floodlights had been installed for five years. Under soil heating followed in 1964, by which time Highbury would have largely been recognisable as it stood, to the transfixed youngster whose experience was defined by the swaying masses to either side of his West Stand vantage point.

Between my first game and 2 January 1989, I attended increasing numbers of matches – nearly all at home – during which time I “served my apprenticeship” with the Club. Often as not, I could hardly see more than thin wedges of the pitch, but the atmosphere and sense of belonging far outweighed the occasional stumble down the terraces, episodes at the peripheral of “running” and occasional sense of claustrophobia that the bigger games inevitably brought. How such games might be defined, during an era of relatively modest success could only be judged in light of latter years; although that night at White Hart Lane in 1987 is still as vivid today as it was at the final whistle. It was against Spurs, midway through a season that many still regard as the Club’s most memorable, that the clock was unveiled by George Graham and Terry Venables. It returned to adorn the newly built Executive boxes and bore witness to a 2 – 0 win on the night (Paul Merson and Michael Thomas netting). Sadly, the season was also a watershed in English Football.

My journey home on 15 April 1989 was punctuated by several stops, to alight from the Underground and press my transistor radio to my ear. The dangers which I, like most of us, had taken for granted had manifested themselves in horror and tragedy. Quite simply, Hillsborough changed the face of the sport in this country; following the terrible events of 29 May 1985 at Heysel (which were the result of two very different circumstances). I remember the following game at Highbury, against Norwich City and the eerily subdued response to the 5 – 0 victory. Bill Shankly’s assertion: "Football's not a matter of life or death. It's much more†important†than that” was cruelly subjected to harsh perspective. The season also marked the beginning of the end of a period of dominance which he had done so much to help create. The dreadful irony of Highbury having been struck off the F.A. Cup Semi Final venue list, following crowd trouble in the 1986 game between Everton and Southampton, was not lost in hindsight – the Club refusing to install the perimeter fences that were de rigueur during that era.

The redevelopment of The Clock End began a further period of structural change, which could not have been anticipated prior to that time. The requirement to comply with the Taylor report of 1990 led to demolition of the North Bank, following an emotional game against Southampton at the close of the 1991 / 1992 season (Kevin Campbell and Alan Smith scoring, with Ian Wright clinching the Golden Boot and the match ball with two last gasp goals).

The North Bank was reopened for the first game of the 1992 / 1993 season, having been largely financed by a controversial Bond Scheme. (Building works and attendant costs amounted to £22.5 million – from the refurbishment of the Clock End to the completion of the new North Bank). With the image of the game having suffered following continued incidents of hooliganism, which the media had thrived on since the late 1960’s, a new order was being established. All – seater stadia coincided with (or arguably precipitated) a more financially ambitious environment, the seeds of which had been sewn in the early 1980’s – with major sponsorship introduced to propel the upward mobility of the game. Central to this revolution was the razzmatazz and hyper exposure of BSB Sky, creating ever more extensive, microscopic coverage and redefining marketing opportunity and scope. The days of the transient fan, queuing to indulge a last minute pang, or loyal but financially constrained supporters budgeting their fix across the course of a season, drew to a stealthy close.

It was during this period in my life that I was forced to relinquish the season ticket which I had proudly held in the East Stand (Lower). Having started in the West Stand and “graduated” on The North Bank, increasing prices forced me to be make choices. Simple economics dictated that as football attracted a new audience, tickets became harder to come by. My reliance on Jonathan Pearce’s excitable commentaries, with the majestic Bobby Moore, on Capital Gold was painful – but through no fault of theirs. So began almost a decade of “wilderness years” for me… whilst George Graham galvanised the Club and created the most successful period in my lifetime. For the first time in a decade, I was once again counting the weeks until I could experience the continued thrill of Highbury’s familiarity. Indeed, the disparity between the top flight and lower league clubs grew from a ravine to a chasm reminiscent of the†Grand Canyon. If my late grandmother thought that the game she had watched had become purely business, this turn of events would have left the Premier League beyond her comprehension. Competition within the sport was intensified according to spending power – which Jack Walker proved by bankrolling Blackburn Rovers to the title in 1995; although relegation followed in 1999. Equally, the game itself was forced to compete for leisure time and expenditure – a culture of longer working hours and economic cycles accentuating the need to value the role of football in the social context.

The intentions of the Board were implicit when a decision was taken to stage all home games at Wembley, for the duration of the Champions League campaigns of 1998 / 1999 and 1999 / 2000. Financially, the surrender of Highbury’s familiarity was arguably a success, yet in football terms Arsenal tended to play as if the away team and faltered. Clearly, there were some lengthy (and probably heated) discussions amongst the Club’s custodians. The result of the machinations led to further dealings with Islington Council, during the process of which several meetings were held (one of which I found hugely entertaining). The site at Ashburton Grove was chosen and construction began in February 2004. Another bond scheme was launched in August 2005, at which time the construction “topped out”; the bonds issued on 13 July 2006. Anyone who has employed builders will perhaps appreciate the scale of the achievement; that the new stadium was completed both ahead of time and within budget.

Following two relatively small functions, the doors of the Club’s new home were thrown open for an emotional finale for arguably one of its greatest ever players, on 22 July 2006. Since then, The Arsenal have enjoyed moderate success in a fantastic stadium. I have written previously about concerns regarding player investment – however, it is whispered that a future expansion of the capacity has been mooted. Ownership issues and a success / relative failure cycle may influence the likelihood of this in the future.

To date, there have been no major trophies. Whilst I do not recall the euphoria of that famous 1970 win against Anderlecht, I can picture other memorably joyous, historical games at Highbury. They say that you never forget your first, but there have been many others: I remember a win against Spurs in 1983 (3 – 2) when the North Bank celebrated each goal wildly and I thought the rush that greeted each goal would take me to the halfway line. I recall an F. A. Cup game against Manchester United in 1988, when Brian McClair missed a penalty and started a war. I was present for the North Bank’s last stand; against Southampton, in 1992, when grown men cried at the final whistle. Beating Sampdoria 3 – 2 in the first semi final leg of the 1995 European Cup Winners Cup. May 2003 – Southampton again and what turned out to be the start of the Invincibles’ run. I experienced sheer wonderment, when we beat Leicester and the scenes that followed in 2004. I witnessed a comeback against Middlesbrough, from 3 – 1 down, to win 5 – 3. There was the Champions League run of 2006 – squirrel included. Finally, I was lucky enough to attend the last game at Highbury, which reminded me of that occasion against Southampton some 14 years earlier, but seemed even more poignant than I could have ever envisaged back then. So many incredible memories: goals, players, incidents and a vast array that I have forgotten here – and more than occasionally, outrages.

Of course, you will have your own special Highbury moments. By now, you will probably also be wondering why I have chosen to recollect all of this at a time when Highbury has long since been Highbury Square. Other than admitted self indulgence, it is because I wanted to illustrate in detail what Highbury meant to me and in doing so, I hope that if you are still with me, that you will also be smiling as you take mental note of some of those yesteryears.

Comparison between Highbury and the new stadium is arguably unfair, the latter still very much in its infancy. That said, it has been acknowledged that youth cannot excuse relative failure, nor lack of drive and passion. The new crest was unveiled in 2002 to complaints of lack of inclusive marketing and a detachment of tradition. There have been considerable changes since that event – yet attendance figures suggest that fans are as loyal as ever. In the second part of this review, I will consider the changes made since moving to the new stadium and how the Club may intend to strengthen and educate its supporters going forward.

With thanks to the following:
arsenal.com
wikipedia
www.liv.ac.uk/footballindustry
www.premierleague.com
www.le.ac.uk