Tony Porter
(Ed’s note – In the current issue of the Gooner – on sale outside the stadium this Sunday against Spurs – there is an extended feature on past Arsenal v Spurs matches at either Highbury or Ashburton Grove. However, a couple of entries from Tony Porter arrived too late for publication, so we are running them here as a taster for the issue, which we hope those who have not bought yet will do so on Sunday.)
22nd February 1958 Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4
A half-term treat from boarding school (and half-term in those days was just 48 hours long: seems unbelievable, doesn't it?) to see an Arsenal team still in shock from their FA Cup exit at Northampton Town and still adjusting to the coaching style of Ron Greenwood. 59,116 of us there and I was with my father in our accustomed West Stand Upper location - it was where he used to sit for free in the 1930s when a student at the London College of Divinity, the original owners of the land Highbury was built on. A mud-bath of a pitch and snow in the air - my feet used to be so cold by the end of those games! However, a warming and more than wonderful experience as we took Tottenham apart to lead 4-2, but a bizarre conclusion, begun when left back Dennis Evans, nearly on the goal-line in front of the North Bank and ten yards wide of the goalpost, inexplicably stuck up his hand to field a ball that was drifting out of play. Penalty! 4-3, and shortly after, with the defence still in shock, Tottenham got the equaliser. Before the end of the season it was announced that manager Jack Crayston would be leaving.
23rd December 1961 Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1
63,440 of us on the Saturday before Christmas - so many, some presumably escaping Christmas shopping. We continued to languish in Tottenham's shadow. By now I was at university and liked to stand below the West Upper - and even with such a crowd I didn't feel squashed or worried. A Tottenham-supporting College friend had condescendingly said to me: "I feel really sorry for Arsenal supporters" and I was hoping so much for victory. Arsenal had led 3-2 in the second half of the match in August at White Hart Lane, but Tottenham had brushed us aside to win 4-3, emphasising their dominance and their quality team. We had quality players, too, but so often weren't a team. In truth it wasn't a great game - the frosty, hard pitch didn't encourage adventurous play and Tottenham seemed content to hit the ball long to Smith to head it on for Greaves. From one such move in the second half, Mackay, not Greaves, smashed the ball past Kelsey to give them the lead but Mel Charles equalised and as the game wore on we were well on top. Eastham also used the aerial route to set Skirton charging through the middle towards the Clock End and he blasted the ball past Jennings. I looked forward to the new term.
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