Graham Perry
Dear Fellow Gunners
I was sitting with friends at Lords yesterday watching England struggle against Sri Lanka on the first day of the Test. All cricket lovers and each of us supporting Arsenal or Chelsea or THFC – even Sheffield Wednesday.
We were reminiscing about life and soccer and news headlines of earlier days and an elderly man sitting in the row front and munching into his cheese and tomato toasted sandwich suddenly reeled off names of Arsenal players of the late 1950’s including David Herd. “He scored for you against us in the Third Round of the Cup” – he said. He went onto talk warmly of Gigg Lane and his time in Manchester. He was a lovely old boy – mid 80’s – and full of warmth and interest.
I returned home and went to my bible – the Phil Soar and Martin Tyler Centenary History of Arsenal first published in 1986 and came across Season 1958-59. I have many recollections of that season because we started so well under new manager George Swindin and new centre-half Tommy Docherty. Jackie Henderson joined us from Wolves and scored twice on his debut at Highbury against WBA to enable us to win 4-3 on a sunny afternoon. Danny Clapton excelled and was capped by England. Our good start was undone, however, by three successive home defeats by Blackpool, Aston Villa and Preston North End. Having touched top position we did well to end up third. It was a good start by our former keeper, who joined us after a successful spell with Peterborough United but in successive seasons we ended 13th, 11th and 10th and Billy Wright was brought in.
Memories aside – on 10 January 1959 we beat Bury Town away 1-0 and David Herd scored the only goal. My new found friend was right. His memory was spot on. I wish I had taken his phone number. I guess he will be there for every day of the Test and I am tempted to find an opening to return just to let him know how right he was.
Here he was a stranger – never spoken to him and yet we shared a love of football recollections. I imagined him fifty-seven years ago and a regular at Gigg Lane. What was his work – who were his family – how come he came to Bury – who took him to his first match – when did he move to London?
Football does that to you – it breaks down boundaries – it encourages exchanges, sharing information and remembering moments and occasions. I always say that I could go into a room of strangers, maybe a training day and say I am a Gunner and immediately obtain a reaction and a topic of discussion. Most fans love to share their memories and listen to others memories as well. It is that community thing that I bang on about.
This is the close season – AFC is not a topic of instant discussion. Vardy has faded from the headlines and we have to see if we can all get behind England or even Wales and also our new signing Xhaka. We can leave our differences about Wenger to one side and let the summer take us into cricket, tennis, golf and formula one. But the exchange with my friend from Bury was one of those lovely football moments and reminded me of the encounters and friendships that the game produces.
Enjoy the summer
Regards
Graham
I am tweeting daily @arsenalcircular – followers increasing – now 2150. Lots of exchanges on Trump/Hilary and the Referendum as well but mainly Arsenal. Welcome you to join and take part in the daily debates – today was about the 2002 Title win at Old Trafford and Wiltord’s winner.
