I guess I should start at the beginning... I'll try not to lose you along the way! Two season ticket renewal forms are received. My dad renews and pays by credit card. No problems, ticket renewed, payment taken three days later and shows on his next bill, my sister accesses the stadium versus Fulham with no problems (as Dad is away on holiday).

As for me, I somewhat foolishly decided to pay by cheque. Don't ask why. My cheque was dated 8th May. Four weeks later there was still no sign of the money being taken from my account. I called the box office to confirm that my application had been received. I was told yes it had, and the ticket had been renewed and re-activated ready for the new season. They said they could only apologise for the delay and money would be taken from my account shortly.

Two weeks pass and still my account value is looking too high, so I call again. This time I am told that one of the Securicor vans taking items from Arsenal had been targeted by a gang, however my cheque couldn't have been in the van as I would have been informed. Again, be patient.

Now just to fill a gap in case you're wondering why I didn't read a bank statement and why I was so eager to lose £1165. I have bought my first ever house this summer. As a result of a mortgage and bills to now be paid I wanted to keep track of what money was actually mine to spend and what was Arsenal's about to be taken. I couldn't confirm with bank statements as they were boxed up due to my moving.

Anyway back to the mess. Early last week I called the club, this time the accounts department, and was told in no uncertain terms by the lady I spoke to that they had never received a cheque from me and that if my season ticket was to stay renewed and work for the new season I best pay now... so I did by debit card. She could only presume it had been in the stolen van and nobody had ever told me! The next day I went to the bank to cancel the cheque, only to be told it wasn't possible as it had already been cashed. They kindly printed me a statement as I still didn't have access to those at home and sure enough Arsenal had taken the money. My season ticket had now been paid for twice!!!

I called back the lady in accounts and she blamed me for her not being able to see my cheque on her system!!! I wasn't impressed to say the least. She said she would issue a refund.

A few days passed and still no refund, so I called the box office on Friday (two days before the season kicks off). For once I spoke to someone who seemed to know what they were talking about. This kind gentleman apologised for the error of the lady in accounts, said he couldn't understand the mistake as he could see both payments on system and that not to worry as my ticket was still activated for the big kick off. As for the refund it could take up to a week so I was told to call back then if still not received.

Sunday 12th August and the Fulham match. My season ticket doesn't work... why was I so surprised? Not only did it not work but it had been blocked, so not even the man at the turnstile with his hand held machine could let me in. As a result I had to go to the box office and queue... and queue... and queue. I had missed the first ten minutes. I was told by the women behind the counter "I can see you have paid (twice) and I can see it's re-activated, but they have made a right mess and pushed something they shouldn't have and have killed your card!" So I was given a paper ticket for Fulham and told a new card would be on its way to me in the post, I wait in hope more than expectation!!!

I guess this was partly my fault as I should have noticed the money being taken from my account but what with a new house and endless new bills I had overlooked it. However if the club say "we haven't got your cheque and we will cancel your ticket unless you pay now" one week before the season you believe them and panic! Hence, it was partly the club’s fault too.

Moral of the story is don't pay by cheque and don't trust the Arsenal box office / accounts department, oh and try to enter at least two hours before kick off so you're not stuck in long queues of very angry people - although I guess not as angry as those who got in on time to witness the mighty Jens attempting to deal with a back pass. I guess I should just be happy Arsenal won and I’m £1165 richer than I thought I was! Here’s hoping my new card arrives before the Man City game!