Right, a fair few bits to get through. Firstly a blatant plug for a retro mag…

Issue 4 of Backpass magazine is in the shops now, although I have no idea how well it’s distributed. I believe it can be found in larger brances of WH Smiths. If you can’t track it down, it can be bought online through the mag’s own website. The current issue is of interest to Arsenal fans because of a two page Q & A with Charlie George, as well as the chance to own a signed, Charlie George picture of his goalscoring celebration at Wembley in 1971.

For a sample of a previous issue in online format, you can check this out. Can’t get enough of that pageturner effect!

Right, next up a bit of fun. Basically, you can decide the formation and line-up (and subs) for Arsenal’s next match and email it to your mates through this page on BBC sport. A grab is above of my own version, although a couple of criticisms. Not all the players are listed as options for selection – Johan Djouou? I had to import him as a fantasy player! Maybe Jack Wilshere should be added too. And there is at least one formation not offered – the 4-1-4-1. Anyhow, could be useful if we are swapping the players around a bit when the options are plentiful.

Now one for football addicts who will watch any game from anywhere. It’s a site that lists all the live TV games that you can get (legitimately!) on your cable or satellite system in the UK. It can be found here, although the guy who updates it is on his hols until 21st August, so I’d be inclined to bookmark it and check it again when the season’s off and running. A quick note to mention that a lot of the Olympic football is available on BBC interactive. And it is stopping my work sometimes! Oh dear. Maybe this site isn’t such a good idea!

Okay, now some charity stuff. Arsenal publicized at the weekend that they had raised £519,541 for their Charity of the Season 07/08 – Treehouse, also known as the National Charity for Autism Education. A bit less fanfare for REDaction’s charitable efforts, so I’m giving them a mention here. The breakdown for their fundraising efforts over the last year is as follows –
Ray Kennedy Day: £850 Treehouse: £2000
The Willow Foundation: £4000
Grand Total: £6850

Well done on that figure, which, given the number of individuals REDaction were able to appeal to (largely through events at The Rocket), is no mean feat. REDaction state that the 2008/09 season will see them continue to support Bob Wilson and everyone at The Willow Foundation as well as others, including in all likelihood Arsenal’s charity of the season for the next year when it is announced.

Remaining on the charity front, we have been contacted asking to raise awareness for a raffle for a framed Arsenal shirt signed by the first team squad. Full details can be found here and it costs £2 a ticket to enter. The money goes to a charity called Orphans In Need – which can be linked to from the raffle page.

Finally, onto local community matters in Highbury and Drayton Park. Ian Shacklock is the campaign co-ordinator trying to get Arsenal to include a sports centre for the local people in the developments still to be completed by the club as part of the move to Ashburton Grove. People may be aware that the club allowed parts of the old Clock End complex to be used by locals and there is a belief that part of the agreement of the stadium move with Islington Council was to continue such provision for the locals. More details on Ian’s efforts to bring this about can be found here.

And that’s your lot!