As we all painstakingly inch towards the start of the new season, REDaction open The Rocket to all you beautiful, patient Arsenal fans!

Thanks should go out to those who voted The Rocket the third best match day pub in The Gooner annual survey. We’ve only been at this venue for two years so we’ll continue to strive forward and keep you lot happy!

As you’d expect, we’ve been working hard during the summer to arrange all sorts of events for the 2008-09 season and will be kicking off with a nice little curtain raiser.

The doors open at 10:30 on Saturday morning – honest. We’ve bribed the Polish cleaners with cabbage soup to ensure this. Because of your amazing generosity last season via raffles, auctions etc., we have a sizeable cheque to donate to the Willow Foundation. We’re lucky enough to have Arsenal legend Bob Wilson coming down at 11am for the presentation so make sure you’re around for that.

The March will happen at around 12:25. However, we’re currently working to join up with the march for Ben Kinsella. This will be confirmed on Saturday.

After the match, we have loads still! We’ve been asked by lots of you to give the barbecue idea a try so we’re trialling it! Great barbecued food will be available in the beer garden (largest in Islington, oh yes) at very competitive prices!

Soccer Saturday will be on the big screen followed by Sunderland vs Liverpool thanks to The Rocket management paying for a full year Setanta subscription (which for pubs and bars is f***ing expensive!).

House favourites The Away Boyz have recorded TWO albums for this season and will be performing tracks from the first one live! Check out the “Bacary” and “Hey Dennis Bergkamp” tracks in particular.

The Fulham Boat Trip has proven to be VERY popular, we’re delighted to say! We’re all looking forward to that as tickets have been flying out of the door faster than Alex Hleb. Well done to those who have already secured their place! While most tickets have been allocated, we’ve managed to reserve 40 places which you can grab this Saturday! All you need to do is give us your contact info together with payment (cash or cheque) for £20 to get involved in this massive event. Full details are on previous articles but we’re meeting at midday on 23rd August at Westminster Pier and will return in good time for our match at Craven Cottage.

We’re collecting info in person for Red & White Pages – the online directory for Arsenal tradespeople and professionals. Keep your eyes open for that! We’ve received many entrants for Chant Of The Month and we’ve chosen one for August. It’ll be performed on stage and flyered out so see what you think! We’re pretty chuffed with it!

Blimey that’s a lot of stuff! All you have to do though is turn up for what’ll be a great day so we’ll see you there!

Victoria Concordia Crescit

The REDaction Team

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