Reflections on a good guy

I was shocked to be informed that long-time Gooner contributor Bernard Dowling has sadly passed away at the age of only 61.

Bernard has been submitting thoughtful, intelligent and balanced articles to the fanzine since before I was editing it in 2000, as well as appearing as an occasional guest on the Gooner podcast in recent years, until I hung up my editor’s hat for the final time over two years ago.

Bernard took part in the last ever podcast I hosted, before lockdown put a halt to the recording meet-ups in March 2020.

Bernard enjoyed precision, and liked to have a word count for his articles – which frequently addressed the bigger picture at the club, looking at finances and strategy – and he would always endeavour to deliver the exact number of words required, which made an editor’s job very easy.

His articles never required proofing either, which showed how much care he put into his thoughts on the club.

I generally saw him at either Arsenal annual general meetings, as he was a proud shareholder, or Arsenal Supporters Trust events.

The last time I spent extended time with him was the Christmas drinks Trust gathering in club level at the Emirates last December, when Per Mertesacker was a guest.

Ironically, it was also the last time I had a long chat with the much-missed Maria Petri. I was abroad at the time of the Trust’s recent in-person events with Paul Davis and David Dein, although Bernard attended both and had a chat with my predecessor as Gooner editor Mike Francis at the former, and there was no hint that Bernard wouldn’t be around for many such future events.

I also used to run into Bernard occasionally on the concourse of the east upper stand at the Emirates, and it was when he didn’t turn up for the Forest match and his phone was texted that it was learned he had passed away the previous weekend.

Bernard was also a very regular contributor to the long-running online Arsenal forum that was set up by (the also sadly departed) Steve Glieber, and there are plenty of kind words about him to be read there.

Bernard was one of the good guys.

Whether he agreed with you or not, he was unfailingly polite.

You couldn’t not like him.

Thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be sadly missed.

Kevin Whitcher on behalf of everyone associated with the Gooner Fanzine