Hi everyone !
It was 50 years ago today that I watched my first professional football match :
Arsenal v Bradford City in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 6 January 1962.
Dad - who was a Spurs supporter - had got two tickets for us, high up in the West Stand at Highbury, about midway between the half way line and the South stand.
In the team that day were Kelsey, Bacuzzi, McCullough, Clamp, Brown, Snedden, MacLeod, Barnwell, Charles, Eastham and Skirton.
In the picture, Mel Charles, Arsenal's centre-forward (second left) beats Downie, Bradford's goalkeeper and Storton, Bradford's left-back, to score Arsenal's second goal.
(The ball is completely covered by Storton.)
Arsenal won 3-0 ... and in the 50 years since then my support for them has never wavered !
That little boy who sat with his Dad that Saturday afternoon long, long ago never dreamt of the joy that The Arsenal would bring him.
It turned out that - just as Spurs' Double-winning captain Danny Blanchflower said - Football is the Glory Game !
Just a few minutes to remind you of the Beautiful Game... Va Va Voom !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ko5jBnTn9hU
If - unbelievably - you aren't a Gunners Fan, I'm sure you find a goal or two that Thierry scored to enjoy!
My best wishes to you for a very happy 2012.
Come on you Gunners !
Onward, Lord Ric
PS
My Favourite Player was also playing that Saturday, away to Birmingham City in a 3 - 3 draw.
His team got to the Cup Final that season & his goal in the third minute helped Spurs to beat Burnley 3 - 1.
As he used to say : " Football ... it's a funny old game !"
