The Very "moment" you became a Gooner

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:12 pm

Hot on the heels of the very 1st game thread.

The moment you became a Gooner.

For me receiving an Arsenal shirt for my 6th birthday, with no interest in football whatsoever and totally indifferent.

Couldn't work out why my parents were so enthusiastic about how great the shirt was, was even more confused why so many others hated it - and saw it as an insult to be taken the piss out of over a shirt.

Arsenal started 1984/5 well, my dad often informing me of them winning when it came over the vidiprinter.

The very day that I became a Gooner though was when Arsenal played West Ham in October 1984. On that day I visited my aunt in the East end, took my coat off wearing the red shirt. My cousin was West Ham and was informed jokingly (didn't see the funny side) that this shirt wasn't allowed in the house today.

On the way home went by the District Line to Essex, among the crowds of West ham fans (luckily with the coat over the shirt) in full voice. The crowds were jokingly goaded by other train users with shouts of "Arsenal" and "Charlie Nicholas", to which the West Ham fans bantered back in good nature (which was amazing for a season that ended with Heysel).

As they left the train at Upton Park I remember thinking how gutted they were gonna be as my dad had informed me how great Arsenal were. When arriving home in Essex was informed by my dad that West Ham had won 3-1.

My belief that Arsenal was the greatest team ever seen ever ever was shaken that day, as it was to be a week later losing Man Ure 4-2 away. But that was the very first time a gave a real shit about it and there was a need that day to reassure myself that they were indeed the unbeatable kings of the Universe that has remained ever since. The very moment I became a Gooner.

And so what about you lot?

This Is The Daybreak · Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:33 pm

I remember it came along in stages. Coming from a family of gooners I briefly remember the 1993 FA Cup Final and my brothers going to Wembley for both games. I remember taking a passing interest in what happened and went to bed before extra time in the replay.

Can remember waking up the next day and my mum had told me Arsenal had won with the Andy Linighan header. Remember watching the game on VHS and fast forwarding to the winning goal and the lifting of the cup.

Next stage I can remember my brother going mental and breaking our radio when Ian Wright scored in the last minute against the scum at Shite Hart Lane and remember the joy I felt (though not quite realising what Arsenal Spurs meant).

Remember a few games throughout the early part of the season and each game taking more and more of an interest, getting excited as they briefly topped the league, the twinge of pain when we lost to Villa at home, Ian Wright missing a penelty.

The baptism was the first game I went to against Oldham and from then on it went into my blood...wanting to go to every game that came around...there was no turning back from then on in.

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:39 pm

GREAT TOPIC CUS.

MINE WAS THE VERY FIRST TIME I SAW THE HIGHBURY STADIUM LIGHTS ON FOR AN EVENING GAME FROM THE FLAT WHERE WE LIVED ON ISLEDON ROAD, WHICH OVERLOOKED THE GROUND. IN MUST HAVE BEEN THE LATE 60's AND I REMEMBER HEARING THE CROWD ROAR AND SO WANTING TO BE THERE WHERE ALL THIS EXCITEMENT WAS HAPPENING.

WHAT SEALED IT WAS WINNING THE SIXPENCE BET - INSTIGATED BY HIM - WITH OUR LOCAL PARK KEEPER (OPPOSITE WHERE MICHAEL SOBELS IS NOW) WHEN WE BEAT LIVERPOOL IN THE 1971 FA CUP FINAL.

tomkingsbury · Post by **tomkingsbury** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:51 pm

at 4 yrs old, my elder cousin, told me i had no other choice but to support arsenal, almost attcking me and instilling the arsenal way into me from an early age. I remember once he pretended i he had been in my room and it was covered in spuds posters (when in fact i had masses of pics of merse, smudge wrighty and adams) and charged me with being a traitor to the arsenal and he no longer liekd me. I started crying and shouting that i hated tottenham and didnt like any of their players and got quite upset. Upon this burst of emotion, my cousin told me it was purely training and now knew i was fully fledge arsenal fan. That is the point i knew i was a gooner!

Post by **REB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:59 pm

on my 5th birthday my uncle got me an arsenal tshirt and from that day it was arsenal till i die

GE|2|2Y · Post by **GE|2|2Y** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:03 am

The second the doctor smacked me

But seriously...my dad had me a gooner since birth..but my earliest arsenal memory is lee dixon liftin the European Cup Winners Cup in 93/94..so i suppose then...

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:09 am

Hello darling fancy a shag with your milk

green gooner · Post by **green gooner** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:27 am

'79 cup final win over Man Utd. I lived in Scotland then but my brother bet me a penny chew that scum would win and Gunners would of course lose.

I can still taste that sweet chew even today

After that I was hooked

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:24 am

Ever since I was born my dad had me an Arsenal fan.

Being young though, I could never watch matches but only poor bits of highlights they showed over here...but if anyone asked, I would proudly say I was an Arsenal fan...

Then, my second trip back to Ireland in 2000. Aged 9, I was able to watch ENTIRE matches rather than highlights, and went shopping with my dad one day and got my first jersey (The yellow away kit 1999/2000 with SEGA as sponsor). Watching matches and finally having a jersey (couldn't get any out here at the time) I became a gooner.

Post by **flash gunner** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:25 am

The first time you walked up the steps at Highbury saw the pitch and the rest of the stadium (especially at an evening game)being a child it took my breath away and knew id want to come every week. My first game was in '79. It still had a similar effect every time i went to Highbury

Rilo II · Post by **Rilo II** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:35 am

I honestly don't remember ever not being a gooner.

tomkingsbury · Post by **tomkingsbury** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:52 am

flash gunner wrote:The first time you walked up the steps at Highbury saw the pitch and the rest of the stadium (especially at an evening game)being a child it took my breath away and knew id want to come every week. My first game was in '79. It still had a similar effect every time i went to Highbury

too right - whenever i got the chance to visit the ground and the team, i got such a massive adrenaline rush and a buzz when u walk up the steps and see the pitch for the first time - fucking fantastic. Never get that feeling again tho

samstrange · Post by **samstrange** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:57 am

My dad always tried to make me become a sheffield united fan, i was having none of that!

but when i was about 3, the_gooner_89 (Rik Green), Made me be an Arsenal fan and i am thankful to this day

Red Gunner · Post by **Red Gunner** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:14 pm

I became a proper Arsenal follower when we lost to Leeds at home and it meant that Man Utd was going to win title, the 2002/2003 season. I was 12 at the time; we won the FA Cup against Southampton in that season.

PiccadillyDreamer · Post by **PiccadillyDreamer** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:13 pm

My uncle gave me his old shirt from the 90-91 season and i was besotted with it. i was only six when he gave it to me and it was like a dress, but i would not take the bloody thing off! went to bed in it and everything

i've still got it and it makes me smile everytime i put it on thinking how massive it used to be on me