Have You Forgiven George Graham?

rigsby · Post by **rigsby** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:06 pm

While looking at the arguments for and against David O'leary on a few threads, it made me think about George Graham George got a good reception on Saturday, and a good one at the last day at Highbury as well. He was a great manager for us, and I have fond memories of following Arsenal during that time.

BUT..

He did manage the scum. Infact havign a browse around the web I came across a few articles at the time with him saying things like People go on to me about the Tottenham-Arsenal thing, and I have magnificent memories from Highbury," he says. "But I'm Tottenham now, through and through."

Now this could be bravado, but it still sticks in my throat. I was gutted when he went to that lot, him with the League Cup that year pissed me off no end. But I'ld say I've moved on now. I'm sure he did it to just get back at the Arsenal board.

So have you forgiven George for his 'betrayal'?

goonersid · Post by **goonersid** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:08 pm

It never bothered me, I always felt he was laughing up his sleeve at them.

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:11 pm

Not bothered at all that he managed Spurs.

If I applied same logic, I would be mad at many ex-Arsenal players.

I respect George Graham for his achievements for us as a player and manager, and he is an "Arsenal Man" in the media's eyes, but for me there remains a concern over his bung taking.

He was far from the only one doing it, but considering he was a wealthy man anyway, it could well be considered greed.

But only he and G-D know if he felt he was stealing from the club and went ahead anyway, or if he genuinely overlooked the implications of receiving the money.

Herd · Post by **Herd** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:12 pm

He went a bit mad and probably went to them because he resented Friar and Dein for making him the fall guy in the bung era .

I forgive him and he is still my hero

1989 · Post by **1989** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:14 pm

Not at all. The man will always be an Arsenal legend.

Post by **REB** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:18 pm

gg put arsenal back on the map and will always be a legend, dont care that he managed them .

Almunia is a clown · Post by **Almunia is a clown** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:22 pm

He was made a scapegoat by the club & game when they were many others on the fiddle both over The Arsenal & throughout football, remember the Middlesex Swamp Dwellers got a 12 point deduction for illegal payments & Alan Sugar claimed at the time that 70% of clubs were as guilty!!!!!

Surprise, surprise, no other individuals or clubs got fined or lost points

GG Legend !!!!!

Unlike the current & former board members who have fleeced the club & fans for decades

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:24 pm

Yes. What he helped achieve for the club over-rides anything that he may have subsequently done, no matter how distasteful. Same thing applies to David O'Leary in my book.

Percy Dalton · Post by **Percy Dalton** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:25 pm

For the best Friday night and Sunday afternoon I had as a teenager GG will always be top man in my book!

Couldn't give a fuck about the brown envelope stuff. Many others did, still do, and we would have all done the same!

hugh jardon · Post by **hugh jardon** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:28 pm

Arsenal double winner as a player and as a manager turned us from a mediocre, underacheiving club into league champions and multiple cup winners. Put the pride back into playing for and supporting The Arsenal.

That's how I remember him.

MK Gould · Post by **MK Gould** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:34 pm

Nothing to do with my feelings as to who was the better Arsenal Manager, but I always felt closer to GG as a person - warmed to him - than AW.....

Always loved his magic hat!

That said he could be as bloody minded and obstinate as Wenger and that had its own frustrations.

He is, and always has been, Arsenal through and through which is why the Spuds never took to him.

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:36 pm

REBEL GOONER wrote:gg put arsenal back on the map and will always be a legend, dont care that he managed them .

Nail on the head Reb

GG gave us our pride back.He made us winners again.And if you look what he achieved as a player and as a manager he can be called a bigger legend than Wenger

Sadly too many Gooners think Arsenal were founded in 1996

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:42 pm

I was gutted at the time but in a similar way to not being able to hate Wenger (even though I want him out) I couldn't hate GG. He gave me too many great days as a Gooner (as has Wenger).

I was drunk for a solid week in 89. Rang my old man, got an advance on wages and went on the piss with a couple Gooner mates. One of the greatest times of my life.

I always felt GG went to the scum to thumb his nose at the board for allowing him to be scapegoated when every other manager was at it too back then.

GG also signifies the Good Old Arsenal spirit. The club blazer at cup finals. The never say die attitude. The fuck the media bravado.

I never saw him take public joy in Arsenal losing the way O'Leary did either.

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:02 pm

DB10GOONER wrote:I was gutted at the time but in a similar way to not being able to hate Wenger (even though I want him out) I couldn't hate GG. He gave me too many great days as a Gooner (as has Wenger).

I was drunk for a solid week in 89. Rang my old man, got an advance on wages and went on the piss with a couple Gooner mates. One of the greatest times of my life.

I always felt GG went to the scum to thumb his nose at the board for allowing him to be scapegoated when every other manager was at it too back then.

GG also signifies the Good Old Arsenal spirit. The club blazer at cup finals. The never say die attitude. The fuck the media bravado.

I never saw him take public joy in Arsenal losing the way O'Leary did either.

Loved the solidarity speech after the ManU brawl.

Also a great tactician something that Arsene ain't.
Who else needing 2 clear goals to win the league would start with a 5 man defence?

rigsby · Post by **rigsby** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:06 pm

I agree with most of what you said. I loved the Graham era.

Quite amazing though that he has been universally forgiven. I wonder if we would do the same for anyone else?

Have You Forgiven George Graham?

Have You Forgiven George Graham?

GEORGE GRAHAM