As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
I too found all entrances to near the stadium blocked but then as I stood on the main road leading to it from the Holloway road I realised that the police would have to let us in as there were increasing numbers blocking the Holloway Road.
I assisted with blocking the road and sure enough within a few minutes the police under pressure let a huge load of us into the blocked off area. tremendous atmosphere as we marched to the stadium shouting RED ARMY!!
Although I was pissed on Saturday, going to the match well and truly sobered me up and I only had a few afterwards on Saturday night. I think we where all too emotionally drained to carry on drinking into the wee hours.
So come sunday, nothing more than a mild hangover and I met 2 mates up at the armoury for 10am, one of the guys managed to get a seat right in front of the armoury, which was perfect for an unobstructed view. They said there was 10,000 in the square, I couldn't see how there was any less than 20,000 (if not more) it was rammed on all sides.
It was very well organised, the stewards where passing out water to the fans and making sure no one got dehydrated. Now that we have the new stadium the town hall is no longer the place to be imo. As I said in another thread the armoury was perfect for its capacity and atmosphere. Waiting 4 hours for the team isn't any bother when things are done properly. The only slightly annoying thing was one of my group is in his 60s, and we where making sure he could sit down when he wanted. When it got packed out and he decided he wanted to stand to take in what was going on, some you lass jumped on his seat without even asking if he minded. She could see he wasn't as able as the rest of us (he had a hip op recently) but hey ho you get numpties anywhere there is a crowd. That aside it was a noisy reception for the lads. 250,000 along the parade route (I wonder what it would be if we won the CL!) just shows how well supported our club is locally. Definitely the biggest support in London. Chavs and City by contrast cant get 50,000 fans to go to one of their parades.
We had two blokes that came to the cup final from Sydney, one geezer paid £480 for his ticket said it was one of the most amazing experiences of his life. It's only when you hear stuff like this that you realise Arsenal are finally making it on the international front.
After going to bed at 6.30am I awoke on my mates sofa in clapham at 11!
Didn't even shower, just rolled to highbury and got a Piebury and a beer and stumbled around the holloway road! The police wouldn't let us near the ground but I saw the bus and enjoyed the atmosphere anyway, just amazing seeing so many happy gooners.
The parade was for everyone and wasn't tarnished by money, wenger or anything else!
A beautiful moment which I'm sure had got everyone's juices flowing again .
nut flush gooner wrote:Although I was pissed on Saturday, going to the match well and truly sobered me up and I only had a few afterwards on Saturday night. I think we where all too emotionally drained to carry on drinking into the wee hours.
So come sunday, nothing more than a mild hangover and I met 2 mates up at the armoury for 10am, one of the guys managed to get a seat right in front of the armoury, which was perfect for an unobstructed view. They said there was 10,000 in the square, I couldn't see how there was any less than 20,000 (if not more) it was rammed on all sides.
It was very well organised, the stewards where passing out water to the fans and making sure no one got dehydrated. Now that we have the new stadium the town hall is no longer the place to be imo. As I said in another thread the armoury was perfect for its capacity and atmosphere. Waiting 4 hours for the team isn't any bother when things are done properly. The only slightly annoying thing was one of my group is in his 60s, and we where making sure he could sit down when he wanted. When it got packed out and he decided he wanted to stand to take in what was going on, some you lass jumped on his seat without even asking if he minded. She could see he wasn't as able as the rest of us (he had a hip op recently) but hey ho you get numpties anywhere there is a crowd. That aside it was a noisy reception for the lads. 250,000 along the parade route (I wonder what it would be if we won the CL!) just shows how well supported our club is locally. Definitely the biggest support in London. Chavs and City by contrast cant get 50,000 fans to go to one of their parades.
We had two blokes that came to the cup final from Sydney, one geezer paid £480 for his ticket said it was one of the most amazing experiences of his life. It's only when you hear stuff like this that you realise Arsenal are finally making it on the international front.
I watched the sport channel showing it.. But i had a great day watching the game at home.. so pleased we have finally landed a trophy... Also nut your deffo right when you say were the biggest supported club in london.. Lets start to dream CL winners too..
Gunner Rob wrote:you were unlucky with the victory parade.
I too found all entrances to near the stadium blocked but then as I stood on the main road leading to it from the Holloway road I realised that the police would have to let us in as there were increasing numbers blocking the Holloway Road.
I assisted with blocking the road and sure enough within a few minutes the police under pressure let a huge load of us into the blocked off area. tremendous atmosphere as we marched to the stadium shouting RED ARMY!!
We should have hung around! How long were they up on the balcony? Although by that time we needed a cold beer and a sit down! Last time I chased the bus I was 9 years younger!
nut flush gooner wrote:Although I was pissed on Saturday, going to the match well and truly sobered me up and I only had a few afterwards on Saturday night. I think we where all too emotionally drained to carry on drinking into the wee hours.
So come sunday, nothing more than a mild hangover and I met 2 mates up at the armoury for 10am, one of the guys managed to get a seat right in front of the armoury, which was perfect for an unobstructed view. They said there was 10,000 in the square, I couldn't see how there was any less than 20,000 (if not more) it was rammed on all sides.
It was very well organised, the stewards where passing out water to the fans and making sure no one got dehydrated. Now that we have the new stadium the town hall is no longer the place to be imo. As I said in another thread the armoury was perfect for its capacity and atmosphere. Waiting 4 hours for the team isn't any bother when things are done properly. The only slightly annoying thing was one of my group is in his 60s, and we where making sure he could sit down when he wanted. When it got packed out and he decided he wanted to stand to take in what was going on, some you lass jumped on his seat without even asking if he minded. She could see he wasn't as able as the rest of us (he had a hip op recently) but hey ho you get numpties anywhere there is a crowd. That aside it was a noisy reception for the lads. 250,000 along the parade route (I wonder what it would be if we won the CL!) just shows how well supported our club is locally. Definitely the biggest support in London. Chavs and City by contrast cant get 50,000 fans to go to one of their parades.
We had two blokes that came to the cup final from Sydney, one geezer paid £480 for his ticket said it was one of the most amazing experiences of his life. It's only when you hear stuff like this that you realise Arsenal are finally making it on the international front.
Good to hear that the Club were handing out water etc although a shame about your friends seat. My friend got there at 645am and got a front row place and stayed 7 hours!
Agree about the town hall although the footage looks better than usual from there. We walked to Highbury corner but it was mega packed there and wouldnt have got anywhere near the town hall, and very hard to see the bus from there so glad we had seen it ealier down the road.
Gunner Rob wrote:you were unlucky with the victory parade.
I too found all entrances to near the stadium blocked but then as I stood on the main road leading to it from the Holloway road I realised that the police would have to let us in as there were increasing numbers blocking the Holloway Road.
I assisted with blocking the road and sure enough within a few minutes the police under pressure let a huge load of us into the blocked off area. tremendous atmosphere as we marched to the stadium shouting RED ARMY!!
We should have hung around! How long were they up on the balcony? Although by that time we needed a cold beer and a sit down! Last time I chased the bus I was 9 years younger!
Gunner Rob wrote:you were unlucky with the victory parade.
I too found all entrances to near the stadium blocked but then as I stood on the main road leading to it from the Holloway road I realised that the police would have to let us in as there were increasing numbers blocking the Holloway Road.
I assisted with blocking the road and sure enough within a few minutes the police under pressure let a huge load of us into the blocked off area. tremendous atmosphere as we marched to the stadium shouting RED ARMY!!
We should have hung around! How long were they up on the balcony? Although by that time we needed a cold beer and a sit down! Last time I chased the bus I was 9 years younger!
Good half hour on the balcony.
we were only let in for the last 5 minutes of this, but I had just come from near the Town Hall so wasn't too fussed.
I think it is good that there are now two areas where fans can congregate - just hope we havent got to wait 9 years for the next parade!
Had an excellent day yesterday. Had no problem getting an excellent view along Upper Street and then headed back to the ground. Got held up at Holloway Road but was there just in time for the mad line-break when everyone surged towards Bear roundabout, so got a decent view of what was going on
Plenty to drink and lots of singing back at the Horatia afterwards. Eventually got back home, fell asleep sozzled on the sofa at 9.30 with my eldest lad saying I was embarrassing when I got so drunk
My liver needs a week off........this is what winning a cup the way we did it does to your body
Well worth it though - had a great day yesterday. Restores your faith that the FA Cup is alive and well and delighted my lads know what it feels like to win a trophy and savour the party atmosphere (even if a bit embarrassed by drunk dad !)
....and of course my old man was belting out THERE'S ONLY ONE ARSENE WENGER at every opportunity
Absolutely, having been there Sat and yesterday winning the FA Cup meant every bit as much as it ever did and nobody I saw would disagree!
Watched the team come past the end of the route by the town hall and also on the way back. I wasn't too fussed on the Armoury, it was pretty thirsty work so headed to top up on the booze!
My mum startled Ramsey by repeatedly screaming his name over all the singing when the bus came past - think she creamed herself when he looked down, smiled and waved at her. Although he looked pretty unsettled by this Taffy woman of a certain age screaming like a teenager, probably thought it was his own mum for a second!
and sure enough within a few minutes the police under pressure let a huge load of us into the blocked off area. tremendous atmosphere as we marched to the stadium shouting RED ARMY!!
