Back row - 4th from right.
Bonding Forever Part 2.
Season 1965-66.
Expectations were running high amongst Arsenal fans for the coming season as the basis of a decent team had been formed with players such as Baker, Eastham, McLintock, Howe, Ure, Skirton & Armstrong being supported by emerging youngsters such as Simpson, Storey, Court, Baldwin, Sammels & Radford.
George H and I were still regulars on the coaches to away games and before the game at Blackpool had joined another few Arsenal fans in an Amusement Arcade on the seafront.
After playing a few machines we noticed some teenage tourists, it was the last day of the lights, hitting a punch bag and trying to ring the bell to obtain a prize.
After watching a few of them unsuccessfully failing to hit it hard enough, one Arsenal fan decided to have a go.
He promptly head butted the punch bag and the dial went up and rang the bell. The locals all retreated and the Arsenal fan looked at his mate and they both started laughing.
That’s how I first met Laney ( head butter) & Putney.
We then went on the beach to have a game of football and afterwards went to the game.
I think Jon Sammels made his debut that day as Eastham was injured.
After this, through Putney & Laney we got to know Rod M, Mullers, Tringy, Charlie Mc & Danna W.
Granty, I already knew.
As well as going to away games together we now decided to meet up at home games behind the North Bank goal.
Inevitably we all had mates who would join us and then more teenage Arsenal fans would tag on, so it just grew and grew.
There were gangs from not only Highbury but Archway, Torriano, Holborn, Boreham Wood, Angel, Kent, Hoxton, Finchley and even from the Chelsea enclave of Pimlico.
This was how I met Lenny T, Gary D, Bootsie, Whitty, Spooky, Eddie P, Eddie H, Kenny H, Kevin F, Hayesy,Terry K, Malcom F, Fred L, John C,Big Bob,Vic C, Jonah, Bonnie, Adrian,Danny S, Schultzy, Dave M, Alex, Buster, Shorty, Graham W, John B, Alfie S, Dixie, Dodger, Teddy T and many others, many of whom became life long mates that I still see to this day including Hoyboy who incidentally at the time of writing this is not dead as was reported in the Arsenal programme some years ago, ironically the bloke who reported it sadly died in 2019. RIP Kenny Banham.
If I left anyone out, I apologise.
I remember going to a game at Sunderland but when we got there it was postponed because of snow and we offered to help sweep the pitch but to no avail.
As the coach driver had to wait until at least 6pm before driving again we spent the afternoon ten pin bowling in the “Black Cat Club” home of Sunderland supporters club.
A long way to go bowling!
Another ( great ?) day out was Boxing Day at Sheffield Wednesday when George H and me were having a beer in the bar under the stand, still only 15/16, when just as I put mine on the bar a couple of plainclothes coppers appeared and grabbed George H holding his beer. One of the coppers asked me if the beer on the bar was mine? Obviously I said no, I’d left my naivety in Darlington, and he smiled and promptly nicked poor George for under age drinking.
Arsenal got beat, so another quiet trip home.
Arsenal were not going to win the league so off we went to Blackburn in the 3rd round of the FA cup with high hopes.
Sometime before this we had played at Fulham and Putney & Laney had marched around the ground holding a large red & white flag between them. On it was written “ Baker and Eastham England’s only hope 1966” referring to the forthcoming World Cup.
They took this flag to Blackburn and stood behind the goal waving it with us all around them. The Blackburn fans were not happy and tried to take it, surprisingly, a fight broke out and I recall Peter M one of the coach stewards, particularly upset, bashing many local fans.
Peter M is 82 now but in good health.
Barry B was another steward. Also 82 and looking good.
They never got the flag.
Arsenal lost. Another dream gone.
Worse was to come.
Joe Baker was sold to Forest.
George Eastham was transfer listed.
The fans were now in revolt against Billy Wright and after demonstrations which included a bonfire on the North Bank, Highbury Hates Wright stickers and, after one game, an ambulance carrying the injured Don Howe was attacked in Avenell road because of a rumour that Billy Wright was inside being smuggled out, fans decided to boycott home games.
This resulted in the lowest attendance at Highbury of 4,554 against Leeds.
Putney and Charlie George were two of the few that I know who attended.
Inevitably Billy Wright was sacked.
We’re starting to get noticed.
Another dream gone.
Even Soapy & Old Flo glad Billy Wright has gone.
Next Post 26/4/2020.
World Cup Winner.
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