Arsenal Go Green.

                                     


                                   
                                                                    Summer 1976.

Off to Spain for Charlie Mc wedding.

Season 1976-77. 

Arsenal go Green. 

Terry Neill had been recruited from that club at the Lane to replace Bertie Mee. 

He decided to build a team around the 3 Southern Irish kids that had come through the ranks to join the 2 Northern Irish regulars, Pat Rice & Sammy Nelson. 

Terry Neill returns as Boss. 

Some Old - Some Young. 

Liam Brady. 

Frank Stapleton. 

David O’Leary. 

Arsenal then made a statement of intent and bought Malcom “Supermac” Macdonald from Newcastle for a record fee of about £330,000. 

Supermac. 

Then, John “Big Raddy”Radford and Eddie Kelly, 2 of the Double team were transferred. 

Big Raddy. 

Eddie Kelly - Scorer of some very important goals in Arsenal’s history. 

Trevor Ross & Graham Rix were also emerging from the Youth team. 

Graham Rix. 

In December 1976 Arsenal signed Alan Hudson from Stoke and in a game against Man City, 

I witnessed what is probably one of the greatest midfield formations, on paper at least, Arsenal have ever had. Hudson - Ball - Brady. 

For whatever reasons this didn’t last, as Alan Ball was sold to Southampton later that month. 

Alan Hudson. 

Off the pitch. 

By now we were drinking in the Bank of Friendship and Spooky & Putney had season tickets in the Lower East stand. 

Some of us tried standing on the Clock End but eventually went back to the North Bank and stood to the sides. 

Another generation of fans were coming through on the North Bank, many from Holloway such as, 

Tony M, Vidoss, Doyley and the blokes who drank in the “Hercules” pub. 

I remember Man Utd coming to Highbury and my old mate Tommy Docherty was their manager. 

He’d been in the papers for having an affair with the wife, Mary Brown, of the United physio. 

As he took his seat in the dugout before the game the North Bank started singing;

“Who’s up Mary Brown,

  Who’s up Mary Brown,

Tommy, Tommy Docherty,

Tommy, Tommy Docherty”

One of the funniest moments I’ve ever seen or heard at Highbury. 

He got sacked at the end of the season as well. 

Tough!!  He should’ve signed my autograph book in 1959. 

I also recall,  a young couple used to stand behind the goal at the front of the North Bank. 

Nicknamed Badger & Union Jack because he had a jacket covered in badges and she waved the flag. 

Whatever happened to them??

They were the 70’s version of Old Flo & Soapy.  

On the pitch. 

Arsenal finished 8th ( progress there then). 

Knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough in 5th round. 

Knocked out of the League Cup by QPR in the Quarterfinals. 

Average crowd - 32,671. 

Most fans were happier, as they could see a promising team emerging. 

My Last look at the genius Johann Cruyff. 

Arsenal legend Jack Kelsey in the Club Shop. 

Never forget - The team from the Lane were RELEGATED!!!

Next Post - Monday 11/5/2020. 

It’s only Ipswich!!

Happy birthday to Dennis Bergkamp. 

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