This is a picture of the police band that used to accompany Constable Alex Morgan as pre match entertainment at Highbury, before they had a Disc Jockey playing records. ( Vinyl).
I’ve mentioned them in a previous Post, (opening game, Season 1971-72) when they had to stop playing and separate fighting Arsenal & Chelsea fans in the Clock End.
The band also used to march up and down the pitch at half time with a Sergeant waving a long baton and he would throw it into the air when he reached the North Bank and, despite the abuse, always catch it.
Except for one memorable day against West Brom in the 60’s, when he missed it and the biggest cheer of the day went up.
Jailhouse Rock!!
Season 1977-78.
The Squad.
Terry Neill made an important signing in the summer, Don Howe replaced Wilf Dixon as coach.
Willie Young & Alan Sunderland were also added in 1977.
Incredibly,one of the greatest ever goalkeepers, Pat Jennings, was signed from the team at the Lane.
In my time following Arsenal, we have done some remarkable business with them;
Sold them Laurie Brown who was only average.
Swapped David Jenkins for Scottish International Jimmy Robertson.
Took Terry Neill when he was their manager.
Took Steve Walford on a free transfer.
Took Pat Jennings on a free transfer.
Bought Willie Young.
Took Sol Campbell on a free transfer.
Pat “Shovel hands” Jennings.
Don Howe & Fred Street back in the dugout.
Mark “The Paperboy “ Heeley.
Steve Walford.
Unlucky Ritchie Powling.
Never fully recovered from a serious injury.
David Price.
These promising youngsters were also being given a chance.
Sadly, two stalwarts of Arsenal, Peter Storey and Geordie Armstrong left.
Geordie was probably the most popular Arsenal player of the 60’s & 70’s if not of all time.
Storey, Storey Hallelujah!!
Geordie on his debut day. 1961.
Geordie the Legend. 1977.
With Geordie Armstrong in 1997.
In the League Arsenal finished 5th and just weren’t consistent enough.
However, they came alive in both of the Cup competitions.
They reached the semifinals of the League Cup, only to lose to a Liverpool team that was in their prime both in England & Europe, over 2 legs.
The first leg is remembered by many Arsenal fans for not only being attacked by scousers but also being stripped of their jackets and coats, as the latest fashion’s hadn’t reached Merseyside yet.
In the FA Cup Arsenal were drawn away at Sheffield United in the 3rd round and beat them 5-0.
Memorable off the field for “Chieftain” doing his party piece of throwing a digestive biscuit in the air and catching it whole in his mouth.
Also for the young Arsenal fan, Denton, and his gang going into the Sheffield Kop End.
After fighting with the United fans they were escorted out by the police and marched across the pitch towards the Arsenal End.
On the way, Denton, famously did a hand stand in the centre circle, to the amusement of the travelling support.
Arsenal progressed to meet the surprise team of the year, Orient, in the semifinal at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal won 3-0 with one goal coming from Supermac that I’m sure went in via 2 Orient defenders and a tree in Sloane Square as it was so off target.
They all count though, don’t they.
My Mate has a fag as Arsenal take the Shed again.
Supermac Celebrates his “Wonder Goal”.
It’s only Ipswich.
There appeared to be an air of complacency amongst the players and fans regarding the forthcoming 1978 FA Cup Final with Ipswich.
I never understood why, as Bobby Robson had built a very good team that had a strong defence and played with hard workers in midfield.
Anyway, another Wembley disaster as Arsenal never really got going.
Never a truer word?? - Mick Mills.
Complacent or Over Confident??
Some Great players here.
Osborne’s Moment in the Sun!!!
Sums it all up.
That was the first final for another generation of Arsenal fans, Mick C - Mark G - Franco.
Mick E recalls leaving the Sebright pub in Hackney Rd with the “Wild Bunch” to go to the game.
Next Post Wednesday 13/5/2020.
Brady is Magic.
Comments - oldgunnersandgooners@gmail.com
Season 1977-78.
No comments:
Post a Comment