Parisian Heartbreak.

My Godson - Spookys’ Boy  - Michael. 

                                    Madrid Footnote. 

Guy has reminded me of when we were leaving the stadium, walking down the circular passageway after beating Real Madrid. 

All the Arsenal Fans were repeatedly singing “Jose Antonio, Jose Antonio”.

Ever few yards there were Riot Police stationed and next to them were, what looked like vigilantes, dressed totally in black and wielding large batons. 

They were itching for a fight, I think. 

Guy said to me “the Spanish police look very fierce, Grandad”.

As I didn’t want to frighten him, I replied “that’s because they’re scared of us”.

His back immediately straightened up and he marched out with his head held high. 

Ooh to be a Gooner!!!

Unofficial/Official Programme in Madrid. 

Official programme at Highbury. 

                                    Final Hurdles. 

In the next round, a Cesc Fabregas inspired Arsenal, beat Patrick Vieira’s Juventus 2-0 at Highbury in the 1st Leg. 

Arsenal drew the 2nd Leg 0-0 in Turin and would play Villarreal in the Champions League semifinal. 

Juventus match ticket. 

Fabregas stops Lehmann from attacking Pavel Nedved. 

Maybe Patrick should have stayed for another year?

Champions League semifinal. 

With a rare Kolo Touré goal, Arsenal beat Villarreal 1-0 in the Champions League semifinal 1st Leg at Highbury.

This would be the “Last Match” that I ever saw in the stadium, that I had so many happy memories of. 

Much to the surprise of all of my family and friends, I didn’t attend the Final game against Wigan. 

I deliberately wanted to go out with a European Cup/Champions League semifinal game as my finale. 

In my opinion, there couldn’t be a better end to my lifetime at Highbury, than seeing “The Arsenal” chasing my ultimate dream. 

My Last Highbury Match Ticket. 

Almost there!!

Arsenal vs Villarreal programme. 

       Champions League semifinal 2nd Leg - Villarreal. 

Thanks to Jens Lehmann saving a late penalty, Arsenal drew 0-0 against Villarreal in Spain and would now face Barcelona, in Paris, in the Final. 

There!!

Thanks to Jens Lehmann. 

The 2 Semifinal Heroes - Scorer Kolo Toure - Saver Jens Lehmann. 

Parisian Heartbreak. 

Most estimates reckon that about 80-100,000 Gooners descended on Paris for the Champions League Final. 

I personally knew many who drove over, without match tickets on the day, just to be in Paris if Arsenal won. 

I also knew some of my mates went over a few days earlier to try and get tickets from touts. 

It was such a scramble for tickets that, apparently, even Charlie George was struggling to get one. 

I struck lucky, a Chelsea fan I work with had a contact in the media. 

The deal was that if Chelsea got to the Final, my workmate would have the 2 tickets, but if Arsenal got there, they were mine. 

Putney drove his son, Guy and myself to Paris on the day before the game. 

We had a quick look at the stadium before checking in to our hotel for the night. 

We meet some Old North Bank boys on the Ferry. 

We never dreamt of this in 1965. 

Guy inspects the stadium. 

On the day of the match, we took in the sights and then found a nice quiet restaurant near the Arc de Triomphe. 

Well it was quiet, until Craig S turned up with a set of klaxons, that he gave to Guy. 

Imagine an 11 year old with one of those things!!

Getting an “Eiffel” of Paris. 

We then met some of the Usual Suspects for a few beers before settling off to the stadium. 

Some Usual Suspects. 

Some more Gooners. 

Guy - With his favourite player. 

Mickey C & Paul W were there. 

2 of the Wheels turn up. 

Some of the L family turn up. 

Waiting for the “Destiny” train. 

Craig’s “White House” mates are also there. 

Not Cheap - But we’re in. 

Official Final Programme. 

Guy & Grandad are in. 

Barca fans are in. 

Gooners are in. 

What a view!!

Not cheap, but Guy and myself, were in. 

They were probably the best seats I’ve ever had at a football match. 

The annoying thing was, we were surrounded by corporate people in suits, some with their wives, who weren’t really interested in the occasion. 

About 15 minutes after kickoff, the bloke arrived in the empty seat next to me. 

I verbally assaulted him for being late, as I knew many of my old North Bank mates, were locked outside, along with thousands of other Arsenal Fans. 

He replied, that there was a big crowd trying to get in. 

I asked if he knew what the occasion was?, and said, we’re not exactly playing West Brom in a league game are we?, of course there’s a lot of people trying to get in!!

Only the fact that I had my Grandson with me stopped me from clumping this idiot. 

Guy was surprised at my anger and asked if I knew the bloke. No I don’t, was a mild version of my reply. 

My old mate Hoyboy, managed to snatch a ticket for his son from a tout, but couldn’t get himself in. 

Let Battle Commence!!

Kickoff time. 

“Cabrons”!!  Puyol & Ronaldinho. 

 Jens Lehmann got sent off early in the game and despite Sol Campbell giving Arsenal the lead, Barcelona won 2-1. 

I think it’s possibly the saddest I’ve ever felt after an Arsenal game. 

It was Arsenal’s first, and so far, only, European Cup/Champions League final. 

I thought that Arsenal were destined to win this Trophy. 

It was the first time that Guy had seen Arsenal lose. 

It wouldn’t be the last. 

After getting lost on the metro, we managed to get the last train back to our hotel at about 2am. 

Guy asked me, what time would we have got back to the hotel, if Arsenal had won?

I replied, Friday!!

Even the ever cheerful Jimmy Brown, and his pals, weren’t drinking on the ferry home. 

Destiny Destroyed!!

Next Post - Friday 26/6/20. 

Farewell to Historic Highbury. 

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