User:Gary thegooner

Born in East London (UK) in 1959, I have been a lifelong Gooner for as long as I can remember. My first game was at Highbury on the 09/08/1969 and we lost 0-1 to Everton in the first game of the new season. As I cried most of the way home, my passion and emotion for the club was evident at that early age, because that defeat for me as a nine year old felt like the World had come to an end. By the time I was in my late teens and earning a few bob I was following Arsenal around the country on a regular basis and also abroad when the opportunities arose. Yugoslavia, twice in three weeks on one occasion when Arsenal knocked out Hadjuk Split and then drawing Red Star Belgrade in the next round. My highlight season was going to 55 games in a single season and ALL eleven FA cup games from the third round to beating Manchester United in the final 3-2. Eleven games is the record number of games for a top division team and included five amazing games against Sheffield Wednesday finally winning after scores of 1-1 1-1 2-2 3-3 2-0. That record will never be beaten because the rules were changed after that to stop five games ever happening again. I also went to three consecutive FA Cup finals and was the first supporter to see my team do that feat in 1978, 1979, 1980. Now I will admit to being more of a couch Gooner but have tried to give something back by starting my own Unofficial Arsenal website where you will find a history of the club from day one along with many other sections, photos, up to date scores, my match reports and so much more including a forum where members gather to talk all things Arsenal. If you want to head over and have a look, simply go to http://garythegooner.co.uk