Copenhagen '94
Arrived very early in the morning. I'd booked 30 of us on a flight out of Luton. Got dropped off in the main square, had a little wander around, went in Rosie Magee's for a liquid breakfast, then across the square one the way to the harbour. Made it about 100 yards down from Burger King and plotted up there for most of the day.

Took an afternoon stroll and had a few brandies and met the mini-bus of lads that had set off on the Monday through France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark.

Found our way to the ***** Bar where we met up with the rest of the lads from our manor and back to the Absolom Bar. It was in the side street near Burger King that later went up in flames. We played football in the street and took the **** out of ron Atkinson, we then set off to the ground. All the lads that had grown up together and had known each other for over 25 years at the time. Must of been close to 80 of us.

Got to stadium and hadn't really seen many Parma fans all day. Don't remember too much about the game to be honest. We held on for ages with Brolin and Asprilla going very close too many times. I do remember a bag of goodies on our seats, a small plastic trumpet being one of the things.

smith scored, we held on, cue loads of celebrations. One-armed Paul got on the pitch to celebrate with the team. Back to the Absolom Bar where the Bear held court and took over the stage. John Jensen arrived later on to celebrate with us and had his wallet nicked.

Flight home, sleep, headache.



Paris '95
I'd been there for the semi the previous year. We went by boat train on the Tuesday morning from Charing Cross and got into Paris late afternoon. Dumped bags in hotel near Gar d'Nord and went on the light ales. Ended up in the Frog n Rossbiff. GMTV interviewed us and wanted to know how much we were enjoying ourselves. It got shown the following morning on all the bulletins with G coming out of the sex shop behind us! BBC came to interview us and only wanted to know when it was gonna kick off. We told them we were having a great time with the beer and there was no hint of trouble. They kept pestering us for info about violence so we firmly suggested if they didn't leave they'd get exactly what they wanted. Press? Weigh Anchors.

Great trip on the metro to the ground. Couple of lads had taken on to much ale and didn't make it in. Crap game and not for the first time on the trip we saw Seaman being lobbed. I was in the upper tier, my mate was on the lower with his elderly mum and elder sister. He, and many others, went mad when French plod gassed them as they tried to leave.

Quiet trip back to hotel and bed. To ****** off to care anymore.



Copenhagen '00
Arrived the night before. No problems with the turks early on. TV cameras wound fans up and sent the turks crazy later that night and two Arsenal fans were stabbed as a result. One being a lad I'd travelled with. Not much fun for his missus watching it happen on TV. So you can understand my feelings for turks and TV news crews.

Most people will remember the fixture for the trouble before and after. The game was instantly forgettable. We left late the following day and it was still kicking off in the departure lounge.


Paris (again)
Having sworn I'd never return to this overrated ****hole. I had to be there. We retraced our steps from the previous final by getting the boat train. We almost missed the connecting train between Boulougne and Paris trying to get some Stella in the carriage. Fair play to the guards, they held the train for us.

got into Paris late on the Tuesday and went straight on it. Howver, I behaved myself and only had a few so as not to ruin the next day. Took a trip to the Awful Tower and it was full of Barca. Very few Arsenal about.

Went back to the Frog n Rosbiff where we spent most of the day until getting the metro to the stadium. Got soaked, got on telly. Went back to bar after the game and got an earlier train home than scheduled. I hate hanging about when we've lost.

Here`s one to keep you occupied for the rest of the day Rainham!
I`ve just been looking at my Arsenal history book and I notice that on March 16th 1935, our goalkeeper Frank Moss scored in a 2-0 win at Everton. I also see that he didn`t play again that season so I imagine he got injured, someone else went in goal (no subs then) and they stuck him on the wing. I can`t imagine he would have punted one up field and scored. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to find more information!

And what a season that was! Champions and we beat Spuds 5-1 at home and 6-0 away! We should have mugs printed, a grainy 16mmm b+w film produced and auction off Cliff Bastins boots!

quote:

Here`s one to keep you occupied for the rest of the day Rainham!
I`ve just been looking at my Arsenal history book and I notice that on March 16th 1935, our goalkeeper Frank Moss scored in a 2-0 win at Everton. I also see that he didn`t play again that season so I imagine he got injured, someone else went in goal (no subs then) and they stuck him on the wing. I can`t imagine he would have punted one up field and scored. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to find more information!

Hmm a tricky one but I accept the challenge. I`ll be back!

In the game at Everton which Arsenal had to win to secure the Championship Frank Moss dislocated his shoulder.As there were no subs in those days Frank played on the left wing and actually scored in a 2-0 victory which gave us the title.Because of his injury Frank did not play again that season and the following season he played only five games before retiring because of his shoulder continually dislocating.It sounds as if had the same problem as Theo.

That was supposed to take you all day! My assumption was correct then.

quote:

My assumption was correct then.

It was