Wall of fame

First time I walked into the Emirates Stadium, it was a joy to behold. It was DB’s testimonial and the place was awash with colour. It took an unlikely character to give the place it’s opening day christening.

Step up Gilles Grimaldi - when he took out Edgar Davids just as he was about to put the ball into an empty net – hilarious.

Anyway after the first few games the fans were starting to settle in nicely. It was evident though that the stadium needed to move away from a cold feel (concrete bands inside the stadium where the top tier separates those in the boxes and all that concrete outside the stadium). Then gradually over time, the place started to get more colour, advertising on the lower concrete bands, decoration and banners in the concourses celebrating great players and great history, the ring of great players past and present on the outside of the stadium as a giant mural (my particular favourite), however, there is something there, as part of the ‘Arsenalisation’, that really is out of place.

The dreaded band of honours. It is like a chain around our neck. Whose bright idea was that then? Since it’s been there, we haven’t won a trophy. Do we really need to see a load of years when we’ve won a trophy. Do me a favour. For opposing fans who see this just below the upper tier, they must think we a right bunch of arrogant Shysters. Now one think I love about being a gooner is that we have always been looked at as a respectable club, impeccably behaved and knowledgeable set of fans. The general feeling when talking to opposition fans is that the club oozes class (even knowledgeable spuds fans – yes that is a very rare breed!). However this band just does us no favours and is now becoming a source of ridicule at our expense.

Do me a favour Mr Gadsucks & Kronktite (loved those Remmington ad’s of yours, years ago), get rid of that band and substitute it with a players wall or ring of fame. The likes of seeing McClintock, Wilson, George, Graham, O’Leary, Thomas, Blockley (only joking), Drake, Bastin, James, Jack, Hapgood, Kelsey et al around the stadium would be a far more pleasing sight. I mean there is only so much room for putting statues outside the ground (which do look good). And there are only so many banners you can think of to block those years (nice touch though, out of interest our banner is between 1930 & 2005 above the away fans. Strangely enough it’s to do with a certain Dutchman’s fear of flying!).

I leave you though with a downside of a hall of fame, at the Etihad, there is a big sign, at one end of the ground, with Bell on it, named after the superb 60’s / 70’s midfielder, Colin. This is affectionately called the BELL END!!!

Keep The Faith

Statto