1987-08 Gunflash - The Arsenal History

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Editorial
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Supporters' Clu~ Activities
THE GUNNERS BAR
Opening Times: Saturday Home Match Days
Tuesday Home Match Days
Tuesday Non-Match Days
12 noon to 2.30pm
5.00pm to 10.30pm
5.00 pm to 7.00 pm
9.30 pm to 11.00 pm
7.00 pm to 10.30 pm.
We serve two types of Bitter, two types of Lager and a full range of
Spirits and Soft drinks, all supplied by Greene King Brewery.
Our Bar Steward, Pat Fisher advises that during the season there will be
special offers on selected drinks. We will publish a full price list in a future
Gunflash but can assure you we serve some of the cheapest drinks around.
Hot and cold snacks are also usually available.
REMEMBER YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD MUST BE
SHOWN AT THE DOOR.
200 Club
Club Funds Promoter Lesley Macfarlane will again be running the 200 Club
this season. If you want to join it operates as follows: Cost £10 per season or
ten monthly payments commencing August of £1 each.
Each month there is a draw for four prizes. lst prize £50, 2nd prize £25,
3rd prize £15 and 4th prize £10. In December and May there is an additional
draw for a prize of £100. Each draw takes place in the Gunners Bar after a
match.
If you want to join (remember jt is limited to the first 200 applications)
then write to Lesley at the Club. Cheques/postal orders must be made
payable to "Arsenal Football Supporters' Club". Irish and Overseas
members please send International Cheques only.
Yes Gunflash is back
Since this is the first issue of what we hope is a new era for both Arsenal
F.C. and the Supporters' Club please let me introduce myself. My name is
Peter Armsby and I have been following Arsenal regularly for the last
twenty years. This is my first venture into the "publishing world" so any
constru~tive critisism will be both welcome and appreciated. I expect there
will be early teething problems but hopefully these will be ironed out as the
season progresses.
A fellow supporter by the name of Chris Rutherford will be assisting
me with publication and an article by Chris appears on a later ~age of this
magazine.
Steve Gleiber will again be supplying us with regular match reports and
whenever Steve cannot cover a game Chris or myself will fill in accordingly.
As in previous seasons we are pleased to say that Vince Wright of The
Times will be letting us have regular articles. This month Vince, who has
now been with The Times for ten years, gives us his views on last season and
his outlook on the future.
Our thanks also go to Jerry Munson for the photographs displayed in
this edition.
Final thanks this month go to John Coleman at JC Press for his valuable
assistance, and I hope, extended deadline; to Ken Witham, a previous editor
of Gunflash, for his advice and of course my fellow committee members for
their words of encouragement.
Last but not least a very special thank you to STEVE WILLIAMS for
picking out the winners of our annual draw in the Gunners Bar last season.
Steve spent a lot of time there, chatting to fans, posing for photographs and
signing autographs. Thank you Steve, it was very much appreciated by all
the members present.
Grateful thanks go to all those members who have sent
in donations for club funds during the close season.
GUNFLASH AGENTS : Sell 10 get 1 free. Contact the club for
more details.
Our pool team who play in the City Limits Imperial Pool League had an
excellent victory in their Divisional Cup Final last season. However they
also "achieved" relegation from the 3rd to the 4th division.
At the time of writing they have lost their first two matches but won
their next five games this season. They have also reached the quarter final of
their Divisional Cup and the 2nd round of the Combined Divisons Cup.
Good luck to captain John Jenden and his merry men for the rest of the
season,
Our football team who, with the kind permission of Arsenal FC, train at
the JVC Centre have yet to start their season but we will keep you up to
date on their progress during the year.
Steve Williams signing autographs in The Gunners Bar.
2
3
Goodbye and Welcome
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Features
What to expect. In addition to the reports and articles already mentioned we
intend to let you have the following each month, space permitting:
News and views from other committee members in relation to their own
particular function within the Supporters' Club.
News on the Supporters' Club football and pool teams.
There will be comment from myself and others which we trust will
always be constructive. However we expect that on occasions we will offend
but as the saying goes "you can please some of the people all of the time, all
of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time." A
bit like a football team I suppose. As you will appreciate the views expressed in Gunflash are the views of the individual and do not necessarily
reflect the views of other committee or Supporters' Club members.
We intend to publish features on up and coming players from both the
reserve and youth teams.
There will be a ·monthly competition for Supporters' Club members.
We will publish comprehensive details of all Supporters' Club activities
here in London and news from our regional branches.
We hope to give you an insight into what goes on at Highbury behind
the scenes with news and views from the non-playing staff and directors.
Next month we shall start with an article by Ken Friar the managing director
at Arsenal.
Our Secretary Barry Baker is contacting our President Bob Wilson to
see if he can find time to write us an occasional article for publication in
Gunflash, bearing in mind Bob's heavy commitments including being No.I
for football at the BBC. (Sorry Jimmy but you will have enough work to do
at Fulham).
We shall be writing to other "old" players in due course to see if they
will be willing to contribute an article for future publication in Gunflash. So
if you are one of those players, out there looking in, please contact us we
would love to hear from you.
As you can see we have loads of ideas, some new, some old, but above
all this is YOUR magazine. To quote rule number 2 of the Club "The aim
and object of the Club is to further the general welfare of the members of
the Arsenal Football Supporters' Club."
So first of all please buy Gunflash regularly. Let us have your letters,
with your views and comments. If you want pen pals, have items to sell
connected with football then let us know. We will do our best to publish
details in future editions.
Remember this service is for MEMBERS ONLY and your membership
number must be quoted on all correspondence to the Club.
It is with great sadness that the Committee have learnt of the death of
Andy Blair. Andy had been a loyal Supporters' Club member for many
years. I can remember the old days in the "little house" when he was
always near the front in the rush for a drink and a warm by the fire.
Andy will be sadly missed. We send our sincere condolences to his wife
Maggie and family.
4
Fond farewells are wished by the Committee to Ian Allinson and Viv
Anderson. We thank them for their past efforts at Arsenal and wish them all
the best for the future, except when we are in opposition.
Ian of course will be especially remembered for his goal at Totteham
last season which sent us on our way to Wembley. A loyal club man was Ian
and we wish him good luck at Stoke.
Viv's departure to Manchester United has extremely disappointed me
and Chris' article covers this matters further. My own view i~ that club
sportsmen should have a different loyalty to their respective clubs and fans
than a normal business relationship would bring. Viv was very well rewarded
at Arsenal and I am sorry he did not decide to stay. Having said that how
many of you out there in work, would have turned down the type of offer
that Viv chose to accept.
Having to work in Manchester every other week had to have its
compensation I suppose.
Belated best wishes go to Stewart Robson our Player of the Year for 1985.
Stewart apparently fell out of love with Arsenal and rumour has it that he was not
happy with being asked to play through his injury problems. A difficult decision
that for a club to make as to when a player is fit enough to play. Stewart is now a
regular at West Ham but does not seem the same player. How we could have done
with him in our squad for the latter part of last season.
Fond farewells and thank you also go to Terry Burton who was sacked
during the close season after eight years with the club. It is a cruel world but
one must respect George Graham's wish to bring in his own men. We
welcome Stewart Houston to the club as the new reserve team coach.
Stewart who was a Manchester United player in his younger days has joined
us from Plymouth where he was assistant to manager Dave Smith an
ex-Highbury man. We are sure he can continue the good work already done
by Terry.
Hello and welcome to our two new signings Alan Smith and Nigel
Wintef"burn. Alan we all knew about. It's just a pity he could not have
joined us from Leicester during last season. Who knows what a difference
that would have made to our disappointing slide down the League table.
Nigel Winterburn was a surprise signing and a little strange bearing in
mind Kenny's excellent season at left back. It will be interesting to see how
George Graham uses those players this campaign.
Best wishes also go to all the reserve and youth players who have
departed for pastures new, including Nicky Hammond, Roger Stanislaus,
Jason Ball, Scott McGregor, Paul Smith, Paul Turner, Wesley Reid, Greg
Allen and Lawrence Osborne.
New trainees joining us include Gary McKeown, Andrew Marriott,
Jamie Donnelly, Al James Hannigan, Francis Cagigao, Jim Carstairs,
Raymond Lee, Andrew Mockler and Steve Morrow. We wish them all well.
We now have four new lads on associate schoolboy forms at Lillleshall.
They are Matthew Joseph, Mark Flatts, Steve Clements and Kevin Fowler.
Let's hope they all pass out with flying colours in due course.
5
At the risk of being called unadventurous, I cannot foresee any shift in
football's balance of power. Everton and Liverpool will still be the teams to
beat and Arsenal and Tottenham will be their main challengers. Spurs,
despite their considerable talent, have never struck me as a good title bet
because of their brittleness. It may take Everton longer than they wish to
recover from Howard Kendall's exit and one suspects that Liverpool's
purchase of Barnes and Beardsley will not quite offset the departure of the
incomparable Rush. The time is ripe for Arsenal to take the next step
forward and land one, or both, of the major domestic trophies.
VINCE WRI~HT
The Times
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George Graham knows that he will be judged more on what he achieves in
his se~ond season as mai;iager ~t Highbury than in his first. Satisfying though
t~e Littlewoods Cup final victory was, Graham sees the triumph over
Liverpool as merely a stepping stone to Arsenal winning bigger prizes.
The extension of Graham's contract to 1992 is an indication of the
directors' confidence in his ability to deliver the goods and the Arsenal
manager is determined that the club builds on last season's unexpected
success. It is imperative that Arsenal take the next step forward if they are
to be r_anked alongside the Merseyside giants, Everton and Liverpool.
Eight years ago Arsenal were in a similar position, having defeated
Manchester United to win the FA Cup. But little over two years from that
We~bley day, bo_th Brady and Stapleton had departed and a gradual decline
set m. Arsenal failed to add another trophy to their cabinet until last season
when Graham arrived from Millwall as manager. Everyone at Highbury will
be anxious to see that the experiences of the early '80s are not repeated.
The most disappointing feature of 1986-87 was the manner in which
Arsenal fell away after winning the Littlewoods Cup. They should have been
inspired after beating Liverpool at Wembley; instead they became complacent and started losing to teams who would have given them little trouble
earlier in the season. Graham deflected criticism away from his players and
onto himself, saying that he had let them relax too much. It was one of the
few mistakes that the Arsenal manager made but the important thing was
that he was honest enough to admit it.
Happier memories were of Arsenal's unbeaten run of 22 League and
cup matches. For a time, there was talk of another League and FA Cup
?ouble and e~en the possibility of a treble, but then fixture congestion took
its toll, especially of the young and inexperienced players. The supporters
h_ad to settle for fourth place as well as swallowing the disappointment of a
sixth round FA Cup defeat by Watford. Still, a season in which Arsenal beat
Tottenham three times at White Hart Lane has to be ranked as memorable.
Will 1987-88 be as noteworthy? The signs are that it will, despite the
setback of Anderson leaving for Manchester United.
Youngsters like Rocastle, Thomas and last season's top scorer, Hayes
after experiencing the ups and downs of last season, should now be mor~
m~ture and battle-hardened. I also expect Arsenal's new signings, Smith and
Wu;iterbur!1, to make significant contributions. They were good players at
therr previous clubs, Leicester and Wimbledon respectively, and they will
probably improve through being alongside better players at Highbury.
I particularly like the look of Merson, the reserve centre foward and
Nicholas, fresh from signing a one-year contract, knows that his place w'ill be
threatened unless his deeds on the pitch match his words off it. This is the
Scot's last chance to recapture his "Celtic form" which has eluded him in
four. years at H.ighbury. However, there seem few question marks concernmg Adams. Barring injuries, this reassuringly solid defender should be a
fixture in Arsenal's side for years to come and his leadership qualities are
such that he must be a candidate for the club captaincy, despite being so
young.
6
Congratulations
Last season came as a surprise to all ARSENAL supporters. Not many of us
can honestly say that we expected the directors to take out the "Old rusty
key" that opens the Arsenal trophy cabinet. Yet, history now tells us that
last season was a first for Arsenal. They won the Littlewoods Cup. The old
League Cup has caused Arsenal many an embarrassing moment but now it
is at last displayed in the famous East Stand. Thank God they changed its
name!!!
There is more however. Last season also produced another record.
From October 4th to January 24th Arsenal were unbeatable. A total of 22
games. It took a near bloodbath at Old Trafford to bring us down to earth.
The team also made it to the Quarter Finals of the F.A. Cup. The
manner of our dismissal against Watford had all the excitement and
controversy of a Hagler fight but it was not in the traditions of the cup. The
game itself was not a very exciting game and Watford were leading 2-1 with
a minute to go, then came the moment of controversy. The ball bobbled in
the Watford penalty area and the linesman's flag started waving on the touch
line. Arsenal thought they had been awarded a penalty but the referee
overuled the linesman. In the confusion Blissett put the ball in the Arsenal
net. The referee discussed the situation with his colleague and gave a
Watford goal. It was a shame that the game should end in that way but,
Watford were the b_etter team.
Well, on to a happier note. September 23rd saw the start of our
Littlewoods Cup campaign. Our visitors were Huddersfield Town. We saw
them off with a 3-1 win on aggregate. Then followed Manchester City (3-1),
Charlton (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (2-0). So, on to the semi-final. Two
legs against Spurs. The first leg was at Highbury, and Clive Allen scored the
only goal. It produced our first home defeat of the season. So, White Hart
Lane was destined to be packed for the most important derby since 1971. It
was Spurs who scored first taking the aggregate score to 2-0. Yet Arsenal
came back with goals from VIV ANDERSON and NIALL QUINN. The
stage was set, Wednesday night White Hart Lane, the replay. Who was to
known the euphoria that was to follow. The first half was scoreless, both
teams were aware of how important a mistake could be. In the second half
7
time he went down under legitimate challenge and, on the third occasion
only an untimely mis-kick, after he had woven through to within six yards of
goal, prevented a noteworthy match-winner.
A few weeks earlier his inspirational qualities had been apparent as
Arsenal brushed aside Second Division promotion-chasers Plymouth Argyle.
Anderson scored twice and prompted much of the attacking which so
forcefully emphasised the Gunners' class.
And again, when it was most needed, Viv's experience served his club
well. A Littlewoods Cup Final which Liverpool had threatened to dominate
eventually hinged on the prosperous right wing combination of Anderson
and David Rocastle (indeed Viv's direct role in the equaliser shouldn't be
overlooked).
Viv's England career was revived by his form at Highbury and there too
he scored goals, firstly in Turkey where, as so often, he stole in at a corner to
score with a header. Had it not been for the prolific goalscoring of England
colleague (and notorious Arsenal reject) Clive Allen, Viv would surely have
been last season's Footballer of the Year.
All the more shattering then that, before many people even realised
that the contract re-negotiating season had begun, it is learned that the
mystique of Manchester United has lured another respected international
away from the marble halls.
Yes we have seen it all before. Frank Stapleton's departure hurt for
different reasons. Though Arsenal suffered barren periods whilst searching
for a suitable replacement, it was Stapleton's reneging the promise that he
would only leave Arsenal to play on the Continent (an oath similar to the
one already honoured by Liam Brady) which drew the displays of
supporters' animosity on his return.
The similarity between the Stapleton and Anderson departures, other
than the destination, is that both transfers were referred to a League
tribunal for valuation. In a market where million-pound transfers were
becoming commonplace Arsenal received just £900,000 for the most
promising striker in the British Isles and a later experience (over a modest
misfit called Lee Chapman) has done nothing to lessen the club's mistrust of
the tribunal system.
Though Anderson is 31 and cost a paltry £200,000, it is unrealistic to
suggest, as United do, that his value has not increased during his time with
Arsenal - £400,000 might be an exaggeration but it is closer to the true
value.
In wishing Viv a happy stay at Old Trafford I still nurture the hope that
he decides to retire gracefully in no more than a year or two's time.
CHRIS RUTHERFORD
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Arsenal fell behind to another Clive Allen goal. All but 11 Arsenal heads
fell. It was those 11 that fought back. Spurs slowed the game down and
played the possession game. With just 7 minutes remaining IAN
ALLINSON broke through the Spurs defence and beat Ray Clemence at his
near post. The game had been turned on its head. Extra time loomed, with
less than a minute left DAVID ROCASTLE booked his ticket for
WEMBLEY. He played a 1-2 in the area, beat Clemence and scored a goal
he will never forget.
At Wembley we met Liverpool. Yet again in the Littlewoods Cup we
fell behind. Another prolific goalscorere Ian Rush punished us for a mistake
in the 21st minute. Within 8 minutes we were level. A scramble in the
Liverpool area saw CHARLIE NICHOLAS hit a post and then the back of
the net. 1-1. At half time there was talk of the Ian Rush record. Seven years
with Liverpool and they had never lost when he had scored. The second half
started and Liverpool dominated the game for long periods. Then
GEORGE GRAHAM played his ace. On came Graham's first signing
PERRY GROVES. With just seven minutes it was Groves who lost his
marker on Liverpool's right. He broke into the area and played the ball
square to Charlie who played the ball to Grobbelaar's left. It caught
WHELAN's shin diverting it to Grobbelaar's right . .. 2-1!
Rush's record had been beaten and ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB
had won their first trophy since 1979.
Congratulations ARSENAL· here's hoping that 1987 /8 brings us as
much success (if not more) ...
Report by STEVE GLEIBER
Seen it all before?
So the emblem on Viv Anderson's red club shirt takes on a third form and,
yet again, Arsenal lose a player they desparately needed to retain.
Anderson has long been the best right back in Britain, even during his
later days at Nottingham Forest and the early time at Highbury when Gary
Stevens wore the England number 2. The country's first black international
was Arsenal's biggest bargain since Pat Jennings when signed from Forest in
1984 and the use of his abilities has been the most significant single factor in
the club's recent attacking transformation.
Attacking full-backs are nothing new, yet Anderson uses not only the
conventional overlapping technique but also takes advantage of the
inside-right position - and he has the goalscoring ability to make himself
truly dangerous. Frequently last season, particularly in the difficult period
after the ending of the -record-breaking unbeaten sequence, Viv was
Arsenal's most dangerous attacker. One illustration was provided at the
Manor Ground, four days before the Littlewoods Cup semi-final second leg,
when a weakened and lacklustre Arsenal side battled out a second goalless
draw with Oxford. The Gunners only ever looked like scoring four times and
each time it was through Anderson pushing forward into threatening
positions inside the opponents' penalty area. Once has was floored , another
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George Graham with the Trophy
Won in his first season as Manager
Assistant Manager Theo Foley and Physiotherapist
Gary Lewin celebrate their first season success at Wembley
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Wembley Happiness
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Charlie to David - it looks like Niall is trying to become an Englishman
11
Congratulations to Tony Adams on being voted PFA Young Player of
the Year for last season and to David Rocastle for being runner-up. Arsenal
also had two other players in the PFA all-star team, Kenny and Viv.
Tony Adams also won the Fiat Young Player of the Year award, so what
with those awards, his England caps and a Littlewoods Cup medal it was
quite a year for Tony. A future Arsenal and England captain if ever I saw
one .
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Bits and Pieces FROMTHEEDIToR
Don't forget the A.G.M. takes place at the Club on Monday September 14th
at 7.30 pm.
Admission only on production of current membership card. Please
come along.
. *****
By now all members should have received their voting paper for the
1987 "Player of the Year" award.
You are reminded that your forms must be returned to the Hon.
Secretary by November 28th latest.
* * * * *
The Supporters' Club will be arranging tours of the Stadium during the
season, with the kind permission of Arsenal FC, if there are enough
members interested. Write in if you want more details.
* * * * *
Perhaps you are one of the several thousand who make your fortnightly
trip to Highbury from some distance outside London. If you travel in by car,
and have an empty seat or two, why not drop a line to the Editor of
Gunflash at the Committee Rooms stating your name, address, telephone
number (where appropriate) and usual time of departure? We will
endeavour to publish this information in Gunflash and, hopefully, the other
Club members will contact you with ·offers to share your petrol costs,
exchange Arsenal memories, and accompany you on your trips to and from
home matches. This service is for members only.
* * * * *
Peggy Goulding who runs the Supporters' Club Shop with great
efficiency will have loads of new stock this season. Next month we will
publish full details of items for sale at the Club and by post.
* * * * *
If you are a Life Member who has changed your address please let us
know so we can update our records.
* * * * *
Here TODAY gone tomorrow. Football sponsorship your views please.
A necessary evil nowadays?
* * * * *
Talking of sponsorship do you want to sponsor the Supporters' Club,
advertise in Gunflash or assist the Club funds in any way? if you do, let us
know. Make us an offer we cannot refuse.
We can guarantee you maximum exposure in Gunflash , in the Gunners
Bar etc. Write to the Hon. Secretary at the Supporters' Club.
Thanks go to COLLIERS GARAGE, Citroen Service Agents of 133b
Upper Street, Islington, London Nl for their advertising sponsorship on last
year's Club coach booking forms.
12
* * * * *
I hear the new mayor of Islington, Councillor Terry Herbert is a keen
Arsenal fan. He certainly looked happy in the pictures I saw of him at the
Town Hall reception.
* * * *
*
Alan Smith made an unusual debut in an Arsenal shirt on the Cyprus
tour. It was in a combined Arsenal/Luton team against a combined
Apoel/Omonia Cypriot side. The Gun/Hats won 3-2 but Alan failed to
score.
* * * * *
Talking of Omonia I see ex-Arsenal " favourite" Frank Stapleton has
joined Ajax. Still at least it's a Vimming side . .. Sorry about that one.
* * * * *
Bumped into another Arsenal old boy Liam Brady at the Hard Rock
Cafe on F.A. Cup Final eve. I can't say what was said but can confirm he
likes a lot of tomato sauce on his chips.
* * * * *
Our average home gates last year were up 5,000 plus but still failed to
break the 30,000 barrier. Can we do it this year?
We were still the best supported Londonside, 4th in the UK and 5th in
Britain.
* * * * *
There are two subs allowed in Football League matches this year. I
don't agree with it and ~ am totaly in agreement with Vince Wright's
comments (Gunflash February 1986).
* * * * *
I am glad we are getting our plastic pitch matches out of the way early
this season. I hate them as Vince Wright obviously does also. See Gunflash
March 1986.
What are your views. Please let us know, also on Luton's ludicrous away
fan ban.
* * * * *
Old copies of Gunflash can still be purchased from the Club if you are
missing any.
* * * * *
Another one of my pet hates. Live football. I see that Arsenal's away
matches at Tottenham and Coventry City are due to be shown live on TV. I
just hope there are no live games from Highbury this season.
13
Pre-season tour
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Red/Yellow cards are back. I'm for them. What are your views and on
refereeing in general.
* * * * *
There was talk of the application of the Law relating to throw-ins be~g
changed this season, with throw-ins not taken from the correct pl~ce gomg
to the opposition. We hope to publish the Laws of the Game m future
editions if we can obtain written permission.
* * * * *
I was disappointed to hear that Arsenal lost to the Wallies of Walford
Eastender fame the other day. Is there any truth in the rumour that our
Programme Officer extraordinare Vic Wright has the only programme for
this "match".
* * * * *
No boxes at the Clock End not before next season anyway. Will you like
them. Your views please.
* * * * *
Look out for Kenny Sansom's book due out soon.
* * * * *
Did you know that in the Littlewoods Cup this season the lst Divison
clubs have to play their first match (ie 2nd Round lst leg) away from home.
This has been done to boost gates
* * * * *
Do you want to be a referee. Write to us and we will put you in touch
with the Referee's Society for your area.
Saturday 25th July 1987
Arsenal 1
Morton 0
Tecnn: Lukic (Wilmot 45), Thomas, Adams, O'Leary (Caesar75), Sansom
(Winterburn 45), Davis, Williams, Rix (Rocastle 45), Smith (Quinn 45),
Nicholas, Groves (Hayes 45) .
PERRY GROVES got the Gunners off to a winning start with the only goal
of the game in Greenock.
Arsenal fielded an experimental side with Graham Rix returning to the
left side of the midfield and no place in the starting line-up for either David
Rocastle or Martin Hayes, though both were among the five substitutes used
at half time.
Niall Quinn also remained on the bench until half time, fuelling
speculation that Newcastle United might be prepared to invest some of the
Beardsley cash in him.
With Groves operating as an out-and-out winger and Rix able to push
up on the left, it was disappointing that the arrangement failed to bear fruit
for Messrs. Smith and Nicholas. Rix's biggest mark on his forty five minutes
was to earn the jeers of the small section of home supporters with a series of
reckless tackles.
Despite first half scares when the offside trap was sprung, the Gunners
rarely looked in trouble in the second period, sitting back on the lead given
to them by PERRY GROVES (c. 20 minutes) after Morton failed to clear
when Paul Davis' free-kick rebounded from the cross-bar.
Tuesday 28th July 1987
Ayr United 0
Arsenal 6
Team: Lukic (Wilmot 45) , Thomas, Adams, O'Leary, Sansom (Winterburn 57),
Davis, Williams (Groves 45), Rocastle, Smith, Quinn (Nicholas 45), Hayes
(Rix 45).
Arsenal Football Supporters Club
"River Boat Shuffle"
Disco Plus Hot Buffet
£10 Inclusive
8pm. Untill Midnight on Friday October 2nd 1987
Climb Aboard 'The Mayflower Garden' at 7.45 Sharp
at Charing Cross Pier
(Nearest Station Embankment)
Fall off Same Place
14
Racing to a five goal lead in 57 minutes, Arsenal sat back and scored only
once, through PAUL DAVIS, in the last half an hour.
Clearly the opposition wasn't of competitive standard but that did
nothing to detract from ALAN SMITH's first Arsenal hat-trick. Smith took
advantage of loose defensive marking to score three of the Gunners' four
first half goals. Only an interruption from NIALL QUINN, playing
alongside Smith for the first time, between his second and third goals
prevented a hat-trick in the old-fashioned sense.
A 57th minute CHARLIE NICHOLAS goal turned it into a rout
before Paul Davis added the last minute sixth.
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As Arsenal relaxed GUS CAESAR on for DA YID O'LEARY after 71
minutes was caught out of position on the left and the ball broke away,
across to Celtic's only substitution Owen Archdeacon who shot home a
spectacular goal from 35 yards with only a minute left. By then however
thousands of the Celtic supporters were already on their way home no doubt
dreading the forthcoming season.
At the final whistle it was good to see TONY ADAMS make a special
effort to go and warmly applaud the travelling Arsenal supporters in the
seats and behind the goal. It was just a pity the other players left the pitch
without doing the same.
Referee A. Ferguson from Giffnock had a fine game, along with his
linesmen G. Kelly (Bishopbriggs) and A. Harvey (Glasgow).
Reports by Chris Rutherford and Peter Armsby
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Saturday August lst, 1987
Celtic 1 Arsenal 5
Teams: Celtic; Bonner, Morris, Rogan (Archdeacon 47 mins), Aitken, Shepherd,
Grant, Stark, McStay, McGhee, Walker, Bums.
Arsenal; Lukic, Thomas, Sansom (Winterbum 78 mins), Williams, O'Leary
(Ceasar 71 mins), Adams, Rocastle, Davis, Smith (Quinn 78 mins), Nicholas
(Groves 45 mins), Hayes.
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After fine victories at Morton and Ayr ARSENAL travelled to Celtic Park
full of confidence and it showed. In front of a fine crowd of 26,195 including
800 plus Arsenal fans the Gunners got off to a good start when after 4
minutes CHARLIE NICHOLAS was left all alone in the area to pick up a
loose ball and fire home almost apologetically. The Celtic supporters who
had given Charlie a mixed reception when he came onto the pitch turned
against him straightaway.
On 10 minutes and 22 minutes Charlie and PAUL DAVIS both shot
over the bar from good scoring positions.
After 23 minutes KENNY SANSOM picked up the ball from a ricochet
to shoot home off the post for a rare goal.
On 27 minutes Paul put MARTIN HAYES clear with a lovel.y pass for
Martin to draw the keeper off of his line before lobbing the ball over him
and into the net. Just 4 minutes later Arsenal had another good chance to
score but this time Paul shot wide.
Celtic who had squandered the few chances they had in the first half
came closest to scoring when Mark McGhee shot over the bar from a good
scoring position after 40 minutes to the further dismay of the Celtic fans,
including those standing "happily" with the Arsenal fans at the "Rangers"
end of the ground.
GEORGE GRAHAM made only one change at half time PERRY
GROVES replacing Arsenal's sole Scot, Charlie Nicholas who was taking
some "stick" from the Celtic pla,yers as well as the Scottish fans.
Six minutes after half time ALAN SMITH who had worked well up
front was off balance as he shot wide of an open goal when it looked easier
to score.
Celtic had an unfounded penalty appeal turned down before JOHN
LUKIC saved well from Celtic's new signing from Sheffield Wednesday
Chris Morris after 58 minutes.
On 64 minutes Alan set up Martin with a good square pass for Hayes to
score another fine goal. His shot from the edge of the area going high and
wide to the keepers left.
GRAHAM RIX, NIALL QUINN and NIGEL WINTERBURN whilst
limbering up were happily "posing" for Arsenal fans photographs at the
"Rangers" end as Perry Groves did well to put away Paul's headed flick on
for the Gunners fifth and final goal on 76 minutes.
After 84 minutes John saved well from McGhee's point blank header.
Substitute Niall Quinn on for Alan after 78 minutes headed just wide
moments later.
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New signings Winterbum and Smith
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Supporters' Club Coach Travel
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''Gunflash'' Competition for
August 1987
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A nice "easy" competition for this month. Please send us a list of as many
words, three letters or more, you can make from "ARSENAL F.S.C."
In the event of a tie for the number of words listed the following tie
break, in the opinion of the judges, will decide the winner.
Please finish in not more than 12 words the following statement "Join
the Supporters' Club because ... ".
Entries must be in by Monday 14th September. They can even be
handed in at the A GM that evening. The result will be published in the
October issue of Gunflash.
The prize is a football autographed by players from this years first team
squad.
Please send your entries to the Editor, Gunflash Magazine, Arsenal
Football Supporters' Club, 154 St. Thomas's Road, London N4 2QP.
Please mark your envelope August Competition.
The judges decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
REMEMBE R Y O U R ENTR Y MUST SHOW YOUR CLUB
MEMBER SHIP NUMBE R.
Lofty alias Tom Watt draws the raffle prizes at the dance
last year assisted by lovely club funds promoter
Lesley Macfarlane.
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Supporters' Club coach travel to away games will be fully operational
throughout the 1987 /88 season. Listed below are prices for the trips, with
prices for parent (guardian) accompanied junior club members in
parentheses.
Your travel officer is Steve Gough.
Charlton Athletic .........................................................
£ 3.00
(£3.00)
Coventry City ...............................................................
£ 7.00
(£6.00)
D erby County ..............................................................
£ 7 .50
(£6.50)
Everton ........................................................................
£11.00
(£9.00)
Liverpool ....... .... .. ... .... .... ........ .... ...... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .....
£11.00
(£9 .00)
Manchester United.......................................................
£11.00
(£9.00)
Newcastle United .........................................................
£15.00 (£12.00)
Norwich City ..... .... .... .... ...... .. ..... .. ............... .. .... .. .... .. . ..
£ 7 .00
(£6.00)
Nottingham Forest .......................................................
£ 7.50
(£6.50)
Oxford United ..............................................................
£ 6.50
(£6.00)
Portsmouth ... ................................................................
£ 6.50
(£6.00)
Sheffield Wednesday ....................................................
£ 9.50
(£8.50)
Southampton ................................................................
£ 6.50
(£6.00)
Watford ... .....................................................................
£ 3.50
(£3.50)
Wimbledon ...................................................................
£ 3.00
(£3.00)
All coach prices are subject to fare and fuel increases.
Coach bookings can be made at the Committee Rooms 154 St.
Thomas's Road, London N4 2QP at Saturday home games between the
hours 12 noon to 2.30pm and after the match between the hours 5pm to
lOpm. Bookings can also be made at lst team evening matches between the
hours 6-7pm and after the game up to lOpm.
On Tuesday Club nights bookings can also be made.
The Supporters' Club use Lirnebourne Limited coach operators. The
luxury coaches normally offer Video/Radio/Toilet facilities. Snacks plus hot
and cold drinks are also available.
All coaches depart from the Arsenal Supporters' Club promptly at the
times indicated when booking. You must be a Club member to travel and
your membership card must be shown when booking and boarding.
SUPPORTERS' CLUB MEMBERSHIP ENROLMENTS SEASON 1987-88
Re-enrolment membership fee
Seniors ........................................................£7.00 (£8.00 Overseas) inc. VAT
Juniors under 16 .........................................£5.00 (£6.00 Overseas) inc. VAT
New members
per season
Seniors UK and Channel Islands ......................................................... £ 9.00
Juniors ................................................................................................. £ 7.00
Seniors Overseas and Eire ................................................................... £10.00
Juniors .................................................................................................£ 8.00
Enrolment forms available from the Enrolment Officer, Arsenal
Football Supporters' Club, 154 St. Thomas's Road, London N4 2QP.
Please note that all cheques/postal orders should be made payable to
"Arsenal Football Supporters' Club" N.B. Irish and Overseas members
International Cheques only.
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David Rocastle with the Player of the Year Award at the Christmas Dance.
Printed by JC Press, 12A Vicars Road, London NW5 4NL