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| Let the bottler leave for free |
 I’VE
spent this week feeling a bit like a woman who has asked Wayne Rooney
into the kitchen for a bit of ‘afters’ only to find all
he wants to do is help himself to an extra bowl of rice pudding.
It started when I received my bi-annual phone call from the miserablist
that is Arsenal’s oldest (her words not mine) and rudest (my
words not hers) supporter.
 She
insists I stop writing that Jose Reyes is a Village Idiot, Pascal
Cygan is a clown, Philippe Senderos is a clown in waiting, Thierry
Henry is a big-game bottler and Robert Pires walks like a penguin.
Which for this week at least, I’m happy to do. Things went
from bad to worse when I had to read Arsene Wenger warbling on about
how the “force” that once was Arsenal is back because
the Uninvincibles had beaten the Pastry Gobblers of Wigan.
I expect victory over the 10-man Cowherds of Thun has only added
to their sense of world domination. Martin Jol’s older brother
Rich Osley certainly had a spring in his step this week. So, unfortunately,
did Anton ‘Ja Ja Binks Junior’ Ferdinand, whose leap above
our feeble defence started my malaise.
And if you thought Rio Ferdinand’s goal celebrations were irritating,
they’re nothing compared to his little brother’s pig in
the trough
shuffle.
 GET
this: A crazed Spurs fan trusted to write episodes of Coronation
Street made up a host of soap characters that shared the names of
Tottenham players. It’s a true story – the guilty man
was Tony Wood, who leaves the show in December.
It seems fitting, however, that Spurs influenced a dour soap opera
in which nothing much has happened in more than 40 years. Sounds
about right – classic moments in fuzzy black and white and
the unfulfilled promise that something exciting might happen next
week.
 We
could be talking about Martin Jol’s dressing room rather than
the Rover’s Return.
That leads me to Blackburn’s visit to Highbury on Saturday
(check out the smooth Rovers link, well done me, give me Ray Stubbs’
job, I won’t do the Grimsby joke if I get on TV). Henry is
likely to be the star performer.
He curved in an impossible free-kick for another spectacular goal
against Wigan and all people talked about was his contract. Maybe
Arsenal should let Thierry leave for free.
Let him play out the next 18 months, score another 40 goals and
appreciate the fact he came up with his best work in an Arsenal
shirt. It would be better for a legend to have the tribute of leaving
like that – rather than storm off in a big Roy Keane huff.
• Are they talking rubbish? Let
us know at Your Shout, 40 Camden Road, NW1 9DR or by email: sport@camdennewjournal.co.uk |
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Fond
memories of two soccer legends
• GEORGE Swindin’s passing away was a great moment
of nostalgia for me. Like so many players of his generation, the
Second World War robbed him of seven seasons when he was coming
to his peak.
Swindin commanded the six-yard box; one of his assets was that if
a forward broke free in the area he would time his interception
and come out as the forward was about to shoot, dive at his feet
and roll away with the ball in his midriff.
He was also a wonderful puncher of a high ball and had what in this
day and age is called presence.
Swindin’s greatest game in my opinion was the 1950 cup final
against Liverpool when his inspired goalkeeping kept Liverpool at
bay. Two goals by Reg Lewis gave Arsenal victory.
Rest assured a Swindin today would be No 1 keeper for Arsenal, his
temperament made him great.
G Gilbert
Grove End Road
NW8
• RE your request for memories of George Swindin, former
Arsenal goalkeeper and manager of the past glory years, who was
also a manager of Peterborough United (known as ‘POSH’).
I can claim to seeing George play his last game in 1936 at Brentford
(lost 2-0), and last at home to Chelsea (won 2-1).
Whilst manager of Posh he was well acclaimed there too and I can
confidently say he was a gentleman too and I am sad that very little
tributes were made upon his passing.
Sid Cranswick
Whittlesea,
Cambridgshire
• AS an Arsenal supporter for over 60 years, I would
like to say that of all the players that have graced the Lilywhites,
my all-time favourite was a true sportsman and gentleman, one Danny
Blanchflower.
After reading all the bile and anger from your readers (Spurs supporters?)
I leave you with this thought: the greatest manager of Arsenal in
days gone by, and perhaps one of the greatest ever, Herbert Chapman,
was once, you guessed it, a former Tottenham player. I rest my case.
Bob Harris
Pratt Street
NW1 |
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Angelino's finest are put to the test
WE came across Angelino Wines, sandwiched between two colourful and
aggressively self-promoting Australian wine sellers, at Islington’s
London Wine Event at the end of October.
Its owner is Farrell Anglin, whose imagination was caught by a lecture
on the history of wine making at Southgate College.
FULL STORY
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