Published: 1 March, 2012
by TONY DALLAS

I, Tony Dallas, hereby state that I am of sound mind and write this column under no duress, well, maybe a little, and for no other reason than my love for the beautiful game and, of course, Tottenham Hotspur.

I want all friends and family to know that I’ve not been coerced in any way: no implement has been placed to my head and certainly no ransom asked for.

My fingernails are intact: therefore it is with heavy heart and catastrophic pain that I submit to this relevant yet hurtful fact.  

Because I am a wholehearted supporter, nay connoisseur of the sport in its purist form: parkland football on Saturday afternoons; beach football on lazy days abroad; women’s football because, in years to come, it might be our only affordable link to the professional game. I especially like watching good, disciplined, youth football because they are the stars of the future.

There’s nothing better than seeing young kids learning to pass and move, children with smiles on their faces with good coaches offering them all that good stuff.

OK, I’ve stalled for long enough.

In truth I think most Arsenal fans were as surprised at the score line as we were.

I know some that left the game at 2-0 and some that didn’t know the final score until Match of the Day 2!

However, whenever and wherever you saw it, Spurs were outplayed by the better team on the day.

OK, please, can I have my ball back now?

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