120 – Tear up the Turf

In mid-June 2006, after all the other events at Highbury had taken place, I was lucky enough to get tickets for an o2 event called ‘Tear up the Turf’ where we not only got to play around on the pitch and stroll at will around the East Stand, but also got to take a square of pitch home. Surreal as that was, being accompanied by a quartet playing football chants in the middle of the pitch pushed it off the scale.

As the pitch was complete when we arrived, but not when we left, you could easily argue that this day was the very last football played on the pitch and to celebrate/commiserate that moment here are some photo’s I took that evening.

119 – The Final Salute

May 7th, 2006.

After over 2000 first team games, and more again of reserve and other matches, Highbury hosted it’s last ever football match. Below is a scan of the programme for the game and some of the photo’s I took.

118 – Highbury, my Highbury

Although I’m certainly no David Bailey, I took enough photo’s of Arsenal Stadium in it’s last couple of years to be able to pull out a few good ones. Hope you think so too!

083 – 1970 Fairs Cup and Europe

The Fairs Cup (or Inter-Cities Fairs Cup to give it it’s full title) was a tournament born in the 1950s to promote cities holding trade fairs. Rules of entry changed over the years from the original one city one team rule and it morphed into what is now the Europa League via the UEFA Cup.
After not lifting a trophy since 1953 though it could have been the World Cup the way the victory was treated on the night at Highbury, a 3-0 win overturning a 1-3 first leg defeat, and on a personal note for Frank McLintock he finally had a winners’ medal after 5 losing finals.

First scan is a great press photo from the semi, followed by the large postcard sized teamgroup card issued by the club (front and back). The rest are press photo’s of both the Fairs Cup final, and later European matches under Bertie. Where there is one backslips are copied below.

“The Flying Englishman!
April 8th 1970.
Dutchmen encountered a flying Englishman at London’s Arsenal Stadium tonight (Wednesday) during the European fairs Cup, semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Ajax of Amsterdam.
Arsenal player, Graham flies through the air, and seemingly pushes Ajax keeper Gerrit Bals in the chest, as he attempts to clear the ball. Looking on at the left is Ajax player Rudi Surrendonk.”

“Arsenal win European Fairs Cup.
London: Arsenal’s skipper Frank McLintock holds aloft the European Fairs Cup, surrounded by enthusiastic crowds, after Arsenal had defeated Anderlecht of Belgium 3-0 in the European Fairs Cup Final, 2nd leg at Highbury tonight, to become the third successive English club to win the European Fairs Cup soccer tournament. Arsenal, who led 1-0 at the interval, won the two-leg final tie 4-3 on aggregate.
28th April 1970.”

074 – Random 1950s Photo’s (part four)

“Tips from Dad.
Three year old John Lishman gets a soccer lesson from his father, Doug Lishman, Arsenal’s inside-left, at their home in Southgate, North London. John wears a football outfit that Dad bought back from a South American tour. Arsenal are now in full training and their first match of the season is away to Blackpool on August 20th.”

“Football. Charlton Athletic (2) v Arsenal (0) at The Valley 10/3/56.
Sam Bartram, Charlton goal-keeper, who was made captain for his last match before leaving for York City to become their Player-Manager, shakes hand with Cliff Holton, Arsenal Captain. Sam has been with Charlton for over 20 years.”

“Herd Scores 1st and 2nd Goal for Arsenal 28.9.57.
Herd, Arsenal centre-forward, No. 9, scores Arsenal’s 1st goal at Highbury this afternoon in the match against Leeds United. It was scored in the first two minutes of the match. Ball is seen going through the Leeds defence.”

073 – Random 1950s Photo’s (part three)

“Arsenal Players Train for cup-tie. March 4th 1952.
Arsenal players in a game of ‘header tennis’ at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London, as they train to-day (Tuesday) for next Saturday’s sixth round F.A. Cup tie against Luton. Left to right are Lishman, inside-left; Swindin, goalkeeper; and Daniel, centre-half.”

“Arsenal v Manchester City at Highbury 19/9/52.
Tommy Lawton coming out on to the field for his first game against Manchester City at Highbury today.”

“Arsenal Players Report for Training July 27th 1954.
A few words of wisdom from Arsenal Football Club manager Tom Whittaker (front, left) as he welcomes the players outside their Highbury ground today (Tuesday) at the start of their first training perios for the coming season. The footballers are changed ready for a session of road work.”

072 – Random 1950s Photo’s (part two)

“Boxers versus Jockeys Soccer Match at Highbury 2.4.51.
Boxers and jockeys met in a soccer match under floodlights at the Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, tonight, in aid of the Sportsmen’s Aid Society.
Photo shows: (left) Johnny Williams, leading contender for the heavy-weight title, with Jack Gardner, Heavy-weight champion of G.B., Europe and British Empire, showing T.Gosling, the jockey’s goalkeeper one of the cigarette lighters which they received after winning the match 5 goals to 4.”

“Opening of the football season…Arsenal versus Huddersfield Town. 18-8-51.
Photo shows: Holton, the Arsenal centre forward scores his team’s second goal from a pass by Forbes the right half – during the match at Highbury this afternoon.”

“The players’ quarters at Arsenal. Peter Goring adjusts his collar in the changing room.”