Before you read this its about me becoming an Arsenal supporter so it’s a bit of a long story, stop reading now if you don’t want to fall asleep.
The question I get asked the most is “so why do you support Arsenal?” So I thought I would post on here my reasons for being a Gooner and I would like to hear your reasons too. If your not a Gooner, Why not? And what’s your reason for supporting the team of your choice.
It all started when I was young my dad wasn’t into football only England during the World Cup and European Championships, my earliest football memory is Euro 96 watching England v Spain in which I saw David Seaman become a hero during a penalty shoot out, at the point he became my favourite player.
After the game I wanted a David Seaman kit, I had a West Ham kit that my Nan had got me for my 9th birthday, it was the only one she could get me. So after looking around I couldn’t find a England David Seaman kit but I did find an Arsenal one so I got that, from this point I went round saying I support England and Arsenal because of David Seaman. I still didn’t follow Arsenal because they was never on my TV because my dad never had them on.
In December 1997 I got ill and went into the Royal Free Hospital I was supposed to be there for three days but my condition got worse and I stayed in over Christmas period I had my first ever major operation on boxing day so it wasn’t the best of Christmases but it was mad better by Arsenal and my Nan, she had been writing to Arsenal about me and they responded, a few weeks later I got the surprise of my life when two Arsenal players came into the hospital, we spent a hour I think just talking about Myself and how Arsenal was doing, I had presents to open from the I got a signed card from all the players a model sculpture of Highbury and Arsenal stationary. The lady who was with the players said to me do you know where that is as she pointed to Highbury I replied no and a bit embarrassed because I felt like I should, She told me that’s where I’m going when I get out of hospital, I just laid in bed with tears down my face, I was so happy I had just been invited not only to my first Arsenal match but my first football match.
From that day I did everything the doctor told me to do just so I could get out of there and go and see Arsenal, before this I went against everything the doctors told me to do because I was scared I wouldn’t have blood test etc. Knowing I had something to get well for it helped me start believing that I would get better, I didn’t know at the time but if I hadn’t of had the operation that boxing day I would have been dead. I finally got out of hospital during February 1998 I had been in hospital for two and a half months, I could go Arsenal strait away but I finally was fit enough to go Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday on March 28th 1998.
That morning I woke up smiling my Dad, Mum, Sister and Me all went up to Arsenal we went up on the tube early to avoid the crowds I had to walk round to the East stand and when I saw it for the first time I was in shock, I remember seeing a man outside the door dressed up in a uniform I had to knock on those big doors as they opened the lady who came to the hospital was standing the with a man who I had no idea who he was, his name was Ken Friar the chairman of Arsenal he spoke to me about Arsenal and what I would be doing throughout the day, this included meeting the manager and players, having a tour of Highbury and watching the game. The whole day was great Dennis Bergkamp scored the only goal as we won 1-0.
So that’s how my love affair with Arsenal started, I could of ended up supporting West Ham or maybe another club but I’m so happy that Arsenal is my team and I am forever grateful for them coming to see me in hospital and making me so happy. If it wasn’t for Arsenal I may not even be here especially if I had of carried on refusing the treatment needed. I still am in and out of hospital a lot because of my illness but I keep on going.
Last year I had an operation on the 10th July, I had a ticket for Bergkamp’s testimonial but was told I wouldn’t be fit enough to go, I proved everyone wrong and got myself up there just 12 days after my operation there was no way I was going to miss the last game of Bergkamp’s Arsenal Career especially after he scored the first Arsenal goal when I was at a game.
So for me Arsenal helps me though hard times, for some reason during a game I forget about being ill and concentrate on Arsenal and forget about any worries I have so they help me out loads that’s why I love to support them.
So that’s my story, how about you?