Written by Russell Clarke Thursday, 15 September 2011 13:28

GunnerTalk Blog

By Russell Clarke

The difficult thing about writing this blog is the ability to remember what I actually got up to. The sentence, “Passed out in Manchester” does not make for great reading. Hence no blog from our previous match at “OT”.

Over the last few months I’ve found out that Twitter is a great place to find and chat to fellow Gooners, however nothing beats actually meeting followers and followed in the flesh.

A quick check on my phone helped me to identify James (@cockneycomic) standing at the bar next to me in the Gunners. However his name on the back of his shirt also gave it away. James quickly introduced me to the really generous @goonerkal and @benafc (a giant of a man) who reminded me that I met him in Newcastle. Ben also reminded me that I was very drunk that day, in fact “3 sheets to the wind”. @nickthorbs  joined us and the drinking began in earnest.

After a few bottles of Bud we then went and joined @Welsh_Gooner  and Gav (who both claim to have invented the now famous JagerBomb) before after making the now customary call to Lindsay setting off for the stadium already a little worse for wear.

We had all agreed to meet up after the match in The Eaglet pub where The Away Boyz were performing. It was here it got very Messi.

Now any Gooner on Twitter must follow @KeithTheGooner, the man is a legend. He’s a writer, comedian, actor & now producer of his own sitcom. Above all that he’s a real good bloke and it was here we caught up with him already propping up the bar. I think we lasted all of 10 minutes before the first round of Jager appeared.

With The Away Boyz blaring out we joined in with top tunes like Enjoy Yourself and other songs referring to Rednapp’s mother’s chosen profession. Some of us had a dance whilst Gav (probably the sweatiest man in the world) treated us to a display of press-ups. A Swansea coach got caught at the lights outside the pub and was treated to a barrage of abuse before one of the 4, yes 4 escorting riot vans unloaded and reminded us that it is not polite to refer to the Welsh as sheep shaggers. One of the police men very kindly took my picture probably as a memento of the day. Miserable sod wouldn’t let me have a copy though.

As of yet I haven’t mentioned Chris (@Pricey_AFC) for good reason as undoubtedly one of the high lights of the day/night/morning he deserves a mention all to himself. Chris is a 20 year old Gooner from Swansea who travelled to his first ever game at the Emirates. He had agreed to meet us after the match for a couple of drinks. Big Mistake ! The poor sod had far too many JagerBombs missed his train home and spent the night on my couch.

After many, many  more drinks our numbers diminished with most sneaking out or leaving because of a fire drill (as the songs go) leaving the remainder of us to slag of a Spud who for some reason was sat at the bar. I chatted to @sammien82 who was providing the female vocals for The Away Boyz. Strangely she remembered meeting me & the wife on the tube back from last season’s Fulham boat trip, which is a not to be missed outing. I also chatted to @GregBirch1982 who has probably the biggest collection of Arsenal football shirts in the world.

As the money was now all but gone and also for the fact the pub wanted to close, the remainder of us, Annette (my better half), me (@shithappens1963) , Keith, Kal and @Pricey_AFC hit the curry house. Here Keith managed to convince Pricey that if he came back with me and Annette he would meet a horrible death and end up buried in the woods. I think this put him off his food as he could only manage an after dinner mint and a glass of water, which turned out to be London tap water, much to his disgust. I would like to thank @GoonerKal for very generously paying for the food, which with Keith ordering didn’t come cheap.

The journey home was not fun with 2 trains, a bus and a Taxi but we made it in time to finish off the night with a few more beers before Pricey passed out.

@Pricey_AFC eventually made it home after I put him on the train at Paddington Sunday morning, which makes me think who did I chop up and bury in the woods behind my house? (Thanks for the loan of the Range Rover and shovel Keith)

Apparently we are doing it all again against Bolton. So if you are on Twitter follow me (@shithappens1963) or any of the others and come join us.

Finally can anyone in The Eaglet explain what the fight between the 20 something tiny barmaid and the 80 something blue rinsed granny was all about.  #grannyfight. Best fight I’ve seen since running with the Herd back in the old days.

“Up The Arse”