Pre Match (March) Build Up

Written by Lindsay Melrose Friday, 13 May 2011 18:16

By Lindsay Sheehan

After another fruitless, loooooooooooong and soul destroying season end we all agree we want and need changes at Arsenal Football Club. Some want small steps; others want massive new broom sweeping. Sunday sees planned group expression of this prevalent Gooner dissatisfaction. The first event is the ‘Where has Our Arsenal Gone?’ walk. Attendees are advised to meet on Sunday at 14.30 at The Cannons Pub, Blackstock Road. Information can be found here.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206466176050402

http://www.gunnertalk.com/gunner-talk-blog/44-gunnertalk-blog/750-arsenal-political-round-up

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/premier-league/arsenal/arsenal_supporters_group_to_make_protest_march_before_aston_villa_game_1_891638

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/189918/Arsenal-fans-on-march/

http://www.wherehasourarsenalgone.webeden.co.uk/

http://www.fansonline.net/arsenal/article.php?id=581

The BSM are at great pains to express that this will be a peaceful march and that it is not about our current Manager but is about the way OUR club is being run. They say anyone not mindful of those 2 statements will be strongly reminded should they try and hijack the protest for their own aims. Gunnertalk will be there filming you and your views so please come and see us.

The second way Gooners are able to make their feelings clear on Sunday is by boycotting the lap of honour. At the end of each season, after full time at the last home game, the players and management walk around the pitch to thank the home crowd for their support. We are obviously expected to thank them back for their effort. Last year’s lap of honour was badly attended, many fans choosing to leave before it started. (You can read what I thought of it here Fuck off 2009 -2010 ) In fairness a lap of honour is quite a poxy idea unless there is a great big fucking trophy in our captains hands but hey. This year the idea of a boycott is being loudly voiced here

As Steve said in “It’s a Business!!” the non-renewal of season tickets is not really a valid protest as it merely cuts your nose off to spite your face. So what’s left for people feeling so far removed from their beloved club? These 2 ideas are certainly one way of expressing the feelings of fans in a clearly visible way.

However, I admit it I’m uneasy about all this. The Civil War we discussed last week is back on the agenda after a brief respite to celebrate victory over Manure. Both sides are recruiting and tensions are mounting again. Lots of ‘firm’ slang can be found on the social media sites which I don’t think means violence but it certainly does mean that people are feeling more tribal about their position and more ‘Arsenal’ than the next fan holding an opposing view. Here are some comments and posts from Facebook to illustrate the divide amongst us and the increase in Gooner on Gooner conflict. I’m sure some of this is ‘keyboard-warrior’ stuff but this is how some of us are speaking to each other these days.

Johnny Rotten Slags Off New Arsenal Stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrz92Z0SsDI

Stephen The-Noise Gallagher (Re the Walk Out During The Lap Of Honour)

THIS LITTLE SUGGESTION SEEMS TO BE KICKING OFF QUITE A STORM WITH THE AKB's... BUT FUCK 'EM!
WHY SHOULD I STAY BEHIND, CLAP AND CHEER A BUNCH OF BOTTLE JOBS???
NEVER LEFT THE GROVE EARLY IN MY LIFE AND LOOK WHERE THAT GOT US?? ENOUGHS ENOUGH! IT'S ABOUT TIME EVERYONE AT ARSENAL KNEW EXACTLY HOW WE ALL FEEL!!! PLEASE JOIN IN, IF YOU FEEL THE NEED!

Mikey Barnett

I dont think this march will be that peacfull!Im so angry i could split fucking blood!

Gary Chantler

Good luck with the march, hope the wankers on the board listen to you. Can't see it that they will, but heres hoping. If they do listen just mention to them and ask them to tell Wenger to jog the f#*k on and go.

Stephen Cavalier

Real Arsenal SUPPORTERS?? We should show that instead of whinging and wining, we are there to support, and come out in full voice and colour?? The idea of a demonstration at the home of football has infuriated me!! Are we in crisis?? NO!! Are we not in Europe, in a poor stadium, not been in a cup final this year?? No. Have we got some of the best talent in Europe, the best stadium in Europe and the club being run within its means?? Yes!! Keep The Faith....

Charlie 'Charles' Carver

Have we fucking bottled it like the previous 5 years YES
are our ticket prices the Highest in the country for no reward or reinvestment YES
Is the club losing it's identity YES
Hence opinions need to be voiced

Moises Cruickshank

They are on a roll,The protest is about ticket prices and other issues stephen, read the article and pass another comment. If ya really like paying £50 - £100 to watch Denislson and co, then feel free. We pay the highest prices in europe.

Chris P. Pancake

I will be there on Sunday and I will be marching, Its the only common factor in my life, 30 years, man and boy. Arsenal is in my heart, every year more and more of my buddies give it up.....we get less and pay more. Stand UP for our Arsenal. All the talk about violence is spouted by our detractors. Use your anger to attend and get your Gooner mates to attend.
Remember we aint talking about the weather here!

Tony Holman

FUNNY HOW WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE B.S.M. MARCH .. MORE THAN THE GAME......E.I.E.

Dan Flesch

fair play to those of u who think a walk out is the right way to protest at how you feel the club is run.
personally i think its the wrong way and disrespects those players who HAVE given their all.
in any case i imagine very few will walk out and it wont be so noticeable.
the pre match march is the way forward imo

Ozzy Cantona

HAHAHAHAHA WHAT AWAY TO TREAT YOUR CLUB!!!! THEY TRIED THERE BEST AND THERE BEST IS WORTH NOTHING!! RVP PLAYED MOST THE SEASON WHATS YOUR EXCUSE THIS YEAR!! YOU FANS MAKE ME SICK. STICK BY THE PLAYER WEARING THE SHIRT AND SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!! U WILL NEVER SEE THIS AT UNITED YOU DOGS.

Mikey Barnett

All you fucking twats who think its a bad idea....
Where were you most away games when the squad run off at the end and dont fucking walk over and clap us after droping stupud points?
Countless times i have seen us lose home and away! Where is our appretiation or support?
Fuck em all!
Only jack deserves the support and i will sing his name all game. At the end i am leaving as the rest dont deserve anything more

Amanda Francis

you should all be very ashamed of yourselves, what sort of supporters are you lot, bloody disgrace to the arsenal name. we don,t need you if thats your attitude. bugger off and support someone else.

Mark WewantourArsenalback Burgess

Amanda i've been going for over 30 years and have spent probably more than you earn in a year in that time following the Club i Love so are you calling me a disgrace for walking out for showing my distaste to the fucking Arsenal Board and the likes of Deadwood Hill-Wood who has overstayed his welcome at this Great Club!!
It's time for a change at Board Level and us Season Ticket Holders and True Fans have to do this to show the Club we ain't prepared to be there cash cows anymore!!!
How many Games do you attend in a season or are you just one of the mugs that attend the Emirate Cup and Carling Cup games cause they are Cheap?? Cause most of us here spend thousands every Season following this Club!!!

Donna Afc Whitehouse

Anyone who has agreed to this or created this who is on my friends list please delete me!!! This page is a fucking disgrace to Arsenal fans and the club and none of you deserve to be called a fan!! And i certainly dont wanna be associated with any of you! WIN LOSE OR DRAW GOONER4LIFE!!

Cordell Gooner Abraham

Come on guys, EVERY GOONER isnt satisfied with how the club is being run but this isnt the way, EVERY player who has put their heart out, the ramseys, wilshire, song, rvp to name a few will feel totally demoralized.......look at the manure fans they hate the Glazers but you WILL NEVER see them walking out on their team. We need to find other means of getting our point across. My opinion!!!

Peter Clark

Debby, you said that people who don't agree with it are going to start trouble with those that walk out.Well that proves to me who the blame for any trouble should be attached to,THE ONES THAT STAY.

Ian Monck

Question: what do you guys at "she wore" hope to achieve with the demonstration? Seriously, do you think the board care what we think about tickets prices and the way the club is being run? If 1000 fans don't renew their season tickets another 1000 fans are waiting to snap them up.. Have you seen the waiting list? It's called business and I am afraid nothing is about to change demonstration or no demonstration......

Gary Purssord

my logic is of selfishness towards myself sadly in recent years i have been on a few forums, and WAS a gold membership holder after some lively debates and very vocal arguments in the seat i had, with new generation of fans i decided for my own sanity to give up membership and my seat !! with reading recently the campaign going and comments being made i fear the worse on sunday and feel the cause is lost.. i sincerely hope im wrong and your points are heard and acted on

John Doughty

fuck the walk

And yet here is some sanity from twitter

stevenmkelly

@LindsisaGooner if we go a goal down, god knows what will happen, gonna be very negative atmosphere on Sunday

ru55clarke

@LindsisaGooner that's why I'm against this march, not for what it stands for but a few idiots will turn it in to a witch hunt.

ru55clarke

@LindsisaGooner keep the faith. Remember victory through harmony. When die hards like you lose the faith what is there left. Up The Arse

Jake_E

@LindsisaGooner there's gonna be a lot of haters in,that's for sure.You never know,we might play a blinder... but change will come,everyone's frustrated but we should support our team til the end

Well somewhere on Sunday there is also a game against Aston Villa scheduled and TV is back in the side. I hope for once the team do their bit to defuse the situation and get a resounding win. In 26 years of going to The Arsenal this is honestly the first time I am not looking forward to match day.

Take care of yourselves Gooners, and each other.

xxx