“Making the Arsenal” to be published in October

MAKING THE ARSENAL

“Making the Arsenal” is a novel about Arsenal FC in 1910 which will be published in October 2009.

1910 was a central year for the history of our club, because the old Woolwich Arsenal went bust and was taken over by Henry Norris.

Norris got very close to moving the club to Fulham, but when that failed he started to look around at other options – options which eventually led him to move us to Highbury, get us into the First Division (where we have been ever since) and bring in Chapman.

The novel centres on the diaries of a Fleet Street journalist who is sent initially to cover a shareholders meeting at Woolwich Arsenal.

By chance he discovers more than he was looking for, and ends up not only having more inside information on the club than anyone else, but also knowing a number of secrets that the Home Secretary of the day (none other than Winston Churchill) would rather he did not know.

The novel covers the major events of the year both in political and footballing terms.  It’s a fun read, and gives you more details about Woolwich Arsenal 100 years ago, and the events that led directly to the club we know today, than have ever been published before.

As such Making the Arsenal is only the second major novel about Arsenal ever published – following the in the steps of the Arsenal Stadium Mystery.

You will be able to buy this book direct from this site and from UNTOLD ARSENAL at www.blog.emiratesstadium.info     Full details will be given here during October 2009.

Making the Arsenal is written by Tony Attwood, who is a season ticket holder and lifelong supporter.  Tony is also a committee member of Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association, and is editor of the UNTOLD ARSENAL blog which is read by over 100,000 people each month.  Tony’s previous work ranges from science fiction (Blake’s 7) to books on education and schooling.  He was recently asked by AISA to set up Arsenal History, and a new web site on this will be set up to coincide with the launch of “Making the Arsenal”