100 years of hating Arsenal – the club that changed football

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal By Tony Attwood The resentment that built up with Arsenal’s development in south London and the move to the north extended far beyond the petty jealousy of Tottenham and the desire of local residents in Islington to keep the club out of their borough. The fact that it was wider …

When is an archery tournament not an archery tournament?

 Arsenal History and Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal Andy Kelly When it’s a lottery!!! Ha, ha, yes the old ones are the best ones. Those of you that have read an Arsenal history book will, more than likely, have read about the club organising an archery tournament in 1902 to raise funds. At the close …

Major explosion at Arsenal’s ground. Refreshment area destroyed

Arsenal History and Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal Mark Andrews Picking up on the licensing strand from your AISA history web article “Arsenal’s view of its own history is starting to change” dated August 17th 2011, alcohol was indeed on sale in the ground throughout the games from the inception of the team playing at …

Why it is time to rethink our views on Henry Norris, the man who made Arsenalal?

Tony Attwood Henry Norris has always suffered a bad press in football terms.  He has come down to us as an arrogant man, a bully, self-opinionated, and above all a man who was shamed out of football, having been found guilty of having his hand in the Arsenal money box. And yet, the more I …

The brave, fearless and intelligent: four great heroes of Arsenal

THE BRAVE,FEARLESS AND INTELLIGENT Don McMahon This is a sort of compendium of Arsenal’s often ignored heroes and heroic events in the modern era that have contributed to our reputation as a formidable and  highly respected Football club, despite the British and Spanish media’s ceaseless efforts to dismiss AFC blindly. By the way I got …

How did we used to get the half time scores?

By Tony Attwood It is, of course, so easy today. If you want to know a score you can see it on TV at any time, both through teletext on the BBC and through Sky Sports News. If you are at the match at the Ems you can wait until half time or full time, …

Arsenal’s view of its own history is starting to change

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal By Tony Attwood I have mentioned ad nauseum that I have a column in the Arsenal programme this season: “Arsenal Uncovered” which jumps around Arsenal’s history here and there, in a wholly illogical manner.  What I have not mentioned is that the club programme also has a series of articles …

Why I do hope you will buy a programme at the Emirates this season

By Tony Attwood Well, not to put a final point on it, I would love you to buy a programme at the ground this season, because, well, you know… The programme will feature a series this season called… “Arsenal Uncovered” written by…  well…..  me. The idea is that each article covers one bit of Arsenal’s …

The most extraordinary event in the history of Arsenal.

By Tony Attwood I have mentioned in the past that I was working with Arsenal on line and the Arsenal shop to have the book  “Making the Arsenal” sold through the shop. I am pleased to say that has now happened, although at the moment there is no description of the book showing on the …

Newcastle United v Arsenal; 118 years on from the very first game

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal By Tony Attwood On 2 September 1893 Woolwich Arsenal FC played their very first game in the league.  And just like this season it was against Newcastle United. I have covered this game before, but the coincidence of starting the season with the same match is too much to let …

Ivan Gazidis takes open Q and A session as AISA launches Arsenal History Society

By Tony Attwood I appreciate that for the vast majority of people who attended last night’s AGM of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association meeting, the big event – indeed the reason for being there – was the appearance by Ivan Gazidis and his willingness to take open questions from fans. It was an amazing occasion, …

“Dial Square to Woolwich Arsenal: the real story of Arsenal’s early years.”

By Tony Attwood Since mentioning the publication of the “Dial Square to Woolwich Arsenal” booklet recently I have received a number of emails concerning how one might get the booklet. All AISA members will get a copy.  Those who attend the AGM will get a copy at the meeting, and will be able to be …

Arsenal v West Brom, Jan 1964. A personal memory

By Nigel Tremlett My father took me to my first game at the age of seven and I can remember it so well: a 3-1 defeat to Luton Town in March 1957. Our goal was scored by Derek Tapscott, who drilled it in from the edge of the area, but I cried all the way …

Revealed: the 18 most common errors that appear in most Arsenal histories

By Tony Attwood This monday sees the publication of “Dial Square to Woolwich Arsenal: the real story of Arsenal’s early years.” It is being published by Arsenal Independent Supporters Association, and everyone who is a member of AISA will get a copy.  Those attending the AGM on Monday will not only get to hear Ivan …

Do you have a scrapbook or files or information about Arsenal in the 1970s

By Tony Attwood In association with some colleagues and friends I am looking to gather together all the resources I can find about Arsenal in the 1970s.  It would include things like A year by year analysis with brief report on each match, programme covers, league tables, player profiles, lots of photos of matches, newspaper …

Arsenal’s first foreign player, and Arsenal’s smallest squad

By Tony Attwood In writing the Arsenal Uncovered notes for the club programme this season, I find I am getting myself into areas where I think I know the answer, and then don’t. If you can help, I’d be grateful. Arsenal’s first foreign player. Of course there’s an issue of definition here, but taking it …

Your help needed if you know your Arsenal history

by Tony Attwood I am working with two great friends of this site (Andy Kelly and Mark Andrews) to produce the book WOOLWICH ARSENAL: THE CLUB THAT CHANGED FOOTBALL. Following discussions with Arsenal FC there is a chance that they will take the book and sell it through their shops and on line – it …

Proposal to establish the AISA Arsenal History Society (oh, and a meeting with Mr Gazidis)

Just on two years ago AISA, the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association, voted to set up a division of the association with the view to exploring and promoting an awareness of Arsenal’s history. In those two years amazing things have happened.  This web site has grown and grown, and through it we have found out more …