View Full Version : Farewell Highbury
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Bye Bye highbury :cry: saturday my birthday :cry: :cry:
Stadium Information
Official Name: Arsenal Stadium
Inauguration: 6 September 1913
First match: Arsenal-Leicester Fosse 2-1
Capacity: 38,500 seats
Record Attendance: 73,295; Arsenal-Sunderland, 9 March 1935
Address: Avenell Road, Highbury, London, N5 1BU
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Club Information
Clubs: Arsenal FC
Inauguration: 1886
Club colours: Red & White
Postal address:
Arsenal Stadium
Avenell Road
Highbury
London N5 1BU
Tel: 020 7704 4000
Fax: 020 7704 4001
Email: info@arsenal.co.uk
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At the start of this historic season, Arsenal Football Club put up a new wall in the fabled Marble Halls at Highbury. They invited current players to write messages of farewell to their famous old ground. Arsenal.com has taken a slightly different tack. Just before the final competitive game at this stadium, we have invited well-known people connected with the Club and the area, in whatever capacity, to pay their tribute.
We will be adding to them as the days go on.
“I have been playing for Arsenal Ladies since 1996 and have had some very memorable experiences both playing and watching games at Highbury. I am lucky to say that I have won the league on this hallo turf and that this unique stadium has been the teams venue for training over the years and I couldn’t have ask for a more inspiring backdrop to motivate me to achieve my footballing dreams.”
Faye White, Arsenal Ladies and England captain
"Thanks to Archibald Leitch, Highbury remains one of the great homes of English football."
Mark Perryman, London England fans representative
"When I remember Highbury I think about my father taking me down there as a youngster and hearing all the grown men swearing around me on the terraces! I was brought up down the road in Islington and it will be a shame when Arsenal leave there, although the new stadium looks great. I'm going to try and get to Paris for the Final, I fancy us to win it."
Phil Tufnell, cricketer and fan
"It has always been a pleasure to work with Arsenal as it first became of immense Swedish interest during Anders Limpar's heyday, followed by the short stay of Stefan Schwarz and all the excitement - past and present - around Freddie Ljungberg. I'll miss Highbury and the surroundings greatly, as I took its genuine footballing atmosphere to my heart from my first visit in the 1980s."
Henrik Skiöld, Football correspondent — TT (Sweden)
"My first time at Highbury was Chelsea's first game after winning promotion to the old First Division - it was a morning kick-off, the ground was packed and I was playing against one of idols, Pat Jennings. As a coach it will always hold special memories. When you walk into the ground and see the bust of Herbert Chapman, the history and nostalgia of the old place hits you. Arsenal will always be a special club to me, I wish everyone there well and all the best for the Champions League Final."
Eddie Niedzwiecki, Blackburn and former Arsenal coach
"Highbury is a great stadium and will always be special for Arsenal fans. The club have moved with the times and it could be wonderful that a club with class could move to their new stadium as European champions."
Paul Hetherington, chairman, Football Writers Associations (England)
"What I find about the Club is that it's like a little community. There's a really friendly environment, regardless of whether it's a matchday or a normal working day when the staff are there. Everyone knows everyone, from the security guards on the door to the directors. I have so many good memories of Highbury, and I guess the best one is winning the league there. The men's team had just played their game and many of them stayed behind to watch our game from the stands." Emma Byrne, Arsenal Ladies goalkeeper
“It's a shame to say goodbye to Highbury which is a stadium steeped in history and the scene of so many great Arsenal victories - and from my sport Muhammed Ali v Henry Cooper. It would have been my dream to fight for the world title at Highbury but perhaps I can be the first to do it at Emirates Stadium.” Danny Williams, Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion and fan
“Highbury is special, it always has been, so when the final whistle blows on Sunday it will be a very strange feeling. The memories are sure to come flooding back: making my debut against Liverpool in front of 55,000, celebrating our title win in 1991 and racing up to the top of the old North Bank in training on a Tuesday. Unforgettable times at an unforgettable place.”
Alan Smith, player
“What an honour and a privilege to have played at such a special and unique stadium. Wonderful memories from sweeping the terraces as a trainee (and running up and down them!), the feeling of scoring a goal there, watching and playing in big games, European nights and the list goes on. Thanks for the memories that I'll treasure forever. Wish I could have been there for the last game!”
Steve Morrow, player
“I have nothing but magnificent memories of my time at Highbury. Unlike many grounds, Highbury has remained a wonderful stadium; still stylish, stately and atmospheric. It will forever be remembered as the greatest architectural stadium built in England. I will miss it but never forget it.”
Stewart Robson, player
"It is the end of the Highbury era, so many fantastic memories. I am sure we will do as well at the new Stadium."
Frank Warren, boxing promoter and fan.
"It is my favourite place in the whole wide world. Whenever I think of Highbury I will think of happy days, and life-long friends."
Amy Lawrence, journalist (Observer, England)
Arsenal play their final match at Highbury when they entertain Wigan on Sunday 7 May.
The club will play at their new Emirates Stadium at Ashburton Grove from the 2005-2006 campaign.
Respected broadcaster Tom Watt, long-time fan Keith Martin and Graham Weaver, author of 12-0 to the Arsenal (and a goal in injury time), share their memories of the famous old ground.
Messageboard users also told us their favourite moments from Highbury's illustrious past.
Favourite Match
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Tom Watt: The Fairs Cup final against Anderlecht in 1970. It came four or five years into my time as an Arsenal supporter. I was about 14 or 15.
We were 3-1 down after the first leg but won 3-0 at Highbury to take the trophy.
Keith Martin: My favourite match would probably also be beating Anderlecht in the Fairs Cup final. It was the first trophy I saw us win.
Graham Weaver: Probably a game that a lot of people would say - the match that clinched the Premiership title in 1998.
We had to beat Everton and played them off the park. Arsenal won 4-0 and Tony Adams famously scored the fourth, then stood with his arms outstretched milking the applause.
I sit in the upper tier of the North Bank and it was that afternoon that we realised it actually bounced. It was a little worrying at the time.
As they played music over the tannoy everyone was stomping their feet. Legend has it that an architect in the stand ran from his seat and left the ground.
Favourite Goal
Tom Watt: My favourite goal was scored in May 1992. It was against Southampton in the last match played in front of the old North Bank.
Ian Wright did a 60-yard mazy from inside his own half, beating four or five defenders before scoring to make sure the old stand got a good send-off.
I was standing on the North Bank that afternoon but I grew up on the Clock End and have had a season ticket there since 1971.
Keith Martin: The one that springs to mind is Thierry Henry's goal against Spurs on 16 November 2002. Henry ran virtually the length of the pitch and it was special because it came against Tottenham.
Graham Weaver: The one goal I would pick was scored by Anders Limpar in a game against Liverpool in April 1992.
Everyone talks about the famous David Beckham goal against Wimbledon but Limpar did pretty much the same, chipping Bruce Grobbelaar from the centre circle.
We won 4-0 at a time when Liverpool were still the team to beat.
Best Arsenal Player At Highbury
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Tom Watt: It is tricky to call between Liam Brady and Dennis Bergkamp.
If I had to pick one it would probably be Bergkamp. He has now been at Arsenal for 10 years and, for all that Arsene Wenger has changed at Arsenal, Bergkamp has been just as important in changing the football club forever.
Keith Martin: Liam Brady was special but the man who transformed our club is Dennis Bergkamp. When Dennis arrived, the club went up another level.
Tony Adams is a legend but without a shadow of doubt Bergkamp is the best player I have ever seen.
Graham Weaver: My favourite player is Dennis Bergkamp. It is one of the few times Arsenal have signed a player who was world class at the time. He was already one of my favourite players and the excitement when he joined was fantastic.
Best Oppostion Player At Highbury
Tom Watt: The only reason I really liked opposition players was if they happened to hate us as much as we hated them. On that score I would say that Kerry Dixon and Teddy Sheringham are two of my favourite opposition players.
Keith Martin: I don't pay too much attention to the opposition. I saw George Best towards the latter end of his career and he was tremendous.
Graham Weaver: The trouble is that being so one-eyed you don't really notice the opposition. Probably Patrick Vieira when he came back with Juventus.
Favourite Highbury Memory
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Tom Watt: If there was a favourite moment for personal reasons it was in the mid-to-late 1980s when Charlie Nicholas was at the club.
I had a mate who I used to take along every now and then. He favoured Arsenal without being a committed supporter.
One night Nicholas was out on the wing near our seats. He nutmegged Chelsea defender Doug Rougvie and chipped the keeper from about 35 yards.
Literally the next day my mate bought his first season ticket and has been going ever since.
Keith Martin: It is very difficult to pick out something because there are so many great memories. The one thing I will probably miss the most is the closeness of the crowd to the pitch. It has always been an advantage for us.
Graham Weaver: I first went to Highbury for my seventh birthday. My dad was an Aston Villa supporter and I was not really an Arsenal supporter.
At the time we lived not far north of London and so Highbury was the easiest ground to reach. From that game I was hooked on Arsenal.
Unhappiest Highbury Memory
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Tom Watt: A pretty bad one was going out of the Champions League against Chelsea.
In the first half of that game we played the best football of the season - and that was a campaign when we went on to win the title without losing a match.
They mugged us at the end. If we had won that night we would have won the European Cup - Chelsea did not.
Keith Martin: I like winning trophies at other grounds - Anfield, Tottenham twice, Old Trafford.
The worst moment for me was probably when Villa won the title at Highbury in May 1981. Even though we beat Villa they were crowned champions afterwards and celebrated on the pitch at Highbury.
Graham Weaver: The one that springs to mind was when we played Benfica in November 1991.
It was the first time an English team had been in the European Cup following the Heysel ban.
We drew 1-1 in Lisbon, brought them back to Highbury and took the lead in that match. I thought 'here we go' but they got one back and then played us off the park in extra time.
We lost 3-1 on the night, 4-2 on aggregate. With English teams having done so well in the past I thought we might win the trophy and to go out so early was a big disappointment.
If You Could Take One Thing To The New Ground...
Tom Watt: I would take Thierry Henry.
Keith Martin: If I could take one thing from Highbury it would probably be Thierry Henry. Having said that the club have offered him the best deal ever and if he says no then we will say 'thanks very much' and carry on.
Graham Weaver: I would quite like to take my seat - it is very comfortable.
Are Arsenal Right To Leave Highbury?
Tom Watt: Yes
Keith Martin: Without a shadow of a doubt - it is 100% the right move.
Graham Weaver: Yes - I think so. The impression I get is that, although most fans don't want to leave Highbury, they realise that it has to happen.
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As we approach the final curtain at our famous old stadium, it's time to reflect on 93 years of Highbury history. And as ever, we wanted the fans to have their say.
Last week, we asked you to choose your favourite goal and greatest moment at Highbury. Over the past seven days, registered members of the Club's official website have been voting.
Now it's time to reveal the results. Read on to find out which Highbury moment and which Highbury goal will be most fondly remembered by the fans
Greatest Highbury Moment
http://upload4.postimage.org/193071/1.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193071/photo_hosting.html) 1st. Tony Adams celebration against Everton - 1998
Steve Bould flicks an exquisite through ball to Adams who lashes home a shot from outside the area. That is an incredible sentence when you think about. The fact that these two conjured up this goal on the day Arsenal took the title was just so poignant.
http://upload4.postimage.org/193074/2.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193074/photo_hosting.html) 2nd. Arsčne Wenger and the 'unbeaten season' T-shirt - 2004
Having just achieved an unbeaten season that was unprecedented in the modern era, the lap of honour was something to behold. In front of the North Bank, the Arsenal manager was thrown a T-shirt from the crowd. On the front it ridiculed remarks attributed to the Arsenal manager the previous season when it was wrongly reported he said his side could go unbeaten through that campaign. Having achieved the feat a year later, Wenger’s grin was something to behold.
http://upload4.postimage.org/193085/3.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193085/photo_hosting.html) 3rd. Arsenal 3 Anderlecht 0 - 1970
Bertie Mee’s side trailed 3-1 from the first leg but stormed back on an incredible. It was Arsenal’s first trophy for 17 years and, some say, the victory that laid the foundation for the Double that followed the next years.
Greatest Highbury Goal
http://upload4.postimage.org/193097/1.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193097/photo_hosting.html) 1st. Thierry Henry v Manchester United, October 1, 2000
At the time Arsenal and United were THE big rivals in the Premiership, and it took something special to separate them. Well, this was something special. When Thierry Henry received the ball 25 yards out with his back to goal and Gary Neville in close attention, United looked in no danger. An instant later, Henry flicked the ball up, span and fired a dipping volley over Fabien Barthez and into the top corner.
http://upload4.postimage.org/193103/2.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193103/photo_hosting.html) 2nd. Thierry Henry v Liverpool, April 9, 2004
The problem: Arsenal had tumbled out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of three days, and now their title credentials were being stretched to the limit by Liverpool, who had led twice at Highbury. The solution: Thierry Henry collects the ball just inside the visitors' half and slaloms past three challenges before slipping the ball under Jerzy Dudek to put Arsenal ahead for the first time. The Gunners never look back and complete an unbeaten Premiership season.
http://upload4.postimage.org/193106/3.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/cell_phones/sim_cards/simalert/193106/photo_hosting.html) 3rd. Dennis Bergkamp v Bolton Wanderers, May 5, 1996
With six minutes remaining on the final day of the campaign, Arsenal need a goal to clinch a place in the UEFA Cup. Step forward Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutch master drops deep to collect a pass from David Platt, turns, advances to the edge of the box and unleashes an unstoppable shot into the top corner. A perfect way to cap your debut season in English football and a sign of things to come.
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Watch the Final 90 minutes at Highbury on sunday :cry:
Final Match At Highbury
Arsenal v Wigan
7th May
Sky Sports 2
3pm
Tickets for our final match at Highbury went in a flash, but if you missed out you can still watch on Sky Sports 2 at 3pm
The event promises to be a fitting and poignant farewell to the famous old stadium.
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Progress often comes at a price. So although Arsčne Wenger will be steeling himself for a poignant Final Salute to Highbury on Sunday, the Arsenal manager remains utterly sure that the move is the right one.
"It will be emotional,” he said at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “When we walk out there we know we cannot come back and visit again as it will be destroyed. That makes it a little bit more emotional, as you know when you walk out it's finished.
"But what convinced me [to change] was when we went to Wembley in the Champions League. It was a sell-out every time.
“I realised then that this Club has a massive support and you cannot turn it down forever. No respected company can turn away 30,000 or 40,000 people every week without trying to do something. That was unfair and I felt we had a responsibility to extend the capacity of the stadium.
“That it could happen so close to Highbury and in such a short time is a miracle. It was so complicated.”
So what is Wenger’s Highbury highlight?
"The first championship on that Sunday afternoon [in 1998],” he replied. “I would like to remember all the highlights; those moments when there was the same wavelength between us and the fans when we played fantastic football. There were certainly some happy moments in the game when you feel there is a real fraternity going on between the team, the players and the fans. Apart from that I admit I'm somebody who expects to win, so when I lose I remember the disappointments.
“But overall Highbury is something special for me and will remain forever something special. It's an atmosphere they can never recreate somewhere else.”
Although, the Arsenal fans are sure to make a pretty good attempt at Emirates Stadium next season.
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