Fulham, Chelsea, Alan Ball and Rampant Nuns

Last updated : 27 April 2007 By Ben Dimech
In spite of us having virtually guaranteed Champions League football yet again, celebrated St. Totteringham's day yet again and reached a cup final yet again. Let's face it, we're spoilt rotten!

We've got Fulham on Sunday 4pm and with the weather predicted to be blistering hot, we're opening the beer garden again at The Rocket. There's no other game on so we're set for Sky Sports News on the big screen and DJ Frosty on the decks before seeing our lads play Fulham. Doesn't get much better than that!

And now onto Alan Ball. In these days of technicolour boots, it's hard to remember what a stir the sight of a pair of white boots caused in the early 1970s. In those days, we had just about got colour television and you could have any shade of football boots as long as it was a shade of black. Then there was Alan Ball. Resplendent in white boots and even more importantly, he played for The Arsenal and England. All over the country in the playgrounds, the football pitches and no doubt the pubs, all the talk was of those white boots.

Over the last few days there have been many tributes to the man who played 217 games for Arsenal and won 72 England caps during his career and we have a suggestion for a tribute that we hope will bring a smile to many faces; not least the man himself if he is looking down. Let's recreate those heady days of the 1970s and get your white trainers out or even your white disco shoes if you feel like going wild and wear them to The Emirates on Sunday.

No doubt there will be the usual minutes silence / clapping in recognition of the great man but we feel this slightly tongue in cheek idea will be a suitable additional way of showing our regard for the contribution he made to Arsenal and England. Of course as well, we must not forget the passing away of Arthur Milton and with his connections to Cricket, the white boots idea seemed apt as well.

Two great Arsenal men. Let's remember the great times they provided for the supporters during their time, many of whom will be at The Emirates this weekend, and send them off accordingly. As we sang to the Everton fans all those years ago 'Thank you very much for Alan Ball! Thank you very much. Thank you very very very much'

The week after, we host Chelsea and coincidentally, we have our end of season party at The Rocket. Lovely timing, I'm sure you'll agree! On the agenda, we have a myriad of stuff before kick off including:

- a subsidised barbeque in the beer garden
- guest speakers Peter Marinello and Tom Watt
- the Away Boyz performing live featuring Kayleigh (hold your drool, lads!)

After the Chelsea game, we'll be featuring:

- a live DJ set from Frosty
- the wonderment that is Paul G Lawrence performing acoustically
- raffle and auction with exclusive signed items from players past and present

There may also be other ex-players in attendance to share a drink with us but as it's the busiest time of the year for them, they haven't confirmed. Could be very interesting though! Entry is free although we ask for a discretionary contribution on the door for our charity of the season, The Willow Foundation.

Finally…..it's Fancy Pompey time in just over two weeks. If you have a match ticket, do join us in a bit of good old Arsenal eccentricity! The previous ones have been a great success as you've all seen from the photos and it says a lot about us as fans that for one day a season, we can take things less seriously than all the other miserable gits out there! There's a REDaction coach to Pompey for this. Picking up at 9:30am on match day outside the stadium with another pick up in Cheam for all you SLAGs. We'll then be having a pit stop at a designated pub just outside Portsmouth where you'll be given £6 in drinks vouchers. Price of coach is £18 (inc. drinks vouchers) and you can book via the Travel Club in the normal way. Just mention the REDaction coach. Spaces really are limited so if you're up for it, get it sorted today!

Victory Through Harmony

REDaction

The Rocket: Please note that due to the entry policy in place, no under-14s will be admitted. 14-17 year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Home fans with any type of home memberships/tickets are welcome as are their guests!

The Rocket is open every weekend home match. At present, it will not be available for weekday matches. The address is 166-220 Holloway Rd, N7 8DB (opposite Paddy Power and five mins walk from the ground).

If you have any questions/comments/means/feedback, please contact us on the usual e-mail address redaction@btinternet.com