Desert Island Games #1: Andrew Drayton

Desert Island Games makes it's anticipated debut with Arsenal fan Andrew Drayton (a.k.a. AviDGooner) giving his three unforgettable games. Andrew has taken a novel approach by categorising his games, splitting them up into a game he's been to, a game he's seen live on TV and finally a game for the neutrals.

So without further adieu, take it away Andrew;

Game I’ve Been At

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Arsenal 5

December 23^rd 1978


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLkrRdTB8K4[/youtube]


I only went to this game because an uncle, who we were staying with for Christmas, thought it would be a laugh for his 12-year-old nephew to attend, standing underneath the then notorious shelf. In the days when they took the laces out of your DM boots, (I kid you not), the atmosphere was on the shocking side of electric.

The dark overcoats and jackets of almost everyone around me punctured only by the halo of sky directly above me shroud my memories of the game. I did though get to the front of the crowd to actually watch the match through the navy blue wire fence prevalent in the bad old days.

My memory of the game is the bright red shirts of my heroes set against the slate grey sky and foreboding background provided by the fans.

The image that I can close my eyes now and picture and will forever stay is watching Liam Brady curl it up around and in past the despairing dive of whoever they had in goal. A glorious, glorious moment.

Game I Saw Live on TV

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1 (aet)

F.A Cup Final 1971


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulR_vwwfKhA[/youtube]

Now there are a million Arsenal Fans out here who’s default choice for this would be the ‘Up for grabs now’ game in 1989. And I can obviously see why.

But for me the ’71 Cup Final is the one. I was, at the time, a nominal Arsenal supporter influenced by the family around me and from occasional glimpses on The Big Match.

This was the first ever game that I saw from start to finish on TV and provided the very threads of Arsenal DNA that still run through me today. The inherent hope of a young boy crystallised by a longhaired man lying flat on his back.

Every goal I scored after this (all in the school playground), for as long as I can remember ended this way.

It is why, for me every Arsenal away kit should be yellow.

A hero born, a team adopted, the path of my life now pre-ordained.

The Game from a Neutrals Point of View

Liverpool 4 Newcastle United 3

3^rd April 1996


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwCDYc-r3iI[/youtube]

The first one.

Pretty much the perfect game for the neutral supporter.

At the start I sort of wanted Newcastle to win, (everyone’s favourite second team and all that). 1-1 after 10 mins, 2-1 Newcastle after 15 and the pace, performance and pulsating action meant that in the end it didn’t matter who won – just keep playing like this for hours please.

In the end a winner in injury time and the slumped forlorn figure of Keegan rounded off the best game of football that I didn’t really care about.

And it beggars belief that we all sat in front of the box next time around reminiscing on the action from last time - and it happened again!