Arsenal 125 anniversary #Arsenal125

This Saturday, the 10 of December is the day selected to mark the 125th birthday of the worlds greatest football club. Honour, Class & Tradition the Arsenal is special. In my life it is exceptionally special and for millions the world over Arsenal Football Club is more important than anything else. If football is a religion, then Arsenal is heaven, and Dennis Bergkamp is the one true God.

Over the 125 years Arsenal have used 803 players and played 5,174 matches in the period. Of those 803 players, 83 (10.3 per cent) played just once, with more than half (409) falling into the two to 49 appearance bracket. At the other end of the scale, 198 players (24.7 per cent) have so far made it into triple figures, while an elite band of just 20 players went on to play 400 games or more.  David O'Leary, who played 722 times between 1975 and 1993 has played the most.

As for me, well the greatest game ever was away to Liverpool, May 26th 1989. The great goal was Charlie George in the 71 Cup Final, the greatest moment was when Michael Thomas broke through and the TV commentator said the immortal line, "It's up for grabs now", and the greatest player was, and always will be, Dennis Bergkamp. However for me, supporting the Arsenal is more than just those moments, it is a bigger than that. If we suddenly were relegated, all the way down to the conference, I would still be an Arsenal fan. It is truely a case of Arsenal for life, and beyond.

 It is funny but at a time like this, all the memories of my life as a Gunner flood back, the CL final in Paris, the trips to Copenhagen, Milan and Florida, the games when we were crap, my first time on the North Bank, then on the Clock End, seeing Liam Brady score that goal away at Spurs, Tony's goal against Everton, players like Vadimir Petrovic, Alan Sunderland, David Price and the greatest "unsung" hero Michael Thomas. Or getting into, and out off, bother away at Leeds and Millwall. Buying my first Arsenal shirt and first season ticket. And of course there was the day, away at West Ham, that my daughter was Arsenal Mascot, now that brought a tear to my eye. 44 years of amazing memories and all thanks to the Arsenal. Happy birthday my beloved Arsenal and thank you so much for the memories, heres to the next 125 years and whatever it may bring.