It’s difficult to put into words how I feel about Highbury. For twenty-one years - between my first match in 1985 and my last in 2006 - I was a committed regular. I experienced so many emotions there – mostly good - as I was lucky enough to witness the absolute best of both George Graham and Arsene Wenger’s reigns. I shared these experiences with good friends, and most importantly with my Dad.
Fourteen years ago, I attended one of the last ever tours of Highbury. Our guide that day was the great Charlie George. Last week, on the day that would have been my Dad’s 74th birthday, I was invited on a Legends tour of the Emirates Stadium. I was thrilled that my tour would again be hosted by Charlie.
The tour started with a look round the Director’s box and the Diamond Club where Raymond Blanc oversees meals on match days, and the level of exclusivity means there have been just two new members accepted to the club in thirteen years! We were then guided down to the players’ dressing room - and the various adjoining facilities: the spa, physio room, interview rooms. An impressive area, but surprisingly compact, given the vast scale of the stadium.
The real star of the show however, was Charlie George. Charlie hosted our tour with the same enthusiasm, zest and flair he displayed 50 years ago on the pitch. I feared that some of the passion I remembered from his tour of Highbury might have been dampened - if not by the passing years, then perhaps by the change of venue. But Charlie skipped around the stadium like a man half his age, mixing memorised facts and cheeky one-liners with warmth, patience and good humour, particularly in response to questions and photo requests.
There were a fairly large number of guests on our tour, but Charlie managed to make it feel personal, clearly taking huge pride in his roles at Arsenal, both past and present. There were a number of nice touches, including singling out a gentleman celebrating his 90th birthday, giving him the captain’s seat in the home dressing room, as well as a birthday card, and a round of applause from all present.
Looking around at the names on the shirts in the dressing room – some with their whole careers ahead of them – made you think how wonderful it would be if the current crop of exciting Arsenal youngsters can emulate the Highbury heroics of Adams, Thomas, Merson and Rocastle, and make the Emirates an equally special place for the next generation of fans.
Charlie guided us down the tunnel and to pitch-side, with plenty of opportunities for photos and questions. Everything was unrushed and relaxed. After a short walk through the media centre, Charlie held a Q and A, answering even the slightly tricky questions about the current trajectory of the club with honesty, grace, and good-humour.
The tour also includes entry to the Arsenal Museum. I have to say the museum is slightly underwhelming. It has the fantastic exhibits you would expect – the trophies, boots and shirts but it’s cramped, and situated in the basement of a building adjacent to the stadium. The very fact it’s separate from the stadium in itself hints at a slight disconnect with the past, which is a shame as on the whole the club have done a good job of combining the past, present and future in and around the stadium itself. Given Arsenal Football Club’s prominent place in world football history, it could be so much better.
The Emirates tour is still a great way to spend a couple of hours, especially if you have the opportunity to spend that time with a true legend, like Charlie George.
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You can book your Emirates Tour online at Arsenal Direct
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