Away grounds Part 1 - My Hillsborough jinx

I have been going to away matches for the best part of 30 years and seen Arsenal play in around 80 different stadiums, both at home and abroad. In this new series I look back at my visits to some of those grounds.

This first chapter is all about a stadium who's name resonates far further than the world of football. Hillsborough. Apart from being forever remembered for the awful disaster that killed 96 Liverpool fans in April 1989, the famous old stadium was also something of a jinx for me. In 9 visits between November 1984 and September 1999, I saw Arsenal lose 7 times and draw the other 2.

The famous facade to the Spoin Kop

Despite Sheffield Wednesday now languishing in the lower reaches of the Championship, Hillsborough is still one of the great British football stadiums. Before the days of Wembley being used for everything, FA Cup semi finals were often played there and it was a ground I had always wanted to visit. Thankfully the opportunity arrived after The Owls were promoted to the First Division in 1984, so my first visit was that November.

Under Don Howe, Arsenal had recently topped the table so our trip to Wednesday was selected for live TV coverage on the Sunday, a real rarity at the time. I was certainly not disappointed by the stadium, although it had clearly seen better days. I stood on the Leppings Lane Terrace that afternoon and noticed how the perimeter fence obscured the view. Of course we were spoilt at Highbury, one of the few grounds not to have fencing in those days. As for the game itself, well it was far from memorable as our title challenge was already beginning to falter. In the event a first half goal from Tony Woodcock was not enough to prevent us slipping to a 2-1 defeat and although I didn't know it at the time, just seeing us score up there was about as good as it would ever get for me.

I did not make the trip in 1985-86 (a 2-0 defeat), 1986-87 (a 1-1 draw), or, regrettably, 1987-88 (an exciting 3-3 draw) so my next visit was not until September 1988. Under George Graham, Arsenal were destined to win their first league title in 18 years but inevitably we would lose at Hillsborough. I was on the Leppings Lane Terrace again as we had a first half goal disallowed for a very marginal offside decision, and a strike from Alan Smith was not enough to prevent another 2-1 defeat. Of course that was my last visit to Hillsborough before the disaster seven months later and I would never be able to look at the Leppings Lane End in quite the same way ever again.

The now infamous clock on top of the Main Stand

By the time of my next visit - February 1990 - our defence of the title was not going well. We were struggling to score goals, especially away from home, and his match summed up much of the season as a first minute own goal from Steve Bould saw us lose 1-0. I seem to recall the terrace was not open that day (perhaps they were fitting the seats) so we sat in the upper tier. It was a particularly bleak encounter on a cold and foggy winters afternoon that all but ended our title challenge.

Wednesday were relegated at the end of that season but they bounced straight back so my next trip, in November 1991, saw as arrive as defending champions once again. This game sticks in my mind for two reasons. One, I travelled up on the train alone as none of my usual away companions could make it, and two, I saw us score at the Leppings Lane end for the last time. In fact it would prove to be the last Arsenal goal I would ever see at Hillsborough. Despite going a goal down to a first half strike from David Hirst, Bould gained his own personal revenge with a second half equaliser that led to great celebrations in the upper tier seating and made the lonely journey home all the more bearable.

The first season of the Premier League would see us beat Wednesday twice at Wembley and our league visit to Hillsborough came in-between the two cup finals. Played on a Thursday evening in April 1993, and coming on the back on two 0-0 draws against Everton and QPR in the previous five days, it was a game neither side really wanted and ended in a drab 1-0 defeat. I remember sitting in the front row of the upper tier spending much of the match wondering why I had bothered.

Typically, I missed our only league victory at Hillsborough during this period, which occurred at the start of the following 1993-94 season - an Ian Wright goal giving us a 1-0 success - while I also missed the 3-1 defeat in March 1995. Therefore my next visit was not until Easter Monday 1996 and ended in another uneventful 1-0 defeat. This was one of the most frustrating matches I have ever been to. We needed a win to stay in the hunt for a European place but we did not even muster a single shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.

The following 1996-97 season saw the Wenger revolution in full swing and we travelled up to Yorkshire on Boxing Day sitting proudly on top of the league. Surely I would finally see us win at Hillsborough now. But again it was not to be as this live-on-TV teatime game ended in a tedious 0-0 draw - Dennis Bergkamp's first half effort coming back off the post being the only highlight.

View towards the Leppings Lane End

The 1997-98 season would end with Arsenal gloriously winning the Double but we still managed to lose at Hillsborough in the November, going down 2-0 during a run of only 2 wins from 8 matches that threatened our title challenge. Again we seemed to save our worst performance of the season for the trip to Wednesday and it was another occasion where we failed to create a single chance of note.

The last time I saw Arsenal play at Hillsborough was in September 1998. Again we were defending champions and arrived in West Yorkshire still unbeaten in the league. But this game proved to be memorable for non-football related reasons. Wednesday's Italian forward Paolo Di Canio was sent off in the second half and pushed referee Paul Alcock to the floor, earning himself an 11 match ban. Martin Keown was also sent off as Arsenal slipped to a late 1-0 defeat, meaning I had seen over 500 minutes of football at Hillsborough without seeing us score a solitary goal, a run stretching back nearly 7 years and 5 visits, to Bould's effort in November 1991.

Of course we scored there the following season in our first match of the new Millennium - Emmanual Petit finding the target in a 1-1 draw - but I missed that game too. Wednesday were relegated at the end of the season and are yet to return to the Premier League.

I have been to Hillsborough on one more occasion since. That was in August 2010 for Dagenham and Redbridge's first ever match in League One. I was not in the Leppings Lane End that day however, I was in the press box covering the game for the clubs website. I hoped my Arsenal jinx would not be carried over to the Daggers and we would start life in the third tier of English football with a win. But the score? 2-0 to Wednesday. So should the Owls ever return to the Premier League remind me not to bother going again...

Next time, I look back on my trips to Villa Park.

BAYERN CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AS LATE ROBBEN GOAL SEES OFF DORTMUND

BAYERN MUNICH 2 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1
By Ricky Butler at Wembley

 

ARJEN Robben scored a dramatic late winner as Jupp Heynckes' Bayern Munich lifted the Champions League for a fifth time in a thrilling all-German final at Wembley on Saturday night.

Robben, who had missed several earlier chances, made no mistake with a close range finish two minutes time as Bayern brandished the demons of defeat in their own back yard a year ago, making it the perfect send off for the retiring Heynckes.

"I can't put it into words," said the former Chelsea winger at the whistle." I have so many emotions. Last year was such a disappointment and in the last four years we've been to three finals - it needed to happen. But we still had to do it. My whole career went through my mind when I scored, it is such a special feeling you can't describe it.

"You don't want to be a loser every time, coming always in second place. We deserved to win it. I have dreamt about it many times. Everybody I spoke to before the game said it was our night and I had a great feeling.

"We knew after last season what needed to be done to improve and that is what we did. We are already going into the history books."

With the clock ticking down towards the 90 minute mark, Robben latched on to flick from Franck Ribery before beating Matt Hummels and rolling a shot past Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller from eight yards to give German champions Bayern the trophy for a fifth time.

An exciting final had sparked into life when Mario Mandzukic had given Bayern the lead on the hour after good work from Robben, but Dortmund were level soon after as Ilkay Gundogan scored from the spot. Then with extra time looming, Robben wrote his name into the history books.

Dortmund had started well with Bayern's Manuel Neuer the busier of the two goalkeepers in early stages. The German did well to tip a Robert Lewandoski effort from distance over the top before distinguishing himself again to deny Marco Reus, Jacab Blaszczykouski and Thomas Bender, all in the opening 20 minutes.

But Bayern finally began to settle and Weidenfeller was forced tip a header from Mandzukic onto the top of the crossbar after 27 minutes, before the 32 year-old was out smartly two minutes later to block a weak effort from Robben.

Lewandowski was left frustrated by Neuer again 10 minutes before the break after turning Jerome Boateng inside the penalty area, but it was Bayern who could have gone in at half time with a lead to defend.

Robben again saw the whites of Weidenfeller’s eyes following a long ball over the top by Bastian Schweinsteiger, but his shot from 12 yards smacked the Dortmund stopper full in the face and it remained goalless at the break.

However, Bayern did make the breakthrough on the hour. Robben was the creator, linking well with Ribery down the left, rounding Weidenfeller and squeezing the ball across for Mandzukic to tap home.

But the lead lasted barely six minutes. Brazilian defender Dante, who had been booked in the first half, impeded Reus in the penalty area and Gundogan coolly sent Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

The final really opened up after that as Dortmund's Croatian defender Nevan Subotic was forced into a terrific goal-line clearance from Thomas Muller with Robben waiting to pounce, while at the other end, Lewandowski was denied a wonder goal when his dipping 30 yard volley was ruled out for handball.

David Alaba then produced a fine save from Weidenfellar as Bayern finished strongly, while Schweinsteiger came close with a powerful drive from 25 yards that was pushed away by the outstanding Dortmund goalkeeper.

But Bayern won it two minutes from time. Robben burst into the area, skipped past Hummels and stabbed the ball past Weidenfellar from close range. A scruffy finish perhaps but a vital one nonetheless.

Delighted Bayern coach Heynckes said: "We didn't get into the game in the first half so I corrected a few things at the interval. There was pressure on both teams but we certainly felt the burden of being favourites in the first 20 minutes."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was more philosophical. "First of all congratulations to Bayern, as they won. After the game, you have to respect the result.

"I did not see the winning goal a second time, it was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation. It was late in the game, it was a really hard season for us and I saw that from 75 minutes on.

"We deserved to be in the final, we showed this tonight. That is not the most important thing, but it is important."

"People have climbed Mount Everest and had to turn around 10m from the top, but at least they've tried. And we've tried too," he said.

Bayern will now look to complete the treble when they face Stuttgart in the German cup final next weekend.

BAYERN MUNICH – Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Scweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Weidenfeller, Paszcek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmeizer, Bender, Gundogan, Blaszczykouski, Reus, Grobkreutz, Lewandowski.

1-0 to the Arsenal part 1,154

NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 1

IN these times of uncertainty it is reassuring to know there are still some things you can rely on. It will always rain on a Bank Holiday, you will always go overdrawn the week before pay day and Arsenal will always finish above Spurs.

This latest final day success at Newcastle meant it was a close run thing again but as has been the case so often down the years; 1-0 to the Arsenal is usually enough.



For the second year running, Laurent Koscielny scores the Champions League qualifying goal

Okay so it was not a cup final or a league decider but it certainly felt a bit like one. Fourth place was the prize, and the Champions League qualification that comes with it, but there was also the knowledge that a win at St. James's Park would deny Spurs that privilege. Again.

This was the third time in the last seven seasons that we had been battling it out with our neighbours on the final day for the last Champions League spot, and the third time we have come out on top. No wonder they hate us so much.

Back in 2006, Spurs began the day one point above us, but thanks to a dodgy lasagne they lost at West Ham while we beat Wigan in the last ever match at Highbury to sneak into 4th.

Then last season it was us who held the one point advantage going into the last day. And thanks to some comedy goalkeeping from West Bromwich Albion's former Spurs reject Marton Fulop, we managed to get the win we needed to finish 3rd. Spurs, who had to settle for 4th, then saw their Champions League dream shattered when Chelsea won the competition to take their place instead.

And so to St. James's for part 3. Again we held the one point advantage so again it was in our hands, and having missed the game at the Hawthorns last year, Emerson and I were determined to enjoy this one.

No trophy at the end of it perhaps, but no less important for all that. In fact I saw it as being like a Play-Off final. Win and you are guaranteed a cash windfall and the opportunity to play at a higher level. Lose, and you risk losing millions while potential transfer targets will look elsewhere.

In fact when you look at what is at stake for the winners of the League Cup and FA Cup these days, it could be argued that this game was more important than either. Plus it had the added bonus of pouring more misery on that sorry lot from N17. Bonus.

Emerson acquainting himself with Sir Bobby prior to kick off

Pre-match I was nervous. Very nervous. I knew Newcastle would not roll over for us as they had for Liverpool a few weeks earlier. Pardew and Wenger have history so there was no way he would want to hand us that Champions League spot. No way at all.

Plus rumours were abound that owner Mike Ashley, a Spurs fan, had offered his staff a £1million bonus to beat us. No, this was not going to be easy.

Anyone who has been to St. James's will know all about the ascent to the away end. All 144 steps of it. Like mountaineering without the safety rope. But Emerson and I were not finished there. Oh no. Our seats were in the very back row, so that involved another 26 steps before we could take our place up in the Gods, about 2 miles from the pitch.

Not that the view was bad, quite the opposite in fact. You could see the whole of Newcastle from up there, and I'm sure I could even see my flat in Darlington. Plus, the leg room and height between rows was great so Emerson was able to see all of the action even though everyone in front of him was standing throughout the match.

By 3.15 the atmosphere was building nicely and we were fortunate to be in the main singing section. Emerson turned to me and said with a smile: 'This is going to be good isn't it, dad?' I hoped he was right.

The team news saw one surprise. Arteta was fit to start having been a doubt all week with a calf injury, so it was same side that had beaten Wigan on Tuesday night. Newcastle were also at full strength.

And after a blast of the Blayden Races, the teams were out. Come on Arsenal, you simply have to do this.

Emerson soaking up the atmosphere

Changing ends, we attacked our end in the first half and I was hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves. But the players looked more nervous than me. Things did not look good when Cisse blasted over from a good position after 10 minutes, while Arteta was then forced off inside half an hour.

The game failed to spark and in fact we only created one chance in the opening period, Cazorla firing over after good work from Gibbs down the left.

The highlight therefore was the minutes applause for Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper on his final appearance for the club before retirement. Good to see the away fans joining in too. So emotional was it in fact, that it brought tears to his eyes. Shame that we were unable to give him a shot to save at that moment.

The only good news as we went down for a half time cuppa was that Spurs were also being held 0-0 so it was still in our hands. But we needed to show greater urgency in the second half.

We were almost gifted a goal within a minute of the restart when Harper's weak clearance fell to Ramsey who slipped in Theo, but the 'keeper redeemed himself with a fine save down to his right. Our first effort on target of the afternoon.

However, we did not have to wait long for the goal we had been praying for. Sagna was fouled by Cabaye out on the right and when Theo's free kick was flicked on by Podolski, Koscielny arrived to volley past Harper from close range.

He initially looked to be offside, although as it was at the other end, about 4 miles away, it was hard to tell, so my first glace was to the linesman. But when I realised his flag had stayed down the celebrations could begin. And what celebrations they were. In short we went mental.

Koscielny celebrates with Metersaker and Cazorla as we go mental at the other end of the stadium

Emerson had not realised we had scored at first as the ball had come straight back out of the net and Koscielny had picked it up. But when he saw the celebrations around him, he knew. And I cannot recall seeing him look so happy. He was jumping about almost crying with joy. Great times indeed.

Ironically it had been a goal early in the second half from the same player at West Brom a year ago that had sealed our Champions League place. An omen perhaps?

But rather than settle my nerves, the goal actually made them worse. With over half an hour still to play we could still blow this. My heart was in my mouth every time Newcastle crossed the halfway line. Yes, Spurs was still 0-0 but I knew they would win. I mean it was only Sunderland. So a Geordie goal would see us finish 5th as we were not playing well enough to score again.

The last fifteen minutes were as nervy as I can remember but through it all we were looking very solid. The only real scare came late on when Mertesaker had to be alert to make a great block to deny Campbell inside the six yard box, and that certainly did not make me feel any better.

Then, as the clock was ticking down towards the 90 minute mark, news came through that Bale FC had scored. Shit just got real. Four minutes of stoppage time remained, plenty of time for them to score.

But the nerves should have been eased. Giroud, who had replaced Podolski and was looking bang up for it, turned a hopeful clearance from Sagna into a great pass to send Theo away, and he raced past Coloccini for the first time all day. He took his time, beat Harper with a low shot but as we prepared to go mental again, the ball hit the inside of the post and came back into the grateful arms of the 'keeper.

Having seen so many incidents in recent weeks of teams missing a great late chance only to conceded soon after, I was convinced we were now about to throw it away.

But suddenly there was a lot of cheering to our right as rumours came through that Sunderland had equalised. Chants of 'Paolo Di Canio' were being sung and there was pandemonium in the away section.

If that were indeed true, a Newcastle goal now would be irrelevant and the celebrations began in earnest. But it was just as well the players had not got wind of this, as it turned out to be false and Spurs had in fact won 1-0. But it did not matter in the end as moments later Howard Webb finally brought the match to a close and we had done it. Relief and no little joy.

Giroud leads the celebrations in front of the away fans at the whistle

No cup to collect but that did not matter one bit. The celebrations were as good as anything I have witnessed and that has included winning many, many trophies over the years.

'Let's all laugh at Tottenham,' and 'It's happened again, Tottenham Hotspur it's happened again' were being sung and for a few minutes everything was right with the world.

The 144 steps do not seem quite so bad when you are singing and dancing and these are the moments that live with you forever. Was it as good as Anfield '89, Copenhagen '94, Wembley '98, Old Trafford '02 or White Hart Lane '04? No. But it was as much fun as I have had at football in along time and it was the first taste of anything worth celebrating for Emerson. Now of course he wants more.

But this could be the start of the rebirth of Arsenal as a force again. For me it had Wembley '87 written all over it. A good young side who are about to go on and achieve greatness. Qualifying for the Champions League was the first step just as that League Cup success had been for George Graham's side.

Our form over the last three months has been outstanding. We are not conceding goals and have returned to the days of 1-0 to the Arsenal. With 2-3 quality signings this summer I really believe this time next year we could be celebrating something big. The title perhaps?

But I will not get too carried away just yet. Overall it has not been a great away season for Emerson and I. This was our sixth away trip and we have seen Arsenal score just four times and concede one. So not even a goal a game. Not sure how much that equates to per goal but it will be a lot when you factor in ticket prices, travel and food.

Still, this has made it all worthwhile. That is the thing with away games. Most are unmemorable. But occasionally you will go to one which makes up for it all and this was one such occasion.

So no trophy in the cabinet but this was certainly the next best thing. Now what were Spurs saying after they beat us in March? Mind the gap boys. Happy holidays.

Emerson enjoying finishing 4th