Away grounds part 3 - Sunshine and The Dell

THE Dell may not have been the most glamorous of stadiums but it was always one of my favourite away trips. Plus, unlike my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, it was also a ground where Arsenal enjoyed many good victories over the years.

The old facade to the Main Stand at The Dell

My abiding memory of The Dell is probably the weather. It always seemed to be sunny down there. It helped that more often than not we would play them in either the autumn or spring so it always seemed to be warm, which was just as well too as the away end was uncovered for many years.

The ground itself always struck me as being unfinished. The main home end behind the goal, the Milton Road Stand, was a lop-sided affair and the rest of the ground looked like it had seen better days. The away end in particular was basic to say the least, but despite all that it was always a good day out.

However, my trips down to the south coast did not get off to the most auspicious of starts as my first visit, in September 1983, ended in a 1-0 defeat. That summer had seen the arrival of Charlie Nicholas and expectations at Highbury were as high as they had been for many years. It reached fever pitch when we won our opening two matches, Nicholas scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Wolves on the August Bank Holiday Monday, so I travelled down on the train to Southampton that bright September day looking forward to another good victory. But this was the early 1980s Arsenal so we slipped to a tame defeat and Nicholas, as he would do on a regular basis, failed to deliver.

I did not return to The Dell for over two years, for a League Cup 4th round replay in November 1985. The original tie had finished goalless in a dreadful match at Highbury but we produced a superb performance to win 3-1. Charlie did find the target this time, much to my delight as he was very much my hero at the time, along with Martin Hayes and Stewart Robson, as we set up the quarter-final meeting with Aston Villa I mentioned in the last article.

Looking towards the old away end. You always prayed it was not going to rain

The following season, our first under George Graham, had started well and we travelled down south in November 1986 with the chance of going top of the League, a rarity for us at the time. Arsenal took a large away following that day but it was a tough match for long periods against a Southampton side who were always tricky opponents. However, Saints goalkeeper Tim Flowers was sent off early in the second half for a foul on Perry Groves and it was plain sailing after that. Hayes scored from the resulting penalty while Niall Quinn, Groves and Viv Anderson sealed the 4-0 victory that took us to the top.

I missed the trip in April 1988, a now famous match where Alan Shearer scored a hat-trick on his league debut for Southampton in a 4-2 Arsenal defeat, so my next visit came in late-March 1989 - a time when our title challenge was beginning to falter. Again we took a massive following to the south coast and again we came good in the second half. Groves had earlier given us the lead but Glen Cockerill equalised (a sense of justice for him after he'd had his jaw broken by Paul Davis in the reverse fixture at Highbury the previous September) and we were wobbling again. However, Rocky, as he so often did, scored a great goal to put us ahead again before Paul Merson sealed a 3-1 win late on. That success provided the catalyst we needed to go on and lift our first title for 18 years.

I missed our visit on Boxing Day 1989, another 1-0 defeat, but I was back as we chased the double in the spring of 1991. This was the first time I driven to Southampton and unusually it was an all-ticket match. And I did not have a ticket. After parking up at the ground nice and early, I finally managed to get a ticket from a tout, paying well over double face value, but it was not money well spent. With an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Spurs looming just four days later, Arsenal were far from their best and after Groves' shot had been deflected in by Francis Benali (I think) down at our end midway through the second half, Matt Le Tissier equalised and it finished 1-1.

The following season's visit was far more memorable. Our defence of the title had got off to a slow start so Graham broke the club's transfer record to sign striker Ian Wright from Crystal Palace. He scored on his debut in the League Cup at Leicester in midweek but this trip to The Dell marked his league debut. And what a debut it turned out to be. The conditions were far from ideal in an away end with no roof as it rained from start to finish, but it did not matter in the end as, after Rocky had given us a first half lead, it became the Wrighty show. Attacking our end in the second half, we forgot all about the rain as he hit a superb hat-trick to seal a 4-0 victory. A new hero was born.

We did not enjoy such good fortune the following season as our December 1992 trip ended in a 2-0 defeat. I cannot recall too much about this match other than it being the last time I would stand behind the goal. I have to say that was one of the worst away stands I had ever been to and I was not too disappointed when I heard it was to be knocked down and rebuilt with seats and a roof. What luxury!


The old Dell in the sunshine

But I did not sit in that new stand for my next visit, in March 1994. I was instead in the upper tier of the wooden stand to its left. Like much of the ground it was fairly basic and of course you were not allowed to smoke, much to the frustration of many of the fans around me. There was also very little leg room. However, the game was another good one for Arsenal as Wright hit another hat-trick in another 4-0 success. Wrighty's battles with Saints' defender Ken Monkou were often the highlight of our meetings with Southampton at this time and Wrighty would usually come out on top. Kevin Campbell scored our other goal that day as we again enjoyed a sunshine trip to the south coast.

I missed the 1-0 defeat in November 1994 - the first match since Saints goalkeeper Bruce Grobelaar had been named in a match fixing scandal, and apparently he was given both barrels by the away support - so my next visit was a year later, in December 1995, and ended in a drab 0-0 draw. Again I was in the upper tier of the wooden stand but the match itself has been completely erased from my memory.

By the time of our next visit, in March 1997, the Wenger revolution was in full swing but it was two of the lesser known names who gave us the 2-0 victory that day. Stephen Hughes and Paul Shaw (remember him?) scored the goals while young goalkeeper Lee Harper impressed on his league debut. We were in the lower tier of that wooden stand this time in the new plastic seats, but with a low roof and pillars blocking the view it was not ideal and I wished we had sat behind the goal instead.

Our next visit was on another warm day in August 1997 and was special for two reasons. Firstly, Marc Overmars scored his first goal for us - cutting in from the left to finish at the near post - while it also included two Dennis Bergkamp specials in the second half. Bergkamp had started the season in incredible form and these two goals pretty summed him up at the time. The first was a magnificent solo effort while the second was a display of strength and power as he out-muscled Benali before drilling home from 20 yards to seal a 3-1 win. We would go on to win the double that season and Bergkamp would finish top scorer with 22 goals, most of which were out of the top drawer.

The following season saw another visit in the sunshine, this time in April 1999. Our title defence was going well but we needed a win at The Dell to keep the pressure on Manchester United. But the match was a frustrating affair which finished goalless and for once I was happy the pillars were blocking the view.




The lop-sided Milton Road Stand after redevelopment

That summer saw the arrival of a certain Theirry Henry but he did not make the instant impact we had been hoping for. In fact when we made the trip to The Dell in September 1999, he was yet to score for us. However, like Overmars before him, he would break his duck at Southampton. I was in the lower tier again this time and had the perfect view as the ball flew into the net at our end in the second half to give us a 1-0 win. Little did we know at the time but he would repeat that feat quite a few times over the next few years. 227 times in fact.

Our final visit to The Dell was in May 2001 and was an historic day as it was the final ever match at the old stadium before Southampton moved into their new St. Mary's home that summer. We had been beaten in the FA Cup final by Liverpool the previous week but had already secured 2nd place in the league so it was a match played very much in a party atmosphere. We scored twice through Ashley Cole and Freddie Ljungberg but none of us could begrudge Saints victory on their special day, and it was fitting that Le Tissier scored the final goal at the old place to seal a 3-2 Southampton win. Even the away end cheered that one. There were emotional scenes at the end as the fans ran onto the pitch to say a final farewell to what had been their home since 1898.

That also proved to be my last trip to Southampton. By the time of our first visit to their new stadium in September 2001, I had moved up north and I have not made the 700-mile round trip since. It is, however, on my to-do list as I look to complete the full set of League gounds before I finally hang up my scarf.

So that was The Dell. I saw Arsenal win 8 times in my 14 visits, scoring 27 goals and conceding just 10, making it one of my most successful away grounds. Coming up next time I look back on my trips to White Hart Lane, and as you can imagine there are some real crackers there.

Away grounds part 2 - Villa Park and my encounters with Paul Merson

IN the last episode I looked back on my visits to Hillsborough, and it is another famous old British stadium I revisit this time. Villa Park has always been one of the best and most historic grounds in England and it is one I have always enjoyed visiting, even if it hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for me. In fact since my first visit in 1983, I have been to the famous old ground a total of 23 times and seen Arsenal win on just six occasions.

The famous facade to the Holte End

My first visit was for an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Manchester United back in April 1983. I was 14 at the time and it was my first season travelling to away games. This was easily the biggest game I had been to and I remember having to queue for tickets after our home match with Coventry the week before. I was thrilled to be on the Holte End too and what an impressive stand it was. The biggest terrace in the country. Unfortunately the day did not go to plan. Things started well enough as we led at half time thanks to a goal from Tony Woodcock - touching home a shot from Stewart Robson - and I was dreaming of Wembley while listening to Nick Heyward on the PA during the interval. But United spoilt the party with two goals in the second half - from Norman Whiteside and Bryan Robson - and to top off a great day, the lunatic United fans chased us all the way back to New Street Station.

I did not let that put me off however, and returned to Villa Park a month later for our league meeting with Aston Villa. It was the last match of the season and I stood on the Witton Lane Terrace for the first time with what must have only been about 500 away fans.  Paul Davis scored for us but it could not prevent another 2-1 defeat as we finished 10th in the old First Division.

My next visit was in November 1983, and what a day that turned out to be. In an incredible game, Tony Woodcock scored 5 times as we won 6-2, the first player to do so in the top flight for over 20 years. Incredibly, on the same day, Ian Rush did likewise for Liverpool against Luton.  Brian McDermott, who would later take Reading to the Premier League as a manger and who is currently trying to do the same with Leeds United, scored our other goal. It remains the biggest away win I have ever seen, matched by a 6-2 win at Derby County in 2008.

Fortunately I missed the 0-0 draw at Villa Park the following 1984-85 season so my next trip was for a League Cup quarter-final tie in January 1986. Arsenal took over 6,000 fans to Villa Park that night and in a cracking atmosphere it was a match we should have won. However, despite dominating throughout and hitting the woodwork on several occasions, we had to settle for a 1-1 draw - Charlie Nicholas scoring for us - and we lost the replay 2-1. With only Oxford and Norwich lying in wait, it was a missed opportunity to win some long-awaited silverware.

Like many of the 6,000, I did not return for the league meeting a few weeks later which finished in a 4-1 victory, and I missed our 4-0 success the following 1986-87 season as well, a campaign which ended with Villa being relegated to Division Two and Arsenal winning the League Cup. But that would be the last Arsenal match at Villa Park I would miss for the best part of 14 years.



As I remember it; Villa Park in the 1980s

My next visit was in October 1988 for the final of a one-off competition, the Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy, again against Manchester United. This was the first time I had sat in the lower tier of the old Trinity Road Stand and in the pouring rain we won 2-1 to lift the trophy created to celebrate the League's centenary year - Michael Thomas and Paul Davis scoring the all-important goals. This trophy has been all but forgotten about now but it meant a lot to me at the time as, having missed our 1987 League Cup final success, this was the first trophy I had ever seen Arsenal win.

I was back at Villa Park the following month for a League Cup 3rd round replay against Liverpool. Having drawn 1-1 at Anfield and 0-0 at Highbury, the third replay was staged at Aston Villa on a cold Wednesday night in November 1988. I was in the seats behind the dug-outs in the Trinity Road Stand and when Paul Merson scored to give us a half time lead, I, along with a few others, jumped over the barrier and onto the pitch to celebrate with him. That was not the last time I would get up close and personal with Merse on the Villa Park pitch either, but more of that later. The fun did not last however, as Liverpool scored twice in the second half to go through.

I made my third trip to Villa Park in a little over two months for our league visit in the December. Back on the Witton Lane Terrace, I saw us win 3-0 on the way to our first title for 18 years. The highlight was a magnificent 30 yard chip at the Holte End from my hero Rocky.

My next visit was exactly a year later and was our last match of the 1980's. It ended in a 2-1 defeat. Villa scored a dodgy offside goal meaning Tony Adams' last minute effort came too late to even raise a cheer from the away end.

We returned to Villa Park for the third December in a row in 1990 and drew 0-0 on our way to another title. The match was screened live on ITV but was memorable only for a great save from David Seaman to deny David Platt in the second half and for the fact it was our first match after Adams had been sent to prison for drink-driving. On a day of firsts it was also the first time we sat in the new seats at the Witton Lane End, and it was the first away match outside London I had driven to. I parked in the housing estate just off the motorway and it was first time I had heard the words 'a quid to look after your car, mister' from one of the local chavs. It was a phrase I would become familiar with over the years.

We were back in those seats at the Witton Lane End at the start of the following season as defending champions, but it was another disappointing game that resulted in a 3-1 defeat. Alan Smith equalised at our end just before half time, but Villa were awarded a dodgy penalty when Nigel Winterburn's foul on Mark Walters was committed outside the box. That proved to be the turning point as we lost for the second time in three days, having been beaten just once in the whole of the previous campaign.

The first year of the Premier League saw Villa challenge for the title (I know, I had to double check) and we lost at Villa Park again, this time 1-0 in December. Again shown live on TV, it was a terrible game in the freezing cold but it was the first time we had visited The Yew Tree pub which became our 'regular' pre-match watering hole for the next few years.

Our next visit was not until April 1994 and in bright spring sunshine a brace from Ian Wright saw us win 2-1. In those days you could buy tickets on the day so we decided to sit in the new Doug Ellis Stand lower tier instead of behind the goal, and the match stands out for two reasons. Firstly, Wrighty was given stick from the Holte End all day for the booking he had picked up the previous midweek meaning he would be suspended for our upcoming Cup Winners Cup final appearance, and secondly, for his celebration in front of the Holte End after his last minute winner. That will teach them! For the record, Andy Townsend scored for Villa that day. It may seem hard to believe now after listening to his nonsense on ITV, but he did used to be a professional footballer.

Villa Park in the 1990's

The following 1994-95 season was a difficult one for Arsenal. Paul Merson was in rehab, George Graham was sacked for 'taking a bung' and we were in a relegation dogfight. However, a 4-0 win at Villa Park on Easter Monday all but ensured our safety. Wrighty scored another two, including a superb solo effort, running half the length of the pitch, while John Hartson scored the other two. In a stressful season, this was a rare good day out.

The trip in November 1995 was significant only for David Platt's emotional return to Villa Park in Arsenal colours. Inevitably he scored for us with a diving header but it was only enough to give us a 1-1 draw. The match was so bad I can actually remember nothing about it apart from Platt's goal. That was the first of two visits to Villa Park that season however, as we returned in February 1996 for a League Cup semi final.

Having drawn 2-2 at Highbury in the first leg - Dennis Bergkamp and Dwight Yorke scoring twice each - we needed to win the second leg to reach the final. The match was fairly uneventful and finished 0-0 after extra time to send us out on away goals, but that was only half the story. As the final whistle blew, hundreds of Villa fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate and came towards the Arsenal section. We were in the Doug Ellis Stand lower tier again and Paul Merson was right in front of us. The Arsenal fans behind the goal, and some in our section, ran onto the pitch as well and all manner of mayhem ensured. With Merson unable to get to the tunnel, which was at the other side of the pitch, I found myself chatting to him on the touchline as it was all kicking off around us. As surreal a moment as I have ever experienced at football. After the match it all kicked off again at The Yew Tree and my mate Paul (not Merson I may add) was glassed so we ended the night in A&E getting him stitched up.

The trip in early 1996-97 was far more serene off the pitch, while on it we came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 thanks to a last minute goal from Andy Linighan. It was particularly memorable for me as I appeared on the DVD celebrating the goal in the Witton Lane End with other happy Gooners. I am easy to spot as I was wearing a bright yellow Adidas tracksuit top!

1997-98 saw us travel to Villa Park for another FA Cup semi final. Wolves, then in Division One (equivalent to the Championship now), were the opponents and we were high up in the Holte End. An early goal from Christopher Wreh (remember him?) gave us a 1-0 win on our way to the double, although I recall Wolves missing a great chance to equalise late on.

The league visit that season was on the final day and we had already wrapped up the title. In a party atmosphere from the away fans, the match was significant only for being Ian Wright's final appearance for the club, as we lost 1-0 to a chipped penalty from Yorke.



The new Trinity Road Stand

1998-99 saw us visit Villa Park three times. The first, in the league in December, was an incredible game. We were cruising at half time as two goals from Bergkamp gave us a 2-0 lead, but the second half was delayed for half an hour when a parachutist crashed into the roof of the Trinity Road Stand and an ambulance was driven onto the pitch to assist him. The delay seemed to affect us as Villa came back to win 3-2. That remains the last time they have beaten us at Villa Park.

But 1998-99 will always be remembered for the epic FA Cup semi-final clashes with Manchester United. The first meeting may have ended goalless but it was thrilling stuff. We were reduced to ten men when Nelson Vivas (remember him??) was sent off but we could have nicked it at the end through Freddie Ljungberg. We were sat in the Trinity Road lower tier at the Holte End corner and the atmosphere was incredible.

The replay three days later was probably the best game of football I have ever seen. Quite literally, it had everything. We were in the Holte End this time, not far from the barrier dividing us from the United fans, and to say the atmosphere was tense would be an understatement. David Beckham put United ahead in the first half but Bergkamp brought us level midway through the second period with the help of a deflection. Cue delirium in our section. We should then have won it as Roy Keane was sent off for a foul on Marc Overmars and Nickolas Anelka had a goal harshly ruled out for offside. In fact it took us a good five minutes to realise it had been disallowed as we had been too busy celebrating and berating the United fans to our right. Then in stoppage time, Phil Neville brought down Ray Parlour in the penalty area and we had the chance to deny them the treble. However, Peter Schmichael saved Bergkamp's weak effort and it went to extra time. Of course that will now always be remembered for THAT goal from Ryan Giggs, although I maintain to this day it was more down to a lack of any real challenge from our defence as any great skill from Giggs. And David Seaman should have saved it. At the end it all kicked again but it could not overshadow what had been a magnificent game of football despite the result. A great way to bring the curtain down on FA Cup semi-final replays.

As the 1990's gave way to the new Millennium, I moved 'oop narth' so my visits to Villa Park became less frequent. In fact since that semi-final replay, I have been back just three times.

The first, in April 2003, saw a late Kolo Toure own goal deny us the win we needed to keep the pressure on leaders United. Our title defence was already beginning to unravel and after working hard to go in front through Ljungberg, Toure's late intervention handed the title initiative back to United. That trip was also significant for being the last time we would sit in the Witton Lane End as away fans had been moved to the Doug Ellis Stand by the time of my next visit, in January 2010.

With Arsenal top of the league (yes, I had to double check), that proved to be another frustrating evening. We hit the woodwork twice, through Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky, but that was as near to a goal as we came in a disappointing 0-0 draw, played in arctic conditions.

That proved to be score again on my last visit in November 2012. It was another frustrating game in which nothing of note happened, although it was Emerson's first visit and the first time I had been in the upper tier of the Doug Ellis Stand. The view, I have to say, was magnificent even if the concourse area is far too narrow for the number of people inside.

So there you have it, my 23 trips to Villa Park. I have not seen us win there since April 1995 and not even seen us score there for over 10 years, but it is a wonderful football arena and I look forward to visiting again soon.

Coming up next time, I look back on my visits to a ground no longer in existence, The Dell, Southampton.