Raiders of the lost arts - The dangers of instant fame

THERE WAS a time when to be famous you actually had to have a talent. Weird, I know. You needed to have something to offer. Then you had to work hard to develop your skills and if you were lucky you got your break and fame and fortune followed. But not any more. 

There is very good chance that a few weeks ago you would not have heard of Gordon Hill. Those of a certain age may have thought about the ex-Manchester United footballer. But no. There is now a new Gordon Hill in town.


This Gordon is a simple, middle aged man who likes nothing more than supporting his local non-league football team. But after he was recently filmed at a game, drunk and 'giving it large,' he has now become known as the Wealdstone Raider. You've heard of him now, right?


But just in case you have been living on Mars these last few weeks, or indeed on the off-chance that you actually have a life and do not follow social media, Gordon has become famous for his, 'Do you want some, I'll give it ya!!' chant; spat out, along with his pint of lager, in an almost incomprehensible drone.


He has become what the tabloid press now like to dub an 'internet sensation.' Videos of him have sent social media into meltdown and it is rumoured that Gordon is releasing a Christmas single and is set to appear on the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother. I kid you not.


We now appear to live in a world where everyone wants to be the next reality 'star'. If a video gets a few thousands hits on YouTube, agencies will be instantly on the phone trying to get you a record deal or a spot on This Morning.


I am of an age where I can still recall the days when celebrities were people you looked up to. In fact being a celebrity was something to aspire to as it meant you had achieved something; be it singing, dancing or comedy.


The old talent shows, such as Opportunity Knocks, brought us real celebrities who went on to have long and rewarding television careers. People such as Su Pollard, Paul Daniels, Roy 'Chubby' Brown, Little and Large, and Lena Zavoroni all started out there.


The losers on these shows usually vanished instantly without trace and there was a very good reason for that. They had very little talent. Most now work in McDonalds or, presumably, in the banking world.


But these days it is often the losers, the least talented ones; the Jedward's of this world, who go on to have the big television or music careers while the actual talent gets cast aside. Is this really the way forward?


With reality shows now filling more than 50% of all new TV programming, it is the 'stars' of these shows that have become the new celebrities. Gemma Collins, the least engaging of all the characters on TOWIE, was recently on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Never can the term 'celebrity' have been used so loosely.


The real nadir, however, was when White Dee, the lazy, dole scrounger from Benefits Street, was appearing on chat shows. Reality TV had well and truly eaten itself.


But it is far worse than that. The advent of social media, and YouTube in particular, has seen a whole new genre created. The Wealdstone Raider is the latest such example.


Andy Worhol once said, 'In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes,' and it appears as though he was right. But he didn't go into the consequences of that. What happens after your fifteen minutes are over?


Let's not forget that these are just regular people with regular jobs. They have no preparation for the pressures fame brings. When it so happens that the person in question also appears to have the mental age of a child, like poor Gordon Hill, then you really have to question the morals of the people thrusting him into the spotlight like this.


Yes we have all laughed along at his video. It was funny because we have all encountered someone similar at football, particularly if you frequent any non-league ground. They are the breeding ground for these kind of characters.


But that should have been as far as it went. Share it with your mates, have a good laugh at the poor unfortunate drunk guy, and move on with your life. But this is the 21^st century. It does not happen like that any more.


I actually feel sorry for Gordon. Mentally he does not appear able to cope with the fame suddenly thrust upon him. I am sure he is enjoying his 'fifteen minutes' at the moment but with it comes many problems. The abusive tweets, the comments in the street, photographers following your every move. Much stronger people than Gordon have struggled to deal with that.


But my worry is what happens when he becomes tomorrow’s chip paper. To think that he will just be able to go back to his old life as a slightly eccentric football fan is hugely optimistic.


What help and advice will be receiving from these agents who are only too keen to make a quick buck off him now? How are they preparing him for life after all this fuss dies down, as it inevitably will? My guess is that they are doing nothing. He is only useful to them while he can make them money. After that he will get thrown back on the street like an unwanted dog after Christmas.


'You want some?' 'No, mate,' will come the reply from the general public. 'We have moved on to someone else now.'


You see instant fame is exactly that. If you haven’t had to work for it, if it has been thrown at you, the likelihood is it will end just as quickly as it started,. Quicker in fact. And then what?


Charlie Brooker wrote a fantastic TV series called Black Mirror. It was a dark comedy about how social media has taken over our lives and the potential problems it can lead to. One particular episode showed a new reality show where the lowlifes of society were the main attractions at a Theme Park and the public could ridicule and mock them. This is basically what YouTube does now and poor Gordon is a victim of that. The line between harmless fun and Internet bullying has been crossed.


I really hope Gordon makes a lot of money out of all this and comes out the other side happy and content with his life. But I fear that will not happen. Once the hangers-on have ditched him what will he be left with?


So if you are one of those people who are so desperate to get noticed that you constantly post videos of yourself doing stupid things, just think about the possible consequences of being yesterday's news.


If you want fame and fortune, earn it. Develop a talent, study, work hard. Without the right foundations in place first it will all come crashing down and who will pick up the pieces?


One final thought. Gordon is not the first Wealdstone Raider. That honour goes to a certain Vinny Jones. The former hod carrier began his football career at Wealdstone and no doubt spent many an afternoon shouting, 'Do you want some?' at the opposition players. I very much doubt many of them did.


Of course he went on to have great success with the likes of Wimbledon, Leeds, Chelsea and Sheffield United and is now a Hollywood star. So Gordon, if you're reading this, there may be hope for you yet!!

Party like it's (not) 1983

I HAD NOT been to Leicester since the old days of Filbert Street so as soon as their promotion to the Premier League had been confirmed, this was one of the first away days I had pencilled in.

2014-15 actually marks my 34th season watching the Gooners and my, how things have changed. Back in 1981 football was a very different animal. Hooliganism was at its peak, grounds were in various states of disrepair and you never knew with any certainty if you would make it home from an away day in one piece.

But while many aspects of the modern football experience are so much better, it has been somewhat watered down. On the pitch the product is far slicker and it is perfect for the worldwide TV audience. Footballers are far easier on the eye for a start. Well most of them are; Leicester goalscorer Ulloa one of the obvious exceptions.

But it has lost its soul along the way. As the cries of 'Buy a f**king striker' rang out from the away end following this rather uninspiring 1-1 draw against a hard working but limited opponent, I began to realise that the biggest change has been to the people who now inhabit the stadiums. But I don't blame them. Not really. I blame modern society.

My first visit to Leicester was in 1983. The old Filbert Street ground was in a right old mess back then. The view from the away end was awful with pillars and fences everywhere, which was probably just as well as Arsenal lost 3-0. Yes we were all upset about it and I recall a few boos at the final whistle but it was no big deal.

We didn't have to suffer endless analysis on TV about where it had all gone wrong. We spend an hour or so on the train home doing that for ourselves. Yes, back in the 1980s we were allowed to think for ourselves.

'Charlie Nicholas is not doing it, is he?'

'What was up with Woodcock today?'

'Why is he playing bloody Colin Hill and David Madden.'

But by the time we had arrived back at Kings Cross the only things that mattered were McDonald's and the next match.

Luckily the game was not on MOTD that night so we could tell our mates that actually we were very unlucky and that we should have had at least three blatant penalties. I mean, they'd never know.

But in 2014 a 1-1 draw now feels like the end of the world. Even before the final whistle had blown, there were messages from all over the world saying things like, 'Wenger needs a striker,' 'Sanogo is not good enough,' and 'Arsenal are shite.' Yes, very original.

There is no hiding place now. Everyone has seen it. And even if they haven't they will have heard all about it through social media. Football is not just for the die-hard fan any more, it is for everyone.

And this has seeped into the stadiums. People who have known nothing but the Premier League, Sky TV and transfer deadlines in August expect us to win 6-0 every week. And if we don't then there is only one answer; spend some f**king money.

I left the King Power Stadium far more upset with the reaction of the Arsenal fans than the performance of the team. Yes, we were flat, and despite oodles of possession we were probably slightly fortunate to come away with a point in the end.

But listening to all the moaning going on you'd have thought we had just witnessed a repeat of the 1983 result.

Luckily that nostalgia was not lost on the Leicester fans to our left. Say what you like about the modern football fan but it is reassuring to know that the spirit of the 1980s is still alive and well in some parts of the country at least.

It took me back to one particular visit to Filbert Street back in 1984 when the Leicester faithful decided to throw bricks at us. This lot were probably their grandchildren and instead of bricks it was just banter and bravado being thrown this time. Still, at least it provided a nice distraction from the impending transfer deadline day and our inadequacies up front.

So a rather unsatisfactory away day in the end. It makes you wonder why you bother at all. But that flame, burning so bright back in 1983, just refuses to go out. A quick glance at the fixture list told me that Sunderland away in October is next on my agenda. I just hope that is better than the 3-0 defeat we suffered there in 1982. Give me Sanogo over Lee Chapman any day!

Grass-Roots Vs. Sky Sports - 'Soccer Saturday' should be spent at the ground not on your sofa.

YOU WATCH Gillette Soccer Saturday with the 'wonderful' Jeff Stelling, right? So you must be a football fan, right? Wrong. 

Real football fans do not spend their Saturday afternoon's glued to the TV listening to the inane chatter of Stelling and his motley crew. Real football fans are out watching a match, whether it be in the Premier League, Football League or, more importantly, at their local grass-roots club.

But Sky have produced a generation who rather like the idea of football just as long as it is beamed directly into their sitting rooms and they do not actually have to leave the house. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Armchair Fan...

So while the Premier League is thriving with billions invested in fancy new foreign players each year, earning the equivalent in one week that would keep a local club afloat for 10 years, grass-roots football is dying a slow and painful death.

Yet for the price of a Sky Sports subscription you could watch your local club six times a month and still have change for a pint and a bag of chips on the way home. So why are you all not doing that instead?

I recently had the misfortune of not being able to attend a match on a Saturday afternoon so I decided to turn on Sky Sports News (I get that channel free with my TV package) to watch the much heralded Stelling and co. And what an experience it was. I love a good bit of analysis and I have always been a sucker for an interesting stat or two but this lot took it to a new level.

Six hours it was on. Six hours!! Typical Sky overkill. And from 3 o'clock all you could hear were the constant screams in the background of Phil Thompson or Paul Merson. 'Oooh,' 'Arrh' they yelled like Wayne Rooney in an old people's home, while all we got to see was a blurry graphic of the crowd or Stelling's ugly mug.

It got me thinking; this programme is not made for football fans at all. It is made purely for the TV generation and gambling addicts. The same people that watch this nonsense will no doubt be watching X Factor and Big Brother afterwards. They probably never even leave their sofas at all on a Saturday.

Yet you speak to these people and they will tell you they are football fans. They will tell you how they have supported Manchester United or Liverpool all their life. 'I used to go all the time but I can't afford it now,' they will say.

Yet their local club, just two miles up the road, is crying out for their support. Sky claim to love football but you have to question that. They love people sitting indoors and watching football on TV, yes. But they do not actually love football. The crazy (peak viewing) kick off times tell you that.

But this coming Saturday is Non League Day so instead of watching the garbage that is Gillette Soccer Saturday, get yourself out and support your local club. Most are crying out for volunteers and would really appreciate your help and support. They will make you feel welcome and in return you will really feel part of the club.

I recently set up a small company with the aim of giving local, grass-roots football better coverage. At Butler Sports TV we film matches and produce highlights. We interview the players and managers. We make them feel as though they are on Sky. They love it and it makes them feel special.

Yet many of these clubs cannot afford our services. They can barely afford to clean the kit each week. So while Sky bore us with 15 hours of coverage from a drab 0-0 draw at Chelsea, the rest of us are missing out on the thrills and spills of a 6-6 draw at South Shields.

Come on, as a football fan what would you rather watch?

Welbeck and the missing defenders - The madness of Arsenal's transfer window

WELL that was a great transfer window for Arsenal wasn't it. 

In came one of the stars of the World Cup; Chilean international forward Alexis Sanchez. French right back Mathieu Debuchy replaced the outgoing Bacary Sagna, exciting young defender Callum Chambers arrived from Southampton and finally on Deadline Day itself, Danny Welbeck. Yes you heard that right. Danny. Welbeck.

Following the disappointing 1-1 draw at Leicester on Sunday, the visiting fans were shouting at Arsene Wenger to 'buy a f**king striker' and he certainly didn't disappoint.

So while front men like Falcao, Balotelli, Costa, Suarez and Negredo were all changing clubs this summer, Arsenal swooped for the prolific Welbeck; the former Manchester United 'striker' who scored just two goals in 40 appearances in the 2012-13 season. Yes, two goals in 40 appearances.

Of course under the guidance of Wenger, the 23-year old with just 39 club goals in 178 appearances, could blossom into the new Thierry Henry. But even if he does, it does not hide the fact that Arsenal are going into the season with just two recognised centre backs and no real quality in the crucial defensive midfield position.

And after spending the last two weeks insisting that Arsenal did not need to buy a striker, Wenger buckled to pressure and brought in the out-of-favour Manchester United man for £16m despite a genuine need to strengthen elsewhere.

Of course had the travelling fans at Leicester been shouting for a new defender or holding midfielder, perhaps they would have woken up this morning with something to really get excited about.

But instead there is just doubt. What if Metersaker and Koscielny are both injured? What if Gibbs is also on the treatment table, as he so often appears to be? Debuchy likes a card or two so lets say he is suspended. What if all this happens in the week of a visit to Manchester City or Liverpool. Who plays in the back four then? Welbeck? Steve Bould? Wenger himself?

A plethora of midfielders and strikers but not enough defenders. Incredibly short-sighted for a club who claim to be title challengers.

The frustrating thing for Arsenal fans is that they are probably just three players short of winning the title. Two centre backs and a strong, holding midfielder. If they had arrived yesterday instead of Welbeck there would have been a real feeling that this could be Arsenal's year.

But maybe we are all under-estimating Wenger. He has brought in new fitness coach Shad Forsythe this summer and perhaps this will mean the injury problems that have plagued the club for the last 10 years or so will be finally over.

You have to say that without serious injury to the first XI, Arsenal does have a team to challenge for the title. The bench also looks strong in attacking areas with players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Campbell and Rosicky. Maybe Wenger is going for the old adage; you score three, we will score four. You have got to admire his philosophy at least. Rather that then Mourinho's park-the-bus attitude.

So perhaps come May we will all be proved wrong. Perhaps Welbeck will score the goals that win the title and Wenger will be hailed as a genius. Perhaps.

There is a banner at the Emirates that reads, 'Wenger Knows' and maybe, just maybe he does. But after the events of yesterday, I am not so sure any more.

World Cup penalty shoot-outs - A potted history

WITH the knock-out stage of the World Cup about to kick off, the prospect of the dreaded penalty shoot-out looms large. So here is a potted history of the World Cup shoot-out.

The first match to be decided by penalties at the World Cup was the now infamous 1982 semi final in Spain between France and West Germany. This was the match where French defender Patrick Battiston was knocked unconscious by German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher in a challenge that would now lead to a nine-match ban but did even merit a yellow card back in 1982.

France, playing some wonderful football, led 3-1 in extra time before a typical German comeback saw it finish 3-3. Then, despite Germany's Uli Stielike becoming the first player to miss in a World Cup penalty shoot-out, it was the Germans who won 5-4 to reach the final. Thankfully justice was done when they were beaten by Italy.

The 1986 World Cup in Mexico saw three of the four quarter finals go to penalties. France and West Germany were both involved again; the French beating Brazil 4-3 after a thrilling 1-1 draw, while the Germans won again, beating hosts Mexico 4-1. Belgium then beat Spain 5-4 after a 1-1 draw to reach the last four.

But it was not until Italia 90 that the shoot-out first became a part of England's World Cup heartbreak. The drama had started in the last 16 where David O'Leary's penalty saw Jack Charlton's Rep. Ireland overcome Romania, before Argentina beat Yugoslavia in the quarter finals.

Both semi finals then went to penalties. Argentina became the first and so only side to win two shoot-outs in the same tournament by beating hosts Italy, before England faced newly-unified Germany. In what could have been the greatest moment in English football history since 1966, it was instead the Germans who triumphed after Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle failed to find the target.

The 1994 tournament in America saw the first final to be decided by penalties as Brazil beat Italy 3-2 after a dull 0-0 draw thanks to Roberto Baggio's miss, but before that Belgium had beaten Mexico in the last 16, while Sweden had overcome Romania in the quarter finals.

The 1998 tournament in France saw more England heartache. The last 16 match against Argentina was another thriller, but after David Beckham's red card and Sol Campbell's disallowed goal, it finished 2-2 and Paul Ince and David Batty missed from the spot to give the Argies a 4-3 success.

Italy lost on penalties for the third tournament in a row as hosts France beat them 4-3 in the quarter finals after 0-0 draw, before a superb semi final between Brazil and Holland ended 1-1 with the South Americans triumphing 4-2 in the shoot-out.

Only two ties in the 2002 tournament went to penalties. Rep. Ireland were sent packing by Spain in the last 16, while the Spanish then suffered themselves in the quarter finals, losing 5-3 to hosts South Korea after a 0-0 draw.

2006 in Germany saw the second final to be decided by penalties as Italy finally struck lucky thanks to David Trezeguet's miss for France, but not before yet more England agony. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all missed as Portugal and the winking Cristiano Ronaldo won the quarter final shoot-out 3-1.

Earlier, hosts Germany extended their winning World Cup shoot-out run to four with victory over Argentina in the quarter finals, while Ukraine had beaten Switzerland in the last 16; the Swiss becoming the first and so far only side to miss all their kicks in a World Cup shoot-out, losing 3-0.

And so to South Africa in 2010. Only two ties went to penalties; Paraguay beating Japan 5-3 in the last 16 after a 0-0 bore-draw, before Uruguay overcame Ghana 4-2 in the quarter finals in the now infamous Luis Suarez/Asamoah Gyan match.

So as we await the knock-out stage in Brazil it is worth noting that only 22 of a possible 118 World Cup knock-out matches have gone to penalties - less than one in five. Unsurprisingly, Germany have the best record with four wins out of four, while England have the worst with three defeats from three. The only other side to lose three World Cup shoot-outs are Italy, although they did at least manage to win one, and in a final too.

Of course England and Italy will be spared more shoot-out heartache this time as they are both already on the flight home, but after such an open and attacking group stage with very few draws, will this become the first World Cup since penalty shoot-outs were introduced not to actually contain any?

I guess the next two weeks will reveal all.

The day we won the cup!!

SINCE the semi final victory over Wigan, Emerson had spoke of nothing but the FA Cup final. Still in nappies the last time Arsenal had won a trophy, Emerson had waited virtually all his life for the chance to see his beloved team win some silverware. I was hoping he wouldn't be disappointed.

I may have seen it all before but the opportunity to experience it again with my son made this one all the more special. And it was only Hull. Surely we would beat Hull.

Initially I had been concerned that a comfortable 3-0 victory, like the one we had achieved at their place in the league a few weeks earlier, would take something away from the experience. A lack of drama, perhaps. But as the day approached I really didn't care if we won 6-0 just as long as we won!

I had decided to drive to Peterborough and get the train to Kings Cross from there. It was cheaper that way. The train from Darlington to London would have cost a little under £170 return. From Peterborough it was just £43. Even taking into account parking (£6 all day) and diesel (£45 return) it still worked out much better value.

So we set off from Barton just before midday and arrived at Peterborough Station at 14.15, nearly 20 minutes before our 14.33 train was due to leave. We had spent the journey discussing who we thought would be the match winner. I fancied it would be someone unexpected; Koscielny or maybe Sanogo, but Emerson went with Podolski or Jack Wilshere.



Emerson at Peterborough Station

As it turned out the train was running late and was not now due to arrive until 14.42. No drama, I thought, we'd still be in London by 15.30; plenty of time to get to Wembley ahead of the 17.00 kick off.

The Metropolitan Line train from Kings Cross to Wembley Park was full of Gooners and the half an hour journey was spent singing a selection of old school songs; Perry Groves World, B'Jesus Said Paddy and Old Wembley Way, to name a few. Emerson loved it, even though he didn't know most of the words.

"Who is Perry Groves?" he asked.

"Oh, he is an Arsenal legend!" was my reply.

"Like Dennis Bergkamp and Theirry Henry?"

"Eh, yeah, sort of!"

Of course one of the highlights of FA Cup final day is the walk down Wembley Way. I had experienced it three times before (once for a replay in 1993) but this was Emerson's first so I made sure he savoured every moment.

The atmosphere was building up nicely now and it seemed most Gooners were feeling confident. Emerson had predicted a 2-1 win while I had rather more optimistically gone for 4-1; a Sanogo hat-trick!

Emerson on Wembley Way

aWe were in Block P which was half way around the stadium, opposite the tunnel, and by the time we had made our way around and joined the queue, it was nearly 16.30, half an hour until kick off. Emerson really wanted to be in the ground to sing Abide With Me so I hoped we would not be queuing for too long.

But it soon became clear that there was a problem. The next block along to our right, which was for Hull fans, had a similar length of queue to ours, but it had soon gone down while we were still no nearer to the turnstiles. The mood began to turn very tense as we inched slowly, tantalisingly, step-by-step closer to the promised land.

It soon became clear that we would now miss Abide With Me and our chances of making the kick off were looking no better than 50/50. As we slowly neared the turnstiles we were informed that there was a problem with the barcode machine which was causing the delay. It later transpired that it was a problem with forged tickets, not an issue in any other block except ours! Strange as ours was a block reserved for tickets supplied by the local FAs...

By the time we finally got through the turnstiles it was 16.55, and after running up the escalators, popping in for a quick toilet stop, and then climbing the 35 rows to our seats (luckily on the end of the row), we finally settled down just as referee Lee Probert blew the first whistle.

Emerson was surprised to see a flag on his seat and asked the guy next to him if it was his.

"No," he replied. "We have all got one."

Emerson 'enjoying' his complimentary flag

Emerson was overjoyed but before he could unfurl it, Hull had scored. Less than three minutes had been played. There was a feeling of shock all around us. Not the start we had wanted. But Emerson wasn't worried.

"I said they'd score first and we'd win 2-1," he said. "So it's okay."

When Hull then scored again five minutes later, he was not so confident. I could see the disappointment in his eyes as he began to contemplate the thought that we might actually lose. My thoughts immediately turned to the people who all week had been saying how much they wanted Arsenal to get beaten. The thought of the smug smiles on their faces was awful but I had to stay positive for Emerson.

It was very nearly all over before fifteen minutes had elapsed when Gibbo was forced to head off the line and we all hoped that would be a turning point. Thankfully it was. We were soon awarded a free kick about 25 yards from goal and Emerson took this opportunity to finally unravel his flag.

He waved it for the first time just as Santi Cazorla was running up to take the free kick and we both could not quite believe it when the ball flew into the top corner of the net. A truly great goal. Cue delirium all around us.

The view from our seats

Emerson was convinced it was his flag that had brought us the goal so every time we attacked after that he waved it furiously in the hope it would lead to an equaliser. It nearly did when Podolski's cross was missed by Ozil, but at half time we were still behind.

I was confident we would play better in the second half and go on to win but we needed to score early. We didn't. Then on the hour Wenger made his first change; swapping Podolski for Sanogo. Still time for that hat-trick, I thought.

The guy next to me was having none of it though and spent the next ten minutes shouting angrily just what he thought of the French ex-postman. When Sanogo tried to cut inside for the 10th time and lost the ball again, my neighbour was livid.

"Podolski would have scored that!" he shouted.

This was to become his mantra over the next half an hour or so, completely ignoring the fact that Podolski had not scored, or even threatened to do so, in the hour he had been on the pitch.

The problem was that despite what my neighbour thought, Sanogo was actually making a difference. Having two up front suddenly made us look more of a threat and the equaliser duly arrived with 20 minutes left.

It didn't look like a corner as Sanogo appeared to flick Giroud's cross into the side netting, and he didn't even appeal which is usually a sign that the player knows. But having had two blatant penalties turned down in the previous ten minutes, we were not about to complain about something finally going our way.

And as so often happens when a corner is wrongly awarded, it resulted in a goal. This one may have been scrappy as the ball fell to Koscielny inside the six yard box for him sweep home, but we did not care one bit.

We literally went mental. It was an outpouring of relief as much as anything else but it was one of the best goal celebrations I can remember, even better that I could share it with my son. But only after he had stopped jumping about screaming YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! for what seemed like about 10 minutes.

Emerson celebrating the equaliser

Our defender had been injured in scoring the goal and after the celebrations had died down, Emerson turned to me looking slightly concerned.

"It is horrible that he couldn't celebrate scoring as he was injured."

Typical of Emerson to think such a thing.

"Look, he is okay now," I said to reassure him. "He can celebrate at the end when we score the winner!"

And just a few minutes later we should have done just that. Sanogo did well again to find Gibbo, unmarked eight yards out. We were half-celebrating already but the chance had fallen to the wrong man. For once I was in agreement with my neighbour; Podolski would almost certainly have scored that. But over the top it went and the tension became unbearable.

Emerson was literally shaking by now, unable to sit still, a feeling made worse every time Hull crossed the half way line. Thankfully this did not happen very often.

With our return train booked for 8 o'clock, extra time would mean we would miss it but that was the last thing on our mind as Probert blew for full time. We had another half hour of this to go through yet.

Hull looked tired now and we began to take advantage. But when Giroud headed against the crossbar in the first extra period, and then Ramsey shot into the side-netting, I began to think it may not be our day after all.

But just as we had started to think about the prospect of penalties, we finally got ourselves in front. The introduction of Jack and Tomas Rosicky at half time in extra time gave us some extra impetus and with 10 minutes left, it finally happened.

A lovely back heel from Giroud found the late-arriving Aaron Ramsey and his first-time shot with the outside of his right foot crept into the corner of the net. We had our hero and what a fitting hero it was. Our player of the season had come up with the goods again just when we needed him most.

It actually took a few seconds for me to realise that we had scored. I had seen the ball go into the net alright, and I had seen the fans behind the goal to our left going mental, but for some reason I was unable to take it in. I looked to my right and Emerson was there going completely crazy and then it hit me. We had done it! Nine years of hurt was finally over!! Take that you haters!!

So slightly behind everyone else, I was now going bonkers, hugging and high-fiving everyone around me. For a second I lost Emerson as he was immersed under a pile of happy bodies, but he was loving every second of it. When he finally resurfaced we could have our own private celebration and it is a moment that will live with me forever.

What it means to see your team win the FA Cup

We spent the next five minutes singing and doing the Aaron Ramsey dance (I Just Can't Get Enough) but Fabianski soon put a stop to all that with a mad dash from his goal. It was one of those moments where time stands still. We all sat open-mouthed, head in hands, as the ball rolled agonisingly towards the net. Surely not. But to our relief it tricked harmlessly wide and we could all breath again!

We should have wrapped it up at the death as Rosicky broke clear but the full time whistle blew seconds later and the real celebrations could begin. After spending the last few years desperately wanting to see us win a trophy, Emerson had finally seen his wish come true. His flag was waved for all it was worth.

Looking down at the mad celebrations below us, Emerson said he wished we were in the lower tier, especially when he later saw Ozil hand his boots to a lad in the front row, but nothing could wipe the smile of our faces. We had finally done it!

I have seen Arsenal win many things over the years but this felt extra special. Whether it was because I could share the moment with Emerson, whether it was just the nine-year wait; perhaps it was a bit of both. But this was the best feeling I had experienced at football since Anfield '89. Yes it really was that good!

The trophy celebrations seemed to fly by. Bacary Sagna ran to the front of our stand with the cup and he was quickly followed by Ramsey, wearing a Welsh flag, Wilshere, with a red and white scarf tied around his head, and Giroud. The players looked as happy as us but the biggest smile of all belonged to Wenger.

The players celebrate with the fans

Under so much pressure, you could see the relief and joy on his face. Emerson and I have always backed him and we were genuinely delighted for him. Please sign that contract, Sir.

The walk back up Wembley Way when you have won the cup is fantastic. The singing and dancing was great and Emerson loved it. We got chatting to a guy who had clearly been enjoying himself a little too much and he had to constantly apologise to Emerson for his rather colourful language.

"Don't worry, I have heard worse from my dad!"

The cheek!

The train back to Kings Cross was a happy place to be and Emerson was made even happier when the guy we had been chatting to gave him his match programme. I had refused to buy one at the ground but this fella had been given one for free in corporate hospitality.

"You have it," he said to Emerson as we arrived at Kings Cross.

Emerson could not believe his luck. "Can this day get any better?" he said.

By the time we arrived back at Kings Cross it was 21.15, over an hour after our scheduled train had left. Luckily there was another one due at 21.36 so we bought a drink and some chocolate and finally got to sit down. Hot, tired but very happy.

Of course this was the slow train, stopping at every single station in London, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire before finally arriving at Peterborough at 23.08.

I was not relishing the two-and-a-half-hour drive home, the only downside to this itinerary, and Emerson was not much help; he was asleep before we had reached Newark.

So a day that had began over 13 hours earlier, ended at 1.30am as I pulled into Barton. Emerson went straight to bed, still smiling, while I had a much needed cuppa to celebrate. Get in there, you beauty!!

Following your team is often a stressful experience. More often than not you come home disappointed. But occasionally it can be glorious. It is the rare days like this which make it all worthwhile. I just hope it is not another nine years until we can do it again.

Trophy drought over as cup provides magic for Arsenal

FA CUP FINAL
ARSENAL 3 HULL CITY 2 (aet)
By Ricky Butler at Wembley

THEY say the FA Cup has lost much of its magic. But not if your team is playing in the final. Just ask the fans of Arsenal and Hull City yesterday. It is the oldest cup competition in the world and remains the single greatest game in the English football calendar.

It may lack the glamour of the Champions League and will always be behind the Premier League in terms of importance and financial reward, but it is only competition that involves all 700-plus clubs in the League pyramid system.

So a competition that began way back in August with the Extra Preliminary Round, was concluded yesterday in the Wembley sunshine. Arsenal, the favourites, against the plucky underdogs from Hull.

For Arsene Wenger it meant more than most. It had the feeling of an era-defining match. The nine-year trophy drought had become a monkey on their back, but after seeing off Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton along the way, this was the time to finally put the record straight.

Hull, under the astute management of Steve Bruce, was surprise finalists. Promoted from the Championship just a year ago, the Tigers had secured Premier League safety and were determined to enjoy their first ever cup final.

All the pressure was on Arsenal and in the early stages they did not appear to have coped very well with it. Looking ill-at-ease, the Gunners were one-down inside three minutes courtesy of a James Chester goal; two-down in eight thanks to Curtis Davies. Both goals the result of poor defending from set-pieces.

Of course this has been a familiar story for Arsenal this season. Conceding early goals in big games. At Liverpool in February and Chelsea a month later it had led to heavy defeats. But this was to be different. Gloriously different.

Not since 1966 had a side come back from 2-0 down to win a Wembley FA Cup final but two incidents began to turn the tide back in Arsenal's favour. In the 12th minute, Kieran Gibbs headed off the line to prevent Alex Bruce making it 3-0; it would have been the first time that three central defenders from the same side had scored in a Wembley final, before Santi Cazorla halved the arrears six minutes later with a magnificent 30-yard free kick.

It was one of Wembley's greatest goals. Similar in many ways to Paul Gascoigne's free kick against Arsenal here in 1991, the Spaniard hit the postage stamp in the top left-hand corner of the net with unerring accuracy and power.

Revitalised, Arsenal began to dominate. Mesut Ozil was a whisker away from getting on the end of a drilled left-wing cross from Lukas Podolski, while Oliver Giroud and Aaran Ramsey also threatened.

The second half saw wave after wave of Arsenal attacks. They perhaps ought to have had three penalties. Twice Cazorla was bundled over in the area by scorers Chester and Davies, while Giroud was held back by Tom Huddlestone. However, it was not until the hour and the introduction of substitute Yaya Sanogo that the Gunners were finally able to get back on terms.

Giroud did well down the left and when his cross was flicked into the side netting by Sanogo, referee Lee Probert continued his poor performance by awarding Arsenal a corner when it was quite clearly a goal kick.

Cazorla's delivery was not cleared by the Tigers defence and Laurent Koscienly turned the ball home from six yards, the third year in a row he has scored a vital Arsenal goal in the final match of the season.

The comeback should have been completed before the need for extra time. Gibbs was presented with a golden opportunity to win it 11 minutes from time. Sanogo has his critics, and his lack of goals is a concern, but the former postman was having a big influence of proceedings. He did really well to square the ball to the full back in space eight-yards out, but with the goal gapping, Gibbs somehow fired over the top.

Having spent much of the second half chasing the ball, Hull visibly tired in extra time. Giroud headed against the crossbar after Ramsey had capitalised on a mistake by Davies, before Ramsey himself fired into the side netting. But just as it was looking like being a tale of missed chances, Arsenal finally went in front with 11 minutes of extra time remaining.

Who would deny Ramsey his moment of glory. After an horrendous injury in 2010, the Welshman took time to rediscover his best form. Such has been his influence this season however, that many felt Ramsey's loss to injury between Boxing Day and Easter had cost Arsenal the title.

Therefore it was only fitting that the midfielder should pop up to finish from 12 yards after a lovely back-heel from Giroud. Older Gooners recalled a similar goal scored by Paul Merson against Liverpool in the 1990-91 title-winning season after a similar back heel from Alan Smith. But this one proved even more significant.

Arsenal being Arsenal however, almost found a way to throw it away. A Per Mertesaker slip let in Sone Aluko and Lukas Fabianski, the semi final penalty shoot-out hero, came charging out of his goal.

Aluko was always going to get there first and easily skipped past the Arsenal goalkeeper, in his final appearance for the club. But from a tight angle the Hull substitute was only able to pull the ball wide of an empty net and Arsenal had finally won some silverware. Joy unbridled.

Brothers in arms. Mertersaker and Koscielny show what it means the win the FA Cup

So the FA Cup has lost its magic? Not a bit of it. Winning this grand old competition in 2011 was the springboard for Manchester City and this could prove to be just as vital to the future success of Arsenal.

With Wenger about to sign a new contract, and with the club finally able to compete on financial terms with the likes of City and Chelsea, are the glory days about to return to this part of North London?

You certainly got the feeling at Wembley yesterday that they are.

ARSENAL - Fabinaski 6, Sagna 7, Mertersaker 7, Koscienly 8, Gibbs 7, Arteta 7, RAMSEY 8, Ozil 6 (Rosicky 7, 105), Cazorla 8 (Wilshere 7, 105), Podolski 6 (Sanogo 8, 61), Giroud 8.

HULL CITY - McGregor 7, Rosenior 6 (Boyd 6, 102), Bruce 7, Chester 7, DAVIES 8 (McShane 6, 67), Elmohamady 7, Livermore 6, Meyler 7, Huddlestone 7, Quinn 7 (Aluko 6, 75), Fryatt 8

REFEREE - L. Probert 5 - Got most of the big calls wrong and seemed overawed by the occasion.

ATTENDANCE: 89, 345

Henleys beat ten-man Dale to retain the cup

HAMBLETON LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
HENLEYS ATHLETIC 4 KILDALE 0
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium

Highlights of this match are available here

HENLEYS ATHLETIC retained the League Challenge Cup on Thursday evening as a brace from Mark Raw, a  penalty from Josh Knox and a goal from Andrew Shepherd saw off the challenge of ten-man Kildale.

Raw had already headed Bedale-based Henleys into an early lead when Kildale defender John Shelton was shown a straight red card by referee Stephen Foster for a handball on the line. And when Knox slotted home the resulting penalty there was only going to be one winner.

Raw grabbed his second just before the break while Shepherd completed the scoring with a close range header three minutes into the second half.

Henleys manager Dean Wilkinson was delighted with the professionalism his side showed to retain the cup. He said: "I'm over the moon, can't believe it. The boys put in a performance. Obviously the sending off  helped us a lot but we still stayed professional and we won 4-0.

"[Kildale] defended well. We were finding it hard to break them down a bit, we had a few chances, but the red card; he had to go really and the extra man told in the end.

"The game died [after we got the fourth goal] but we stayed comfortable, stayed professional and did the job."

Henleys may only have reached the final by default after their semi-final conquerors Northallerton Police were thrown out of the competition for fielding an illegible player, but they made the most of that reprieve with a dominant display.

The holders looked determined to retain the cup and it took them just six minutes to take the lead. Mark Hemingway clipped in a free kick from the right and when the Kildale defence were unable to clear their lines, Raw nodded home from six yards.

Kildale, who had lost 10-0 to Henleys earlier in the season, were struggling to find any rhythm to their play in the early exchanges, and with Callum Fletcher running riot down the right, a second Henleys goal looked inevitable.

And it duly arrived just past the half-hour. A header from Hemingway struck the arm of defender Shelton on the post and referee Foster had no choice other than to award a penalty and produce a red card for the unfortunate Kildale man. Knox then extracted further punishment with a coolly dispatched spot-kick.

The cup was only heading one way now and Henleys sealed it with further goals either side of the break. Raw added his second two minutes before the interval after clever play down the right from Fletcher, before Shepherd made it 4-0 in the 48th minute; heading home a right wing cross from Raw.

It would have been easy for the Kildale heads to drop after that but it was to their credit that they did not allow that to happen. Driven on by substitute Thomas Nichols they took the game to Henleys and perhaps deserved at least a goal for their endeavours.

But the holders were not prepared to give them even a consolation and Henleys had several chances to increase their lead in the closing stages. Hemingway, in particular, should have hit the target with two late efforts but any further goals would have been harsh on Kildale, who were left to reflect on what might have been.

Henleys man of the match Fletcher said: "I'm very pleased. The lads worked hard. It was a physical game, but football came out on top, I suppose.

"It was a shame about their red card but I still think we dominated the possession and scored a few goals. We have played well this season, we worked hard throughout the whole 90 minutes and got what we deserved."

No one can argue with that.



For the victors the spoils. Henleys pose with the cup after the 4-0 victory over Kildale

HENLEYS ATHLETIC - Elsworth, Mills, Hemingway, Tasker, Palmer, Fletcher, Knox, Raw, Shepherd, Allan, Dodsworth. SUBS - Stones, Taylor, Nolan, Smith, Croft.

KILDALE - Shelton (H), Pennock, Dodds, Sonley, Marsey, Stephenson, Atkinson, Grainge (A), Rose, Shelton (J)), Grainge (J). SUBS - Nichols, Gill, Lawson, Lewis.

REFEREE - S. Foster.

FA Cup success just the start for Arsenal?

THE FA Cup is in the bag, right? 3-0 against a team whose two best players cannot play in next month's final. They may as well just give us the trophy now.

But of course football does not work like that. And it this is Arsenal after all. So while we happily took the three points that keep us in pole position to take 4th place, we are realistic enough to know it will be a completely different game at Wembley in May.

Hull showed enough in the opening 20 minutes to suggest they can cause us some problems in the final. Indeed, had Jake Livermore's effort not come back off the inside of the post soon after Aaron Ramsey had put us in front, it may well have been a tricky afternoon on Humberside.

It is also unlikely that Steve Bruce will allow his side to surrender as meekly as they did in the second half. Lukas Podolski's goal just before the break proved vital and with Premier League safety virtually secured, Hull seemed happy to accept their fate.

Yes, Arsenal played well. As well as we have done away from home from months. The return of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey gave us back much of the attacking thrust that has been missing in recent weeks. But lets not kid ourselves. We will face a far sterner test at Wembley. Remember in 2003 when we thrashed Southampton 6-1 at Highbury a couple of weeks before we met them in the final? We only scrapped to a 1-0 win at the Millennium Stadium.

And lets not forget that winning that first trophy is always the hardest. Having gone almost nine years without one, the pressure is really on now. And we have a habit of failing in finals where we are overwhelming favourites. Ipswich in 1978, West Ham in 1980, Luton in 1988 and Birmingham in 2011.

In fact the final on May 17 could be a pivotal moment in the future success of the club. Win, and it could be the start of the period of success. As Manchester City showed in 2011, an FA Cup win can open the way for a Premier League title the following year.

Arsenal has shown this season that we are not far away. With everyone fit we have a squad capable of challenging for the title, and two or three good additions this summer, plus the return of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, could see us over the line next year.

Winning that first trophy could be the difference. Top level sport is 75% in the mind. You have to believe you are a winner. In a team sport, it takes most of the individuals to believe it. The only way that can truly happen is by winning things. You have seen in recent weeks, this Arsenal team do not quite have that belief yet.

So the final in four weeks time is not just about ending the much-talked about nine-year trophy drought. The success, or otherwise, of the next few seasons could depend on it.

So I expect a difficult game. Cup finals are traditionally like that. The first goal may well prove decisive. If we get it, I believe the trophy drought will be finally over and the good times could be about to return.

At Wembley in 1987 when we ended an eight-year drought by winning the Littlewoods Cup, we sang 'Arsenal are back.' And we were. Two league titles and three more cups soon followed. This year's FA Cup final could prove to be another watershed.

As someone once said, to dare is to do.

50 saves of Gray - goalkeeper Chris wins the cup for Bar

SCORPION CUP FINAL
BROMPTON FC 0 BAR ONE 0 (aet)
(Bar One won 4-3 on penalties)
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium

Highlights of this match can be viewed here

GOALKEEPER Chris Gray was the hero for Bar One on Thursday evening as they won the Scorpion Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out success against Division Three champions Brompton FC.

After 120 minutes of tense action at the Calvert Stadium there was nothing to choose between the sides that had finished first and second in the league. But after Gray saved James Horsfield's sudden-death penalty, the goalkeeper then beat Brompton counterpart Hayden Miles to give Bar One the cup.

On his penalty shoot-out heroics, a delighted Gray said: "I am absolutely ecstatic. I didn't know where it went actually. I saved it with my feet and looked behind me. I actually thought Brompton had scored as I heard everyone cheering but I was well happy it went wide."

Brompton nearly got off to the perfect start when Steve Pratt headed over from close range after Gray had kept out a 2nd minute free kick from Horsfield, but Bar were the better side in the first half. They dominated for long periods and won a succession of corners, but the nearest they came to a breakthrough was a header from Dan Hill which came back off the post.

Brompton improved after the break and began to show the form that had seen them pip Bar to the title. But with Gray in imperious form, they were unable to find the goal they were looking for. Adam Wilson was twice denied by the Bar 'keeper before substitute James Marriott fired agonisingly wide of the far post.

With players from both sides suffering with cramp in extra time, the final became a war of attrition. Brompton probably had the better of it but after Gray kept out another effort from Marriott with his legs, a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the destiny of the cup.

Brompton had the early advantage when Ben Wood and Paul Humphreys both missed for Bar One while Pratt and Dave Clarkson put the champions 2-0 ahead. It would have been all over had Stu Dunn scored with Brompton's third kick, but he hit the post and Bar made the most of that reprieve as Hill and Richard Hammerton levelled it up.

Brompton led again with a confident kick from Ryan Wilson but Callum Sherridan made no mistake for Bar, so after five kicks each it was 3-3. But then came the dramatic conclusion. Gray saved Horsfield's effort with his legs before slamming home the winning penalty to give Bar the cup.

Winning manager Brett Adcock said: "When we were 2-0 down [in the shoot-out] I didn't think we stood a chance. But I can't take anything away from them. They were aching and playing through the pain barrier but I take my hat off to them. Brilliant!

"{Chris] has been saying for a couple of weeks that he wanted to take a penalty for us if it happened and he said he was brilliant at them, but we'd never seen him take one. Today he came good so its party time."

It proved to be a night of double celebration as Brompton were presented with the league championship trophy before Bar One collected the cup. These two sides can now look forward to a relaxing summer break before planning for a Division Two campaign next season.

BROMPTON FC - Miles, Clarkson, Toman (L), Pratt, Brennan, Horsfield, Wilson (A), Caisley, Johnston, Dunn, Toman (G). SUBS - Wilson (R), Marriott, Watson, Dawson, Jackson.

BAR ONE - Gray, Anderson, Adamson, Hammerton, Simpson, Carson, Humphreys, Sherridan, Manamley, Wood, Hill. SUBS - Thornborough, Harrison, Kenningley, Reynard, Rudd.

REFEREE - J. Havelock

ATTENDANCE: 336

Old guns back in the groove

ARSENAL 3 WEST HAM UNITED 1
By Ricky Butler at the Emirates

Lukas Podolski seals the points against West Ham

ARSENAL moved back into the top four last night as two goals from Lukas Podolski and a superb strike from Olivier Giroud saw off the challenge of West Ham United at the Emirates.

Without a league win for almost a month, a run which had seen Everton move ahead of them in the race for a Champions League place, the last thing Arsene Wenger's side needed was to go behind again.

But after Matt Jarvis headed the Hammers in front five minutes before the break, the finishing power of Podolski and Giroud finally gave Arsenal the points.

A delighted Wenger said: "The mental aspect of the team was tested but I felt we were disciplined, determined, played well and overall we had a very convincing win tonight.

"You could see that the fact we won on Saturday had an impact on the morale of the team, so hopefully we can keep that high now until the end of the season."

After the physical and mental strain of Saturday's penalty shoot success in the FA Cup, Wenger made five changes in a bid to freshen up his side.

So in came Wojczcesh Szcezsny, Laurent Koscielny, Kim Kallstrom, Tomas Rosicky and Giroud, with Thomas Veramelen moving to left back in absence of injured pair Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal. It was the oldest side Wenger had selected for a Premier League match in over 10 years.

But it appeared the rigours of Wembley had taken its toll in a first half performance devoid of energy and ideas.

Giroud did have a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead after half an hour. A lovely ball from the impressive Santi Cazorla sent the Frenchman clear, but he tried to finish with his favoured left foot instead of his right and it was a simple save for Adrian.

That looked even more costly when West Ham, still in need of the points themselves in their bid to avoid the drop, went in front five minutes before the break. Szcezsny did well initially to deny Antonio Nocherino but the ball fell invitingly for Jarvis to nod home from close range.

You could feel the tension all around the Emirates but Arsenal dug deep and pulled themselves level just before half time.

Again it was Cazorla at the heart of its creation with a neat ball through to Podolski in the inside left channel, and the German drilled a shot on the turn across the West Ham 'keeper into the far corner of the net. Crisis averted.

The mood was now very different as Arsenal began to find their old fluency in the second half, and they completed the turn around ten minutes after the restart.

West Ham thought they had cleared their lines following a Cazorla corner, but when Vermaelen recycled the ball back into the penalty area, Giroud controlled instantly with his left foot before drilling home with his right; a goal of the highest quality and a 20th of the season for the much-maligned Frenchman.

Olivier Giroud puts Arsenal ahead last night

Wenger's men could now relax and it was simply a case of how many more they might get. A Podolski free kick brought a sprawling save from Adrian before Cazorla almost capped his fine night's work with a magnificent solo effort.

But Arsenal did grab a third, 11 minutes from time. Giroud's cross from the left was nodded into the path of Podolski by substitute Aaron Ramsey, and the German smashed a left-footed shot into the roof of Adrian's net.

On Podolski, Wenger said: "He is a natural finisher and that is why it is always difficult to position him on the pitch. You want him in the box, in front of goal, as well as wide. But I think tonight he moved better, more, and got into some very interesting positions.

"West Ham defended well so we had to be patient, intelligent and resilient. Our picture is quite clear now. We have to win every single game, that is the only way we can manage to do what we want to do."

West Ham manager Sam Alladyce, who still requires another three points to guarantee Premier League survival, said: "After doing so much to get ahead, not going in 1-0 up at half-time was a big disappointment. The second goal sickened me because the performance meant nothing after that. We didn't create enough.

"We've fallen behind in pre-season planning - contracts to new players, along with players in and players out. As soon as you're safe, the planning has to start. That way I don't get shouted at by the wife when I'm on the phone for six hours a day on my holidays."

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Hull City on Sunday in a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming FA Cup final, while the Hammers face a relegation six-pointer against Crystal Palace.

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Metersaker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Kallstrom, Rosicky (Ramsey, 71), Cazorla (Jenkinson, 87), Podolski, Giroud.

WEST HAM UNITED - Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Armero, Reid, Diame, Noble, Jarvis (Vaz Te, 78), Nocerino, Downing (Cole (J), 78), Carroll (Cole (C), 84).

REFEREE - K. Friend.

ATTENDANCE - 59,977

Dale and Nicholson too strong for Village as Coopers lift the cup

HAMBLETON LEAGUE DIVISION TWO BOB SEYMOUR TROPHY FINAL
THREE COOPERS 3 CATTERICK VILLAGE 0
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium

Highlights of this match are available here

TWO goals from Danny Dale and one from Paul Nicholson gave Three Coopers the Bob Seymour Trophy on Thursday evening as they beat Catterick Village at the Calvert Stadium.

The two form sides in Division Two were expected to produce a closely-contested final but it was Coopers' extra fire power that saw them lift the cup.

Dale capitalised on a mistake by Village goalkeeper Karl Latcham to give the Bedale-based side a 31st minute lead before Nicholson fired home a superb second just before the break.

Catterick fought hard to get back into the final in the second period but Dale was on hand to score again 16 minutes from time and there was no way back after that.

Coopers' manager Tony Ross said: "I am absolutely delighted. I thought it was a first class performance, brilliant from all the lads. I can't fault their effort and commitment, and it was just wonderful to see.

"Credit to Catterick. They really made a game of it. They came at us and they battled for the full 90 minutes. We had to match them in every department.

"I think we were the better side and we tried to play the football. We always try to play football. We had the better chances, particularly in the first half. Today everything went well and we are happy with the 3-0."

Both sides came into the final on the back of a good run; Coopers were unbeaten in 12 matches while Village had lost just once in 20. And it was the Catterick side who should have taken an early lead. Danny Allen did well down the left but Stew Fotheringham somehow managed to fire wide of a gapping goal.

That proved crucial when Coopers went ahead just past the half-hour mark. Latcham failed to hold a cross and when Mark Patchett recycled the ball into the penalty area, Dale was on hand to tap home with his left foot.

Coopers were on top now and Adrian Woodward headed just wide before Nicholson doubled their advantage two minutes before the break - skipping past a couple of challenges down the left before firing low past Latcham.

Catterick looked more of a threat in the early stages of the second half but the Coopers defence was not prepared to give anything away and the better chances were all at the other end. Nicholson was denied by a fine save by Latcham before Dale and Jack Reynard both came close.

But it was game over 16 minutes from time. Village momentarily switched off from a throw-in and Dale turned his man before beating Latcham at the second attempt.

Village substitute Michael Ingram did have the ball in the net soon after but his celebrations were cut short by the assistant's offside flag as it proved to be Coopers' night.

Liverpudlian Dale, who dedicated his goals to the Hillsborough victims battle for justice, said: "I've never had a good game in a final so it was decent to get a couple of goals. We didn't play like we can do usually. [Catterick] played long ball a lot which took our midfield out the game, but we got the win and that's all that matters."

Coopers face Catterick again in May what could well prove to be a league title decider and Dale remains confident his team will come out on top again.

"We've been unbeaten in the league since November now so hopefully we can push on and finish that off."

THREE COOPERS - Woodward (D), Woodward (A), Allison, Adams, Parker, Toman, Rayner, Reynard, dale, Nicholson, Patchett. SUBS - Kitchenman, Thomas, Robinson, Coombs, Hodgson.

CATTERICK VILLAGE - Latcham, Kinsley, Smith, King, Ewart, Hodgkinson, Wooff, Lister, Fotheringham, Allen, Rudd. SUBS - Dees, Ingram, Mant-Smith.

REFEREE - P. Scott

ATTENDANCE: 162

Everton - the aftermath

LISTENING to many of the comments from Arsenal fans recently, you would think that this late season collapse is a regular occurrence. But the opposite is actually true.

In 13 of the 17 seasons under Wenger, the club's league position has actually improved between February and April. 13 out of 17. So in actual fact these late season collapses are the exception to the rule.

In fact this is only the third time we have let a title challenge slip in the spring. In 2008 we fell apart after the Eduardo game at Birmingham and an FA Cup thrashing at Old Trafford. Lack of squad depth perhaps the reason.

Then in 2011 when we were chasing a possible quadruple, we lost to Birmingham again, this time in the Carling Cup final, and another collapse of Biblical proportions followed. But these have not been the norm. Far from it.

In fact the last two seasons have seen us recover from a slow start to finish strongly; both times overhauling a big Spurs advantage to pip them to the final Champions League spot. So a late season collapse is very rare.

Another myth going around is that we were only top of the table earlier in the season because we had an easier run of games. Well lets look at that shall we.

We were top after 19 games, the halfway point in the season and a time when everyone had played everyone else once. So we had in fact played all the same teams as everyone else. Not sure how we had easier fixtures then.

But I guess it is easy to look at the negative in everything following what was an unacceptable performance at Goodison Park yesterday. And coming on top of other poor displays at Chelsea, at home to Swansea and away at Liverpool.

Much of the slump has been down to the injuries suffered to key players. Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil have all been out so is it any wonder the attacking play has been so pedestrian.

Of all our recent poor displays though, this one at Goodison was the least painful. Everton are a decent club who do things the right way. They have not tried to buy success, it has been built on solid foundations and they have developed many great young players. It doesn't feel quite so bad losing to a club like them because their philosophy is the same as ours.

So much so in fact that I believe we saw the future of Arsenal yesterday. Martinez looks the perfect fit to replace Wenger when he finally calls it a day.

Everton play some good football and on Sunday they fully deserved their victory. They were better than us in all areas of the pitch. But the game is decided by small margins, and had Podolski's effort just before half time gone in, or Giroud's just after the restart, it may have been a different story.

But in the end it was poor defending that once again cost us away from home. With Vermaelan and Monreal at the back, we were always going to struggle. I am not sure what has happened to the Vermaelan from a few years ago. That guy was awesome. But now he a shadow of his former self and why he is still captain is something only Wenger can answer.

Poor Monreal, on the other hand, has never been good enough. Exposed time and time again. To be fair he did put in some useful deliveries from forward areas but I would prefer to see Sagna at left back if Gibbs is unfit.

Speaking of Sagna, he was once again our best and worst player. The guy is phenomenal but gets no cover whatsoever. So every time he goes forward, which he has to do on a regular basis as we have no other attacking threat down the right in the absence of Walcott; no one covers for him. No one. So when we lose the ball, as we inevitably do, there is a massive space behind him to exploit. So he constantly looks out of position.

Cazorla and Rosicky are not interested in covering. Mertersaker is often forced to pull across, thus leaving us exposed on the left side of our defence. Yesterday, the combination of Vermaelan and Monreal was an accident waiting to happen and unsurprisingly two of the three goals came from that area.

Everton got their tactics spot on. Every time their full backs attacked; and in Baines and Colman they have two of the best attacking full backs in the county, the wide men dropped in. It was seamless. Of course our one-paced attack helped them, but even so. Everton was a team who were in tune with each other and worked together as a unit. Arsenal, by comparison, looked like a bunch of strangers.

Despite such a poor performance though, I was shocked by some of abuse handed out by the travelling fans. Giroud, who admittedly was woeful, as he has been since his off the field antics came to light, was booed nearly every time he touched (mis-controlled) the ball and this reached a crescendo when he was substituted in the second half. And as for Wenger. Well he is public enemy number one. Not sure how any of that helps though.

Moreover, you have to ask; are things really that bad? Looking at our remaining fixtures there is every possibility we will finish the season with 79 points. One more than when we won the league in 1998. Yes, one MORE. There is also a very real chance we could win the FA Cup. Would that be a bad season? But it seems that a large section of the fans have already made up their minds.

But what happens if we blow it, as many expect us to do? What if we lose to Wigan this weekend and then finish 5th? Actually, I do not think that would be the disaster many are predicting.

If we do not win the FA Cup, I actually hope we finish 6th and do not qualify for Europe at all. As Liverpool have shown this season, no Europe can lead to fresher players at this crucial stage of the season. And the Europa League? Do me a favour.

Next season, I believe we will be serious challengers. All the signs are there. We have the basis of a very good squad. Players like Koscielny, Metersacker, Sagna, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Ox, Podolski, Walcott. With the right additions; a new goalkeeper, left back, cover at centre half, a defensive midfielder and two strikers, and we could be champions in 2015.

But something has to change. We have been nearly men for too long. This season has shown we are not far away. Not very far at all. But Wenger has probably taken us as far as he can. It seems the players are no longer buying into his ideas. It needs freshening up.

So I hope he can go out on a high. He deserves that. Winning the FA Cup and finishing 4th will mean he can go this summer with his head held high and give the new man something positive to build on.

Of course defending the FA Cup was something Martinez was never able to do at Wigan. Maybe next season he will be able to fulfil that ambition at the Emirates. After yesterday's events, we could certainly do a lot worse.

When the Bell tolls - Sporties leave it late to retain cup

FRANK BAINBRIDGE CUP FINAL
SPORTSMANS FC 3 NORTHALLERTON POLICE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium

Highlights of this match can be viewed here

A DRAMATIC last-gasp winner from defender James Bell on Thursday evening saw Sportsmans FC retain the Frank Bainbridge Cup in a thrilling final against old rivals Northallerton Police.

Division One leaders the Police had looked on course to snatch the trophy from their neighbours after strikes from Liam Darville and Jason Newall saw them overturn a first half own goal from Gary Shardha. But Sportsmans captain Sam Grainger equalised with six minutes to go before Bell's dramatic last-kick intervention.

Sporties manager Carl Kelly said: "I'm delighted. The lads deserve it. We've had a long way to go this season, struggling to get a squad together.

"We all know we didn't play at our best; it's probably the worst we've played since I took over. I thought the Police were the better to be honest. I think in the last 15 minutes our fitness probably told rather than that we played any better.

"We've played more cup games than we have league games so we have a lot to play. Yes, we can still win the league but no talk of the treble. We don't want to put a jinx on it. But we've got the first hurdle done."

In Aintree week it was surprisingly referee Mark Ullyott who was first to fall. Suffering with kidney stones, the official had to be replaced by assistant David Homes after just 16 minutes. But it was first blood to holders Sportsmans in this clash of the Hambleton League heavyweights.

Colin Anderson had already hit the post midway through the first half when the unfortunate Police defender Shardha turned a 27th minute cross from the Sporties danger-man past his own goalkeeper with Scott McNichol waiting to pounce.

But the lead lasted barely four minutes. A long ball out of defence by Newall fell to Laim Darville in the penalty area and he neatly clipped it past Jed Clarkson from 8 yards to make it 1-1 at the break.

The Police came out strongly at the start of the second period and they deservedly took the lead six minutes after the restart. A corner from the left by Chris Walker found the head of Newall, and although his connection was not as clean as he would have liked, the ball somehow found its way into the net.

The Police were now rampant and they came close to sealing the cup when first Sam Vernalls and then Ashley McInerney came close to doubling their advantage.

But it was the holders that dragged themselves level with just six minutes left on the clock. A corner from McNichol was only half cleared and Grainger dived in bravely to send a header into the bottom left-hand corner of Adam Cunningham's net.

There is usually very little to choose between these sides and it now looked as though extra time would once again be required. But deep into stoppage time, the Sporties won it.

Again it was the set-piece delivery of McNichol that created confusion in the Police penalty area and left back Bell arrived to fire a right-footed shot past Cunningham from 10 yards. There was barely time for the game to restart when referee Holmes blew the final whistle and the Sporties celebrations could begin.

Match-winner Bell said: "It's definitely the high point of my season so far. To come through 3-2 in the last minute; it doesn't get much better than that does it.

"All I remember about the goal was; right foot, didn't look, back of the net! That's all the matters."

With a County Cup final against Cleveland Arms to come next week at Stokesley, this could be the first of an historic cup double for Kelly's heroes. The Police meanwhile, will hope to retain the league title as compensation for this heart-breaking late defeat.

SPORTSMANS FC - Clarkson (Je), Pratt, Lambert, Grainger, Bell, McNichol, Butterworth, Ramsbottom (An), Jackson, Ramsbottom (Aa), Anderson. SUBS - Caisley, Calvert, Dawson, Clarkson (Jo).

NORTHALLERTON POLICE - Cunningham, Ryan, Newall, Pinkney,Walker, Shardha, Darville (L), McInerney, Gunnell, Vernalls, Darville (B). SUBS - Pattison, Schofield, Cooke, Morris, Wright.

REFEREE - M. Ullyott/D. Holmes.

Walker goal not enough as Richmond suffer more cup heartache

NORTH RIDING SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL
MIDDLESBROUGH 3 RICHMOND TOWN 1
By Ricky Butler at Central Avenue Stadium

Highlights of this match are available here

RICHMOND TOWN last night suffered a third cup semi-final defeat in less than two weeks as a late brace from Jordan Jones gave a young Middlesbrough side victory at Billingham.

Richmond had been the better side in the first half and took a 41st minute lead when Chris Walker fired home at the far post after an inviting right-wing cross from Kalumn Holbrook. But Lewis Sirrell equalised three minutes later before Jones' late intervention gave Boro victory.

Richmond manager Chris Lax said: "I am delighted with the performance. I thought in the first half we were the best team. I am really pleased for the lads. They have put in a shift and a half. [Boro] came out the blocks a bit quicker in the second half and passed it about sharper, and we tired in the last 20 minutes."

After beating York City 3-0 to reach the last four, Richmond arrived at Billingham Synthonia's historic ground full of confidence that they could claim a second Football League scalp. Indeed it was hard to tell which side were the full time professionals and which from the Wearside League in a keenly contested first half.

It may have been a different story had Boro skipper Johnny Burn had not headed an early chance over the top, but Richmond took confidence from that escape and were the better side for long spells.

Holbrook sent a dipping shot from distance just over the top while Adam Palmer's header was saved by goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler. But it was underdogs that scored first, four minutes before the break.

Boro defender Nathan McGinley was caught in possession by Holbrook on the right and Walker arrived at the far post to send a volley flying into the roof of the net. Suddenly another shock looked on the cards.

But the Dalesmen switched off momentarily just before the break and were made to pay. Bradley Halliday was given too much time to pick his pass and he sent Sirrell away to coolly slot past Town goalkeeper Adam Cunningham.

Boro came out strongly at the start of the second half but they ran into a Richmond side determined not to lose a third semi-final in 10 days. Cunningham made a great save to deny Bradley Fewster while defenders threw their bodies on the line to block efforts from Jones and Sirrell.

But Richmond could have regained the lead just past the hour. A free kick from Holbrook was not sufficiently cleared and Ben Darville saw his shot roll agonisingly just the wrong side of the far post.

That proved to be decisive as Boro went in front 12 minutes later. Cunningham did well to deny Fewster initially but when the ball was retuned into the penalty area, Jones made mistake from 12 yards.

Richmond now looked tired but they dug deep and almost dragged themselves level two minutes from time. Michael Layfield found substitute Scott Guy down the left and his drilled centre would surely have been turned home by Darville had it not been for a superb last-ditch tackle from McGinley.

That led to a thrilling finale. Almost immediately Boro broke and Fewster was up-ended in the penalty area by Palmer but Cunningham guessed right to keep out Jones' spot kick.

"I watched him last week against Redcar and he went the same way," said Cunningham on the penalty save.

But that proved to be merely a temporary reprieve. Just seconds later substitute Jake Fowler released Jones and this time to he made mistake to seal Boro's progress to the final of a competition they have won 53 times.

Lax said: "I am proud of the lads. They have battled hard and they have done Richmond Town and the Wearside League very, very proud.

"The score has probably flattered [Boro] but I am pleased with the performance and the attitude of the lads in there. [Boro] are professional footballers. They will be coming in for a rub down tomorrow; our lads will be back at work on the farm."

The Dalesmen will now be hoping this performance can give them a boost ahead of tough run-in as they look for a top three finish. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have a final against Guisborough Town of the Northern League to look forward to.

MIDDLESBROUGH - Luetwiler 7, Halliday 7, Coleby 9, Burn 7, McGinley 7, Tinkler 6, Sirrell 8, Maloney 7, Fewster 7, Griffiths 6, Jones 8. SUBS - Weledji 7, Wheatley 7, Fowler 8, Kitching, Fryer.

RICHMOND TOWN - Cunningham 8, Palmer 7, Ryan 7, Newall 7, Pinkney 9, Holbrook 8, Layfield 7, Darville (L) 8, Darville (B) 7, Walker 8, Knox 7. SUBS - Thompson 7, Guy 7, Shardha, McNichol, White.

MEN OF MATCH -
Coleby (Middlesbrough) - Superb performance from the right back both defensively and going forward. One to watch.

Pinkney (Richmond Town) - An absolute rock at the heart of the Richmond defence. On a night of heroes in blue, his performance stood out above the rest.

REFEREE - I. Turner

ATTENDANCE: 170

Below-par Arsenal pegged back by Lallana equaliser

SOUTHAMPTON 2 ARSENAL 2
By Ricky Butler at St. Mary's



Adam Lallana celebrates his equaliser at St. Mary's last night

TEN-MAN Arsenal saw their title chances dealt a blow last night as a second half equaliser from Adam Lallana saw them held by an impressive Southampton on the South Coast.

Trailing at the break to a controversial goal from Jose Fonte, Arsene Wenger's Barclays Premier League leaders rallied with strikes from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla within six minutes of the restart.

But Saints captain and England's new star, Lallana, responded almost immediately before Mathieu Flamini was shown a late red card for a two-footed lunge on Morgan Schniederlin to leave the North-Londoners frustrated.

However, Wenger remained upbeat at the whistle. He said: "Southampton had a great first half, they played at a great pace and we had problems to get into the game.

"The second half we responded very well and came back in a convincing way, we were 2-1 up, but the double disappointment we have is to concede as quickly as that, and secondly to finish the game with ten men.

"We have shown a lot of character and resilience to come back, and overall I would say it is a difficult point but a fair point."

Arsenal was late arriving at the ground due to traffic problems but that could be no excuse for what was a lacklustre first half display. Although the goal that gave Southampton a 21st minute lead was shrouded in controversy - Fonte appearing to push Nacho Monreal as he rose to head home Luke Shaw's left-wing cross - there was no question the Saints deserved to be ahead at the break.

In fact had teenager striker Sam Gallagher not fluffed his lines when presented with a golden opportunity soon afterwards, the match may well have been beyond Wenger's men. But the Gunners showed their full title potential in the early moments of the second half.

This was far from vintage Arsenal, in fact it would be fair to say this was their poorest performance for quite some time, but they have quality in abundance and two pieces of magic saw them turn the match on its head.

They were level two minutes after the resumption when Bacary Sagna's driven cross from the right was flicked home by Giroud with a clever back-heel, and the turn around was complete four minutes later.

Mesut Ozil laid the ball off to Cazorla on the edge of the penalty area and the little Spaniard arrowed a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner of Boruc's net - his 4th goal in the last three matches.

But before Arsenal could consolidate their position, they were pegged back almost immediately. Having been so strong defensively all season, it was somewhat of a surprise to see them momentarily switch off at the back, allowing Lallana time and space to finish a low cross into the box by Jay Rodriguez.

The game ebbed and flowed after that but the best opportunities fell to the leaders. Ozil saw an effort deflected onto the crossbar after a strong burst into the area, before Monreal shanked an effort wide with only Boruc to beat.

But their chances of finding a winner were over 10 minutes from time. Flamini was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason for a two-footed challenge on Schniederlin, and only a fine double save from Wojciech Szczesny, denying Shaw and Fonte, ensured the Gunners left with at least a point.

"It was a very good football game," said Wenger. "And Southampton deserve some credit. I felt we were a little unfortunate on the decision for the first goal but the first half was not good enough.

"We tried to push on for the third goal but after we went down to ten men it was important to come home with a point."

Arsenal could drop down to third tonight if Chelsea and Manchester City win against West Ham and Spurs respectively, but there is every chance this could prove to be a very important point in the final reckoning.

A trademark of champions is to get results when not at their best and Wenger's side has certainly developed a knack this season of doing just that. But with tougher tests to come in the next few weeks, performances will have to improve if they are to stay at the top.

SOUTHAMPTON - Boruc, Chambers, Fonte, Schniedelrin, Shaw, Yoshida, Cork, Davis (Do Prado, 89), Lallana, Rodriguez, Gallagher (Ward-Prowse, 70).

ARSENAL - Sczcesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Arteta, Gnabry (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 70), Cazorla (Gibbs, 86), Ozil, Giroud (Podolski, 89).

REFEREE - L. Mason.

MAN OF MATCH - Lallana (Southampton) - Could be a real star in Brazil this summer.

ATTENDANCE: 31, 284