Product Description

Kicking off with the story of the original 'soccer czar', Sir Henry Norris, who bulldozed through opposition on many levels to move Woolwich Arsenal to north London (and probably taught many subsequent chairman everything they knew on that score), Jon Spurling's all-encompassing history of Arsenal's time at Highbury features testimony from everyone: from the peanut sellers, turnstile operators, local publicans and fans, through to the likes of Bob Wilson, Liam Brady, George Graham and Lee Dixon. This is a warts-and-all look at the last century in the club's history, telling the story of local opposition to the club's move (1913), through the construction of the impressive art deco East and West stands in the thirties, the assembling of the various title-winning sides and culminating in the story of local opposition to the club's move (2004). Having written three previous titles on Arsenal's history, Jon Spurling is well placed to produce this definitive volume.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87969 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Jon Spurling is a regular contributor to FourFourTwo and When Saturday Comes magazines. He is the author of three previous books on Arsenal: two histories of the club in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as Rebels for the Cause: The Alternative History of Arsenal (Mainstream 2003).

Customer Reviews

History broken down by those who witnessed it.
I've never been inside Highbury, and am unlikely to do so now, but just visiting the area gives you a feel that there is an interesting story to be told. And, for me, here it is in spades. Spurling is an excellent writer, fans of When Saturday Comes and the Fanzine movement will love his writing style. Plenty of humour, never shirking from the slightly uglier sides to football history, this is a fantastic book which was very hard to put down. As a non Arsenal fan this was an ideal sized introduction to the Gunners thus far, and has certainly left me looking forward to his other football, Arsenal in particular, publications. Many so-called stars give their honest opinions alongside many (150+) ordinary fans. Everyone involved with Arsenal seems to have been spoken to. Will read again!