Beginnings of the Love Affair

As you guys may already know, I started my love with the Arsenal in 1991. How did it happen? Well, it was that year when Arsenal and Liverpool came to Singapore to play for the now-defunct Caltex Cup.

I went to the National Stadium with a group of buddies and we sat in the grandstand seats. Well, if I were to use Highbury to illustrate, we sat in the East Stand. Perfect view. I had no team preference then but I could see lots of Liverfools around us.

Don't know if it was the humidity or the fact that it was a 'friendly' competition, the two teams didn't really get out of 2nd gear. At the end of full-time, the score was 1-1. Both goals were similiar in nature: the ball was chipped over the onrushing goalie. Sadly, I couldn't remember who were the scorers. Could it be Wrighty? (can anyone help me out with that?)

No extra time so it was penalties to settle the business. David Seamen stood in goal. And naturally with him around, the Gunners lifted the cup after he made two BRILLIANT saves.

But it was not the victory that started the love affair. It was all thanks to one man. Yes, just one man. And I have no bloody idea who this lone Arsenal fan was but boy, can he sing! This chap was sitting alone and he just kept singing & singing & singing. He practically outsang the whole of the grandstand on his own! You can imagine how he stood out like a sore thumb: one 'amg moh' sitting among all the Asians, shouting like a madman... Well, his singing was so infectious that we joined in. Strangely of all the songs, I only remembered 'One David Seamen. There's only one David Seamen...'.

Since then, I've followed the red & white army. Well, I'm still waiting for the Gunners to come back to our shores. I'm sure they will, right? It's a matter of just when...