We stuttered early on in the season but since then we have had some decent results. This is not altogether too far off from the Arsenal’s season. I am talking, crucially, about me and the lads trying to find a decent boozer to call home for games at the Ems after we got a free transfer from our previous drinking establishment.
Well, our contract expired and the new terms offered weren’t that appealing. We cited toilet cleanliness and lack of live football on the box and an unhealty willingness to hand over large wads of dosh in return for avearge ale. They (the Railway, Finsbury Park) responded with ‘handy for the tube’ remarks and ‘quick service at the bar’ retorts. Oh, and there was that time against Celtic in the CL when the Jocks were being served before us because, we suspected, of their allegiance to the mother country of those operating the pumps. We still retain much love for landlady, an Irish wallflower named Gina, though. And in the past some more than others.
Ultimately, though, our representatives (agents is too vulgar a word in present company) couldn’t find common ground with those speaking on behalf of the Railway and there was a mutual parting of the ways. Yes, we used the media to issue a “come and get us plea” but the response was as luke warm as the potent liquid found in one of the Blue Crew’s cans. So the search began in earnest to find a new boozer.
To date we have tried several alehouses but not been converted as of yet. Opposite Finsbury Park tube is a pub whose name escapes me. It used to be the Silver Bullet then the Gas Light and was Ok. Now it is dark and dingy and played music by bands such as Suicidal Maniacs From Potzdam andKill Kid Jensen. Probably.
The World’s End is a fine house of repute but is too far from the Tube for us lot. The 12 Pins is, well, the 12 Pins and again does what it does well and indeed we have earmarked it for a swallow before today’s game against Fulham. But it does lack a sense of intimacy and we are delicate souls after all. Opposite, virtually, is the Blackstock and once one of our number pointed out the poor standard of reconditioned upholstery we, rightly so, have swerved ever since.
The Tollington was mentioned and we know a few old school lads (special mention to the Colonel* and his acolytes at this point) who sup there but never got round to attending ourselves. Unusual when I think about it ‘cos we are all pretty good at attending ourselves.
We trawled our vacuous minds for hints at where to try. Over the years we have consumed in The Arsenal Tavern, The Gunners (very occasionally as you tend to get fans in there who are, how shall we put this, a bit too keen). I note that it has been taken over but can’t help but think it’ll be a case of heaping on the enthusiasm and we’re too old and curmudgeonly for that these days. That said, when Adrian is full of liquor he is about as enthusiastic as you can get and I long for his state of pie-eyedness to reach the level where he maniacally bellows, from his lofty East Stand “chair”, “get off our pitch” to the unwelcome opposition.
Back to watering holes. Cannons is, er, Cannons and then there is the Bank of Friendship, which I quite like and have indeed I harbour a soft spot for it after meeting Liam Brady in there in the late 80s. Highbury Barn was our haunt a decade or more ago but, again, too far a trudge in time for kick off at ten past three. On to Holloway Road environs and in turn and in no order we have imbibed in the Famous Cock (put off by the name for obvious reasons), the Swan, Baileys, the George, Metro, Fibberts and the Wig and Gown. Again, all respectable hostelries but we have still to find that certain succour we crave. (Love the idea of a pint in the Che Guevara but see this as very much a post-match thrist-quencher.
So, know a good boozer ove the Arsenal is bascially what I am asking…
*This just in from the Colonel: “Tollington! Refit just finished.. Plenty of space and bar staff a plenty. Highly recommended.”
Keep suggestions coming.
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