Born in 'ammersmith, West London, started supporting Arsenal back in 69/70 as a 7 year old whilst living in Singapore.

When I heard a sports report talking about the wonderful win over Anderlecht in the old Fairs Cup that was my team!

The old man, who was in the British Army, was a Spurs fan so it didn't go down too well but I didn't care, already!

Me younger brothers decided to follow Liverpool and Spurs so we didn't talk much either!! Those early years were filled with highs and lows. Charlie's remarkable strike against Liverpool to win the first Double and then that header from Allan Clarke from Leeds to lose the next cup final which cemented my passion for the team.

My unfortunate lot in life has meant that I was either too young to go on my own, living overseas with the family or actually playing weekend sport in Devon, to actually see Arsenal play live.

I arrived in Oz 1 April '89. 3 weeks later the unbelievable 'fever pitch' win at Anfield to lift the title for the first time since '71.

Of course since then they've had the most purple patch of success since the 30's, all of which has been watched mostly in the middle of the night wearing a variety of the 14 shirts I've got! For the CL Final I wore them all!!

The one time I managed to get to Highbury for a match I arrived at half-time after completing a cross-country race in Hampstead Heath only to be informed it was full! The only other time I managed to get to the old ground was during the off-season in '98 on my way to the World Cup in France, when we had just won the second 'double'. I did get to do the tour and see 'Chipper' Brady's face all over the museum but it's not quite the same is it? 

So whilst I've watched the club re-emerge over the past 30 odd years it's all been from afar. However it doesn't diminish one bit the feeling I have for them.

One day I'll get there.