Im not sure, in the sense of having a written basis to fall back on but.......I always thought it was an affectionate way of referring to the more rowdy of Gunner fans as Goons. Gooner, Gunner seemed a perfect fit.
I've always taken the term "Gooner" - as opposed to "Gunner" - to mean that, although we're not actually a part of the <i>actual club</i>, we can distinguish ourselves from fans of other clubs, and can still say, "We won on Saturday!" without introdicing the notion that "We" in fact had anything to do with putting the ball in the net. Of course, etymologically speaking, I suspect it has something to do with "The Goonies" show with Peter Sellers, et al. But, clearly, as Chief Lexicographical Officer, I must admit this requires more research. -G. Rex
if it was the accent mate it would be Ganner, it is purely cos it is easier to fit Gooner into songs than Gunner! and to belong to football tribalism it pays to be unique!
Maybe someone else can confirm this. I thought it was originally a taunt used by other supporters which we just adopted, kind of like how we sing Boring, Boring Arsenal.
I think you're thinking of Newcastle's Toon Army, which is really Town Army but with the Geordies' accent it sounds like Toon.
I can't remember where I read it from, but I remember reading about it. They said the word Gooner actually came from the Arsenal's Swedish fans cos they couldn't pronounce the word "Gunners" properly. I think they only supported Arsenal because we had that Swedish player, what's his name - Limpar?
Yeah, Anders Limpar. He actually came to Colorado later in his career and played a couple of seasons for the Rapids. I think he's back in Sweden now.
The actual "official" version that the club stands by is to do with the accent, and from the Norwegian supporters, (although the Swedes and Danes are similiar in their pronunciation of the word, referring or saying "Gunners" as "Gooners". (Try it like "the Swedish Chef" from the muppets). (No offence meant to our Scandinavian friends!). Anders Limpar is back in Sweden playing for the club he first started with. ("Showing off" now, but I received some signed pictures from him in the post yesterday, after visiting his bar "Anders 'Limbar' " when in Stockholm in January.). A great player for us in his heyday. The original "Super Swede". (Freddie you're next!!).
gooner The term Gooner was originally used in the mid to late 70s. It is simply a pun on the word 'Gunner' and was coined by the club's hooligan element. The Gooners were once one of the most feared troublemakers of the era, along with West Ham's Inter City Firm and the Chelsea Headhunters. Happily, most of these idiots have long since disappeared, but the term still remains. Still, I like some of the alternative explanations! Hope this helps.
That is "exactly" right! They used to frequent "The World's End" pub in Hornsey Road, and together with another group known as "The Herd" were as feared as any other "mob" from other teams. However, you won't get the club acknowledging that fact, (hence the reason I did not include it in my original thread), but the "Scandinavian" segment is "correct" anyway, and one that the club can "officially" acknowledge the use of the term to describe all Arsenal followers nowadays.
Check the dates Dave, this thread was last active in October 2002. I thought a lot of the old guard were making a comeback on BS until I checked the dates.
Just noticed another thread by afceie also linking to that board. Trying to drum up some traffic methinks.
I thought we'd covered this elsewhere. Gooners started out as Goon Squad, a crew who used to frequent the Holloway Tavern (now Spoofers Bar) in the late 70s, early 80s. Their name was corrupted to Gooners and was the name used by Arsenal hooligans until about 1984 when The Herd became the name after the "Liberty Tour" experience at West Ham. Memers of The Herd and the original Goon Squad can still be found at The Arsenal, if you know where to look.
Fashion! turn to the left Fashion! turn to the right Oooh, fashion! We are the goon squad and we’re coming to town --David Bowie
Anders Limpar "She asks what I'm doing this week, and I think: (1) I'm seeing Matthew on Wednesday. (2) Matthew's still got my Champions video. (3) [Remembering that Matthew, a purely nominal Arsenal fan, has not been to Highbury for a couple of years, and so has had no opportunity to watch the more recent recruits in the flesh] I wonder what he thought of Anders Limpar. "And in three easy stages, within fifteen, twenty minutes of waking, I'm on my way." Sorry. Couldn't resist.