Arsenal vs. Wigan [R] (THE FINAL MATCH @ THOF) Pre/dur/Post

[Catfish]

I'm honored to start this thread. I know emotions are going to be sky high these next few 2 weeks, but that is the beauty of the sport. I know Wigan is having a damn fine season, but I just don't see them coming into Highbury and getting anything. The players will have a little more pep in their step and our fellow Gooners will be going absolutely mad out of their minds.

(Pryzblinski, you better represent Americans well;
BE OBNOXIOUS AND LOUD AS HELL!!!)

It should be deafening, G-d Bless Arsenal and the glorious stadium that is Highbury, The Home of Football or The North London Pool Table

Let's roll out the old Catphish special:
2-0 to The Arsenal

Go on Arsenal, make us proud and close this blessed ground in style.

[ToBeAGooner]

Whats this I hear about a post match concert by The Who?

[HighburyGoon]

Whats this I hear about a post match concert by The Who?

Arsenal Football Club today announced that music icon, Roger Daltrey, who has penned a specially written track in tribute to Highbury, will perform it together with a Who ‘classic’, at the Club’s closing ceremony on Sunday 8th May following Arsenal’s last ever game at its famous Art Deco home against Wigan Athletic.

Arsenal Stadium, which has been the Gunners’ home for 93 years, will close its doors on Sunday with a spectacular programme of events planned. Daltrey who is a huge Arsenal fan wrote the track as a personal tribute to his favourite footballing home and will share the song with 38,000 Gunners fans who will have just seen the team play its final match at the north London stadium.

Roger Daltrey said: “I’m honoured to be part of Highbury’s closing ceremony and this is why I’m performing a song inspired by the stadium and my personal memories of the place. I’m really looking forward to playing the set, but it’s tinged with sadness as I play out the Gunners’ home.”

Managing Director, Keith Edelman enthused: “We are thrilled that Roger is not only performing at Highbury as part of our closing ceremony but that he has composed a special song, it is a fantastic way to send of this famous old stadium.”

The Club is urging supporters to take a close look at the lyrics below and get their singing voices into gear!

Highbury Highs - written by Roger Daltrey

I've seen children grow
On this field of green
On this field of dreams
The years have passed away
I've stood side by side With London's Pride
We laughed and we cried
We lived another day

To those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
Yes we will remember those Highbury Days

From Rocky,Ray and Raddy
To Dennis,Chippy,Paddy
The Rock of Tony Adams
The Joy of Charlie George
Chapman, Graham, Wenger
Yes we will remember
Henry,Bastin,Wright
And those record breaking scores

All those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
Yes we will remember those Highbury Days

May those Highbury Highs be with you all your days
May your Highbury Highs last forever

There’s one thing that's certain when they drop the final curtain
Something you can bet your shirt on The Arsenal's here to stay

All those Highbury Highs under North London skies
Yes we will remember those Highbury Highs
Those Highbury Days and those Highbury ways
We will always remember those Highbury..HIGHBURY..Highbury
Highbury..HIGHBURY

Highbury Highs say your final goodbyes
We will always remember those Highbury Highs
Say your final goodbyes to those Highbury Days
WE will always remember those Highbury Days
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE HIGHBURY DAYS

RPT CHORUS

[evanpemsocr]

This will be probably the most emotional soccer game that I've watched to date.

[Catfish]

FYI: Roger Daltrey is a HUGE Gooner.

[Shen-O]

I feel like crying and it's not even match day yet!

[leepyswetr]

Roger Daltrey post-game? You lucky bastards. :D

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Roger Daltrey with Simon Gallup (Cure) on bass, Angus Young (AC/DC) on rhythm, Ray Davies on lead guitar (Kinks) and Roger Taylor (Queen) on drums.

Roger Waters there to play the harp or something and Chris Lowe from PSB on keyboards. And Dido to look cute. Johnny Lydon to be pissed off.

Ultimate Arsenal band.

[surfcam]

Thank the Lord it will be shown on Arsenal TV Online! I would hate to miss out once crappy ass FSC stops the coverage.:rolleyes:

[echo6delta]

Take lots of pictures, folks. I mean, LOTS.

And good Lord, somebody better TiVo that mofo and get it on a torrent soon! My eyes will be brown from Guinness come Sunday, I'm sure, but I want to see it all over and over again - even if only on my computer.

Kinda brings up a question - inspired by the latest ticket-swap thread... think I'll start one on that.

[leepyswetr]

Somebody* damn well better get some video footage of Roger Daltrey.

* by somebody, I mean Rick. :)

[echo6delta]

A little trip down memory lane, in photos. (http://www.awimb.com/cgi-bin/emAlbum.cgi?c=show_thumbs;p=Highbury)

[ptpab]

Thank the Lord it will be shown on Arsenal TV Online! I would hate to miss out once crappy ass FSC stops the coverage.:rolleyes:

Agreed!

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Only Football ground I've ever hugged.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Just a thought.

There would be something beautifully logical about Theo Walcott, perhaps a future Arsenal legend, making his first appearance for the first team at the last game. Link to the future, all that.

[RobC]

Hope to see the following on Monday morning:

Yesterdays matches:

West ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspurs
Arsenal 4-1 Wigan Athletic

Thats all I am asking for.......Go West Ham

[Skizz]

Fitting send-off, kick Wigan's arse and knock Tottenham out of fourth. I know there will be tears in everyone's eyes (players included) when the final whistle goes on Sunday.

bigg

[Lanesra]

Unbeliveable,my two great loves, the who(we'll one of them) and The Arsenal in my favourite place at the same time, Now if I can sort something out with the Corrs post match:D

It's going to be a very emotional day though, I know I'll cry, and anyone that's met me will know that won't be a pretty sight.

There's a part of me that's really not looking forward to Sunday, this stadium has been part of my life for over 40 years, there's a scene in fever pitch when he walks up the stairs to see the pitch for the first time, i've lived that moment for those 40 years, I don't think I will ever feel like that about the Grove, and I know I wont see 40 years over there.

Goodbye my beloved Highbury, thanks for so many memories.

I've actually got tears in my eyes as I type this:(

[br02afc]

Programme available from Paris 2006 (http://www.paris2006.co.uk/shop/index.php) Delivered to the States, Canada, and most of Europe.


Cheers for looking.

[TheImposter]

Most of the time I love being a dad better than anything I've ever done or ever will do. But my son has a tournament this weekend, and a game that we'll have to leave for right about the time they kick off at Highbury for the last time. I'll watch the replay on FSC, but I'll have to know the scores beforehand, and I know I'm going to be missing out on an incredibly special experience. At the same time, maybe it's a bit just to leave it to those who have been Arsenal all their lives. I live vicariously through you, Lanesra and all the rest!

Wouldn't you love to see Ray Davies walk out onto the stage with Roger Daltrey? I watched a documentary on Ray a few weeks ago, and part of it featured an interview done just outside of and then inside Highbury -- I fancied that he might have been sitting in his usual seat, but I suppose he actually watches from a private box or something.

Anyway, here's to a grand experience that I'll never have, and a spirit I can only feel through others. Thanks to all the old Gooners who've shared their memories.

Oh, yeah -- go West Ham, and UP THE GUNNERS!!!!