I saw this in another forum. Probably been done before, but I thought I'd try it again. Since I've convinced my wife to take the next trip to THOF, I figure I'll meet some of you guys through ArsenalAmerica too. I know there are Dallas (some in Louisiana also) Gunners and we should arrainge a Gunner viewing for the ManUre match or something of the like. Anyway . . . My real name is Billy. I live in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I have been a Gunner for 3 three years. I'm 30, wife, kid, four door sedan, and dog. I've lived all my life in SW Arkansas, though I have travelled much of the US, never Europe. I'm pretty much conservative, I am a lawyer and spent much of my lengthy college career as a VanWilder wanna be. I think the DH in baseball is part of the down fall of Western Civilization, and think the American sporting public would be better off if relagation where but in place like in European Football. My first sporting love is College Football and could care less if the NBA or NHL ever played another game. I hate the American media criticizing the professionalism of young kids (Wie, Adu, LeBron) while complaining about the lack of fundamentals in some sports compared to their counterparts from other countries, while failing to see the irony that kids from other countries have been under professional contract since they were 8 years old. I also think a playoff system would ruin college football. that's about it.
OK, Billy, I'll bite, but only if you promise to bribe some judges and fix any speeding tickets I may or may not get in the state of Arkansas. Firstly, the name is Brad, and in answer to a common question I receive in PM form (by non-ArseAm'ers), I am not a coach of any sport that I am currently aware of. "Coach McGuirk" is the character on an animated TV show, and he just so happens to be the worst soccer coach in the history of the sport (sample quote: "It's amazing that you can become a coach of a sport that you don't even care about, you don't know how to play, you're not good with kids...but I've had the job for three years."). I am, for lack of a better word, a writer. Unlike Rick, who is a legitimate PR person, I do contract work for several companies. When I'm not working (which seems like a good portion of the time) I am a known agitator on this board, although it's certainly not intentional. I am 35, divorced, and I have a 4 year old son. I could care less about the DH in baseball, and if you grew up a Texas Rangers fan you'd feel the same way. I gravitate to the more physical sports, like hockey and rugby. While I played football for 14 years, I don't follow it too much anymore because the NFL has gotten too unpredictable, and D-1 football is a complete joke right now and will remain one until a playoff is instituted (sorry, Billy, but I gotta' disagree with you on that one). I have lived in Dallas for most of my life (went to college in Denton, just north of here) except for the 6 years I was married and living in North Carolina. I like to refer to those as "The NASCAR Years", but I digress. It's funny that you posted this today, as I have been secretly working on a roster of our regular posters in here, sort of a comic take on everyone, and I didn't know if I should post it. It's all in fun, really.
I just started posting, but I'll bite. My name is Nick, and I've been a Gooner for about 14 years. I'm 25 and live in Philadelphia. I vaguely remember seeing some tapes of the George Graham years when I was about 10, and it was the grit that I enjoyed. I played for an indoor soccer team named Arsenal that lost in the finals. I'm a waiter who has lived in both England and Ireland after graduating from college with a degree in Bulls#!t, I mean political science. I saw my first Arsenal game when they played Grimsby Town in the Worthington Cup November 27, 2001. I saw Edu score his first goal for the club via a header from DB. My first premiership game was the 3-2 come from behind thriller against Villa in December that year. One of my proudest accomplishments is that I have turned my girlfriend of 2 years into not only a soccer fan, but a Gooner as well...this after her referring to them constantly as "The Arsenals." I'm pretty liberal in a lot of respects but am currently registered Republican. I did it so I could vote for McCain in the 2000 primary, but he had dropped out before the primary here in PA. I believe in public transportation over the automobile, free higher education, and that one day the Philadelphia Eagles will win a Super Bowl. I don't care too much about baseball or basketball, nor D-I college football, but believe that D-II is a wonderful sport and has some great rivalries that don't get coverage because they're not major. I look forward to posting here more often as well, now that I found a community of Gooners, even if it is online.
Oh, what the hell. It's lunchtime at work and I have nothing better to do right now. My name is Jason. I'm 23, single, and live in Pittsburgh. If you look at my handle, you probably can guess what my last name is. I'm currently working two jobs, one at a small steel fabrication company north of the city doing office work and the other at the local Fox TV station doing production for the newscasts, which isn't as glamorous as it sounds. I graduated with a B.S. (yes, that is the actual degree) in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University (better known as YOUR defending national champions!), but am getting out of the business to go into product marketing. I have an opportunity that has been presented to me that hopefully will let me take a new, better job in the next couple of months. I can't elaborate, but let me just put it this way: it could make me ArsenalAmerica's Asian correspondent. In terms of sports, I love both types of football. I'm a huge college football nut, but love the pros too. I'm a Steelers fan and, though an SU alum, a huge Miami Hurricanes fan. I also am a big hockey fan as well, though it's tough when your team is the Penguins! Same thing with baseball and the Pirates. I also am a NASCAR fan, which gets me ripped on by all the F1 fans here, but oh well. Coach, I must find out more of your "NASCAR Years" at some point. My first Arsenal experience was just over a month ago, when I walked into Highbury for the first time and saw the Gunners win their group in the Champions League over Lokomotiv Moscow. It was a phenomenal experience and one I will always remember. I hope to go back every year at least once to go, which I believe this new job will allow me to do. Politically, I'm economically conservative and socially moderate, making me a McCain Republican. I believe in an incentive-based economy, rewarding success rather than punishing it. I also believe in the First Amendment, that political correctness is the greatest threat to free speech today, and that sports talk radio is the greatest invention ever.
jason, you ever listen to rocco pendola in pittsburgh?? he failed miserably at THE TICKET in dallas (although i was actually a listener of his show)~ COACH, greatest show on the ticket?? i would say THE RANT or Bob and Dan~~ not to throw this thread outta loop~ im 28, live in britain for about 9-10 months a year traveling to and fro Dallas, Tx~ Texas Tech graduate as well (was so close to going to Syracuse)~ imaging salesman, it sucks.. phishy~
I LOVED the Rocco Pendola show!!! He got canned while I was in North Carolina, so I missed it. Were you listening when he apparently walked out, on the air? Best TICKET show, hands down, BaD Radio. The Rant has it's moments, but I thought the Great Gordo was better late night on fri./sat. The Hardline can kiss my "Deez Nutz", as far as I'm concerned. The Old Grey Wolf is a no-talent has been, and The Hammerjust annoys the pizz out of me. Now, back to our regularly scheduled thread. phishy: weather has gotten cold, but we'll be back in the low 60's by the weekend. Sucks to not be in Texas!
I remember when he was on, but I didn't listen to him. I mostly listen to ESPN Radio 1250 here, which has former WCW color guy Mark Madden on. And if you're concerned about getting this thread thrown out of loop, you should see the one titled "Will this ever end?" that Coach started. That's touched on around 30 topics at this point.
Waldman- i too am a huge Canes fan. I went to a private school that played NAIA football so, I have no D1 allegence. i followed the canes since I was a kid (early 80s), and the last couple of years I have gone to 2 games a year. (Conn., Va. Tech, and La tech, Tenn.) I have a canes tattoo from a trip to 6th street Austin in 1995, back when being a canes fan was really trying. We should have won 4 championship in a row. 2000-got screwed and didn't get to play OK, even though we beat them (FSU) regular season 2001- won 2002- Ohio State, ref screwed us. 2003- inspite of Berlin sucking, the staffs loyalty to Payton keep Moss on the bench too long, and it cost us with the Tenn game. (I was there) We win that we finish no worse than second and go to the Sugar Bowl Oh well we beat FSU 5 times in a row (think ManUre/ Arsenal) see this isn't so bad folks
Not that this is relevant to the Arse, but I don't want anyone to stereotype Arsenal fans as being politically conservative. So here are my quick facts: * 38, married with a 3 year-old daughter. * Born in Egypt. * Always lived in California, except for a couple of years in Seattle. * Became a fan after Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in WC'98. * Socially moderate, fiscally liberal. * ManU and the Republican Party can kiss my ### * Arsenal fans are cool, no matter what persuasion.
ok. my name is Logan. i was born in columbia, missouri, so i'm a mizzou fan if i have to pick. i am from lake charles, Louisiana, the crappiest place on earth. my claim to fame is that i have been friends with justin vincent (the sugar bowl mvp) since the second grade. i lived in dallas for 2 years going to school at SMU where i learned to hate and piss off rich snobs and all that they stand for. i am currently in a long term, long distance relationship with a girl from dallas who is currently in france studying for a semester. gooner for 10 years since my select team was named arsenal. i lean to the right, but i could never say i'm republican because i am "pro-death" (hey, you conservative bastards made up pro-life.) i'm going to france in april and i'm hoping to catch the liverpool game while i'm in london for a day or two. that's about it. oh, and i'm a firm believer that we would be unstoppable if our defensive lineup was cole, campbell, mexes, toure. cheers
lets give this a shot I'm chris and I'm 23. Lived in the Dallas area all my life. Been supporting Arsenal since May 2001. I graduate from bible school in May and plan on going to the UK&Ireland roughly two weeks later for about a month. Hopefully I can find something over there. I really don't care about politics. Often asked if I'm from Europe. I've met a few BS posters. I like hockey, football(soccer), and rugby which might be why I am asked if I am from Europe. I have strong dislike the Lone Star Celtic club(well except for a few people who are decent). I like Swedish and Finish coffee with French Vanilla, Irish Cream, and three packs of sugar. Currently working on a small web site for the Dallas Based group(say you ever going to come out Coach? Say logan, what city is Emily in? If you or her get a chance, you should hope on a train to Marsille, Nice, or Monacco. Very nice places to go walking around.
OK, this'll shock you, but my name is Martin(what a creative handle, huh?). I'm in my late 30's, and from Connecticut so I've got you beat Logan. The State Quarter features the Charter Oak(Could have been worse I guess-it could have been the Hartford Whalers who LEFT the state like we all should have) , so its a bare tree on a nickel gray background-people here thought it was a photograph from about eight months of the year round here when it was first unveiled. Look for Nowhere and NoPlace on your map and Connecticut's between them, Just before the The End of the World As We Know it(Sorry, heard from some friends in Cali and REALLY not liking being here today.) I'm a Robert Kennedy-Liberal, relatively conservative fiscally but progressive socially and economically. I will go no further for today on that. Going further on that and NOT football, "Fever Pitch" MOVIE fans, has gotten me in trouble recently, so I'm single yet again, not that there's anything wrong with that(Somebody PLEEEAAASSE help me! I need a woman. Sorry, digressing again) Anyway, I first began supporting Arsenal Late 70's("All Star Soccer" on Public TV of all places was indispensible)But wouldn't honestly call myself a Gooner til I got access to the evil that is the internet and Fox Sports World. I met some of you(who reading this post probably regret that)on Arsenal America's most recent RoadTrip to Highbury and say hey again and hope all is well for you. Anyway looking forward to this Season as it progresses as there is SO MUCH promise on all fronts, even the Carling Cup, which a certain manager we've all heard here before of once referred to as "The Nothing Cup". This could well be the greatest year yet when we look back on it, so enjoy it all the more as it happens. Like Logan, I am headed to London in March and April, as are many others here I've read. So even if there is no ArseAm RoadTrip put together we all should try to get in touch ahead of then(if these posts don't scare each other off)as it really should be fantastic there-especially for Gooners! I will leave you with a handle I saw from a bloke named Daz on another board. he's a decent bloke but can be annoying(bet that's a thought going through some minds here now)Veteran and Jazz-Loving Gooners with love this-"Daztrud Gilberto Silva". Have to love that...
My name is Ryan and I am located in the huge metropolis of Norfolk, VA. I am 26, a graduate of Virginia Tech (Economics) and currently work for my Family's business (we manufacture and distribute Industrial and Janitorial chemicals and supplies). I became a Gooner in the 01-02 season; this was during my beautiful, wonderful college days. A roomate of mine would always put in the vhs player "Tor: the highlights from the '88 Euro Champ." I must say after watching that tape over and over, seeing Marco Van Basten and the original (and the coolest) RUUD, I was hooked. Spent plenty of time the next semester glued to Fox Sportsworld and fell in love with the beautiful game and The Arsenal. I am a die-hard Redskins fan (I LOVE that Joe Gibbs is back) and Hokie follower (to all you 'canes fans: didn't you think it was justice that your guy dropped the fake punt for a t.d. in the same endzone that Wilford dropped his pass in the game 2 years ago? Bring on the ACC). Phish is the greatest band in the world and you can never see enough shows. Funny, I always see at least one Arsenal Kit at every show I go to.
Ciao. My name is Rob, I`m 25 and a Arsenaholic. No I shouldn`t, I posted stereotypical Arsenal fan description but I`ve deleted it. But seriously, you do sound like you`re at an AlkiesAnon meeting.
Re: lets give this a shot she was in nice last week, but is now in paris. i'm a little freaked out and i don't really like her being this far away. basically i'm always in a piss-poor mood until i get my once-every-other-daily fix from talking to her. she has class the week i am coming in so we are going to london for easter saturday sunday and monday (which she has off also). i really hope i get to see an arse game. here is an idea of why my girlfriend is the best ever. she wants to buy me the tickets to arsenal vs. liverpool for my birthday present. but if we can't get tickets, i'm going to try to go to nice to see PSG play
I like getting to know people behind their member names! I'm Patrick, 28yo, happily married for over 4yrs now. We have a beautiful 21 month old daughter. Have lived in the Chicago burbs for most of my life....great city, crappy weather (frigid winters + brutal summers!) Served in the US Army for 3 yrs (Artillery, stationed in OK, NM, and KY). Finishing my bachelors degree to teach High School History @ Northeastern IL Univ in Chicago, start student teaching tomorrow and graduate this summer (Finally!). Played around with the idea of supporting Arsenal starting last season and before this season began, I said stop being a fence sitter and commit, and it makes following the league more exciting when you are invested emotionally to a club. I loved the passionate Arsenal fans/rich football tradition, love the city of London (honeymooned in London+Edinburgh), I'm part English, myself and my great grandpa were both in Artillery, my friend that introduced me to footie is a huge Gunner, love the kits/crests, and read "Fever Pitch"! Felt like I could really relate to Gunners being a Chicago fan. Well worth it! Love watching matches with fellow Gunners and chatting in here with all of you. Being a Chicago sports fan is a curse, I can relate to Boston fans. The older I get the less I like baseball...boring. I love the NFL (HUGE Bears fan)and NHL (love the Hawks, but we have sucked for 10yrs!). NBA is good..not as team orientated anymore. I'm politically all over the place. Have voted for Repubs and Dems both. Grew up in Reagan lovin/NRA family. My wife is the exact opposite, her Dad HATES Republicans and loved Clinton. She has NEVER voted Rep., but she is like me more near the middle. I'm pro-life, for the death penalty, liberal on religion, moderate on taxes/my wife gets raped by Uncle Sam every year and she supports the 3 of us! Pro environ/not a total granola tree hugger. Basically I'm an open minded person, willing to listen to reason. Strong agree with certain aspects on both ends of the political spectrum.
I'm 18 and I go to school in Mississauga, Ontario, which is a suburb of Toronto. I first became an Arsenal fan after they signed Davor Suker, who I had followed at the 98 World Cup as a budding soccer fan. Suker didn't last too long as a Gunner but I fell in love with the club, I love the way they play and I love the richness on the left wing (my preferred position for rec games) they've had over the past few years (Henry, Overmars, Silvinho, Cole, Pires, Ljungberg, GVB...). Arsenal's recent double was my first championship as a fan, and it felt great. Here's to further success.
Stay outta here you simple Villa scab and go find your own meeting, er board. This is the first step and I've got eleven more to go which means recovery is a long way off so I'm still pissed off and don't need to be bothered by the likes of you, balloon head. So I just moved to SF via Portland OR in July and currently persuing an MA and work two jobs. I keep asking myself why I chose the 2nd most expensive town in the US to move to because I'm constantly broke and hungry but I love it here, I think it's a great American city. I started following Arsenal after a stay in North London in '98 (mannor house was my stop on the blue line), and the couple I lived with were devoted supporters. I rolled around London and watched the '98 world cup in pubs with a group of Irish bicycle messengers; I came back to the states, got FSW and started following the Gunners, and that was it, I fell in love with the game. Sorry, I think Phish is really a terrible band but I love early Kinks/Beatles/Stones/Elliott Smith (r.i.p.) Wilco/Stooges/most garage rock. I think nearly all polititians are duplicitous and morally vacant and the ones who aren't never get elected and probably never will so they all can rot as far as I'm concerned. Not really much of an internet kinda guy, but I find it difficult of not impossible to find anyone to talk to about the Game, let alone Arsenal, so here I am.
My names Jeff, 23 from DC area where i work as an analyst for DHS. I've been an arsenal fan since '00, and basically was just to pick a local side to route for while i lived in London for a year. I realized how much of a fan i was in tears when Caru scored for Valencia knocking Arsenal out of the Champs league that year. I don't really follow any other sports besides baseball, and i'm a huge O's fan (we suck), and one of those WGN Cubs fans. I'm not a real big fan of the internet, I just sorta lurk here in these boards to get my daily Arsenal fix...
perhaps our paths 'aved crossed as i've worn an arsenal kit on many a tour~ funny tho, i dont really recall seeing more than one other fella w/ a gunner kit on.. whatever you do, take care of your shoes...........
My name is Dylan, I'm 18 years old, am a senior in high school, and I'm a fan of the Arsenal. (Hi, Dylan...) I've been a Gunner for, give or take 8 years, starting with Fever Pitch and then growing with my discovery of the Internet. I work at a soccer store selling stuff for fans and players and my boss is a Romainian Chelsea fan. My favorite Gunner is Kanu, and there's more to come later.
My name's Justin. I'm a graduate student (economics) at LSU (finallly recovering from the Sugar Bowl). I also tutor student athletes in mathematics and business. Born and raised in Lake Charles, LA as well. (It's not the crappiest place in the world, jegerpenge. I used to go to school in Jersey As of next fall, I will become LSU's NCAA compliance officer, but hopefully one day I will get my PhD and teach or go into university administration. Here's my Arsenal fan-dom progression: Ajax------- Bergkamp ------Arsenal Dutch Nat'l Following Arsenal in the early and mid 90's in the Bayou was damn near impossible. Thanks to cable and internet, I really began to follow the team in college, and I am now planning my first trips to Highbury during next year's Christmas and Easter holidays.
Been living in New York for over four years and have been a confirmed gooner for about six. I've told this story before, but I enjoy retelling it. Back in late '98, while working at an electronics store in Miami, I helped a couple of British musicians get some gear. One of them was wearing an Arsenal jersey. Since I didn't support any English sides at the time I decided to give them a try. It helped that they had Kanu, whom I had seen in the '96 Olympics and also DB10, whom I saw play with Holland in WC98. By the time Batistuta and Fiorentina (remember them?) cleared Arsenal from the CL two seasons later I was totally hooked. Politically I'm a progressive and a centrist, which in the American spectrum would place me a bit left of center, but that's neither here nor there. I'm sure I would love to shake hands with either a Tory, a Republican or even a Trotskyist if they were gooners.
Contrary to popular belief, my name isn't Otter, it's Alex. My username is a long stupid inside joke from junior high. But anyway, I'm 21 yrs old and was born and raised in Queens. I'm in my fourth year of college, but only my third at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. After my failed experiment at Hofstra University, I needed a change which has worked out for the better. I became a Gooner not too long ago. I'd dabble here and there on the internet for EPL standings and always hoped that ManUre wasn't on top. When I heard someone call ManUre "the Yankees of English soccer", I knew that this would never be my team if I chose one. Of course once the World Cup '02 came along, I experienced so much emotion and excitement rooting for Korea and the US. More for Korea since that's my ethnicity and it was in Korea and my whole family was watching with me. But I've been through a lot with my other teams, yet a sport that was still new to me took over. I was hooked and started following Arsenal once I discovered that I had Fox Sports World and saw Thierry Henry for the first time. I know, I know, it was after they had already won the double, but in my defense, I had no clue that they were champions and still had trouble figuring out what the double was! But either way, I'm hooked on them and soccer. My other teams are the Mets, who I grew up watching. I hate the Yankees with a passion. I'm also a huge Ranger fan and just got back from Boston yesterday, after watching the B's destroy the Rangers. I started following MLS and the Metros this season which has had its ups and downs. I know the difference of quality between the EPL and MLS, but it's a local team and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm a half-assed Knick fan. They were my favorite team for a long time until they traded away Patrick Ewing. Yeah, that was pretty long and I'm sorry if you fell asleep at your keyboard.