It would have to be a signed picture from The Arsenal Double Winning team of 1971
and one from Circa 1950 with a massive scrap book dating back to 1930

and the reason why (asides from being a Gooner) is how I came to own these.

Mr Williams was an old fella down my road, who continually looked out for me and my sister when we were playing in the street. a kind, tall genetleman, with a glass eye and white hair. A collection of canes, and tweed Jackets, he was a typical English gent. In his 80's, he died a few months back. Totally unexpected, he was a picture of health and stood for everything that was and still is right with this country.

An RAF pilot, he and his team were known as the Bryl Cream Boys for having their hair slicked back with gel and being a hit with the ladies. He shot down the Nazi's, and defended this country from the racial biggots wanting to invade us.

He was also one hell of a story teller making it seem like you were there, you could literally imagine scenes acting out infront of you. We would discuss at length the week's Arsenal games and the rest of the Premiership, what's happening at the club.

He would tell me in great detail of the games he saw starring players and managers from everyteam and games I have only read about (Charlie George, George Best, Pat Rice, Herbert Chapman). One of the greatest stories was The English World Cup win on 1966. The way he descibed the atmosphere of the game, the country, and the decade it was brilliant.

One day I came home from work. Mum told me he'd died. It was a weird feeling to know that someone i'd known my entire life had suddenly passed away. Sure i've gone through family deaths, one particularly traumatic, but this was a feeing of: Its unexpected, but he lived life to the full and have done stuff i'd only ever read about or would never even dream of doing.

We'd gone around to see his Wife that evening. In her this Newcastle accent she said "Oh chuck, i've gorrot summat for' ya'" and disappeared for a few mins. "Fred, he said he wanted you to have this" and produced a 6x4 grainey black and white photograph and a colour 8x6 photo. "He said you would want these, and he carrnt think of a better home for these, he said "

Those pics are framed in my room, and i'm going to leave them to my nephew.

Its not funny. I make no apologies.
(drain_bamaged, Fri 9 May 2008, 11:38, 2 replies)

click for you
thats a class tale.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 9 May 2008, 11:45, closed)

Not a football fan
But really well-told story, sounds like a great way to remember a fantastic-sounding man.
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 11:49, closed)