The Armoury store, at the Emirates Stadium, was last night the host to three Arsenal legends from the famous 1970s era in which the Gunners won the intercities fairs cup in 1970 and the double in 1971. The three legends present were all integral members of this era. Charlie George, whose famous celebration (lying flat on the Wembley turf) after scoring the winning goal in the FA cup final against Liverpool, to secure the double in 1971, is eternally etched in Arsenal’s history. Goal machine John Radford, who currently sits fourth in the all time list of Arsenal goal scorers with 149 and last but by no means least, former right back and now assistant manager at the club Pat Rice.
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Rice, Radford and George |
John Radford and Charlie George were first to arrive, signing autographs for the fans, who could also have their picture taken with the cups the 1970s team won, while enjoying the free champagne on offer. As scheduled, Pat Rice arrived two hours later and the three legends then took part in a short question and answer session.
Q: Pat, what has the team done differently recently which has led to the improvement in results?
PR: We’ve stopped conceding goals for a start! The season didn’t really start for us until after the transfer window closed as we were still deciding if Fabregas and Nasri were going to stay. But credit to the lads they have stuck together and shown what a great team spirit we have. People who don’t know anything about football will claim our players aren’t good enough, but this is not the case. After all we are the first English team to qualify from the group stage in the Champions League.
Q: You’ve been both a player and a coach at the club, what has changed over the years?
PR: The players and the balls are quicker, but the players’ technique has also improved greatly. The class foreign players that have come into the league have also helped to improve the level.
Q: Charlie, how did it feel to score the winning goal in the FA cup final against Liverpool min 1971?
CG: Well for the first 30 seconds after I scored it felt better than sex! It was just amazing. In 1955 I stood on the South Bank as a supporter and then joined the club as an 11 year old. For a local lad to score in the final at Wembley was fantastic. But we also had a great group of lads who stuck together. Everyone who has played for the club knows what great history and tradition it has. If you can’t play the next best thing is to watch Arsenal.
Q: What stands out as a highlight of your Arsenal career?
CG: When we won the league at Tottenham, it was an amazing night. To win it there...what more can you do. I think we had more supporters in the ground that night than they had too.
PR: Winning the league at Tottenham as a player and coach! Just doing anything at Tottenham is always special.
JR: When I was a kid the FA cup was the trophy to win. To go to Wembley and win it was amazing. But I had to pick Charlie up, after he scored and lay on the turf, I had to say to him for God’s sake get up, there’s nine minutes left to play son!
Q: John, you scored 144 goals in your Arsenal career, which important or special goals stand out for you?
JR: You’ve missed a few out there, it was actually 149 goals! One that I always remember was away against Liverpool in 72 or 73. I was put through from the half way line, in front of the Kop End. Ray Clemence came out of the goal and tried to floor me, I pushed the ball to one side, jumped over him and rolled it in, but I could feel the breath of the Kop trying to blow it out!
Q: What does the future hold for Arsenal, realistically?
PR: We’re only going up at the present time. Obviously we had a bad start, so I think to finish in the top three would be a great achievement. You will get Manchester City, United and Chelsea spending millions in January, so to finish in the top three we would be able to hold our heads up. Also if we can win some kind of trophy, I don’t know which one yet, but we are still in the Carling Cup so who knows.
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