I HAVE BEEN an Arsenal supporter since 1953 when I was eight years old. A season ticket holder from 16. A tiny shareholder since I was 18. In 1971 I never missed a single game. I was at White Hart Lane when we’d last won the league. My support for The Arsenal has survived two marriages.
In 1985 I started to miss games. I was developing an addiction to cocaine and heroin that ruined my life and those around me. By 1988 I was virtually homeless and no longer wanted to live. I somehow ended up in rehab in the West Country. I was lucky and came out of the rehab clean a week or so before the Liverpool game. I went into a tiny flat nearby.
I had lost interest in virtually everything, including my beloved Arsenal. I knew the game was on TV. In fact I had declined a ticket to the game a week or so earlier. I was too ashamed to meet up with my old Arsenal pals. Although I was clean I was not sure I wanted to live. I did not even want to watch the game on TV. Scared of all the feelings and emotions it would bring up. The good news about giving up drugs is that you get your feelings back. The bad news is that you get your feelings back.
I stared at my TV for an hour before kick-off. I imagined all my friends at Anfield, a ground I had been to many times. Eventually I plucked up courage. I watched the game. I cried, laughed and cried and laughed some more. In that moment Michael Thomas scored, I suddenly knew I wanted to live. I wanted to return to London, see my children and get back to a decent life. I also wanted to be at Highbury again. Watching the game gave me the greatest gift ever. A gift drugs could not give me and money could not buy. HOPE!
I have stayed clean ever since. I have truly had a life beyond my wildest dreams. But that’s another story.
Anonymous