One night last winter, I was helping to transport a very eminent lady from central London deep into rural Kent. We were discussing the state of financial services, the issues of eldercare and the likely outcome of the then forthcoming election. As we drove, she suddenly exclaimed, “I know the other bloke who is as nutty about Arsenal as you are!” and there began my introduction to Dave Seager.
I had read Dave’s book about the great Geordie Armstrong many years ago and knew he was a great friend of our founding father Dave Faber so I determined to get to know him. I’m delighted that, through my friend’s good offices, I have tracked Dave down and am delighted to reveal his latest, very current project and the story, a tragic story in parts, behind one of the leading authors about our special club.
I met up with Dave online this week to find out more about his life and work.
Dave, It is always exciting to talk to major Arsenal authors, especially when they have a new book coming out. We will talk about your new book shortly but for the benefit of our readers can you give us a bit of biographical detail about your Arsenal supporting life.
Major would be generous, but I will take it. I moved from the Midlands to SE London in 1971, aged 5. My first memory of watching football would be 1974, by which time my elder sister’s boyfriend had got me into The Arsenal. He took me to my first match in 1976. It was a bleak period for the team after the break-up of the Double winning team, but three certain young Irishmen were breaking through and exciting times were ahead.
I began travelling up on my own as soon as my parents would allow, and I was old enough to have a part-time job. This was 1981.
Do you have any specific highlights in your Arsenal supporting career? What were the best moments?
My first Wembley final was special in 1987, when we beat Liverpool, thanks to Charlie. I was a very young parent with not much money in the early part of George Graham’s tenure so whilst I was at a few matches in 88/89 I watched Anfield on TV, as most of the nation did. Hard to beat that night!
By the 90s, I was able to attend more as a Registration scheme (Silver) member and by the Wenger era was getting to about half of the matches a season. I had added a second membership by then so I could bring one of my kids or go with a mate.
I am sure the highs and lows after that are similar. The last match versus Everton in 98, the FA Cup Final in 2002, the Invincible campaign etc. The amazing 2 weeks being at the last match at Highbury with my son Liam, and in Paris.
Oddly, given the 9-year trophy drought, I would rank the Hull comeback in 2014 and of course being among the 9000 away fans that Monday night at Old Trafford in 2015. What a night that was!!
I think you were a great friend of the inimitable Dave Faber who started the Goonerholic website. Can you tell us about your relationship with Dave?
Yes, Dave and I became good mates, initially meeting at the Tolly when I first started blogging. We sat a block apart so would either meet for a beer or 2 pre-match or perhaps at half-time. He was waiting for me in the pub, with arms wide open for a hug at my first game back in the February after my son has been killed the previous month. I was with him before his last 2 matches before he became too ill in the autumn of 2020. It was a hammer blow to lose him and the Arsenal blogging and podcasting fraternity, and the wider Arsenal community is the poorer for his loss.
You established the Gunnerstown.com website . Can you tell us a bit about how and why you established it ?
I bought the site, as Welcome the Gunners Town and with my partner, Paul Hepker @invinciblog revamped it to the site it is now. It is quiet now, and the Arsenal blogosphere, as you will know is saturated but in 2014 it was a force.
Essentially, we wanted it to be an uncensored platform, for anyone who wanted to write about our team, but lacked a platform or outlet. In truth, it has been a stepping stone for many who have gone on to journalistic or broadcasting careers, such as Kaya Kaynak at Football London, Matt Cotton at Times Online, Daniel Cowan at BBC South etc. I even persuaded someone called Clive Palmer whose tweets had impressed me to try his hand at writing. God Knows what happened to him!!
Can you tell us why you began writing books about Arsenal ? How did you start the process and what areas have you covered ?
In 2013 on the back of consistent writing for my own site IND2OU, Jill Armstrong approached me to write her father’s story. I thought it was a wind up, but somehow, I got a publisher and made a success of it. Once I had the publisher who has been hugely supportive, as he has of many Arsenal writers (Legends Publishing) I was able to explore a variety of original Arsenal related ideas.
Have you met many major Arsenal figures while researching your books?
Through the Geordie Armstrong book I met a multitude of Arsenal players. Those who played with him and many whom he coached. I have stayed in touch with some and consider a few friends, such as Eddie Kelly and David Hillier. David Dein has also been highly supportive since then.
My second book, Supporting Arsenal is a Funny Old Game, allowed me to meet lots of Comedy Gooners and a few of them are now friends too. I met Matt Lucas, Dara, Romesh, Hugh Dennis, Alan Davies, Milton Jones and many more. Now that was fun!
Your new book is very unusual as far as football books are concerned . Can you tell us a bit about what prompted you to write it and the areas it covers ?
Welcome to the Goonerverse is an anthology of Arsenal inspired poetry. Something it would be fair to say, one might not associate with Football fans. Therefore, it is a gamble, and I truly have no idea how may will buy it, but I am extremely proud of it. I have written many poems myself, but the rich variety comes from over 30 different Gooners contributing.
It was born out of me writing poetry about grief, loss and my relationship with my son Liam, whom we lost in 2019. Some of those were about his football and our mutual love of Arsenal, and 2 of those are in the book. In short, I came to believe that good poetry will only flow if the author is passionate about the subject, and who are more passionate than football fans?
How can we obtain a copy of the book? It sounds fascinating and a number of Holics will be interested in reading it. In fact, we will be giving away a copy to the winner of a competition on the website.
You can preorder now HERE and it will be delivered in early December. £1.50 from each purchase will go to the Arsenal Foundation.
In December, there will be launch events, probably with poetry readings in and around the Arsenal. The club have backed and stocked all my recent books so watch this space and my socials for news.
Dave, have you made plans for your next title? May we wish you very good luck with this publication and all your writing and thank you for sharing the history of your writing career with us.
Honestly, I have no current plans but if this unique concept flies perhaps Goonerverse 2!
Dave, many thanks for your time and good luck with the latest book!
Goonerholics are cultured individuals and a poetry anthology sounds a very fitting part of the literary heritage of our club. I’ve had a sneak preview of the book and I think all Holics will enjoy it and find many special memories stirred by Dave’s words and those of his fellow poets. Please feel free to pre-order and solve that Christmas present dilemma for that hard to please auntie in Devon. Surely all Holics will have plenty of mates who would love a copy?
A fine piece together with a good friend of The Guvnor’s, many thanks TTG.
I remembered that football is the most important of the not important
things.
A really nice, in the best sense, read. Thanks, TTG and thanks to Dave Seager. I shall be keeping my eyes out for the book, as perhaps may those of my family who may be struggling to find a Christmas present for me. Just saying.
On another note, I was fortunate to be travelling down to a sun kissed isle (well, the Isle of Wight) last night so missed England in what I seem to remember Arseblog many years ago christening a “PIF”. – pointless international friendly. I’m glad.
Dave has kindly offered to personalise and sign copies of his new book for any Holics purchasing
Cheers TTG and Dave!
GSD I accept your mild rebuke about prematurely labeling suggestions as conspiracy theories and agree that scepticism is probably the best attitude to adopt. (Skepticism is an entirely acceptable alternative for those of North American extraction.)
I tend to favour explanations that do not involve a party deliberately acting to pervert the natural perception of an event, but am starting to wonder whether this attitude leaves me overly exposed to deception. Others clearly lie elsewhere on the trust/cynicism spectrum which is how it should be. I suppose it comes down to one’s experiences in life.
Meanwhile…
COYG
Many thanks TTG and Dave Seager for this entertaining and insightful interview.
Now, that’s a novel idea. I must confess I’ve never been into poetry – an authoritarian 60’s schooling probably had some influence on that. I’ll certainly give Dave’s book a go. Perhaps I’ll have an epiphany!
An enjoyable and engaging interview, TTG. Dave Seager has taken on an ambitious project. I look forward to reading the outcome.
Here on GHF we are perhaps slightly unusual in actively promoting other Arsenal blogs just because we like their content. Indeed, Gunners Town, in the shape of Mike McDonald’s brilliant match reviews, appear virtually weekly here. So it’s really good to see the founder of Gunners Town, Dave Seager, nterviewed here. It’s particularly poignant for us because Dave was the friend of our father figure and mentor, the original Goonerholic, Dave Faber. It’s always good to get a reminder of that gem of a man.
So go buy his book and get some poetry into your soul.
Good work TTG.
Thanks TTG – it was a most interesting interview and in someways inspiring to learn how a person can overcome adversity in such a positive way. His book of poetry will certainly be an alternative way of people’s take on being a football supporter and I will look forward to getting a copy.
Forest has been fined three-quarters of a million pounds by the FA for slagging off a VAR on social media.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c33v274e7vdo
Dear old FA, always out of touch. Doesn’t it know that is what happens on X?
Perhaps the fine money can be used to pension off Stuart Attwell so his integrity need not be put at risk of being impugned again.
@11 it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t doesn’t something silly in the whole incident to be honest Ned.
Saka on his way back to Arsenal for further assessment it seems.
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea
Taxi for Jonas.
I think others watched more of the game than me but Eidevall does appear to have lost the support of the supporters and his players . I’m told the Miedema sacking has caused a dressing room rift .
KSE have given Eidevall very good financial support and a new contract relatively recently but there must be grave doubts that he is up to the job.
Sometimes changes have to be made , distasteful as that can feel sometimes
We had a lesson in Arsene’s situation. The crowd turned against him to a significant extent and we let the problems go on too long causing unnecessary toxicity
Thomas Tuchel is free!
Cheers TTG and Dave, thanks for this heartwarming story. Looking for forward to read this passionate poetry.
COYG
Thanks TTG and Dave for an interesting and enjoyable interview.
Sounds like a good gift idea – even if it’s for me !
I quite enjoy a bit of poetry but more on the Betjeman and Ayres level than the Shakespearean stuff !
It seems Sir Declan, who should surely be England captain, went once more unto the breach tonight dear friends. Hopefully, Finnair are soon to whisk him safely homewards.
And Merse survived another week in Strictly !
He looks the dogs in his white tie and tails (as do TTG and I).
Merse was great on Saturday. Quite touching knowing his history that he stands in front of the judges and looks almost apologetic – like he’s been called into the manager’s office for a dressing down. He seems to be really enjoying the whole thing and, apart from his joking around, seems genuinely grateful and humble for the experience.
To continue the combined themes of poetry and Strictly –
A dancer from Arsenal called Merse
Went on Strictly and wasn’t averse
To a jokey fandango
Or serious tango
But laughed when the judges got terse.
I don’t know how Mr Seager overlooked me …. 🤣
Heh, nice one Trev. Time for a quick added page before the book actually gets printed?
There was a young poet called Trevor
Whose rhymes were incredibly clever
He crafted puns too
Some old and some new
And some which have lasted forever
I’ve obtained my coat already !😀
Woah! Hold the front page Mr Seager
We’ve poets, they’re exceptionally eager
As you may have surmised, they are highly prized
And their gifts? The very opposite of meager!
Splendid work, chaps!
Wouldn’t you know it?
Every Holic’s a poet:
And just as with punning,
The results can be stunning,
Though this one’s an exception,
The talent is meagre,
It won’t make the selection
Of the fine Mr Seager.
Great stuff above TTG, Matt, Bath 👍🏻
Seems everyone’s a poet, and some don’t even know it 😳
Looks like Jonas Eidevall too will have more time for poetry now.
I just hope they don’t blow it, Trev. 😉
This is a long piece by Billy Carpenter on Edu’s Barbecue that Blogs linked this morning. It’s a long but brilliant analysis of the way we are playing and it’s well worth the time investment.
https://billycarpenter.substack.com/p/the-arsenal-full-back-revolution
Loads of matches moved for TV, so I won’t try Fulham A after all as it is now a Sunday match.
It will also be an Arsenal-dry January I think, barring a nice FA Cup home tie at a convenient day/time.
Ollie @32
Also we lost our home Boxing Day match v Ipswich! Moved to the 27th at 8.15.
Also red Mancs and tiny Totts now evening games.
Indeed C100. Although, to be fair, Red Mancs and Totts were already evening matches, they have just been moved from Tuesdays to Wednesdays.
A well judged analysis of the C130y saga from a journalist who has clearly not taken the Sheikh’s shekels (£):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/10/13/manchester-city-premier-league-apt-rules-commercial-deals/
Tuchel agrees to manage England !
I travelled to Livorno today and in the meantime poor Jonas, who I liked as a decent human being, is gone. And Thomas Tuchel, who I have struggled to consider a decent human being is about to arrive. Still on the positive side, I stuffed myself with some top class Mediterranean fish and wine so alls well that ends well I suppose.
And to be fair to the FA, who I have often hammered in the past, they have least ignored the urge to appoint Dimwit, som of Dimwit to the role.