how times have changed part 613. Secret Santa has been to the office

[wibble the lobster]

and delivered me a stock of old arsenal v Tottenham programmes. Which is really very nice.

Amongst many gems the following extract from a letter to the then manager in the 1951 programme

Dear Mr Whittaker

This is the first time I have ever written to a football club. But on Saturday my young brother and I went along to Maine Road to see the Manchester City v. Arsenal match. We haven't stopped talking about the superlative football, ball control and teamwork which your team displayed. I am a keen Manchester United fan and you will agree that I should know what good football is. But Arsenal seem to be able to do what United and Spurs do, without any dashing about and without any effort at all. We were too young to see pre-war football but when we have seen Arsenal since, it's easy to see how they achieved their brilliant record in the past and on Saturday's form they are sure to win the cup or championship this season....

The letter from a T.Corless in Manchester ends with a PS asking to join the Arsenal Supporters Club.

[Classic Jorge]

If you don't mind me asking, of course. Just curious as to the types that'd do such a lovely present.

[wibble the lobster]

I never divulge my personal details and those people on here who think I am some kind of lawyer working in a global law firm whilst masquerading as a comical crustacean figure on an arsenal site are just making it up imo.

[Classic Jorge]

Cheers, you've just upped my impression of big nasty corporate lawyers

[Nicosia Gooner]

[Classic Jorge]

[Nicosia Gooner]

a few times (early 1930s)

I could be wrong bur I believe they are the oldest English football club

[Classic Jorge]

Not United or Wednesday. I only know because I done a mini-documentary on it once

[Nicosia Gooner]

[Jake]