Jon Spurling

I'm delighted to announce that, almost 20 years after it was first published, an updated version of Highbury N5 is being published in September. Available for pre-order here...... #Arsenal #COYG www.amazon.co.uk/Highbury-Def...

I enjoyed writing about some evocative photos from #ARSCRY in 1980 at Highbury. I especially like this one. If I'm not mistaken, the lady in shades is also at the front of the NB pointing at Sammy Nelson's butt in the famous photo of him pulling his shorts down. #Arsenal #COYG

Adolescence is an amazing, gripping drama. I wish they'd done the scenes in school differently though. They lacked authenticity. No way would such sensitive / safeguarding related conversations between police and children happen in such an unstructured, almost random way. 9/10

Delighted that Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s has been shortlisted for Football Book Of The Year 2025. Results to be announced in early May!!

Anyone else hear the interview with #Flamini on Five Live? Sounds like a top man. Articulate and passionate. I've almost forgiven him for agitating for a move when we were nailed on to win the title in 2007-08. But not quite. Elephants and #Arsenal fans never forget. #COYG

Morning #Arsenal fans. In today’s programme, I focus on this evocative photo from the ‘30s of the Gunners walking wounded after the infamous England v Italy clash. It was very much a Gunners occasion…. #COYG

My holiday reading for our short half term break in St Andrews (where I was actually living at the start of that decade). It’s a great read from @jonspurling.bsky.social bringing back lots of memories from a formative time watching football, and growing up, during my teenage years.

Excellent - enjoy!!!

@jonspurling.bsky.social My copy arrived yesterday. Already enjoying it!

Thanks Andrew - glad you enjoyed it!

@favlit.org - I'm really looking forward to Friday 28th February at 6.00, where I'll be talking about my new book Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s at the Old Brewery Store, as part of the 2025 Literary Festival.

It’s just a weird request to put out there, and it’ll have the full Streisand effect.

Can any football freelancers out there confirm whether Substack is - ahem - ‘worth’ dabbling in? I have no idea, and almost no idea about how it works…..

Thank you John - really glad you enjoyed it!

Just finished reading this fantastic book by @jonspurling.bsky.social
“Go To War” a history of football in the 80’s
Well worth checking out!

Fantastically taken goals for #Merino - so pleased for him. He’s added mobility, penetration and a ruthless killer instinct today, something we’ve often been lacking this season. #Arsenal #COYG #LEIARS

Excellent! Thanks for the message and glad you enjoyed it!!!

Is there anything better than the opening chords of a Jason Bourne movie?

Whatever happens for the rest of the season, I’ll get behind #Arsenal 100%. It’s not the players’ fault about injuries or lack of signings up front, and the situation can’t be resolved until the summer anyway. Back the team or stay away. #COYG #LEIARS

Very sad to hear of Patrick Barclay’s passing. I was lucky enough to meet him several times. With a wonderfully smooth Scottish accent, he was fantastically erudite, funny, and articulate, with a twinkle in his eye and a great sense of mischievous humour. He’ll be much missed.

Jon Spurling Set against a backdrop of economic recession, rampant hooliganism and suspect fashion, Go To War tells the story of how triumph and tragedy shaped English football during the 1980s. Thirty years in...

Doing anything on Friday February 28th and in the vicinity of Kent? I'm doing my first ever literary festival slot. Details are here....... www.favershamliteraryfestival.org/programme/20...

Thank you Hugh. Much appreciated!!!!

I’m really looking forwards to #Arsenal playing on the front foot tonight and going at Newcastle right from the start. An early goal from us would set the hares running. Might as well throw everything we have at them, and we have a good break after this game too. #COYG #NEWARS

#Arsenal look much better when they play full throttle on the front foot. Of course, City's defence was poor and on another day, the 1st half Havertz miss would cost us, but the final 30 minutes were a joy to behold, and the kids were fearless. Onwards and upwards. #COYG #ARSMCI

I wish Leicester would get on with it and sack Van Nistelrooy so I could get back to liking them again. Anybody else? #Arsenal # COYG

That was absolutely off his chest. How could the check have been completed that fast? I had to look 3 times. Robbed. #Arsenal #COYG

In today’s #ARSAVL programme, I focus on this atmospheric photo of Ted Drake, completing laps of Highbury on a misty afternoon, a week after netting an astonishing 7 goals at Villa Park. #Arsenal #COYG
x.com/JonSpurling1...

Very sad to hear that #DenisLaw has passed away. A lethal finisher in a vintage United team, and a massively engaging interviewee on a couple of memorable occasions. The Lawman would have been a star in any generation. #RIPDenis

Some huge performances tonight. Rice, Lewis - Skelly and Gabriel were superb. Whether we win the league or not, North London is red. #Arsenal #COYG #NLD #ARSTOT

With the required adjustment(s) up front we’d be in double figures here. As it is this game is - somehow - still in the balance. #Arsenal #COYG #ARSTOT #NLD