you told me

rochester ny

Arsenal - a short history

Arsenal - this year is the 90th anniversary of a little-known incident when The Gunners achieved success through slightly more dubious means.

Should Arsenal should be relegated? Should they also be stripped of their 13 league titles?.

Arsenal has never been relegated since gaining promotion to England's top flight in 1919, and that this is a record.

But, are you aware of the murky events that led to that '19 promotion for The Gunners? Avoiding the gun-toting Libyans, meet us at Twin Pine Mall and together we'll head back in time.

Dodging the horse-drawn cabs in 1913 Highbury, where a new $625,000 (big, big money back then) stadium has just been built to house the Arsenal, which had recently, for financial gain, moved north across the river from Woolwich, where it had been originally founded at the works team for the Woolwich Arsenal armaments factory (Hence the nickname, the Gunners).

However, this new ground came at a cost. After amassing $300,000 of debt, the club's finances were under strain. Anticipated revenue streams collapsed when World War I broke out in 1914 and the professional leagues were suspended in 1915, not to recommence until '19.

Arsenal had been relatively successful in that last '14-15 season, finishing in fifth place in the Second Division. But given that only two teams were promoted each season, it's puzzling that, in the first season after the war in '19-20, Arsenal ended up in the First Division.

The Football League, prior to the start of the '19-20 season, decided to expand the First and Second divisions from 20 clubs to 22 each. There appeared to be two logical ways to do this. No. 1: Don't relegate, as usual, the two bottom clubs from the First Division -- Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Or, No. 2: Have the usual relegation, but in addition to first and second place Derby and Preston, also promote the third and fourth place clubs from Division 2 (Barnsley and Wolverhampton Wanderers). Relegating the bottom club (Tottenham) and promoting the third-place club (Barnsley) was also possible, but seemed less likely.

The precedent for deciding the expansion plan dictated a vote. Arsenal chairman Henry Norris, a knight, Member of Parliament and a rich, well-connected and powerful man, saw his chance to raise the fortunes of his club and to raise much needed revenue to pay the debt: The promoted teams need not be selected purely on finishing place in the League. Behind the scenes, Norris started arranging other chairmen to support his case.

Bar for the start of the Great War, there would have been an investigation into Manchester United and Liverpool conspiring to allow United to win 2-0 to avoid relegation. In exchange for Norris' support that the match-fixing inquiry would not take place, it was Liverpool that argued at the League Management Committee on Arsenal's case for promotion. This was based on accelerating the development of the traditionally northern-dominated Football League in the south of the country through the use of Arsenal's first-rate new stadium.

Norris secured the Manchester United vote through the same method and those of Derby, Preston and Chelsea by offering his powerful support that they too would be elected to the First Division (remember, finishing place didn't guarantee promotion in a moment of expansion). It also seems very likely that backhanders were presented to other clubs, but time has swallowed the full details.

The plan worked. Tottenham was relegated and Derby, Preston and, amazingly, fifth-place Arsenal were promoted. Simon Inglis, in his excellent centenary celebration book League Football and the Men Who Made It, states: "Never has the League been so manipulated as it was in 1919." Later, in 1927, a Football Association committee banned Norris for life from football after finding him guilty of other financial irregularities.

It was the last time a club was elected rather than promoted to England's top flight. And spare a thought for third-place Barnsley. It wasn't until 1997 that it tasted top-flight football again.

glory glory man united

From knowing you since Iceland

My parents

Alright, I am talking here, live in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. The city of big shoulders, and a home away from home, of course, to a certain football team, which has carved out a special place in the pantheon of professional football greats. That team, which is known the world over, as..Manchester United!

Now, let go around the room for some predictions.

Da Red Devils, 62 to 3 over the Liverpool. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I gotta give Liverpool credit - I think they'll give Da Red Devils a game!

Alright, alright! Now, let me shift gears here for a moment. What is God's role in this? Obviously, he's rooting for Manchester United. Otherwise, he wouldn't have put 'em in Manchester.

Da question is: Now, did God create Manchester United, and make them superior to all teams? Or is he simply a huge fan, and Sir Alex made them superior to all other teams?

That's a tough one. let me ask you this: What if all the Manchester United players were all 14 inches tall, you know, about so high? Now, what's your score of today's game?

Against Liverpool? Yes, give 'em a handicap.

Mini Manchester United 18, Liverpool 10. And that would finally be a good game.

You ask, what about Sir Alex? Would he be mini, too? No, he would be full-grown.

Then, uh.. Mini Manchester United 31, Liverpool 7.

Okay, another scenario: Manchester United players don't make it, the plane is delayed.. and the only one who shows up is Sir Alex. Now it’s Sir Alex vs. Liverpool. Okay, the final score would be Sir Alex 17, Liverpool 11. He just barely gets by.

dont' know

you told me about it

Mars

I'm working for the Lake County (IL) State's Attorney Office as a Criminal Analyst now.
I'm finally out of Great Lakes. In fact, Rebecca and I moved out of Great Lakes and into Round Lake, IL.

So did you make Chief or not?

something about vanillia

you told me

my mother

Yes, next time you're in Tangier, Morocco - do what I did. Pay some kid $2.00 (with a promise of an additional $3.00 if they take you to only the good places and keep the other kids away from you). You're experience will be much more enjoyable. Also, have you gone to see a Rota F.C. match yet?

March Mommies board

NC

I always enjoy reading when I have time to catch up.

through 2 Peas

NJ

I love reading about what you are doing "over there"--thanks for putting a real face on the war.

Going through my favorites in my pc

Iceland

Hi Karyn and family. I stumbled into your website which I haven't visited in a long time. I was amazed to read that you live in Spain, wow, that's great to have you in Europe again :) I hope you are enjoying your stay there, at least you get really nice weather I guess :)
You have a great website here Karyn, it's fun to read your blog and nice to know how you are all doing.
Take care,
Best wishes from Iceland,
Regards,
Arndís (May mom)

N/A

from your Dad...

Suburb of Detroit, Michigan

I miss keeping up with your whereabouts! I'm now home after my motorcycle accident in June 2004. Nice website gorgeous!! My best to the Sigs.

kanjimonkey

I know you Karen

Lake Charles, LA

I am going to miss you when you go to Rota....Tell Casey that I am waiting on him!

My Meanderings

Through www.twopeasinabucket.com

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Enjoy reading your entries...........and just loooovvveee your photography......

for now, Georgia

Hi Karyn! Just checking in to see how you're doing. Hope your headache is gone by now!

Everywhere

Karyn,

The kids are getting big. I can't wait until we have a chance to get together again. Give the kids hugs and kisses when you see them, if they even remember us. :)

Love, Joy and Family

P.S. Junior still asks about Isak.

Thru my Sister

Greenfield WI

I didn't see the pics you took of me and my cycle......

Yokosuka, Japan

I LOVE the new look! I hope that we get to meet up while you are in Japan! Take care and i'll talk to ya soon!

The Jacksons

Medina, Ohio

I love the new look! What a great idea! Good luck and have fun in your journeys at sea. Can't wait to see the pictures from your adventures.

Iceland

Hi you all! Always so fun to visit you webpage, the kids are getting soooo big! There was a group of Icel.kindergarden teatchers visiting the other day and I was with them. I spoke to one lady and she said she knew a woman, married to an Icelander and so on...funny, she knew you! Said you meat through mama group ;o) Nice ha. Well, 4 days to our Bali trip, the graduation trip with Villi´s shcool, but he´ll graduate in Dec. The girls will be with Elsie and the are so exhited. Love to all, Maria and famil

everywhere

Hi Karyn! Thanks for the latest updates. I love being able to see all the new pictures of the kids. Plus it gives Junior something to remember them by. We miss you and love your pictures.
Love, Joy

Iceland

Hi Karyn
I just wanted to thank you for you updates. I love seeing how your kids grow. Vá they are sure getting big. Looking forward to see more
Take care everybody. Say halló to Bjössi
Ásta

Granddad - Art

Fort Myers Florida

Karen I can't beleave its you! You have a beautiful family. Your all grown up and everything! Best to you and your family.

You sent me the link.

Buras, Louisiana/Oak Harbor, Washington

Thank you for the photoshoot. My maternity pictures turned out fabulous. You are very talented and have a beautiful famiily. I was great to have such an experience. Good luck with your business. I look forward to seeing what else you can do.