Kim Kallstrom put to one side as The Arsenal Pledge is brought to the fore

So instead I went with this one instead.

After 4 1/2 years in Oz, on 26th January 2014, my (long suffering wife) Liz and I, finally became Australian Citizens

Following this momentous occasion and in true Aussie tradition, the barbie was cranked up and a vast amount of cold ones were sunk. The ensuing hangover lasted about 2 days (very painful I might add).

When I finally gathered my senses, I realised that I’d only ever pledged myself to three things in my life, my wife (brownie points if she’s reading!) Mya (the little un) and The Arsenal. I also realized that I’d never openly pledged myself to The Arsenal.

This also got me thinking about the ridiculous ‘Plastic Fans’ crap that keeps doing the rounds. Reiterated by the fact that I was branded a ‘plastic fan’ the other day, because I live in Sydney.

I guess having supported The Arsenal for 40 years, still being the proud owner of a season ticket, getting up at all hours to watch matches and writing a weekly blog counts for nothing these days, unless you pay homage at Ashburton every week.

So to attempt to right these wrongs and to give all Gooners a voice, here is my submission for the The Arsenal pledge and The Arsenal national anthem.

From this time forward

I pledge my loyalty to The Arsenal and its players,

whose artistic beliefs I share,

whose history and traditions I respect, and

whose name I will uphold forever.

The Arsenal Anthem: (to the tune of Advance Australia Fair)

Gooners all let us rejoice, because we’ve got history;

Principles and Invincibles; Red is our city;

Our team abounds in nature’s gifts of ability so rare;

In history’s page, let every stage Advance The Arsenal Flair.

In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance The Arsenal Flair.