Comments on: Following Arsenal from Afar

By: arsenalteranga

arsenalteranga — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:26:55 +0000

I cannot edit the comment I just made but there a lot of mistyping I hope people could understand whant I meant like (end up, loving, have met a lady…).
To Walter, I could help translating in French and in Japanese.

By: arsenalteranga

arsenalteranga — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:22:42 +0000

Hi Tony,
I am from Senegal and I have been following Arsenal for more than a decade.
The way I see it is simple. Those who support the club from far away really love the club. Those in North London also do love the club but mainly because they have less choice.
It’s like a modern civilization where you can a partner, fall in with him/her and decide to get married while the other one is in an archaic world where you would given a partner whom you will get used to and up loving for some reason.
Not saying the love from the supporters far away is always stronger but it is usually very deep.
Just looking at the D&G brigade show you that a lot of foreign supporters have more patience and affection towards the team and the staff.
While in Japan I have a lady that was a Southampton season ticket holder she was amazed with the knowledge and affection I had for the mighty gunners while never having been in England let alone North London.
The worst thing is w you can even ending up feeling guilty for the misfortunes of your team.
I remember in 2006, I became almost crazy practicing what could be described as rituals everytime we had a CL game. From the clothes I would wear, to the sofa where I would sit everything was the same for every game. And just at the final I had to travel from Japan to South Africa and we lost I fell guilty and disgusted not at the referee, or TH14 or anybody but myself. And this year the same happened again in Barcelona game which found me travelling in Bamako (Mali), you can imagine how mad I was. This, to me, is what being a fan is all about. If if you cannot get linked somehow with the club and take a blame as well as a glory from the results business why borther.

By: walter

walter — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 10:30:42 +0000

Intresting thoughts. I must say I am not opposed to it in anyway.
The problem would be to find people who can translate it in those languages. I could do it in Dutch/Flemish but even if I can also speak French and German I would not be able to translate it completely in those languages.

But we could ask for people who are willing to translate it in to their own language and then have it on the site also. We could put a request in that way on the website. But I don’t know how if this is possible technical ? I can work on my computer and put words after each other to create sentences but must admit that apart from that my knowledge of how websites work is very limited.

But I will keep this in mind when things are coming near to the final magazine and certainly for the future.

By: Tazz

Tazz — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:56:26 +0000

I agree with Genie here. Translating the entire thing in various other languages, will give the project a worldwide penetration, as it’s name demands.

Likes of French, Russian, Mandarin, Latin & Hindi (& not ‘Hindu’ as you mentioned above!), would cover huge stretches.

Waiting for further updates Walter.

By: Gennie

Gennie — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:08:28 +0000

@Walter, Well, to begin with, in Europe obviously most national languages which would mean Dutch, Flemish, Germany, Russian etc. In Asia, Arabic, Hindu or is it Urdu? Chinese, Japanese, Cantonese etc. Here in Africa, Swahili for East and Central Africa, Portuguese, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Khoisa for Southern Africa, Lingala – Central Africa etc. I am sure there are some languages in West Africa which are spoken by a large majority. However, it does not have to start all at the same time, like you said, it has to go step by step as Arsenal lovers form clubs in each country / region. Those who understand English, French, Dutch, etc would then produce a version in the language of the country or region. That way we will all keep abreast of the events shaping our Arsenal.

By: walter

walter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:05:31 +0000

Gennie, I think this would be a big operation to do. But I think it is something we should keep in mind. I will anyway.
Do you have any suggestions in which languages this should/could be translated ?

By: walter

walter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:02:26 +0000

Lanre, you can be sure you are in my mailing list and you will receive more info in he coming days.

By: Lanre

Lanre — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:42:32 +0000

Walter, i do hope u have not 4gotten us here.

By: Gennie

Gennie — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:46:33 +0000

Tony, Walter, and Armin I salute you. It is, as everybody has commented, a fantastic idea. I just have one request, particularly because Armin has stated categorically that Arsenal Worldwide will be in English, which I have no problem with, and it is totally logical. I would say this is fine for starters. But since this is a global thing, and Arsenal is loved by many throughout the globe, and the globe people are of many languages, I suggest that, where possible, translations into several major regional (at least) languages, be made available. This would allow the Arsenal lovers to follow their beloved club wherever they can access the www. I am sure in this present day and time, there are many people who are multilingual and can translate for their fellow gooners everywhere. The Google can easily be used to effect this. For people here in Africa, and I believe many other places, English usually is a third, if not second, language. Even worse, many people here, can only dream about seeing Arsenal live, I mean at their home turf (The Home of Football), or anywhere in the Uk or Europe. We find, even seeing live matches on the tele sometimes difficult; Yes, it has improved tremendously over the last five years. All the best to Imogen, Tony. You will note, this is my first appearance here, but have followed this blog for sometime now, I think about just over a year. And I love it, this and Stone Cold Arsenal.

By: critic

critic — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:39:29 +0000

WOW…….

By: walter

walter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:46:41 +0000

I must underline what Armin said and confirm the fact that without the Bosnian Gooners the idea of Arsenal Worldwide never would have seen daylight.
It was Armin who came up with the idea to me and I immediatly jumped on the idea as I saw it as a great idea.
I think the fact that it is mostly me that is in touch with Tony on this project that he mentions me and the Arsenal Benelux supporters more.
But a lot of the credit must go to Armin and the Bosnian Gooners. And I like the look of the Bosnian magazine even if I can’t understand it.

By: walter

walter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:23:53 +0000

For those fans from the USA I just want to inform you that I have sent an email to the general email address in the USA? but every city can join on his own I think in this project as I have seen that there are a lot of city’s who have their own fans.

By: Armin

Armin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:21:25 +0000

As someone who is behind this idea I have question for all of you. Its about design.
This is design we are working on for a year, and my idea was to do Arsenal Worldwide same way. As magazine which can be read online, and also downloadable in PDF format.

This is example how we do it (don’t worry if you don’t understand word, Arsenal Worldwide should be in English)

http://www.arsenal-bih.com/gt-mgazin/1472.html

But I have to admit one thing, even I support Arsene in what ever he do, and believe he is best thing which happened to us in last 50 years, I don’t want Arsenal Worldwide to be something which is orientated on one group of supporters.
Rather to be place where we all will be welcome in supporting our team and where we can share experiences and where all Gooners around world will get their “place” and no one will be forgotten (As Bosnian Gooners are in Tony’s article behind whole story).

By: walter

walter — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:18:17 +0000

Just to let you know that I hope we can send a mail to the people who want to join this weekend with some more details on how things are going.

By: Tazz

Tazz — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:51:13 +0000

Tony,

I, on behalf of my friends here, can’t thank you enough for your initiative first, & then your support towards our love for Arsenal.

It goes without saying that ‘Untold Arsenal’ is by far the most intellectual blog on our favorite club, & your spearheading the Arsenal Worldwide movement, will really add credo to the same.

I wish it becomes a reality very soon, so that my fellow bloggers from world over can voice their angst in equanimity.

Keep Gunning everyone, & thanks again for all the love.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:24:59 +0000

Tim – you’re a hero.

Simple as.

By: Brickfields Gunners

Brickfields Gunners — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:07:28 +0000

Thanks ,Tony,for taking the initiative to start the ball rolling – this will make it easier for us fans worlwide to contact and interreact with each other.There is a sizeable Arsenal following here in Malaysia ,but I don’t follow any local blogs nor am I a member of any local Arsenal fanclub.I know that there is a fan club (with a club house I think)in the capital ,Kuala Lumpur ,who meet everyweekend to watch the live games and have extended open invatations to all fans to join them.I suppose they will be getting in touch with you soon.
As for me I will be contacting Walter shortly to confirm my participation in this excellent plan.Cheers!

By: samuel

samuel — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:58:02 +0000

arsenal from afar.me my father and my younger brother who is hoping to star for arsenal are stunch fans .We go to viewing centre to watch matches and i get to see more arsenal supporters we have great supporters here

By: Wayne

Wayne — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:55:49 +0000

Wonderful initiative Tony. Do hope that I can contribute some articles as well.

I am from India and yes Football ranks way way below cricket in terms of popularity. With the recent start of the Indian Premier League for Cricket…there is more and more money being poured into cricket ..sometimes at the cost of other sports.

Apart from the lack of following and sponsorship..the infrastructure is non existent…so its is no surprise that the Indian Football team is nowhere near world class status. However, there are pockets like Goa, Calcutta (Kolkata) and Kerala where football is followed with almost religious fervour…. and a derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is almost as eagerly anticipated as Arsenal vs Tottenham .

But I would like to beleive that things are slowly but surely changing..especially in the metro cities such as Bombay (Mumbai) and Bangalore. Whereas earlier you would only be seeing cricket being played on the streets…slowly you are seeing a lot of kids playing football. Also there is talk of starting up another football league in India on the lines of the cricket league with substantial amounts of money to be invested . If that happens it will be a dream come true and i truly believe that as a business it has tons and tones of potential especially considering the population of India.

But yes you are right…there are quite a number of die hard football fans supporting various EPL teams….like always Man Utd fans outnumber the Arsenal fans by far….but slowly the Gunners are also building up a base of support.

I am a die hard Arsenal fan…and when it comes to football or defending Wenger’s philosophy..i can indulge in a debate with everyone .Such a die-hard fan that each time I walk into office on Monday morning…my colleagues (who don’t follow football) can tell whether Arsenal has won or lost the match.

My best memory has to be the first leg of this year’s Arsenal Barcelona match up. I had built up the match to such an extent that a majority of my colleagues (who don’t follow football at all but are total cricket fans) decided to come and watch the match with me. With the match being telecast at 00:30 hours and finishing at 02:30 hours…and with work the next day..you can imagine how much i must have hyped up the match for the other 7-8 cricket lovers to join me to watch a football match at that unearthly hour. And yes…what a first leg it was…when Arsenal equalised at 2:2..the way we celebrated we must have woken up half the neighbourhood .

Cheers,

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:22:44 +0000

hey Tony.
There is a big following of Arsenal supporters down under, in the sunny Australia. And one of the blogs i read regularly is from a guy called Andrew Weber, Arsenalfcblog.com It was just by chance that i stumbled upon his blog, and he turned out to be from Australia. The Australian following was awesome to see, as Bendtner headed home a 94th minute winner, at 3 30am our local time, there was a flurry of excited comments and posts from other Australian gooners. Love the Gunners!!!!!!!!!