For the past couple of years, I have proudly contributed to Just Arsenal, as many of you will probably know.
I have been a keen and passionate writer since the age of fourteen, and later became an author after releasing Basingstoke Town FC – The Team for Me!, a book that took three years to complete while I was also studying for my Sports Journalism degree at Southampton Solent University.
Originally, I used to write short football match reports on Instagram, mostly covering Arsenal games and other news pieces. Not long after turning sixteen, I realised that writing was part of my life purpose – to create content that could be shared with others and within the wider football community.
I first contacted Arsenal directly, explaining my family link to former Gunners goalscoring legend Ted Drake, who features on the Emirates Stadium and still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single top-flight match – seven- achieved in a 7-1 demolition of Aston Villa in 1935. I asked if I could write for the club, and to my surprise, the editor replied to say they were running a Q&A fan series in the back of the programme that I could feature in.
Soon after, my piece was published for the Arsenal versus Chelsea game in January 2019, which by coincidence I was attending with my friend George and his dad, Paul Weaver, both members of the Arsenal Fan Club. Arsenal won 2-0 that day, and I can vividly remember Olivier Giroud playing for Chelsea, receiving a warm reception from our fans. But for me, the biggest victory was being featured in that programme.
From there, I went on to write for Hendon for five years, as well as Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, Irish club Derry City, National League team Woking, and several others around the UK – all voluntarily and purely for the love of the game, and of course, for the love of writing.
Finding Just Arsenal
So how did I end up writing for Just Arsenal?
One day during my university Christmas break, I wrote a piece about being related to my great-grandfather for the Football Writers’ Association Student Football Writer of the Year awards. I came close to winning and was instead invited to watch England from the press box, which in my opinion was an even greater reward.
At the time, I had hoped and prayed to win, but I also had a feeling that I might not. Still, I didn’t want the article to go unread, so I searched for a platform that might want to publish it. That same day, I attended Arsenal’s match against Chelsea – the one where I was featured in the programme – and when I told people at the fan club about my connection to Ted Drake, their joy and amazement made me realise how much happiness my writing could bring to other like-minded Gooners.
It was then that I came into contact with the late, great Pat McLaughlin (Admin Pat), who many here knew and respected deeply. Pat replied, saying I had a knack for writing and that he would happily welcome any future articles – an invitation I could never resist. Nearly two years later, I still repeat his kind words with pride.
I never had the chance to meet anyone I’ve corresponded with from Just Arsenal, but I have always felt a warmth and respect in every exchange. It’s something I’ve never quite experienced with any other publication or media outlet in my seven years of writing voluntarily.
Writing from the heart
From that point on, I felt an inner pull to write about the legends – on and off the pitch – who have shaped the club we all love. It has been a privilege to feel part of a community so full of passion and history, one that shines brightly within my DNA and that of millions of others.
Some of my pieces may not be perfect, but that’s what makes both writing and life beautiful. Here’s to another two years, if not many more, with Just Arsenal – surely the most passionate fan-driven site there is.
Editor note: You can read many more of Liam’s articles in Just Arsenal’s well-stocked Arsenal History section.
Thank you to Liam and all our other regular and occasional contributors – with a particular distinction to our very own Dan Smith.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Liam Harding
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ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Enjoy reading your articles Liam and your passion for the club is evident in everything you write.
Pat was a excellent influence to so many of us who use JA as a outlet for our own passion for The Arsenal.
Dan’s heartwarming article regarding his sad passing was a testiment to that.
Keep going with your writing and let those of us who use JA enjoy your
passion.
Ken1945,
I second your comments. 👍
Me too @ken1945 👌 The powers that be, would have Just Arsenal do away with opinion pieces, history articles
and reader contributions and have us simply regurgitate transfer rumours and nonsense. As Pat’s wife and, now in his absence,
editor of JA I assure you that will not happen on my watch.. Pat is JA.. COYG!
Michelle,
You have educated me today, being fairly new to this forum I was unaware that you are the wife to the late and sadly missed Admin Pat.
My condolence’s on his sad passing. But it’s good to see that your going to keep up with the good traditions that your late husband put in place. 👍
So good to know JA is in safe hands with you and Martin Michelle.
Interestingly, I know that previous contributers, such as Phil (PAL) and Jon Fox, still read articles on the site… such is the range of opinions from true Gooners.
Long may you continue the great work, along with the likes of Liam, Dan and others 👍
As I enjoy this piece of writing from one of us, I am inclined to again inquire whether we shall ever have Jon Fox on this platform again. Perhaps Ken can help me on this. I truly miss Jon’s witty, even though at times provocative, writings. I particularly enjoyed the bragging about his mastery of the English language and the uncompromising stance towards those whose English skills were not up to standard. It was real fun reading his writings!
Interesting piece. I’d like to read a few more about former players from before the Prem
Sadly Willie Young died recently, but I’ve not seen anything on him on this forum. He wasn’t an Arsenal great, but he was a popular player in his day.
Mark, as you know, Willie was a transfer from our noisy neighbours down the road and that alone made him a fan favourite. If no one else on JA covers him, I’ll do an article on his life, as he was one of my favourites just for the fact mentioned above.
Ken, he wasn’t a fan favourite after his debut against Ipswich. We lost at home 4-1 and he had a terrible debut. At the final whistle the Northbank chanted F**k Off back to Tottenham. Pat Jennings put an arm round him as they walked off the pitch.
It took a while, but he did turn it around and became a folkhero. I remember a banner at one of the FA Cup Finals saying ‘We have the biggest Willie’ 😂
Thanks Ken.
An article would be good. I remember reading Tony Adams writing that Willie Young had inspired him.
Mark, Colin Addison, another ex Arsenal player also died the same day as Willie. Both died on the 25 anniversary of the death of a truly great Arsenal player, George Geordie Armstrong.
Makes one feel really old (and sad) HD.
Men, Colin Addison was before my time, but I did see Geordie play for The Arsenal, though only for his last 2 seasons. What a player he was. Could play on either wing and could cross the ball with either foot. He also tracked back to help the fullbacks. Imho he would fit perfectly into the present squad.
*Ken not Men.
David, I don’t know the in’s and out’s of Pat and Jon’s disagreements, but I’m sure Michelle will be aware.
He certainly is a character that’s for sure.
Another name that’s gone missing is Loose Cannon, who predicted we would win the PL from the very first season that MA was in charge.
I’m certain that Pat would have had some great laughs with Michelle about some of the posts we have all posted at one time or another.
Remember my Liverpool stats mix up?!?!
Oh I do lol
Never knew admin Pat is Late.so sorry to hear of his passing,my profound condolence to his immediate family,especially his wife Michelle as i learnt today and every member of Justarsenal family.