May 31, 2023·edited May 31, 2023Liked by Jonathan Foster
This might be a long one, and a bit late (after initial publish date), but here goes...
First off: I'm American.
Second: I've been a die-hard Gooner since Sept 03, so I started from the highest of highs and have mourned in the lowest of lows, but never did my love for the Gunners dwindle. It was just the same heartache I get when I see my kids (a deep love of mine) struggle to succeed or make bad decisions that have negative outcomes: I want to die from sorrow sometimes, but the love never dies. And the sorrow never lasts forever.
That said; Jonathan, sir, you are one of, if not THE, best writers I have ever read. I subscribed to The Athletic about 6 months before you started this blog and every time I saw your name in the comments, I knew I was going to spend the next 90-120 second reading someone who echoed my thoughts, but did so in such a breathtaking way that I moved on to the next comment (after liking yours) feeling like I had just finished reading a work on the level of Chaucer, or a little more recently, Tolkien; in that how you described certain plays or feelings or your own analysis of the match and then how you conveyed your opinion were all in such a way that I got lost in your comment: I was in the stadium, feeling the atmosphere, seeing the play (even if you yourself weren't in the stadium for that particular match that you were commenting on)...and I loved it. I loved reading the encouragement from other real fans (not the bandwagon, trolly, "Arteta out" in his 2nd season without giving him a chance to build "his" team) telling you to start writing on your own, or get a job writing for The Athletic (which I would love).
I read your first 2 articles right after they were posted, and then have drifted back from time to time, but I wanted to put this initial "greeting" on an article that I felt was right... and it was this one - 2 days after the season ended. I decided that I'm going to binge your articles over the next day or so when I get free time, and I wanted to leave a heartfelt thank you for your bravery in making yourself vulnerable at the cost (or reward I should say) of allowing other like-minded brothers and sisters to get lost in the incredible trappings of your mind as you write about and parallel the one thing we ALL have in common here: our never ending, never failing love of The Arsenal.
Hi Andrew, thanks so much for those extremely generous words dude. I take them to heart and I really appreciate your kindness. Interesting too what you say about parenting. I know exactly what you mean about the similarity between fandom and fatherhood. You want so much for things to be smooth at all times and all you can really offer is love and support and being there when things go awry :)
Regarding The Athletic, I really enjoy writing those comments, getting into a "storytelling" frame of mind in such short paragraphs is a real discipline and definitely helps with writing in general. And it's great to get the chance to say thank you as well. Those comments from people (like your kind self) about writing more an starting blogging were genuinely encouraging. So cheers mate.
Have a brilliant summer Andrew and here's to the coming season. COYG!
As promised - I read this post and can’t deny being completely absorbed - Good grief you drive a hard pitch Jonathan - pun intended - anyone. capable of citing Keats in conjunction with a sport “being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason” as you did here has my attention - I’m tempted even to research further the history of Arsenal - Shhh, it’s definitely a secret though..!
Oh Susie, I reckon you actually reading this is an immense act of kindness :) You read football out of friendship - thanks pal :) (Naturally this is just the first pill in a long prescription toward fully fledged fandom. Oh dear, you're trapped now!
It was a promise kept Jonathan, one I sincerely enjoyed and didn't regret. Trapped into fandom however? Let's just say the prescription will need renewal!
I just wanted to express my deep appreciation here for your thoughtfulness and style of writing! You've articulated things I've long felt but have been unable to illustrate to others (especially the skeptics!). Truly fantastic work, keep it up!
In fact, I cited your work (specifically, selections from this article) in a presentation I did this week as part of my Master's program. I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity, training to become a Buddhist/interfaith chaplain. As someone who's making the existential and, dare we say, the "spiritual" (we truly do need a different word, no one knows what it means!) my lifelong business, I found your reflections on the experiences of fandom to be in deep parallel with many of the qualities that are studied within my program.
Anyway, my whole class and professor thought your work was brilliant, and I think I've managed to convince some folks that there is more merit to the life of a football fan than meets the eye! I, for one, find no difference between my life as a Gunner and life as a practitioner.
Best of luck to you as you continue your writing journey. All the love and support from America!
Thanks so much, I'm really grateful for your generous and thoughtful comment. Sometimes writing can be like hollering into a cave with no echo, so it's very encouraging to get a glimpse of the ripples that occur from writing articles: I'd have never imagined a student Master of Divinity (Buddhist/interfaith chaplain sounds wonderful to me) finding such affinity and sharing these articles. What a wonderfully unpredictable world :)
And thanks for so nicely articulating the sentiment (with which I completely agree) that there is "no difference between my life as a Gunner and life as a practitioner". This breaking of taxonomical tendencies, removing imposed hierarchies and allowing oneself to feel life as a constantly overlapping, intricately weaved and undivided experience is something I want to portray in writing so I'm really gratified that on that note I'm not shouting into an echo-less cave. (Plus I love the idea of having folks rethink their preconceptions of fandom - which as you know is really quite a ride! - so nice one for sharing)
Good luck on your course (I hear they are citing some great texts ;)
Thank you Radford! I really appreciate you saying so. I really like today’s musings about Flow too, try that one. Although maybe I need to get out of the forest and concentrate on the pitch 😂 So next week I’ve got a why Saka is treated like he is and what we can do about it piece. Have a great week mate.
This might be a long one, and a bit late (after initial publish date), but here goes...
First off: I'm American.
Second: I've been a die-hard Gooner since Sept 03, so I started from the highest of highs and have mourned in the lowest of lows, but never did my love for the Gunners dwindle. It was just the same heartache I get when I see my kids (a deep love of mine) struggle to succeed or make bad decisions that have negative outcomes: I want to die from sorrow sometimes, but the love never dies. And the sorrow never lasts forever.
That said; Jonathan, sir, you are one of, if not THE, best writers I have ever read. I subscribed to The Athletic about 6 months before you started this blog and every time I saw your name in the comments, I knew I was going to spend the next 90-120 second reading someone who echoed my thoughts, but did so in such a breathtaking way that I moved on to the next comment (after liking yours) feeling like I had just finished reading a work on the level of Chaucer, or a little more recently, Tolkien; in that how you described certain plays or feelings or your own analysis of the match and then how you conveyed your opinion were all in such a way that I got lost in your comment: I was in the stadium, feeling the atmosphere, seeing the play (even if you yourself weren't in the stadium for that particular match that you were commenting on)...and I loved it. I loved reading the encouragement from other real fans (not the bandwagon, trolly, "Arteta out" in his 2nd season without giving him a chance to build "his" team) telling you to start writing on your own, or get a job writing for The Athletic (which I would love).
I read your first 2 articles right after they were posted, and then have drifted back from time to time, but I wanted to put this initial "greeting" on an article that I felt was right... and it was this one - 2 days after the season ended. I decided that I'm going to binge your articles over the next day or so when I get free time, and I wanted to leave a heartfelt thank you for your bravery in making yourself vulnerable at the cost (or reward I should say) of allowing other like-minded brothers and sisters to get lost in the incredible trappings of your mind as you write about and parallel the one thing we ALL have in common here: our never ending, never failing love of The Arsenal.
Hi Andrew, thanks so much for those extremely generous words dude. I take them to heart and I really appreciate your kindness. Interesting too what you say about parenting. I know exactly what you mean about the similarity between fandom and fatherhood. You want so much for things to be smooth at all times and all you can really offer is love and support and being there when things go awry :)
Regarding The Athletic, I really enjoy writing those comments, getting into a "storytelling" frame of mind in such short paragraphs is a real discipline and definitely helps with writing in general. And it's great to get the chance to say thank you as well. Those comments from people (like your kind self) about writing more an starting blogging were genuinely encouraging. So cheers mate.
Have a brilliant summer Andrew and here's to the coming season. COYG!
As promised - I read this post and can’t deny being completely absorbed - Good grief you drive a hard pitch Jonathan - pun intended - anyone. capable of citing Keats in conjunction with a sport “being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason” as you did here has my attention - I’m tempted even to research further the history of Arsenal - Shhh, it’s definitely a secret though..!
Oh Susie, I reckon you actually reading this is an immense act of kindness :) You read football out of friendship - thanks pal :) (Naturally this is just the first pill in a long prescription toward fully fledged fandom. Oh dear, you're trapped now!
It was a promise kept Jonathan, one I sincerely enjoyed and didn't regret. Trapped into fandom however? Let's just say the prescription will need renewal!
Hi Jonathan,
I just wanted to express my deep appreciation here for your thoughtfulness and style of writing! You've articulated things I've long felt but have been unable to illustrate to others (especially the skeptics!). Truly fantastic work, keep it up!
In fact, I cited your work (specifically, selections from this article) in a presentation I did this week as part of my Master's program. I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity, training to become a Buddhist/interfaith chaplain. As someone who's making the existential and, dare we say, the "spiritual" (we truly do need a different word, no one knows what it means!) my lifelong business, I found your reflections on the experiences of fandom to be in deep parallel with many of the qualities that are studied within my program.
Anyway, my whole class and professor thought your work was brilliant, and I think I've managed to convince some folks that there is more merit to the life of a football fan than meets the eye! I, for one, find no difference between my life as a Gunner and life as a practitioner.
Best of luck to you as you continue your writing journey. All the love and support from America!
Hi Duncan,
Thanks so much, I'm really grateful for your generous and thoughtful comment. Sometimes writing can be like hollering into a cave with no echo, so it's very encouraging to get a glimpse of the ripples that occur from writing articles: I'd have never imagined a student Master of Divinity (Buddhist/interfaith chaplain sounds wonderful to me) finding such affinity and sharing these articles. What a wonderfully unpredictable world :)
And thanks for so nicely articulating the sentiment (with which I completely agree) that there is "no difference between my life as a Gunner and life as a practitioner". This breaking of taxonomical tendencies, removing imposed hierarchies and allowing oneself to feel life as a constantly overlapping, intricately weaved and undivided experience is something I want to portray in writing so I'm really gratified that on that note I'm not shouting into an echo-less cave. (Plus I love the idea of having folks rethink their preconceptions of fandom - which as you know is really quite a ride! - so nice one for sharing)
Good luck on your course (I hear they are citing some great texts ;)
Have a wonderful day!
This was a really good read. Looking forward to more
Thank you Radford! I really appreciate you saying so. I really like today’s musings about Flow too, try that one. Although maybe I need to get out of the forest and concentrate on the pitch 😂 So next week I’ve got a why Saka is treated like he is and what we can do about it piece. Have a great week mate.
Great stuff J. A very enjoyable read!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :) I've got a new post coming up in the week about Zinchenko which is a little crazy so don't miss that one. Cheers.