2023-2024
2023-2024, remaining true to your tunes, you stayed true to yourself. No shortage of drama, no shortage of mishaps and certainly no shortage of moments to hold on to.
We grew in numbers, 35,000 on average to be precise. We sold out the Emirates and we sold out all our away allocations. We waved our scarves around profusely and sang loudly throughout. Carpools and karaokes, late night buses and long train journeys. Limbs and limbs. A sea of red everywhere. Home, away and Wolverhampton with Lulu, chomping on hotdogs in different grounds with Garance, spending 90 minutes searching for Abiha. Manny nights and brunches with the Dutchies, finding Joanna doing something abnormal. Joe’s voice ringing from one end of Joie to another. Brian cracking some joke with his hands in his pockets. Tara’s warmest and comforting hugs. Liv, Ava, Amy contemplating life, Lucy running away from the cameras.
Some familiar faces jumping the seats and on your back when Stina’s goal found the back of the net at Molineux. How you could hear us so loudly on the tv screen in the 100th minute of the final singing North London Forever. Always finding it funny but beautiful how Ian leaves his daughters to do their own thing because he knows that the people around will always look out for them, because this is family. The excitement to see Niamh arriving and delivering her best one-liners that will automatically cheer you up. Ellie’s knee slides, which you can’t help but manifest to becoming a thing one day when she scores at the Emirates in an Arsenal shirt. The ever present Farah with her arms raised, leading the line, leading the support and appreciating all the hard work that she puts in. The team behind the Supporter’s Club who give their all week in week out to ensure we have one less thing to worry about on match days.
The creative side of the fanbase, whether it’s Miedemastuff, Tim Stillman, the Art from Arsenal, Rebecca’s journey with the makeup industry, photos from Sarah, Suzy, Susana, Kya, Louise and many many more. The people who flew over from half way across the world, the Americans, the French Louises, the Australians or the Welsh. Content creators Ryhanna, Samantha Miller, Pippa Monique, Nancy Baker, everyone from INDIVISA (shoutout to Morgan and Grace) and all those who have been working tirelessly for the love of the game.
But most importantly, to our one friend who has left a gaping hole this season, Kunjan Malde. We (esp lulu and I) miss you so much man. Logging into instagram and not seeing your photos is as close to heartbreak as watching Viv leave - it’s profound and its empty. I hope you come back soon because pitch-side match days are not the same without your presence.
To everyone else I have mentioned or have not, know that you all played an equally great role on making this season memorable. Some days were bleak but most days were fun and I am glad that this was my escape from reality every other weekend.
See you soon,
Ra.
