Throughout this season on Arsenal’s Instagram account, they highlight the stories behind some of their supporters’ matchday rituals.
The first they featured on Arsenal.com comes from Zimbabwean Marianne Chiromo, whose devotion began 10,000 miles away, spanned third generations of Gooners, and become more poignant over the past 12 months…
I grew up in Zimbabwe in southern Africa, and sport – especially football – was always a big part of our family. My dad was a teacher for 50 years, he loved football and built a now-national methodology to nurture football talent because he believed that not everyone was academic.
He was all about building teams, so along with the diverse representation at Arsenal, the love for and affinity with Arsene Wenger was inevitable. Part of my dad’s extensive legacy in supporting young talent is the first-ever African to play in the Premier League, Peter Ndlovu, was one of Dad’s students.
When I came to the UK to study law back in 1998, going to Highbury to watch Arsenal live was top of my wish list. Having watched matches back home 10,000 miles away, I can’t begin to describe how surreal it felt to be walking with thousands of fans going to THE Highbury to watch THE Arsenal when I went to my first home game (pre-cameraphone era!). It seemed like the most impossible dream, and to then take my dad to a match is one of the proudest and happiest memories I’ll ever have.
We were fortunate enough to watch several matches together including Champions League matches when he visited the UK. It’s special that for his last Father’s Day this side of heaven, I got tickets for him and all his grandkids to watch us play Sevilla. Little did we know that was Dad’s last trip to the UK, our last Father’s Day with him, and his last trip to his club. What a game it was – six goals and the most wonderful memories.
Our love for Arsenal has always been something special we had. Until he passed away last year in March, our ritual was to discuss the team sheet as soon as it was out, and then watch the game “together” on a WhatsApp call.
We celebrated every goal and supported each other through all the tough results. I organised a football tournament back home in Zim on the anniversary of his passing as a memorial, and of course The Arsenal showed up with a sensational win against Manchester City in the Community Shield as part of the celebrations! It broke my heart not to be able to debrief with Dad or relive the drama of that match with him. It’s still hard adjusting to not having those two-hour pre- and post-match chats, or getting the messages asking me what rumours I’m hearing about potential signings.
But thankfully, the legacy lives on and the next generation of Gooners in our family is secure, with my son being the most dedicated supporter. We brought back all Dad’s Arsenal kits that are truly vintage, and the fact that I can wear them and my son wears his grandpa’s Arsenal socks and hats to games, and that he will grow into Dad’s Arsenal trainers, jumpers and coats means we’re still bringing our Gooner in Chief into our matchday ritual.
I just wish he’d seen the new African-inspired shirt because for someone known back home as Mr Arsenal, this 100% would have been his favourite.
As a super proud African, at a time when I’m still trying to navigate my grief, it’s surreal how little things like this away kit have come at just the right time in just the right way and brought so much comfort because it’s such a strong reminder of the inclusive culture that’s made Arsenal feel like home even from all the way in Zimbabwe.
Photos by Kya Banasko
Source: Arsenal.com
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