Arsenal Legend Bob Wilson Turns 80
It continues to be our privilege to have Arsenal Legend Bob Wilson O.B.E. as the Honorary President of our Supporters’ Club.
Hearing news from Martin O’Donnell that Bob would turn 80 on 30th October, it was fitting that ASSC should plan to celebrate that landmark birthday in some way.
Bob is intensely proud of his Scottish heritage and of his family roots in Perthshire. Mike Buchanan made the arrangements to have made a celebratory quaich and I secured a bottle of Aberfeldy single malt whisky.
The challenge was to find a way to deliver the presentation in person and to make that a surprise. Martin suggested I contacted Bob’s wife, Megs, which I did, and we agreed the best game would be the Home match against Watford at the start of November. A day or so late but birthdays should last at least a week!
Mark Brindle agreed to help set something up and a number of secret emails were exchanged. The cover was nearly blown by Mark but Megs intercepted the email message and the secret remained intact.
We were hoping to make the presentation on the pitch side but COVID rules prohibited that.
I contacted Arsenal Scotland members who were attending the game to see if they wanted to join in the presentation.
On the day the presentation was made in the Media Centre by myself (left) and Colin Shanks (right).
Bob was genuinely moved and surprised. He particularly liked the Perthshire reference – he had family on his mother’s side from Aberfeldy and he had spent some time in the town.
We also presented a cheque for The Willow Foundation, the charity set up by Bob and Megs dedicated to arranging special days for young people who are seriously ill.
Wanting to thank Megs with a bouquet of flowers, I Google’d florists local to where I was staying I was staying before the match in Bounds Green. I spotted one at Arnos Grove, the next station along the Piccadilly Line. I rang and explained what was happening.
It turned out that the florist was a Gooner and he came up with a superb bouquet. At my request he interlace it with willow buds – a reference to Bob and Megs charity.
Megs loved the flowers and was especially impressed by the quaich given to Bob.
I have met Bob before at ASSC Sportsmen’s Dinners but this was special, a chance to talk to the great man. He is a true gentleman.
Bob said he was determined to visit Scotland next year – I said there would be a warm welcome from ASSC members!
While Bob was enthusing about our new ‘keeper, Alan Smith was passing through to take up his media duties with SKY. Colin jumped in an asked him to sign his Arsenal shirt – alongside Bob’s signature!
We gave Bob a couple of ASSC masks, he immediately went for the blue one: for Scotland, he said, and because it matched his jacket!
I think Colin summed it up well:
‘what a genuinely nice person Bob is, he was utterly fantastic – getting his thoughts on Ramsdale, and getting Smithy’s autograph as well, brilliant!!’
In closing, I would like to thank Martin, Mike, Colin and Mark Brindle for their contributions to what was a real pleasure and honour.
Dave Harrold
Chair, Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club
STOP PRESS
I have received the following two letters of thanks from Bob and Megs
Hello Dave,
Please forgive me for taking two days to send this thank you. To you and your travelling companion and of course everyone connected to Arsenal Scotland.
As if the donation to Willow and our charity’s work was not enough I now have a lovely inscribed bowl, plus what is clearly a very special whisky which my Dad would have made sure he had a large share!!!!
It was great meeting up and just a shame that the current “red zone “ restrictions prevented an on field presentation.
Anyway thank you again and as I mentioned Megs and I are hoping to get a Scotland trip in next year.
Best Wishes,
Bob.
Hi Dave
Just to show you that the flowers survived even though we didn’t reach home until late last night following the Arsene Wenger/David Dein show at the Palladium. Good job they were in water!
Thank you so much for your kindness to Bob, to me but particularly to Willow which is so much appreciated. We’ll let you know when our trip to Scotland has been planned.
With very best wishes
Megs