Jon Spurling
@jonspurling.bsky.social
Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s - out now. The sequel to Get It On: How The '70s Rocked Football. Freelance for 442, WSC, Blizzard.
I was lucky enough to have interviewed the late Willie Young a couple of times at the turn of the century. Here are his six stand out Gunners games, with contributions from the big man himself. Enjoy...... www.arsenal.com/news/willie-...
Willie Young's six standout Gunners games
Jon Spurling pays tribute to the Scottish defender, who passed away last month aged 73
www.arsenal.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I was lucky enough to have interviewed the late Willie Young a couple of times at the turn of the century. Here are his six stand out Gunners games, with contributions from the big man himself. Enjoy...... www.arsenal.com/news/willie-...
Reposted by Jon Spurling
🎙️PODCAST! I'm joined by @aallensport.arseblog.com to talk about the 2-0 win over Brighton, 10 changes from the Palace game, young guns shine, and even younger guns too.
Then @jonspurling.bsky.social drops into chat about his reissued Highbury book which you can win a copy of.
p1r.es/arsecast851
Then @jonspurling.bsky.social drops into chat about his reissued Highbury book which you can win a copy of.
p1r.es/arsecast851
October 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
🎙️PODCAST! I'm joined by @aallensport.arseblog.com to talk about the 2-0 win over Brighton, 10 changes from the Palace game, young guns shine, and even younger guns too.
Then @jonspurling.bsky.social drops into chat about his reissued Highbury book which you can win a copy of.
p1r.es/arsecast851
Then @jonspurling.bsky.social drops into chat about his reissued Highbury book which you can win a copy of.
p1r.es/arsecast851
Here’s my piece on ‘’70s Arsenal cult hero Willie Young -a rebellious Scot amongst the London Irish. arseblog.com/2025/11/will...
Willie Young: 1951 - 2025
Former Gunner Willie Young passed away this week. Jon Spurling remembers his time in red and white. — In an Arsenal team which was often dubbed the ‘London Irish’ – due to the fact that the Gunners si...
arseblog.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Here’s my piece on ‘’70s Arsenal cult hero Willie Young -a rebellious Scot amongst the London Irish. arseblog.com/2025/11/will...
Very sad news about Willie Young , who played for Arsenal when football was truly a contact sport, and defenders defended. He took no prisoners, but had a far better touch than he was given credit for. Now he’s free to resume bickering with Terry Neill in Highbury heaven. RIP Willie.
October 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Very sad news about Willie Young , who played for Arsenal when football was truly a contact sport, and defenders defended. He took no prisoners, but had a far better touch than he was given credit for. Now he’s free to resume bickering with Terry Neill in Highbury heaven. RIP Willie.
I’m honoured to announce that Go To War has been long listed for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year award for 2025. Exciting stuff!!
September 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I’m honoured to announce that Go To War has been long listed for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year award for 2025. Exciting stuff!!
The last time Arsenal played Port Vale - in January, they nearly ended our Double hopes. Fortunately, we used it as a springboard to glory…. www.arsenal.com/news/when-po...
When Port Vale nearly ended our double dream in 98
The last time we faced Port Vale was in the FA Cup third round in January 1998, and it went all the way to penalties
www.arsenal.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The last time Arsenal played Port Vale - in January, they nearly ended our Double hopes. Fortunately, we used it as a springboard to glory…. www.arsenal.com/news/when-po...
Reposted by Jon Spurling
As someone who grew up in the 80s I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of all the key event enhanced by the way @jonspurling.bsky.social deftly weaves in quotes obtained first hand from a large selection of the dramatis personae
August 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
As someone who grew up in the 80s I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of all the key event enhanced by the way @jonspurling.bsky.social deftly weaves in quotes obtained first hand from a large selection of the dramatis personae
Reposted by Jon Spurling
I made two 70s football-themed Mastermind appearances; I also did 'Punk 76-79' and two 70s-linked film directors on the same programme.
I thought I was 'Mr 70s' (esp football wise), but I learned so much from this brilliant book.
Nice one, Jon Spurling!
@jonspurling.bsky.social
I thought I was 'Mr 70s' (esp football wise), but I learned so much from this brilliant book.
Nice one, Jon Spurling!
@jonspurling.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I made two 70s football-themed Mastermind appearances; I also did 'Punk 76-79' and two 70s-linked film directors on the same programme.
I thought I was 'Mr 70s' (esp football wise), but I learned so much from this brilliant book.
Nice one, Jon Spurling!
@jonspurling.bsky.social
I thought I was 'Mr 70s' (esp football wise), but I learned so much from this brilliant book.
Nice one, Jon Spurling!
@jonspurling.bsky.social
I'm delighted to announce that a revised and updated paperback version of Highbury N5 will be published on September 4th, with a new foreword / section on Sir Henry Norris. Can't believe it's 20 years since the original....enjoy!! #Arsenal #COYG www.amazon.co.uk/Highbury-Def...
Highbury: The Definitive History of Arsenal at Highbury Stadium
Buy Highbury: The Definitive History of Arsenal at Highbury Stadium by Spurling, Jon (ISBN: 9781399625913) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I'm delighted to announce that a revised and updated paperback version of Highbury N5 will be published on September 4th, with a new foreword / section on Sir Henry Norris. Can't believe it's 20 years since the original....enjoy!! #Arsenal #COYG www.amazon.co.uk/Highbury-Def...
This season, I'm writing articles about events or players who impacted upon both #Arsenal and our opponents. For starters, here's my piece on David Herd, who scored 100+ goals for both the Gunners and Manchester United. Enjoy! #COYG www.arsenal.com/news/man-who...
The man who scored 100 for Arsenal and Man Utd
Only one player in history has scored over 100 goals for us and Manchester United - learn more about David Herd
www.arsenal.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This season, I'm writing articles about events or players who impacted upon both #Arsenal and our opponents. For starters, here's my piece on David Herd, who scored 100+ goals for both the Gunners and Manchester United. Enjoy! #COYG www.arsenal.com/news/man-who...
I'm delighted to announce that, almost 20 years after it was first published, an updated version of Highbury N5 is being published in September. Available for pre-order here...... #Arsenal #COYG www.amazon.co.uk/Highbury-Def...
Highbury: The Definitive History of Arsenal at Highbury Stadium: Amazon.co.uk: Spurling, Jon: 9781399625913: Books
Buy Highbury: The Definitive History of Arsenal at Highbury Stadium by Spurling, Jon (ISBN: 9781399625913) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
May 5, 2025 at 7:30 AM
I'm delighted to announce that, almost 20 years after it was first published, an updated version of Highbury N5 is being published in September. Available for pre-order here...... #Arsenal #COYG www.amazon.co.uk/Highbury-Def...
I enjoyed writing about some evocative photos from #ARSCRY in 1980 at Highbury. I especially like this one. If I'm not mistaken, the lady in shades is also at the front of the NB pointing at Sammy Nelson's butt in the famous photo of him pulling his shorts down. #Arsenal #COYG
April 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Adolescence is an amazing, gripping drama. I wish they'd done the scenes in school differently though. They lacked authenticity. No way would such sensitive / safeguarding related conversations between police and children happen in such an unstructured, almost random way. 9/10
April 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Adolescence is an amazing, gripping drama. I wish they'd done the scenes in school differently though. They lacked authenticity. No way would such sensitive / safeguarding related conversations between police and children happen in such an unstructured, almost random way. 9/10
Delighted that Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s has been shortlisted for Football Book Of The Year 2025. Results to be announced in early May!!
April 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Delighted that Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s has been shortlisted for Football Book Of The Year 2025. Results to be announced in early May!!
Reposted by Jon Spurling
My holiday reading for our short half term break in St Andrews (where I was actually living at the start of that decade). It’s a great read from @jonspurling.bsky.social bringing back lots of memories from a formative time watching football, and growing up, during my teenage years.
February 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
My holiday reading for our short half term break in St Andrews (where I was actually living at the start of that decade). It’s a great read from @jonspurling.bsky.social bringing back lots of memories from a formative time watching football, and growing up, during my teenage years.
Reposted by Jon Spurling
@jonspurling.bsky.social My copy arrived yesterday. Already enjoying it!
March 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
@jonspurling.bsky.social My copy arrived yesterday. Already enjoying it!
@favlit.org - I'm really looking forward to Friday 28th February at 6.00, where I'll be talking about my new book Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s at the Old Brewery Store, as part of the 2025 Literary Festival.
February 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
@favlit.org - I'm really looking forward to Friday 28th February at 6.00, where I'll be talking about my new book Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s at the Old Brewery Store, as part of the 2025 Literary Festival.
Can any football freelancers out there confirm whether Substack is - ahem - ‘worth’ dabbling in? I have no idea, and almost no idea about how it works…..
February 21, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Can any football freelancers out there confirm whether Substack is - ahem - ‘worth’ dabbling in? I have no idea, and almost no idea about how it works…..
Reposted by Jon Spurling
Just finished reading this fantastic book by @jonspurling.bsky.social
“Go To War” a history of football in the 80’s
Well worth checking out!
“Go To War” a history of football in the 80’s
Well worth checking out!
February 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Just finished reading this fantastic book by @jonspurling.bsky.social
“Go To War” a history of football in the 80’s
Well worth checking out!
“Go To War” a history of football in the 80’s
Well worth checking out!
Is there anything better than the opening chords of a Jason Bourne movie?
February 14, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Is there anything better than the opening chords of a Jason Bourne movie?