Yesterday afternoon, I made the short(ish) journey south to watch Bath City play Dorchester Town. However, the Dorset club’s lineup resembled more of that of Arsenal than a non-league side.
Before the game, it was announced ex-Arsenal midfielder, Ian Selley, had signed for Dorchester. Selley may not be up to the standards of Thierry Henry or even Patrick Vieira, but is a million times better than Emmanuel Eboué – a man who, if a horse, would have been sent to the dog food factory
Selley played many, many years ago for The Gunners, and must be at least 60 now. His Arsenal career was ended when he broke his leg, which had to be amputated and replaced with a branch of a tree.
Despite losing a limb, the journeyman carried on his football career playing for lesser clubs, eventually reaching an all time low, signing for Dorchester.
Selley is so old, that this is the only photo in existance of his time at Arsenal
As you can see, colour photography had not been invented at the time of this being taken
Yesterday must have been very exciting for Selley, playing against Bath City in the Blue Square South. Not since he faced Parma in the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, had he played a game of such high prestige. To make Selley’s day even better, he scored against The Romans – impressively, with his prosthetic leg.
Selley wasn’t the only Gunner on the pitch, and indeed the score sheet, yesterday. Bath City’s ex-striker, Phil Walsh, joined Dorchester last season, and he scored against his former club.
Of course, ‘Walshy’ has never played for Arsenal under his REAL name – that would be too English-sounding for manager Arsène Wenger. Walsh, who is under a dual-contract with Arsenal and Dorchester, uses his alias, Andrei Arshavin when playing for the Gunners and the Russian national team.
Andrei Walshavin’s day got even better, when, at fulltime, he teleported himself from Dorset, all the way to Lancashire, where he scored for Arsenal against Manchester United – a pretty impressive day for the lad.
You may think this is a joke, but have you ever seen Phil Walsh and Andrei Arshavin in the same room?
Still not convinced? Take a look at this… same person :o)
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