If you haven’t seen this gentleman celebrating a goal, you’re either not an Arsenal fan, or you’re asleep during our games.
Meet David Sims, popularly known as the ‘score guy’ thanks to his famed scoreline pointing celebrations whenever Arsenal score a goal.
Aged just 5, Sims fell in love with Arsenal and has not looked back ever since. “I was very young, 5 years old. I would read football comics. I idolised the canon emblem as it was exciting and showed history. The red and white shirts caught my eye and very quickly became my favourite colour”, he recollected.
It was way back in 1977 that Sims started going to Arsenal matches. Interestingly, his first game at a stadium was an away match against Everton that we lost 2-0, courtesy of goals from Bob Latchford and Andy King. However, defeat was never going to stop Sims from supporting his beloved football team. His philosophical mindset of the cannon album representing history continued into his adulthood. “Arsenal FC represents history, tradition and class. Words that you can use as a theme of your life.”
Not a bad collection at all….
However, some will say that Arsenal’s class, tradition and history has not been the same ever since we became run like a business. It has affected the common fan, especially those that were loyal from the years gone by. This is something Sims admits, but he loves the club way too much to stop going.
“At Highbury, you could walk up to the turnstiles and just pay £5 to go and stand on the north bank or clock end. The price went up over the years. Even Spurs at home was non ticketed until 1988 when 3,000 were locked out in street 2 hrs before kick-off. Then tickets came in to force. I have been a club member and season ticket holder for many years. It is best to join the red membership now and get tickets on the exchange or sign on the season ticket waiting list for about 3-5 years.”
Sims looks back fondly on those glorious days Arsenal experienced at Highbury. His love for the club led to him writing a book on Arsenal in 1999 “Memories and Marble Halls” which went on to become a bestseller.
The book captures Arsenal’s transformation under Herbert Chapman and Wenger’s dominant sides of the late ’90s with plenty of behind the scenes information. If you’re someone that is interested in learning about Arsenal history, it is a must-have in your collection!
Selfies before they became mainstream! A young David Sims clicks himself at Highbury
Speaking on when he first started appearing on television for his celebration, Sims recollects: “Highbury a couple of times but really from the beginning of Emirates when TV cameras were everywhere.”
The team’s move to the Emirates coincided with the globalisation of football. With TV deals being signed left right centre, people from all around the world could now watch the Premier League easily and more specifically, Arsenal games. And this is when Sims became well known internationally.
Despite his fame, Sims exercises great humility and class, values that are important to him and something that he supported Arsenal for – “I am just a fan, we all get on TV eventually. I don’t really feel anything about being on TV, I get lost celebrating the goals with my mates.”
Sims has a celebration that’s become an iconic one – he displays the scoreline with his 2 hands, waving in delight when Arsenal score. “I just wanted to tell my friends around the world the score and also friends who follow rival teams, it is just fun and great banter. The recent goal v Spurs was excellent. However, Thierry Henry’s goal; the one against Leeds in the FA Cup comeback was amazing as he ran past us all.”
Sims in his element – Block 4, front row and enjoying a game with his mates
He continues: “It’s fun chatting to everyone especially the young gunners! I sit in the front row where my season ticket is, all the camera operators from sky / BT love getting content from block 4 as we celebrate goals all the time and the players love jumping in with us and joining in the celebrations.”
I asked him who his favourite player is of all time and the answer is hardly surprising. “Dennis Bergkamp is God.” Currently, he is in love with Bukayo Saka’s brilliance, not just the football aspect, but also the qualities Saka represents as a human being. The bravery to take the decisive penalty in Euros as a teenager and the resilience he showcased to bounce back from the miss is a great example to everyone. “I have so much respect for him”, he tells me.
Rober Pires is a very lucky man!!
Wenger’s day was made
Sims is as die-hard an Arsenal fan as they come. He’s watched Arsenal live for well over 44 years and shares a sentiment that many of you will relate to – “We need new owners, Kroenke must go. He takes too much money out and does not invest in the club. He is also not connected to the fan base.”
Having said that, Sims is fully behind the Mikel Arteta project, a feeling that is echoed by most who go to the Emirates week in week out. “Arteta should stay for now. See where we are in May. He has done a reasonable job, the club was on fire when he joined, following on from Wenger is impossible. No money to invest, with old players to move on, COVID and a split fan base. He needs support, the team needs our support, the young players are so exciting and we want a full rocking Emirates pushing the team on. Keep the Faith.”
And that brings us to the end of the interview – make sure you drop Sims a follow on Twitter @highburyhigh
Thanks to Sims for his time and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the interview in the comments below. COYG!