Arsenal in the Community has given life to hundreds of programmes and initiatives all aimed at helping local people, regardless of how they feel about football. But there’s something else.
Arsenal in the Community has also given life to a football club, one that has claimed 50 major honours in 35 years, set records that may never be broken and continues to be a leading force in the game. That club is Arsenal Women.
It all starts with Vic Akers. In 1985 the recently retired footballer, who had played for Cambridge United and Watford in the Football League as well as a host of non-league teams in his career as a left back, returned to his native Islington after leaving his final club, Carshalton Athletic.