This week 30 years ago: ‘Reckless’ Gooners climb North Bank roof to watch Arsenal game

“Reckless” Arsenal fans were criticised after climbing onto the top of Highbury’s North Bank stand to watch the first game of the 1987/88 season.

The Gooners ignored loudspeaker appeals to come down. It prompted urgent safety talks between club officials and cops after the game to stop it happening again.

They were considering barbed wire and slippery “anti-climbing” paint. It had also been an issue the previous season.

Supt Bill Nelson, of Holloway Police, said: “It is dangerous and irresponsible – but we were unable to do anything about it without increasing the danger by risking police officers’ safety.”

Meanwhile, a “mountain” of rubbish was left after the game, against Liverpool.

It attracted a record 54,000 crowd, and a moody Islington Council spokesman said: “It produced a record amount of rubbish. It’s a pity people enjoying themselves on a Saturday afternoon created so much work for other people.”