Jim Haryott (L), Chris (C), son Cooper (R) before Manchester United 2019.
Chris Toronyi (@christoronyi) is a brand marketing consultant and lecturer in the Department of Marketing Communication and Department of Communication Studies at Emerson College Boston campus.
His teachings and research focuses on brand architecture, nation branding and sports communication strategies.
A previous life included hosting and producing the ArseAmerica Podcast.
Shows included interviews of all the big name journalists and broadcasters on both sides of the pond, Club officials, and some of the most influential digital creators covering The Arsenal.
Additionally, he interviewed Nick Hornby, Billy Beane, Matt Lucas and numerous others that support the Club. The goal was to provide a full view of the Club.
When did you start supporting Arsenal and why?
I will answer this in way that isn’t as much supporting as much as it was knowing.
As a kid in the late 70s and 80s I was fortunate enough to grow-up and visit so many countries and had the amazing experience of living in Saudi Arabia for over 5 years. While living there I began to play football, watch it on the BBC and the Armed Forces Network (my father worked for Aramco/Chevron).
But it wasn’t until I started to buy kits in Al Khobar that I realized that each of the teams had personalities. I purchased many kits. Many of those kits will go unnamed.
BUT the one that stuck with me and continues to this day is the kit with the white sleeves, the cannon and the three circular letters of A-F-C. It was love as first site.
What kid doesn’t love a cannon on a shirt. I wish I had some deep, meaningful story, but mine is a color, a sleeve and logo. That’s it.
To this day it sits framed in my home office. So every online lecture and every Zoom call, people get a look at my first kit.
What was your first Arsenal match?
Reading, 2008 with Barry at the Emirates. I know I visited at least three pubs before the game and a couple after.
And pretty sure we visited the same pub three times. This is a really terrible answer, but the beers have fogged over any resemblance of a memory. A total blur.
Pretty sure it was fun.
Who was your first Arsenal hero and why?
Hero is such a strong word. I love players, but a hero… see below.
Who is your favourite ever Arsenal player and why?
DB10 (Dennis Bergkamp).
He embodied everything that a football player should be on the pitch. Embodied everything The Arsenal was when he played.
He could do things with a ball that most magicians wish they could do, but also possessed a side where the boot may have been left in a little late. A little heavy. I loved that balance.
DB was never afraid of the moment, nor the competition. But damn, the way he could cradle the ball and spin it. Name a better… I miss these magic shows.
What’s your biggest Arsenal regret/disappointment?
Paris, 2006. Do we need to say anything more? No.
What is your favourite Arsenal memory (away from the pitch) and why?
I want to say interviewing Nick Hornby at his office in Islington. Signing a book for my son, “Cooper, keep the faith."
BUT it’s the Fulham boat trip in 2013. Floating along the River Thames under the bluest of skies for a good 3-hours. Mates and beers. Beers and mates. And more beers. An amazing experience and the game had not even kick-offed yet.
More boat trips please. Looking at you REDaction!
What is your favourite ever Arsenal match?
Where to start. I’ve been to two FA Cup wins, Arsene Wenger’s last game, my son’s first game against City where Arteta delivered the bomb in our 1-0 win.
But my favorite without question was the 4-2 against Sp*rs at the Emirates.
The singing during that match had so much passion and an incredible degree of vitriol.
I have never hugged so many, never sang so loud and never felt so much joy after a match. It was ecstasy.
It was enjoyed with my son and ended with mates and beers after the game.
In the end it’s always mates and beers.