400 found sleeping at Arsenal Football Club

Published: 10:59 AM June 16, 2011 Updated: 4:21 PM November 1, 2020

CAMPED ON THE HALFWAY LINE: A lucky 10-year-old from Ramsey joined 400 fellow members of Arsenal’s young supporters club, the Junior Gunners, in an event that turned the Emirates Stadium into a campsite.

Stuart Hurrell, who attends Bury Primary School, and the other children won a competition that gave the seven to 12-year-olds the opportunity to play on the pitch in matches organised by the club’s community coaches and eat in one of the stadium’s exclusive areas.

After watching the Gunners’ Greatest Goals video and playing a few games of table football, the children camped out for the night in 200 two-person tents. And, of course, Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus was there to make sure everyone was tucked in.

A little rain helped wake up the boys and girls, the tents were packed up, breakfast was served and parents arrived to collect theirt children.

Sue Campbell, head of events and supporter liaison, said: “The first Camping on the Pitch event last year was so popular we decided to double the number of children able to attend this year, and I think it’s fair to say that the 400 boys and girls here had an absolutely brilliant time.”