Although most fans of Arsenal and Tottenham wouldn't like to admit that they have anything in common whatsoever, 2 articles in yesterday's papers showed that the fans were united for once on Saturday, along with those of all other clubs, in their respect and thanks for the life and career of Sir Stanley Matthews.

Rob Hughes wrote in the Times,

"The Arsenal faithful, starved of true improvisation between the departure of Liam Brady and the arrival of Bergkamp, give thanks that they have him. They also, on a glorious, spring-like afternoon, honoured the memory of Sir Stanley Matthews impeccably before the kick-off. There was silence among the 38,044 at Highbury that has never been better observed in my 30 years' experience of football stadiums around the world. Here, in respect shared by fans of all ages, was football's answer to the crass suggestion that Matthews and his values were irrelevant to our times." (see Rob's full match report, and ours).

"And yet there was one small moment of pride on Saturday. Sound problems meant there was no commentary until the match was five minutes old, so when the players gathered on the centre circle before kick-off to pay their respects to Sir Stanley Matthews, there was no one to tell the White Hart Lane 500 what was happening. No matter. The buzz of chat and laughter in the South Stand stopped instantly. If only the match had been worthy of Stan." (see Kate's full story)

It was shame that the "silence" at Wembley on Wednesday was so poorly observed, although to be fair there were people arriving late and who didn't know what was going on (or even that Sir Stan had died). But there's no excuse for the treatment that the Argentinian anthem got, and I'm sure Sir Stanley would have been proud of that (not). But it's reassuring to know that when true football fans are gathered together, due respect can be shown.