The latest in a series of posts, profiling members of our Bay Area Gooners family.
Originally from Fair Oaks, Michelle Wright has been in San Francisco a little over 2 years, and came to Arsenal through a rather circuitous route.
She fell in love with a British comedian, Alan Davies, through QI (Quite Interesting), a British comedy panel game quiz show. Upon discovering he had an Arsenal podcast, The Tuesday Club, she began listening to it religiously in 2011. Davies and his co-hosts are all Arsenal season ticket holders and while Michell was a soccer fan, she didn’t have a Premier League team, so she figured Why not?.
Michelle (middle)
Michelle was a longtime Sacramento Gooner, It’s much more fun watching games with fellow supporters. A high school friend, also an Arsenal supporter, arranged to meet for a match at Maggie McGarrys, and it would be the first of many.
Of watching with Bay Area Gooners, she speaks appreciatively, You cannot beat celebrating the big goals at Maggie’s. The energy, and sharing in the emotions with fellow supporters. I brought an ex to watch a game at Maggie’s and he instantly became a fan through his experience, which I think is telling . Michelle counts Jack Wilshere as her first love, Couldn’t help loving that chavvy little English terrier, and Saka as her current favorite Arsenal player, “What a sweet, amazingly skilled player. Hard not to love the kid. Hardworking, exceptional ability, and just seems like a wonderful person. Definitely what I want in a player”
Michelle (bottom row, middle)
She feels good about Arteta as a manager, I watched him as an Arsenal player, and now to see him manage feels like a continuation of his love for the club. I appreciate that Arsenal has really loyal players and managers. I think that says a lot about the club. I also appreciate the passion and drive he has. Would love to see him be a little more flexible and creative with lineups, but I think he still has a lot of potential and he’s still learning to manage. Once we have more depth, that will be the true test of his ability.
The Declan Rice free kicks in the Champions League quarter-finals and beating Man City were here favorite moments of the past season. Michelle has yet to see the Gunners in person, I’m so due.
I was genuinely touched by Michelle’s kind comments about me and our group, I just want to say that I have so appreciated you, Mark. You’ve really welcomed me into the BAG family with open arms, and I’m so grateful of that. You do so much for the group, and I can’t thank you enough. I’m thankful for all the wonderful games I’ve seen and friends I’ve met at Maggie’s. Here’s to many more, and COYG!
Michelle (left)
We’ll continue to share stories of our Gooner family. If you’re a Maggie’s regular and want to be featured, talk to me at the pub.
The latest in a series of posts, profiling members of our Bay Area Gooners family.
For most Arsenal matches at Maggie McGarry’s, a group of regulars consistently holds court at a big table in the back near the stage. Amongst them is Jose Santos.
Jose was born and raised in San Francisco’s Visitation Valley. He became fascinated by a young Spanish player named Cesc Fàbregas, leading him to become an Arsenal fan. While he began following the Gunners around the time of their historic Invincibles run, it was the 16 year old, impressing amongst legends, that would endear him to the club.
Jose (left)
Jose joined our Gooner family in 2019. “I heard about Maggie’s through a friend, and the first time I went, was the Europa League Final against Chelsea. I discovered the Bay Area Gooners, met Mark, and was pretty surprised by the number of people”
Jose enjoys hanging with Arsenal fans turning up for the matches, but especially the regulars who show up for matches as early as 4:30 or 6:00 am. He loves meeting new Gooners “Seeing folks from all over, tourists trying to catch a game, or people who’ve just moved to the Bay Area. He also relishes “rubbing a win in Mick’s (Maggie’s owner and Man City fan) face when we beat City”
He counts Fàbregas, Henry, Bergkamp, Santi Cazorla, and Alexis Sanchez.amongst his all-time favorite players, with Saka, Saliba, Big Gabi, Rice, Martinelli, and Ødegaard as current favorites.
Jose is solidly behind Arteta, “I think he’s done a fabulous job since taking over. Really rebuilt the foundation of the club. You can see that year to year. The team is getting more players for the depth we were lacking the past three years. He just needs to get a STRIKER, to hopefully get us over that hump”
Jose (left)
He’s yet to see Arsenal in person though he did see them against the MLS All-Stars in San Jose some years back. His favorite moments last season include beating Man City 5-2 with Mick serving congratulatory shots. And beating Real Madrid over both legs.
If you find yourself in the back of the big room at Maggie’s for a match, say hello to the regulars. That’s where you’ll find Jose Santos.
Jose (3rd from the right)
We’ll continue to share stories of our Gooner family. If you’re a regular at Maggie’s and , want to be featured, talk to me at the pub.
We’re having a preseason happy hour from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
A chance to meet and mingle with your fellow Gooners outside of the early mornings. We’ll show a replay of the preseason friendly against Sp*rs, from earlier in the day. There will be food and a discount on Estrella pints for anyone wearing anything Arsenal.
Hope to see you there!
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet. Dogs in parklet only, please. Outside food is OK. Outside drinks are NOT.
For the first time since 2018, we’re offering Bay Area Gooners hoodies!
Designed by our own, Holly Hickman, they feature our BAG logo on the front, with Coit Tower and “North Beach Forever” on the sleeve, and of course, the late, legendary Gooner bartender, Patrick Dunphy on the back
Hoodies can be picked up at Maggie McGarry’s during weekend and some weekday matches, though delivery within the U.S. may also be arranged. We expect hoodies will be ready for pick up, beginning with the Liverpool match on August 30th.
The latest in a series of posts profiling members of our Bay Area Gooners family.
If you’ve attended Arsenal matches at Maggie McGarry’s over the past decade, you may have noticed the urbane Stevens Williams amongst the Gooners. He explains, it’s not a typo or a law firm, but a family name.
Originally from Vermont, Stevens has lived in San Francisco since the Loma Prieta quake in 1989 (for which he accepts no responsibility). He loved cannons as a little boy, but says, if anyone is to blame for his support of Arsenal, it would be Nick Hornby.
His formative Bay Area Gooner years were spent at the bar, listening to Patrick (the late, legendary Gooner bartender) hold forth on various topics, with football usually foremost.
His preference to sit at the bar continued up until the 2017 FA Cup Final, but eventually Stevens ventured into the big room filled with red and white kits and that’s where you’ll find him on match days.
He enjoys the tribal aspects of the group, from the shared anxiety to the celebratory moments. All while reducing his family’s exposure to tedious, ill-informed dissertations on football. He counts Saka as his favorite current player with Aaron Ramsey as an all-time favorite, based in part on family heritage. He stands firmly pro-Arteta but cautions he was pro-Wenger to the very end, and it would be reasonable to question his judgement in these matters.
Stevens (middle)
Most of the matches he attended last season were frustrating results. He missed the win over Manchester City and Arsenal’s demolition of Real Madrid. The (brief) return of Jesus, with his hat trick resulting in a big win over Crystal Palace, might be his favorite moment of the season.
Of watching the matches at Maggie’s, Stevens says, I grew up in a distinctly non-athletic family and in a relatively media-free era. I watched grainy black and white images on “Star Soccer” and “Soccer Made in Germany”and followed results on the back pages of the NY Times sports section. Even though I can now use a phone to watch sweat forming on a penalty taker’s temple, it can’t compete with the BAG experience.
If you see Stevens at the pub, introduce yourself. In addition to chatting about Arsenal, rumor has it, he can also pontificate on Notre Dame football.
We’ll continue to share stories of our Gooner family. If you’re a regular at Maggie’s and , want to be featured, talk to me at the pub.
The one constant for these and all matches this season, is we will gather at Maggie McGarry’s for every single one, regardless of kickoff time.
Graphic courtesy of AFC Newsroom
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Thinking about going to see Arsenal in person, and hoping to get tickets through Arsenal America’s ticket lottery? The 2025/2026 season opener vs. Leeds United on Saturday, August 23rd is officially open and closes at 11:59PM EST on June 23, 2025.
The Leeds lottery closes at 11:59PM EST on June 23, 2025. You must have an active Arsenal America membership for each ticket requested to be able to enter.
If you are entering for multiple tickets, you’ll need to provide the names and corresponding emails of each AA member requesting a ticket.
If selected, ticket prices, dates, and times are subject to change, but AA will keep you updated with any changes as soon as we receive information from the Club.
Other home match requests will be open before too long. It’s a far from perfect system, but the global demand for tickets and the parameters set for supporters groups by the club have led us here. Best of luck to anyone hoping for tickets.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at Maggie’s in the new season!
Match on inside and outside.
Bay Area Gooners 