About Us
Welcome to Arsenal Station Stall – a proud independent family business with a trading heritage spanning more than a century.
The story of the O'Connell family begins long before modern football merchandising. Our roots can be traced back to Molly Owens from Cork, Ireland, who sold drinks and fruit to spectators attending major sporting events in the early 1900s. Her hard work, spirit and connection to the excitement of live sport laid the foundations for what would become four generations of family trading.
In the 1960s, her grandson Michael O'Connell began selling badges and rosettes as a teenager outside Arsenal Tube Station- Highbury Stadium and many other London football grounds. By the mid-1970s, the family’s operations had expanded and included operations at most London Stadiums.
This was a true family enterprise. Many products were handmade at home by parents, siblings and relatives — including rosettes, flat caps, scarves and flags — combining craftsmanship with the passion of match day.
By the 1990s, street trading became formally licensed, and the O’Connell family were granted official pitches by local authorities, often in the same places they had already been serving supporters for decades.
In 1996, the pitch outside Arsenal Tube Station was passed down to the next generation: Michael O'Connell. A new chapter began, with meetings held between the family and Arsenal directors that led to the stall beginning to sell officially licensed merchandise.
When the club moved from Highbury to Emirates Stadium, many trading pitches relocated — but Arsenal Station Stall proudly remained in the same historic position it occupies today.
More than 50 years on, we continue to serve supporters from directly outside Arsenal Tube Station, at the foot of Highbury Hill on match days.
Today, the fourth generation of the O’Connell family continues the tradition, offering a wide selection of licensed hats, scarves and accessories, alongside carefully selected fan favourites.
We are proud of our history, proud of our independence, and proud to still be part of the match-day experience for generations of supporters.
Our Promise
We pride ourselves on:
- Friendly, personal service
- Quality products
- Fair prices
- Genuine match-day tradition
- A family welcome every time you visit
Visit Us
If you’re attending a match, come and find us on game day directly outside Arsenal Tube Station on the road at the foot of Highbury Hill.
Wear the colours. Share the history. Support local tradition.
