‘I’m a forgotten Arsenal Invincible who knocked out a fan – now I’m a boxing promoter’

Graham Stack never played a Premier League game for Arsenal during the 2003-04 season and was better known for knocking out a fan during a loan spell with Belgian side Bereven

Arsenal Invincible Graham Stack is planning a boxing event involving ex-Premier League stars aimed at raising £500,000 for charity.

The former Gunners goalkeeper was part of the famous 2003-04 squad that went an entire league season without a defeat, despite never featuring for the club in the top flight after being back-up to Jens Lehmann.

Stack would go on to play for in the Championship for the likes of Leeds United, Plymouth and Wolves before finishing his career in the lower leagues with Barnet, Eastleigh and Chesham United.

After retiring in 2022, Stack had coaching stints with Watford, Cardiff and Colchester – but is now looking to make his “pipe dream” as a boxing promoter come true after launching his company Pro Project Promotions.

He will help showcase five fights between ten former players at the Grosvenor Hotel on October 18, with ex-Tottenham star David Bentley facing former Chelsea man Jody Morris in the headliner.

READ MORE: Arsenal news: New signing stokes Liverpool rivalry as Noni Madueke sent messageREAD MORE: Paul Scholes laughs at savage Viktor Gyokeres comment to leave Arsenal fans fuming

Stack believes it will give them something to strive for after the end of their football careers, with the money raised being donated to Helping Hands, The Willow Foundation and Sport In Mind.

“I wanted to try and help, but it’s a bit strange, because footballers don’t like that word ‘help’,” says Stack. “That is just their mentality, they want to do things for themselves. It’s a massive opportunity to give yourself a platform and stability, and also to reconnect and have that camaraderie back.

“Too often players look for something to replace football in ways that are not good – gambling, drinking, whatever that might be. This is a real positive way of filling your time, mentally and physically. A lot of footballers love their boxing. Their second sport is often golf or boxing. I threw the idea out there initially and contacted one or two who had been in touch with me.

“When you put the gloves on, it’s no different to putting your football boots on. When you cross that line, it is like getting in between the ropes – the mentality and mindset is always the same, you want to win.

“But I don’t want this to be about individuals, I want it to be about what we are trying to do. I didn’t realise where this would all end up – it was a pipe dream at the start – but now I can’t wait for next month.”

It is perhaps ironic that Stack has got into boxing after being known for knocking out a rowdy fan during his playing career while he was on loan at Belgium side Bereven in the 2002-03 season.

Speaking in 2023 on the Broken Metatarsal podcast, Stack recalled a “crazy, crazy day” when he was pelted with objects by rival Royal Antwerp fans and he decided to throw one back, which led to some storming the pitch. After one charged towards him, he “dropped him on the floor”.

“This fella who’d had far too many beers came steaming in and starting throwing digs. Naturally you swing one back, and naturally you drop him on the floor. Then the next big one didn’t really fancy it and they all started walking back. This happened in a few moments, but before you know it there’s riot police out and the game’s getting called off.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.