Simply beautiful mate. We moved away from Sunderland in 1999 for work and at that time my eldest lad was 8 and the youngest was six months old. Me and the eldest lad kept our ST on and had the DVD of the promotion season. A few months later, I got back from working in London about 7pm on a Friday night. Me and the eldest were coming back home for the match the next day and my missus silently welcomed me into the house and pointed me into the bairns playroom where the eldest was sat on the floor next to his brother who was jumping around in his bouncy chair. The youngest was wildly celebrating SKP’s header down at Charlton. Youngest lad has been hooked ever since and is now 22. Whilst I regret that the KLD era is likely to bear fruit too late for lifelong supporters like my Dad, I’m also in equal measure chuffed that my lads and thousands of others like them are going to see this regime propel us back into the Premier League and have us punching our weight and possibly beyond. HTL and FTM.
Magic! I'm the only lads fan in our immediate family (my lot all born and bread in redhouse/hilton but not massively into football. Wife family are all Newcastle with the odd manc. I think I'm worried that if I take him early it will be a chore. I want that turnstile feeling, tell him the history, for him to really understand. Probably never happen as the bairns are a different generation. I'm actually struggling because normally a generation is a lifetime,. Us in out 30s we've been through about 3 generations already and we don't fit into the modern woke lot. We are gunna be the old bastard in the corner of the club before we're 40!
Got no kids myself, but my dad thought it would be a good idea for my first SAFC game to be Man City in the FA cup in 73. Sat in the clockstand seats absolutely bewildered at the noise, the light of the floodlights, the atmosphere, just everything. I was a regular after that, my dad leaving me a seat made of a couple of lengths of rope and a bit plank, that he would hang over the rails in mainstand paddock so I could see in comfort. One of the lingering memories I have is of sitting there is seeing how lush and short the grass was, it was like a carpet. Nowadays, my dad doesn't go much now but still watches us when we're on Sky. He was over the moon the other week when I found out that he can watch my SAFC stream at the same time as me when I give him my username etc.
Also one of my favourite memories of Roker Park, simply entering the ground and seeing the pitch, especially when the floodlights were on. Always had that lush green look and as smooth as a carpet.
That video is brilliant, makes us remember who we are! I just hope we get some good times now, as fans we have been battered and on our knees! If our time comes round, which I think it will to be doing ok again, I’m going to rub it in my mag mates faces! Seeing them twist the way they do boils my piss, they really have no idea what suffering fans are!!!
In the end I just decided to force my boys to go, had season tickets since the were 6 & 4, they hated it at first if im honest, then grew to be ok with about half a game, when everyone went for a pint at half time they used to think it was time to go I was probably the wromg thing to do, especially the twisting as i make sure we stop until full time. but they got there & are still going & we will be back after this crap Think probably the turning point for loving it for the oldest was at 9 started doimg a few away games on a night, not sure if it was the getting out of school early part or the thrill of being away as we all know its a different atmosphere. The both did wemberly twice, drink all day with the lads at 10 & 8, covent garden & Trafalgar. The little one randomly busts out laughing saying remember that man with the bucket on his head on the telephone box, not sure if anyone here in covent garden for that bit. Once there into proper football ladish culture, appologies if that sounds sexist, they are into it & i love them telling me stories back now....dad remember the pub at blackpool had no beer left & they had to get cans...yes mate I recommend givibg it a try, not sure how old your little one is but its worth a go....especially when were allowed back as the change in tide of positivity in the club now could have him instantly hooked...good luck marra but dont give up if they dont like at first
You’re right mate they should be forced to go to watch us play, I mean why should they get away with it?
There is a very interesting article in the Guardian football section on the rise of analytics in football, seems that it is really starting to take off, Luton and Peterborough are referenced so its not just top teams. I only spent 40 years in IT, which is why I still don't know how to paste the link Up to smiley faces as you can see
That was my thinkimg too mate....if i have to suffer so will they. yougest didnt do night matches for sometime, if he was naughty my wife used to say 'right thats it your going to the match tonight with dad'....haha now thats punishment
She was 6 - loved the build up to the game but got bored quickly once the football started - shes 9 now and went to one of the matches with me last season and was more involved and really enjoyed the game this time - it helps that we won of course.
I'll never forget my first time at Roker. Walking in to Clock Stand and seeing how green the turf looked under the floodlights and the curve on it man! You couldn't see the players below the knees on the other side I ended up being a Fulwell ender and miss it to this day.
Can someone explain something to me? I have been applying for a few jobs recently after losing my income and working for an agency recently due to covid. I have never looked at a job that says £32k to £35k and though oh look a job paying £32k, is there anyone in the world that will look at an advert and want the lower end of the 2 figures? Never understood why they don't just give the wage they are willing to pay one figure. I don't buy any of this bollocks when they say dependent upon experience either, if you're getting the job you are clearly the best candidate so deserve the higher wage if not the would go for another applicant!
The finally salary agreed will probably depend upon how experienced the successful candidate is, the more experienced, the nearer the £35k they can expect to get.
If there's a job where there are a wide range of potential responsibilities I can see it ... ...not saying it's the case, but as a daft example it could be £32k but £35k if you're up for being the kitman as well
I still wonder how after a goal we used to surge forward about 10-15 yards when there were barriers only 5 yards apart. Yup still miss it.
I’m Back in 2007 when we emigrated our lad was then six years old. He was just getting into football but didn’t really understand teams and support. He just liked the idea of kicking a football with his dad (me). Anyway, I wrote to the club saying that we were emigrating to Oz and my son (in other words me!) would love to meet Niall Quinn and that we would be up for the game against Blackburn. So letter duly sent off not really expecting anything back. About a month later I got a call from the big man's secretary saying that he’s got the letter and would my son like to be the mascot for that game. Of course he would!! So we go up on the day, We were greeted in the reception area and taken up to the boardroom where we have a couple of drinks and chat with Niall Quinn etc etc. The lad is given his own strip, which we’ve still got. He gets taken away, meets the team whilst we go pitch side. Come 3pm Dance Of The Knights fires up. We’re stood right next to the players tunnel at this stage. Out comes the teams and our lad is first out leading the team with Dwight Yorke. Afterwards we all take our seats, watch the game. You can guess that being Sunderland they let us down and we lost 2-1. A great day. Niall Quinn is one of the nicest blokes I’ve met. My lad has been just as daft about Sunderland as his dad ever since.