A Sign of the Times

Just a daft but satisfying little story that sums up the difference MON has made.

I did some shopping in Tesco this morning, I often get the same lady at checkout who always asks if I'm going to the game. Her husband is a season ticket holder and she always takes an interest but never ever goes to games.

Today she collared me long before I got to the checkout, like the proverbial kid at Christmas, all excited.

“Are you going on Monday”, she asked,”Yes said I”,”So am I she screamed, so am I, he got me a ticket for Christmas and I'm so excited”.

Says it all really.

 

Exactly. They say there's none so pious as the newly converted, and I think we're experiencing a similar surge of enthusiasm at SAFC. There were a fair number of people who wanted Bruce gone in May. But the Brighton team selection (far more than the Newcastle result) turned the tide. I remember that night, after the Brighton game, very well. I was up till 2 a.m. and couldn't read the new threads and posts as fast as they were coming in. The mood that night was very, very ugly. Since then, Bruce hung like a wet blanket over us with one BIB after another turning BOB. O'Neill has been the breath of fresh air we all needed I think.

 

Fantastically well put cutey - That night turned me from the "BIB" side of the fence to the "BOB" side of the fence and happenings since then just made me want rid of him more - been very impressed with O'Neill so far - was a little apprehensive at first (I have Villa season ticket holding mates who may have influenced me on that one) but everything the bloke says seems to point to us moving in the right direction...

 

Thanks for your comments Marcus. I agree totally that that night turned more BIBs than any other. I mean, Bruce used to go on about the Newcastle result, but we got a point. The previous November, we'd lost 5-1 and bounced straight back. Those derbies would be nice to win but they're not as crucial as he made out. But the Brighton game was the first time I think I ever read a critical word from Syd and I remember not606 had to expand their capacity to take all the posters and readers. It was even suggested that guests should be barred so that members could get on the board. The traffic was unreal.

I had my doubts about O'Neill as well, and wondered if Short wouldn't take the same attitude to balancing the books as Lerner and O'Neill would soon go. But I'm encouraged like you. I particularly like the way he's offered everyone a clean slate - a few of our so-called duffers might just surprise us under a management like his. Kilgallon's already made the bench, which I never thought would happen. Happy days.

 

I was in hospital that night with no access to a radio, couldn't believe it when I read the next morning's paper.

 

Yes it was a great night to be a Sunderland fan, made worse by Mr Bruce declaring how he wanted a good cup run, **** knows what would have happened if he had not taken it seriously

 

Must admit ive been using the excuse of living 100 miles away as part of not wanting to go this season, but i have my Everton ticket and i cant be more excitied!