Just want to thanks the Canary fans who have been posting here and on the match-day thread for taking their defeat so well and in their generosity giving Sunderland the plaudits for a convincing display. You're a good bunch of lads on here and good luck against a resurgent Bolton this weekend and the rest of the campaign. please log in to view this image insert smiley <bigsloppykiss>
I seem to recall that when he first came to you, he had the same effect as MON now has! Brucie is a legend at our club, but when he was shown the door by Sunderland, even the most loyal of we Brucie lovers could see that it had to happen! Thanks to you and Shamelees and ALL Sunderland fans who took part in the match-thread! Good luck for the rest of the season!
I stook with him to the end Dave but you could tell for some time that it was becoming cruel. He was never going to walk and I honestly dont think it was cash, he wanted to win and wanted us to succeed but he knew, everyone knew, it just was never going to happen. The last month or so you could, IMO, see the fear in his face and it was that fear that did for him in the end. He would never have taken a chance on the likes of Mclean, not because he did not want to but because of what would happen if it did not work. It got to the stage that not losing was what mattered so of course we did. The first thing MON did was lift that fear and everyone could see it and feel it.
Syd: that was very profound fos so early in the morning... PS...I agree totally with the OP...The Norwich fans are an excellent bunch, and it's good to see that our mutual bond that was developed in the 1985 cup final is still as strong as ever...
Thanks for the kind words Shameless and the picture you posted that took me back to that fantastic day. It is great to be able to remember that day not just for the football but also for the bond that has created between the two sets of supporters. As far as I am aware there have never been any incidents when our two wonderful sets of fans have met since that day and indeed the semi final at Hillsborough really brought it home to me after we lost to you on that occasion. Every Sunderland fan that was within sight were only too willing to offer their commiserations, swap scarfs & hats and generally talk friendly with us all the way back up to where the buses were (a good 15 minute walk or so). An absolute credit, the lot of them. I certainly hope that bond and friendship will continue for many, many years with the new generation of supporters to come Also, off the back of that day anytime Norwich did not have a game on a Saturday and Sunderland were playing down south, I would go to see Sunderland play. Even reverting to the likes of going to see them play at Aldershot in the 3rd tier when you romped it.
Norwich have always had a smashing bunch of lads following them. They bring colour and a bit of life to the league, and they were loyal when the team hit League One. Smashing club, smashing fans, one of the best young managers in the game, and a bright future I reckon. Bastard of a place to get to from the North East mind! See you next season!
One of my most enduring football memories is the 1985 final. Getting to the tube station was difficult but having got there the platform was chokka and when a train arrived half of Wembley wanted to get on it. We piled into a carriage, Norwich and Sunderland fans alike. A Barbara Cartland lookalike was sat on a sideways facing seat with her miniature pet pooch. I managed to sit next to her but by the time the train set off there were fans hanging onto everything and one Sunderland lad wa leaning right over this woman. She felt intimidated with all these "football louts" in one place and trying to break the ice she stared at the Sunderland scarf dangling in her face and with her best posh voice said "Oh Sunderland, Sunderland FC!" Despite being a southern toff she knew of Sunderland but not FC. "Whats the FC for?" she enquired. Quick as a flash, the Sunderland lad replied . . . "After today missus, ****in ****s!" Priceless!
I wasn't around for the 1985 final but every Sunderland game I've been to the Sunderland fans have been very friendly. It's interesting that two teams playing for the Friendly cup because of the good natured 1985 final was played within 24 hours of the disaster in Egypt.
Yes, a marked difference from the bitter rantings of the lets believe our own hype Swansea supporters on here. Well done Norwich, if its any consolation that was the best all round team performance from an Sunderland team in a long time. IMHO. You have a excellent manager and a great support so I expect to see you establish the club in the Prem for sometime to come.
HAHA excellent! Been a really enjoyable fixture, despite the result! Looking forward to playing you guys again next season (all being well).
