In concluding this saga, not that anyone will be interested, but my old man played as a goalkeeper for Ryhope CA and also Ryhope CW in the 70's before we moved to Australia from Castletown in 1976.
He was a boilermaker by trade at the shipyards and worked all his life here in South Australia, owned his own fabrication business for over 20 years in our local city.
He retired from football (or soccer as we call it here), and focused on myself and my brother.
As an attacking CM I represented South Australia at all junior levels, had football trials with Man City for 2 months in about 1983, before coming back to Oz.
I also represented Australia at fusball in U19 grade, we toured Japan, was in the same group as Spain, Brazil and Canada, we came third in that group.
I was also selected to play for the National team to tour the East Coast of USA, but had to complete my final year of schooling, plus the costs were pretty high.
After about 15 years of playing local football for Whyalla Croatia in a semi pro league over here, I called it a day.
Supported Sunderland all my life, been to Roker Park too many times to count, never been to the SOL though.
Like I have previously mentioned, I am not arrogant, but a very confident person with a strong opinion on football strategies and tactics.
Some of you wont give a damn about this thread, but thats fine, thats the kind of person(s) you are, but some may recall my dad from his Ryhope days.
Arrogant, get over it.