Getting the bus from Whitburn to Seaburn and walking up past Stan Andersons house whose little girl was always in the window waving to everybody. Pulling a fast one on the rest going home by. going in Dundas Street and getting on the bus before it reached Bede Street and the queues, getting off at home through the emergency exit.
Football-wise: Proper FA Cup Finals with the all-day build-up 'cos they really MEANT something in those days The Roker End when it was whole (all those concrete posts...) Pies that didn't cost the earth and weren't microwaved to nuclear reactor-like heat levels Terraces
Sid - agree 100% about FA Cup. The FA have diminished this tournament, the best domestic cup competition in the world once, to a bit part side show. i used to love the Its a Knockout challenges from 9am on match day, right through to kick off with David Coleman commentating. This year, they put in a fatal blow; and next year they have already dealt it the killer one by making it a Saturday afternoon kick off FFS, on the same day as a normal league programme? It will be played on a Tuesday afternoon at 2pm the year after? Shame on the greedy bastards who run our game.
Sorry kidda but I've got tons of it and my old man is 76 and so has he. I am blessed with good genes. Lol
I envy some of you guys. But there was another side to north-east life in those days, that's rarely spoken about today. I don't miss the black and blue marks and blood both my parents regularly inflicted on me. The world was a much nicer place when those two b**tards died. Happier moments - footie on the beach at the bottom of the Cat & Dog Steps. I-Spy books. Tripe and onions with Bisto gravy and salt. Dipping bread in Sunday's dripping. Bunking off Wolf Cubs one Monday night to watch the brilliant Hibernian side of the early 'fifties in a friendly at Roker - Jesus, was that some team! Old Mother Reilly and Mighty Mouse on Saturday mornings at The Ritz on the corner of Park Lane. Ear pressed to the old spluttering bakellite radio as the commentator shouted "Come ON, Roger", and that endless, endless wait ....... and "Three minutes 59.4 seconds" - the immortal Roger Bannister. Happy moments - in between the beatings. No thank you, never again.
I certainly can. When we were kids we used to place nails in the tram tracks, wait for the tram to pass and hey presto we had authentic tips for our arrows, which we proceeded to shoot at anything that moved. When I look back, I am amazed none of us ended up with severe injuries, but somehow we survived.
Like I said cuteybun, I am very,very lucky to have enjoyed the life I have and the relationship I have with both parents. I am sorry you dont have those moments to treasure and you are right, there are always more than one tale to everyones life.
Sorry Sid but the Roker pies with the detachable top that doubled as a throwing star had to have the hottest filling even know to man!!! You could tell the first timers as they had bright red chins..... Think you have rose tinted glasses about that or are remembering even older pies than me.
I made the mistake of thinking that because I had a good career, made a lot of money, had a lot of power I was more successful than my pit blacksmith dad, more successful materialy, yes, better never. It really hit home at my dads funeral, I will never forget sitting in the car, holding my mums hand when we turned toward the church, my mums voice when she said look and there was a sea of people, a packed church with many unable to get in, all there to see my dad off, thats success and now tears are flowing down my ****ing face.
I learned a long time ago (luckily for me) that my old fella is just aout the smartest bloke on the planet. He didnt have a classic education and worked hard all his life - 15 years for himself - but is held very highly in his community and amongst his peers and especially amongst his many friends. Thats how a man should be judged. Did I mention he is my real hero as well.
Enjoy what you have Cest, and don't dwell on what you never had. It worked for me. Today, I'm happily retired, I have the works of Bede on my bookshelf and exquisite early-c.19th watercolours on my wall, I look back at the sheer joy of seeing the unforgettable Muhammad Ali and a phenomenon called Diego Maradona in '86. I've had my fair share of the fairer sex, earned a good degree at 56 - hey, hell, I'm a lucky man. The bad bits? - Ach, hell, everyone has those, one way or another. Put them behind you, move on. Have a nice day, everyone - I will. Cheers.
Being able to go out and play football in the street. There weren't so many cars to get in the way in those days and then being chased by the coppers for playing football in the street! I remember one caught me, give me a clip round the ear and 'Don't let me catch you doing that again'. Next day we were all out playing football in the street . Using the street lights to play when it was dark. Oh you can't beat a game of floodlit football.