for a selfish reason and there will be loads more like me,stood in Wembley last year at full time singing Oasis with my mate thinking "for all the s**t we've sat through, sat in a 3 qaurter empty SOL when it would've been easier to just walk away and give up, I deserve this moment". I don't see me more or less as any other fan or judge anyone, but that was my personal opinion. People crawling out of the wood work I'd not heard from in years starting a phone conversation with "Ar-reet mate, can you get tickets for Wembley". Positive memories. The whole f**kin lot of the campaign just gone.
Realising before Christmas we weren't going to be in a relegation scrap, each match after that for me was no pressure, just see how far this team could take us and yes we very nearly did it Even the playoffs were stress free for me. TM and young lions made a very pleasing change from the previous six seasons.
Still on holiday mate, I was visiting Will a few doors up from you.We gave the furniture removers a hand to load your stuff in the lorry, surprised you were getting all new furniture. Thank me when you get home
Reading goal for me. I remember at the time thinking where the f*ck did that come from? We are Sunderland and we don’t do goals like that….
On the flip side, the experience of the play off semi and final was enough to convince my Dad to get his 1st ever season ticket at the age of 75. He makes a 100 mile round trip for every game.
I didn’t get to a single game this year. And my memory is ****e but some moments for me: thinking Hume was a decent solid option long term but then seeing him get the ball in midfield under pressure, create some space for himself then spray a pass into Roberts. I can literally remember the crystallising emotion “ok wow he’s not what I thought he was” Similar to the above but for Ekwah The narrative from Patterson (fairly) shifting from “struggles on crosses” to being pretty certain he’s going to be premier league quality
There was some top class footy this season with great moves, skill, vision, the lot. I have equally loved the teamwork and spirit in the team/squad with the way they battle, hunt in packs and dig each other out of trouble. Then there’s the buzz around the club and the fans loving going to games again. Then we’ve got KLD, Speakman, Dodds and Mowbray. Chris Waters. How well the club is being run - financially if not quite operationally yet. The hard work of all the employees at the club - great to see the appreciation for the ticket office staff. The pitch is looking the best it’s been in a good while as well. Absolutely happy days
Genuine excitement to watch us play each week. Even if we didn’t win, we were an absolute joy. Can’t remember having so many technical players at the club all at once.
Most of the matches this season, the play has been a joy to watch, however the single absolute best moment for me was at West Brom when our second goal went in, the noise from us was incredible the whole match but nearly deafened an old codger like me when that goal went in. Big thanks to Smug for getting me a ticket for that game.
Big thanks to Smug for many things, marra, which is why he's one of, if not THE most valued/valuable member on this forum . . . . he's helped so many people, and regularly 'puts himself out' Reading away has been a highlight for me, as has getting my Granddaughter's first 'full' season ticket (she only had a 'part' last season - christmas pressie off Granda)
Reading away was the highlight for me. They were top of the league when we played them and we absolutely played them off the park and scored 3 wonderful goals, without Stewart or Simms. Even the mag friends we met up with on the bus back to the car park grudgingly admitted that we played some great football. Oh and this happened last year
I remember not wanting to get promoted until we drew with Fulham. I remember telling myself for the umpteenth time, "Cirkin is one tough lad."
Lots and lots. But my main general memory is of seeing some pretty good championship defenders looking unbalanced and flat footed as the ball was being whipped around them, often ending in a sublime goal. I just sat back and watched it . No nervy, perched on edge the seat stuff. Just sat and enjoyed the football. Bloody excellent.
Thanks for the comments abut me helping people with tickets, etc. During this period I helped organise tickets, transports, meet ups and, best of all, the pre-match pub at Wembley. It's all a massive pleasure and I've only been a small part of it tbh, loads of people chip in without ever getting a mention. They prefer it that way as there are those who come on to cause trouble and target people, I really don't care so become a convenient focal point. Anyway, memories. My word, so many and all fantastic. Here's my first and, tbh, one of the best in shortened form. Arranged to meet the lads from Gateshead, Sheffield, Hastings, Bristol, etc, in Reading town centre then the bus to the ground. It was my birthday and I pictured backslaps, selfies and pints from everyone. Instead I got stuck at work and had to go straight to the ground. I went into the club's Jazz Cafe, at the ground. expecting to have a birthday pint with other Sunderland people who I'd probably know. Not a soul ffs! So went there alone, drank alone and went in the ground alone. I stood alone and watched Simms crumple to a heap, saw him taken off and heard the collective groan of our away support. Reading, at the time, were unbeaten at home and could've gone top two. I was as low as could be then found a great pal, Grumpy Old Man from RTG, in the disabled section. Above us were excecutive boxes and some ponce acting the big man with his tarty bejewelled slapper. I caught his eye and started winding him up just at the right time as Roberts cracked in his first. Billy Big Bollix puffed his chest out, flashed his Rolex and waved an imaginary wad just before the second went in. He really started to pound the glass now My mocking went into overdrive to the point whereby stewards were sent to deal with me. I asked why the Reading supporters hadn't heard the referees second whistle, to signal the end of the minute's silence, and carried it on throughout the match. I thought that was funny and, thankfully, so did they and they walked off laughing. I looked up at Mr Bigshot who's lass was trying to pull him away from the front of the box. As the goal of the season went in he turned away and left the box without a glance. To her great credit the lass smiled and waved before following him. So from such a dismal pre-match birthday the night turned out to be an absolute classic ... ... putting some clownshoe back in his box, night with Grumpy and three wonderful goals. Money can't buy nights like that.
