I'd bet good money that the first use of the word was 'He's a Mackem' ... ... absolutely not 'I'm a Mackem'. Nicknames aren't usually adopted by people as a nice way to describe themselves but are often taken back later as is the case with '******' ... ... that was originally used as a common, if unkind and inaccurate, term to refer to all black people. It then, after the abolition of slavery, became an offensive term used to remind people of their roots. It was then taken ownership by black people who used it as a term of defiance. The same applies to 'Brummie' which was originally an insult meaning 'shoddy'. 'Geordie' was originally a common insult. "Frank Graham, a local writer and publisher, states that the name originally was a term of abuse meaning “fool”. In 1823 local showman Billy Purvis used it to put down a rival. He is quoted as saying “Noo yor a fair doon feul, not an artificial feul like Billy Purvis! Thous a real Geordie!” All of these terms were originally used as insults then taken back in an ironic fashion. The same goes for individual nicknames ... ... think about your mates and who coined their nicknames. We have a mate called 'Glon', real name Glen, because he had a tattoo, when he was abroad and mortal, and stupidly gave the tattooist the spelling SUNDERELAND. It's a pisstake that he grew to love, ironically ... ... I'm not being patronising to Mackems, it's just how things are imo.
One other thing to add, a huge chunk of his time in rangers will have been based around breaking down a low block, one thing we have massively struggled with if we can get that right we should naturally start turning dominance into points
Very good point. Let's be honest he's inheriting a bunch of very talented and determined players who clearly lack things, at times, that can be corrected. Clarke/Roberts need to sometimes cross quicker or feed balls into the channels. Patterson needs work on his distribution. Ba is dynamic but frustratingly erratic. All things that can be coached ... ... although I'm not sure what can be done about Neil's shooting
Weather I believe this or not The recon he has said I intend to get us to a play off place Mmmmmm he’s not going to say I’ll take us out the play off place and stable the ship mid table I would of thought that’s the least he could do get us into a play off place
I don't get this attitude of negativity before he's even had a single match in charge! Yeah, Beale might not work out... So what? You get to say "I told you so", great. I'd rather just be positive and hope for the best and if things don't work, get over it and move on. No problem with people pointing out their concerns etc but predicting failure before a ball has been kicked just seems pointless to me... P.S. The "you" in this post wasn't aimed at you, Smug. Meant to represent the doom and gloom brigade in general, ha
I was referring to hearing Mackem and Tackem , thinking one came from the other, I may be wrong but I had not heard either tbh until the 80's I think. Thats 1980's , not my age.
TM was quite dismissive when asked about Jewison in a press conference blaming language issues etc. I don’t think it was a TM issue, more of a need to support young lads coming over from different countries who can’t speak English. In his book Big Sam, Allardyce talked about needing Player Liason Officers at Boldon to help grown men settle in never mind young lads. To see Beale instinctively lean in and offer support was reassuring.
Neil is good when he has time to think, his last goal shows he is a decent finisher. He just has a tendency to snatch at shots when he has less time unfortunately. 30 yd goal incoming on Saturday now no doubt
What about Smoked Geordie's , as we were branded by the scouse wits I went to sea with, who were incidentally great shipmates,some of them at least .
‘People like Beale’ is what gets me, cockney? Coaches? Portuguese speaking coaches? Failed rangers managers? People who group people often make themselves look daft.
I have supported Sunderland all my life and live in Sunderland now (well at least until Jan 27) but I would never refer to myself as a Mackem. In truth I was born in South Shield hospital and brought up in Boldon Colliery so we generally referred to ourselves as Geordies as I had never really heard the term Mackem. I have friends who support Sunderland and friends who support Newcastle. I have seen a best man fighting with the groom whilst arguing about both teams on a match day but they would eventually just grab a pint and shake hands and just get on with it. I don't get insulted when somebody calls me a Geordie and I don't get insulted when referred to as a Mackem. I do get insulted when called thick or stupid because of an accent (Mine is probably more Geordie than Mackem) or if someone uses the term in a derogatory way as I have met idiots from both camps who I don't particularly like. I think what I am trying to say is our rivalry through football is one thing but as a region in this country, as I am sure Smug will tell you, is that I believe we have some of the most generous and warm hearted people in the UK who will help even when it may cost them or when they can not really afford it.. bradley lowery united fans of both clubs for a brief time and I am sure that most fans know deep down that somethings transcend football and that somebody else's slur can become a badge of honour.
Never heard the term mackem until a few years ago and don't relate to it at all. Certainly wouldn't buy anything with the term stamped on any product!
