Aye it’s incredible really. The owner is a brilliant man the clubs for sale but he’s still funding it properly, I’m actual quite shocked it’s not sold yet but seems he’s determined it goes to the ‘right people’ which is admirable. Thompson family have done a stunning job there and actually there’s a massive potential for them or Gateshead if they hit the league. Even the National League is a game changer. The stadium is really good for that level and I believe it’s ’league Standard’ now after all the efforts. That said, I’d probably try and get my hands on Gypsys Green in this scenario and build one of the most stunning facilities you could imagine in the coast (retaining the public use and access of course) I honestly think they could pull 8-10k in League 2, with numbers inflated by us and the Mags whoever’s away that week.
Wickham makes it look easy mind.. He’s done it a few times now. South Shields away in the FA Cup iirc
Wales currently 1-0 up away at Kazakhstan Kieffer Moore scored. He’s had a cracking start to the season
Slovakia currently beating Germany 2-0, Northern Ireland beating Luxembourg 3-1. Great to see Trai captaining NI tonight.
It was a proud night for Trai Hume on Thursday as he captained Northern Ireland to a 3-1 win away to Luxembourg in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Sunderland full-back wore the armband and completed the full 90 minutes, with goals from Jamie Reid, Shea Charles and Justin Devenny securing three points in Group A. Northern Ireland now turn their attention to Germany on Sunday 7th September at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Elsewhere, Robin Roefs was an unused substitute as the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Poland in Group G. Denzel Dumfries opened the scoring before Matty Cash levelled for the visitors in Rotterdam. The Dutch continue their campaign on Sunday against Lithuania in Kaunas. On Wednesday, Chris Rigg featured for England U19s, coming off the bench to help his side to a 2-0 victory against Ukraine in an international tournament at the Pinatar Arena, Spain.
We are lucky to have been an around to watch his career. He’s far from my favourite player ever (Ronaldinho, of course, followed by Zidane and Bergkamp), but he is without question the best to ever do it for a sustained period. Loved that thread, he’s beyond a footballer to the Argies and that includes his fellow footballers, he’s beyond an icon he’s a symbol of hope for them. Even further beyond, and you won’t find these stories without searching as he does everything under the radar, he has supplied water and education to villages. He’s built (funded) facilities to help kids all over the world. He’s financed friends and family though education and into business. He’s a brilliant human being as well as a beyond the planet footballer. If you don’t know the story about how he saved Ronaldinho from ruin look it up. Ronnie apparently used to kick balls about with Messi when he was 12 years on, assisted his first career goal, they became deep, life long friends and Messi never forgot. Icon doesn’t cut it. We are privileged to have e watched the lad (Ronaldo too of course)
Chemsdine Talbi and Granit Xhaka enjoyed standout evenings as Sunderland’s internationals were in action on Friday’s round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Talbi came off the bench to help Morocco secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on his international debut, with the Atlas Lions easing to a dominant 5-0 win over Niger. The midfielder’s nation becomes the latest to book their ticket to the finals. Elsewhere, Granit Xhaka captained Switzerland to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Kosovo in Basel. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes as the Swiss extended their lead at the top of Group G, with Slovenia up next on Monday. There was also success for Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku’s DR Congo, who claimed a 4-1 win away to South Sudan to sit top of Group B. Sadiki completed the full match, while Masuaku missed out through suspension but is eligible to return for Tuesday’s crunch meeting with Habib Diarra’s Senegal. Habib Diarra played an hour for Senegal as they overcame Sudan 2-0 in Dakar, leaving them just one point behind DR Congo before Tuesday’s head-to-head in Kinshasa. In Group F, Simon Adingra started for Ivory Coast and provided an assist for Vakoun Bayo in their 1-0 win over Burundi. The forward was withdrawn with 20 minutes to play as the Elephants moved top of their section ahead of Tuesday’s test against Gabon. It was a more frustrating day for Reinildo Mandava, who played the full 90 minutes as Mozambique suffered a 4-0 defeat to Uganda in Kampala. They face Botswana next on Monday. Bertrand Traoré, Sunderland’s deadline-day signing, was an unused substitute as Burkina Faso cruised to a 6-0 win over Djibouti. His nation return to action on Tuesday against Egypt. At youth level, Eliezer Mayenda featured for an hour as Spain Under-21s beat Cyprus U21 3-0 in Soria. They travel to face Kosovo on Tuesday in their UEFA European Qualifying campaign.
