Its not long now to the Grand National and it got me to thinking back to memorable matches weve been involved in on the day of the race. My greatest memory was in the 63-64 season and we were pushing for promotion, which we achieved later in the season. We were home to our promotion rivals Preston North End, and the league was tight at the top. Preston had Alec Dawson up front a real proper centre forward who knew where the net was. The match kicked off at 3pm, (remember when everyone kicked off at that time) and my eldest brother who used to work down the pit, got out his transistor radio and got down on his hunkers to listen to the race which started at 3.25. At this point the score was 0-0. Twenty minutes later the race was over, he hadnt backed the winner and Sunderland were winning 4-0, he missed all four goals, but didnt really care as we slaughtered our promotion rivals that day and we went up that season. Sadly my brother is no longer with us but we often spoke of the day he missed a four goal feast just to listen to the race, Happy Memories.
I remember a few years back, when Amberleigh House won, was still in my 'get pissed every night, drag arse to work and wing it' years. Anyway, i'd picked my horses already, and me and my pal who I lived with at the time had been on a mad bender for a few days, culminating in the rent money, sky money, bill money, car insurance money, petrol money etc being gone. We decided the best thing to do was to take the £140 we have between us down to Shields, and get smashed, on the walk down, I had Amberleigh House stuck in my head, no reason other than I used to live in Ambleside Terrace in Fulwell, the slight similarity put the thought in my head. £110 went on the horse, and we headed off to sup the other £30. Cue one of the most magnificent runs for home i've witnessed, and taking the price at 14's (went off around 9's IIRC) was a wonderful move! The whole bar was cheering it home for us, and to polish it, we had second and third between us on each way bets as well, and all was well with the world! Was a great day.
Seem to remember Durham Lad winning it when we played at Roker Park think we won that day as well and, it was sunny. Didn't have a bet though know nothing about the things but, my mates fatha put a tenner on the horse which was a fair bet not sure how much he got back but we did get a drink.
