Ignore this thread if you don't like me ...

[Confucius]

Canny this. I remember the away games, from my teens to when I got married I daren't miss any. Having to get across to Lower Dundas Street from here for travel tickets (thank God for the internet), was a bit stressful. Getting dropped off at Bill Quay, stupid o'clock in the morning and walking down to Heworth. The A1 was full of roundabouts and would take ages even getting to Yorkshire, but throughout my years you could see them being by passed systematically. Some young uns don't realise we had to go at midnight for London matches and beyond. But guess what? They were the greatest of times, whilst generally the team being mostly ****e. I met some great people, and away matches was like a gathering of brethren. I even remember twice, once at Leicester and another at Northampton, being "rescued" by people I didn't know to speak to, but knew their faces. To cut two long stories short, we never knew we were in bother, but on both occasions we were being followed and didn't know. The lads (different ones on each occasion) , spotted it, ran past us and sorted it out. its like everyone was looking after you
I moved away and found getting to away matches easier but raising a family brought more concerns and I couldn't make too many
I'm back home now, and go to very few away games, but with the odd exception of the Jarra lads, I cant remember too many of the old guard. When I do go away, I make sure I meet up with my new "mates" from Melton, who I met though my brother in law whilst I was living down Leicester

 

[Smug in Boots]

Canny this. I remember the away games, from my teens to when I got married I daren't miss any. Having to get across to Lower Dundas Street from here for travel tickets (thank God for the internet), was a bit stressful. Getting dropped off at Bill Quay, stupid o'clock in the morning and walking down to Heworth. The A1 was full of roundabouts and would take ages even getting to Yorkshire, but throughout my years you could see them being by passed systematically. Some young uns don't realise we had to go at midnight for London matches and beyond. But guess what? They were the greatest of times, whilst generally the team being mostly ****e. I met some great people, and away matches was like a gathering of brethren. I even remember twice, once at Leicester and another at Northampton, being "rescued" by people I didn't know to speak to, but knew their faces. To cut two long stories short, we never knew we were in bother, but on both occasions we were being followed and didn't know. The lads (different ones on each occasion) , spotted it, ran past us and sorted it out. its like everyone was looking after you
I moved away and found getting to away matches easier but raising a family brought more concerns and I couldn't make too many
I'm back home now, and go to very few away games, but with the odd exception of the Jarra lads, I cant remember too many of the old guard. When I do go away, I make sure I meet up with my new "mates" from Melton, who I met though my brother in law whilst I was living down Leicester

We've been on both sides of that equation

Through the 70's and 80's we've followed opposition supporters who were following some of our lads who were unaware ...

... but we've also had a few occasions when we've been rescued without realising we needed to be.

 

[ab65]

Some interesting responses, on here, and it's great to see that people will open up and post their true feelings.

This, as most people understand, isn't a 'me me me' thread, more an 'us us us' effort.

It just dawned on me that we all have something money can't buy and that some people will never have or even understand.

It's not anything of monetary value, or really tangible, but as long as we all believe it exists then it does.

All it takes is a bit of faith.

It's great to see new generations coming along with people you've seen over the years and you hope that following Sunderland will provide a 'constant' for them as it has been for us. It's also heart-warming to know that we have forums, like this, where we can feel part of it whether exiled, unwell or otherwise unable to actually attend. We've all had to come to terms, through lockdowns, etc, that we're not always the tough clear minded people we'd like to see ourselves as. If something as daft as watching a football team, and chatting about it with like minded strangers, can help us through this madness then we're blessed ... some people don't have either.

Tremendous post mate.

 

[Jack Ford]

I've ignored all of this thread

 

[SAFC2403]

Top post and definately echo the sentiments of the "cherish what you have"

Some of you that are still on the SMB may well have come across the poster Ceverton(or the hoff, or live in hope) - well he passed away very suddenly last thursday - he was only 36. I knew him from playing cricket - we all met at the SMB cricket games that were organised - all of us shared a love of SAFC. To say its shocked me is an understatement - a really top lad in real life who would literally do anything for people.

You literally dont know whats around the corner.

Be good to each other

 

[John Wick]

... I understand, believe me I do.

I was in the Three Tuns on Wycombe High Street, before the match yesterday, and met up with a few new lads, which was truly excellent, a few I know to nod to and some of the old guard. I sorted a few tickets, sat back while the taxi was sorted and allowed people to buy me drinks for whatever reasons.

A couple of lads turned up, one from Sheffield and one from Hastings, who were cracking on about the days back then when every away game was dicey and likely to end in a bit bother. They realised they'd first met on a train station platform on their way to some far flung game at Plymouth or wherever.
They, as I did, were either jumping trains or hitching to games with no guarantee they'd make it home that night.

It dawned on them that this was 50 years ago and was a kind of 'anniversary'.

At the ground I bumped into lads I 'know' in one way or another who came up to shake my hand and ask what's new or I'd do the same. It made me quite nostalgic tbh and I felt blessed to have spent a lifetime amongst such decent people. When I've gone some may raise a glass, some may recall me without ever having known me and some will never miss me, but whatever the case, I'm proud to have just been one of the lads and never wished to be anything more. So the point of this ramble is just to say 'cherish what you have', whether it seems important or not, because one day you'll realise how good it was.

@Joni Mitchell

Nice read Mr Smug.

I guess Nostalgia creeps in when you least expect it and before you know it, it's been 20 years. The closest thing I can compare to that (one days you'll realise how good it was) is being a mid 80s baby I'm coming to a certain age. Working along side people born in 2004 etc makes me think stuff like "some of my best summers were before you were born". It's abit like the 90s, grew up in them at an impressionable age, its only the last few years I realise how good the 90s and early 00s were and my generation was probably the last of analog friendships and experiences and pay as you go mobile was something very new,and digital was on its way.The generation after that, that's all they knew. I have a theory that whenever you were born, the following decade is everyone's "90s". Music will never be better, the summers will never be hotter, friendships will never be better and the days will never be longer. I'm sure the 14 and 15 year-olds won't have anything bad to say about the 2010s etc.

 

[SAFC2403]

Nice read Mr Smug.

I guess Nostalgia creeps in when you least expect it and before you know it, it's been 20 years. The closest thing I can compare to that (one days you'll realise how good it was) is being a mid 80s baby I'm coming to a certain age. Working along side people born in 2004 etc makes me think stuff like "some of my best summers were before you were born". It's abit like the 90s, grew up in them at an impressionable age, its only the last few years I realise how good the 90s and early 00s were and my generation was probably the last of analog friendships and experiences and pay as you go mobile was something very new,and digital was on its way.The generation after that, that's all they knew. I have a theory that whenever you were born, the following decade is everyone's "90s". Music will never be better, the summers will never be hotter, friendships will never be better and the days will never be longer. I'm sure the 14 and 15 year-olds won't have anything bad to say about the 2010s etc.

I had that with a group i used to work with a couple of years back - i was talking about Euro 96(i was 16) and I just blank faces as a couple werent born until 1998! Made me feel VERY old.

 

[gelders pie]

Great thread Smug .Certainly reminds us to remember fondly what we had and did, and to appreciate what we have now.

 

[Essayyeffcee]

Great thread Smug .Certainly reminds us to remember fondly what we had and did, and to appreciate what we have now.

Very true. One minute you think you have your life ahead of you with no responsibilities and then you blink and before you know you're in your 50s, getting told off your 6 year old grandson that you're old and wondering where the time went!

 

[Smug in Boots]

Very true. One minute you think you have your life ahead of you with no responsibilities and then you blink and before you know you're in your 50s, getting told off your 6 year old grandson that you're old and wondering where the time went!

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[Robref62]

... I understand, believe me I do.

I was in the Three Tuns on Wycombe High Street, before the match yesterday, and met up with a few new lads, which was truly excellent, a few I know to nod to and some of the old guard. I sorted a few tickets, sat back while the taxi was sorted and allowed people to buy me drinks for whatever reasons.

A couple of lads turned up, one from Sheffield and one from Hastings, who were cracking on about the days back then when every away game was dicey and likely to end in a bit bother. They realised they'd first met on a train station platform on their way to some far flung game at Plymouth or wherever.
They, as I did, were either jumping trains or hitching to games with no guarantee they'd make it home that night.

It dawned on them that this was 50 years ago and was a kind of 'anniversary'.

At the ground I bumped into lads I 'know' in one way or another who came up to shake my hand and ask what's new or I'd do the same. It made me quite nostalgic tbh and I felt blessed to have spent a lifetime amongst such decent people. When I've gone some may raise a glass, some may recall me without ever having known me and some will never miss me, but whatever the case, I'm proud to have just been one of the lads and never wished to be anything more. So the point of this ramble is just to say 'cherish what you have', whether it seems important or not, because one day you'll realise how good it was.

@Joni Mitchell

"I like you Roland".

 

[John Wick]

I had that with a group i used to work with a couple of years back - i was talking about Euro 96(i was 16) and I just blank faces as a couple werent born until 1998! Made me feel VERY old.

I get that now mate. Youngsters asking me if I can remember what it was like when Freddie Mercury died, saying they wish they were around when Friends was originally out (its massive again because of Netflix), what Brit pop was like and I'm just stood there thinking "f##kin hell".

One lad was on about some midfielder, can't remember who, saying he was the best midfield ever,anyway I said "he couldn't lace Zidanes boots", he said "Who, oh the Madrid manager"? I think just walked away. lol

 

[Sidthemackem]

The 70s and 80s were weird times, as you could get into bother without ever realizing what started it. I started boxing at 18 in 1980 to learn how to look after myself after a few such punch-ups and I played club rugby on a Saturday for years. If I couldn't get past someone with my fists, I sure as hell could out-run them! But I still remember the feeling of getting caught in the middle of something without ever knowing how or why. You learned, though. I always wore my blue "Vaux" away shirt at Milwall and a white T-shirt for Leeds. Things like that spared my conk a punch or three, methinks...!

 

[Nig]

The 70s and 80s were weird times, as you could get into bother without ever realizing what started it. I started boxing at 18 in 1980 to learn how to look after myself after a few such punch-ups and I played club rugby on a Saturday for years. If I couldn't get past someone with my fists, I sure as hell could out-run them! But I still remember the feeling of getting caught in the middle of something without ever knowing how or why. You learned, though. I always wore my blue "Vaux" away shirt at Milwall and a white T-shirt for Leeds. Things like that spared my conk a punch or three, methinks...!

Did you wear dungarees and black your teeth up when venturing in Newcastle ?

 

[Sidthemackem]

Did you wear dungarees and black your teeth up when venturing in Newcastle ?

Nah. Just smashed up the place and everyone naturally assumed I was a mag

 

[mrs em]

Good post Smug, I don't know you from Adam, but you come across as a top lad, both as a poster, and as a person. I know you sort out loads with tickets, and go out of your way to help other fans.

Covid aside, I've had a bit rough time over the last couple of years with one thing or another, and this place has really helped me....more than anyone would ever know.
There is loads on here I would buy a pint for and say thank you....they wouldn't know why, but I would!
I know you were referring to football in the op, but the line "cherish what you have", is great advice full stop.
I know!

I could have written this word for word don’t post much but am reading and as @Snaggey says you have all cheered me up on many a down day

 

[Smug in Boots]

I could have written this word for word don’t post much but am reading and as @Snaggey says you have all cheered me up on many a down day

You should post more but it's always nice to know you're looking in

 

[Snaggey]

It's great to see new generations coming along with people you've seen over the years and you hope that following Sunderland will provide a 'constant' for them as it has been for us. It's also heart-warming to know that we have forums, like this, where we can feel part of it whether exiled, unwell or otherwise unable to actually attend. We've all had to come to terms, through lockdowns, etc, that we're not always the tough clear minded people we'd like to see ourselves as. If something as daft as watching a football team, and chatting about it with like minded strangers, can help us through this madness then we're blessed ... some people don't have either.

Been reading the thread again and your last paragraph, and especially the bit I highlighted sums it up for me.
Love that.

 

[Scootsie]

I’m obviously extremely biased, but our fans are absolutely class in the sense that you could literally go up to anyone at a match and have a bit crack.

I don’t get to anywhere near as many games as I’d like now, for various reasons, but whenever I do go it’s like I’ve never been away.

 

[samwise_new]

another canny thread and better replies...i think we all reach 'a certain age' which will be some point in our lives not determined by actual age but by life around us, from this point on we tend to look at everything a wee bit differently, one set of lyrics that have rang true for me since my teen days always seem to fit in..

Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long, and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death