As early as that? Mind I remember Marco putting two past Darlo in a cup at RP - except of course he didn't Although my memory of the event was disturbed as I went with a group of Darlo fans who parked on the Sheepfolds. The plod held everyone back until the home fans had gone and escorted the main group in the opposite direction. We ended up walking back on our own and narrowly avoided a rumble with a load of would be Sunderland hooligans largely aged 12-14 but with one or two older hard men in attendance. Just kept our heads down, kept schtum and kept walking until we reached some plods nr the bridge back over to the Sheepfold!
Hi Dred, bear with me a few lines on this. Etymologists (word origin experts) only really accept examples of words in print for the earliest date, but can use other dateable evidence. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), and a few other places, have 1988 as the earliest date for "Mackem" as used to refer to the citizens of Sunderland. Do you have any evidence for the date of 1973 for your tattoo? Would need something like a datable photo, receipt, maybe even a comment in a dated letter or postcard. I would really like to try to see if the OED would accept a tattoo as printed evidence!
They could ask ower lass if they want. She was with me in Blackpool when it was done and if they call her a liar I fear the consequences
