At this time of year we become sentimental and tend to look back at time passed and spent with other people. (Don't worry I haven't had my first drink yet, just back from church.) As this is a football forum I have no shame in posting about a subject that is inconsequential to many 'non believers'. This will be my only post today. I'm currently in a quandary about tomorrow although Mrs Smug has given me her blessing, she's a wonderful woman and supports me to the same degree I support the lads. I'd love to be there, have been offered a free ticket from a virtual stranger and, although I'd be driving up alone, I never feel alone in the town or the ground. After over 40 years of travelling the length & breadth of the country, following the Lads, I always end up drinking with an old friend or sitting with someone I know, even if it's just 'an old face' that I've seen but never actually spoken to. On Sunday, before the derby, we arrived with less than an hour to spare and shoved the van onto the pavement bang outside the Black Bull beside the away end, seething Mags all ower the pavement. As we crossed the road the first lad we bumped into offered his hand and said 'All right marra?' He's someone I've seen at grounds all over the country and often nodded to but never, to my knowledge, spoken to at length. Turned out he was the recipient of the fake £20 notes I was dishing out at a Millwall - Sunderland match when Kasey Keller played against us. He'd also been in Covent Garden, before the cup final, and handed me a bottle ...... I was mortal so it could've been Gus Poyet and I wouldn't have clicked. He'd also remembered me from an incident at West Ham when the 'Mansfield Five' had joined forces with Frankie Wheatley's bus to fight their way out of the ground and back to the coach park. He was on the bus and remembered us jumping on then back off, 2 miles later, to go to find our car We stood there ignoring the glares of passing Mags, safe in the knowledge that, despite a very tenuous link, we're still capable & instantly willing to back each other up and fettle any amount of pathetic prairie dog charvers who hunt in packs but, in reality, don't have the bond to keep them together when it gets nasty. The point of all of this rambling is to remind us all that, in whatever way, we're all part of a big family and something that sustains many of us through the trials & tribulations of family highs & lows as well as employment, births, deaths and whatever else life hoys at us. I've introduced 3 sons, all in my avatar, to the many great people who follow SAFC, past & present. We're still meeting them now, Bri, R&W, V-Joe, QWOP, etc as well as the great lads & lasses in the Sunderland Victory Club. Whenever I'm tempted to blank a match, and just watch it on a stream, I think of all the Sunderland people I've met in airports, train stations or even at the side of the road thumbing lifts trying their best to get to the match. These are the people who 'hook' new supporters like my sons with their dedication. I'm at Villa, on the 28th, despite having family over from Ireland, Northumberland, etc and managed to get tickets for a stranger off here, Monkmaster, who's back from Australia, and his young Coventry based nephew. I had to pull a few strings to get them but I feel I owe it to the strangers who influenced my sons, all those years back, to 'bring the lad into the fold'. Despite the astounding lack of success it's all worthwhile when you go to Wembley, or the away derby, and see all the decent people there to give their support. As I watched the folk in their 70's & 80's tottering down Wembley Way I wished we could win for them, not myself. I have a few years left and, always the optimist, believe we can win summat before I go. Whether I'm there tomorrow, or not, I'll observe a minutes silent thought for those we've lost this year. I'm lucky, the lads I've travelled with for decades are all clinging on and attending. It's people like them who 'have the invisible casting vote' when I'm deciding whether to make the extra effort and go to the match. Whatever disputes we may have on here we're all, I hope, Sunderland supporters who would defend our colours, our club & each other against all comers. As those in the stadium mourn those we've lost we should join with them and remember that any of us could be next. Haway Lads, we won the derby to set us up for Christmas so let's reward those on Boxing Day welcoming the conquering heroes. Whether I'm there or not I hope you all have a great day and sing all the way home. Merry Christmas to you & your families and a peaceful & happy New Year.
Great post,Smug.All the best to you and your family for Xmas and the new year..let's start with three points against Hull!!
Merry Christmas & hope 2015 is cracking year for you and your family Smug, wish i could bump into you one day mate, would love to shake your hand and share a pint.
