Pre-Blackburn ramble ...

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Smug in Boots

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
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Upper Largo Scotland
... and the march of the 7,000.

The Sunderland support is absolutely incredible and this match is typical of that. It's SKY+ on Boxing day, before the monthly paycheck, no public transport and not the most exciting opponent. There's not even a great choice of decent pubs near the ground and the away end isn't the best.

But I'm sure we'll get some noise out and come across well for those of us watching on TV. It was great that Jobe knew how many we're taking and it's clear the players talk about it and appreciate our efforts. As far as I can remember we've always had the same end of the ground although it used to be a single tiered terrace. After our first visit we realised there was a 'cheat' and we never paid again until they redeveloped it.

We've had a mixed record down there and some decent results but very little trouble, they seem much more civilised than their neighbours Burnley. One of lasting memories was a game in the 80's when we packed the away terrace and sang 'Geordies, Geordies, Geordies, Geordies', to the tune of Amazing Grace for almost the entire second half ... how times change.

For anyone arriving there early enough you should get into the Fernhurst Hotel, 466 Bolton Rd, Blackburn BB2 4JP which is a designated away fans pub, and if you're coming off the M65 there's the Golden Cup, 610 Blackburn Rd, Darwen, Blackburn BB3 0AJ which is where we're going ...

... Ha'way the Lads!!!
 
Blackburn was probably my favourite trip last season, cracking away end and 3 points always helps

Driving for this one, not my preferred option but transport was far from ideal with it being Boxing Day

They’ve been very good of late so it’ll be a tough test.
 
7300 allocation sold out before general sale

I know lads still wanting tickets

There’ll be people in the home end 100% <laugh>
 
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7300 allocation sold out before general sale

I know lads still wanting tickets

There’ll be people in the home end 100% <laugh>

I think we'd have topped 10,000 for this, I was told early on not to ask for any more tickets.

Blackburn issued a warning, to their supporters, not to procure tickets for friends and family who support Sunderland.

Facebook has loads asking for tickets and I think that will increase if we beat Norwich.

One bunch I know have had to hire a minibus from Hexham because there was nothing left around Sunderland.

I'm driving from Fife and could pick up in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, etc, if anyone needs help getting down ...

... but I'm staying over and it's only a single bed so that's where my offer ends <laugh>
 
Read somewhere they’ve given us some hospitality too, a local football clubs been selling tickets for us for a pre game piss up too, be some do for those going great away day Blackburn
 
Massive game against a play-off rival

I’d take a draw but we’ve definitely got enough to win


I rarely settle for a draw but I think that would be a monumental result imo.

They rarely score more than one goal but recently beat Leeds and Boro so Eustace can clearly plot a game ...

... if we win I think it'll be a real scrap and 1-0 if we're lucky.

Having said that I've had some incredible away trips with massive turnouts and this has all the hallmarks ...

... a massive following despite no trains, people in great spirits at Christmas time and a team we can really identify with.

I can't wait for the drive down, so excited I'll probably end up setting off at 6am <laugh>
 
Not sure what time to set off down there

Taking a mate to the airport at 3am, was hoping to get back home for a bit more sleep!