Jut finished re-watching the whole series (cheers again Psycho..) Mad that season, some of the pathetic home results that sent us down, and although we came back up, the share price was furked and Sir Bob's masterplan scuppered. Anyway, Everton match at the end of episode 4, the last competitive game at Roker (remember it like it was yesterday, sadly it ****ing wasn't!), the ground packed singing, buzzing not a soul leaving till the relegation haunted side came back out for a lap of honour, amid scenes of wild singing and cheering, the place absolutely bouncing. Positivity, we had it, we lost it, from Spain via this board, Facey and Skype i can feel it sneaking back into us. First home game is the Mags, it'll be my first trip back to the motherland since the move, and i'm gonna recreate some of that 17 year old enthusiasm and scream my heart out for the lads. I hope you guys are with me on this, lets bring back the fear into the oppo, the extra 10% into the players, the respect from every other club that we are special. The time has never been better for us to rise again, like the team has, **** relegations, it's been 5 years, **** lowest points total ever, it's Derby's now. I'm so bang up for next season, and i can see me snaffling a fair few BA miles as the team takes shape. We were magnificent at Roker Park, it almost brought tears to my eyes, seriously. It's phoenix time boys, WE ARE SUNDERLAND.
BB - To be fair, under Reidy for those 2 years running up to promotion and the 2 in the EPL, the old Roker Roar was evident at nearly every home game at the SOL. There were some amazing 'hair standing up on the back of the neck days' just not enough maybe. Sadly, they disappeared along with Reid's loss of control of events on the pitch. There were some sorry moments at Roker Park as well for atmosphere, when the crowd struggled to make a silk purse from the sow's ear football we were served. Rose tinted glasses and all that and the passage of time creates a myth that it was always better at Roker. It wasn't always so. When Roker was good it was out of this world but when it wasn't it was poor as well. I've been to some lifeless games at Roker in the Mick Buxton era for instance and the Terry Butcher ones for that matter. I miss Roker Park as an 'oldie' because that's were I lost my heart, however, the love affair is still as strong in the SOL and I love the new lady in our lives. All it needs, is for Connor Wickham to come on for the last 20 mins on August 20th and net the winner and then the rafters will lift again. Its the football on show that creates the atmosphere and games like Chelsea when SKP scored the best goal of the stadiums life in a rout of the West London outfit come to mind for atmosphere. Also, I remember the last home game of the season v Birmingham. /the atmosphere that day was amazing and my late uncle and I used to talk about it with pride. As for Premier Passions, it was a fantastic programme which showed both the good and the bad and the very ugly side to Peter Reid. Some very funny moments but one abiding memory for me, which was Reid berating and slagging off a very young Craig Russell on the Wimbledon game at home. He was just a teenager who was doing his best for his home town club in a poor team that was relegation bound and Reid was a total **** with him. I cant imagine Bruce doing likewise to say Jack Colback or Ryan Noble if they were struggling in a poor side. Poor man management for me and an insight as to how he eventually lost the dressing room later in his SAFC career. Still, it was a cracking watch and I'd love to see it again myself. Never watched it since it was initially aired. Is it on general sale Brucey?
Not aware of it being released Cest, but here's a link to all 5 parts, plays PERFECT. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A42489417 We need that unstinting loyalty and positivity back, now is the time.
I loved that series and have it on video from when it was first shown on tv. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow
I hope Connor doesn't come on to score the winner in the last twenty minutes. What I hope is that with 20 minutes to go the result has long since been decided in our favour and any goals he scores are just a bonus.
My last memories of Roker Park were that the Fullwell end was as quiet as a mouse. It was like that for the last few years...I remember Southend fans (All 200 of em) singing "you're not famous any more" as we succumbed to a 4th consecutive defeat to the Shrimpers (the only team to beat us 4 times in a row in the league in our entire history at Roker Park! Incidentally we beat them 4 times in a row at Roots Hall...I'm sure there was a mass demonstration against Bob Murray after the last defeat against them like...
I've just watched it again (cheers for posting) and I just can't believe its premier league era, its a million miles away from how football is now, I just loved the fact steve agnew and tony coton had to share a bed on away trips, and when 'assitant manager paul bracewell announces details of the transfer to the eager press' and theres just two old men with note pads there. Now we get major transfer news on sky built up all day and you just can't imagine steed and bolo kipping together last season.
Those were your last memories of Roker? Not the fact it was our first season in the big league for donkeys years and notable wins over Manchester United, Arsenal and Villa? Ha. I noticed how much of a dive Roker was even behind the scenes, imagine a Premier League club welcoming the oppo to a place like that now, or trying to sign a big name!
