Conference trucks::football;1

Went to see the lads play agains't Derby at home on Saturday. 1-1 was the score
and it seemed to be a fair result. Both teams missed glorious opportunities 
to win the match. Derbys Mick Harford missed a sitter with an empty goal, it 
seemed easier to score but he managed to shoot wide. Both keepers were in top 
form, with Sunderland keeper Norman the slightly busier of the two. Can't 
remember who scored for them, but Armstrong hit Sunderlands reply 60 seconds
later, after a fierce Marco shot was only parried by Shilts. Crowd was a 
disappointing 20509. 6 quid to get in as well was a bit much. 
Barnsley away tomorrow will be a bit tricky but I think the lads can take the
points at that one. Millwal on Saturday should be quite a good game. I'll be
expecting another 3 points there. The Boro' had them all over but failed
to capatolise. If thats anything to go by, we could be in for a thriller but
don't hold your breath. 
A look round the bookies up North and Sunderland are favourites to win the
league. All the 2nd div managers have also put Sunderland favourites to win as 
well. So it looks like another season in the second!
Chairman Bob Murray has the backing of all 3rd, 4th & the majority of 2nd
div clubs to boycott the proposed super league if it ever comes off. He sent
a letter to every club in the football league telling them of his plans. 
He has said if Sunderland win promotion to the Super-League he will not accept
the position and instead stay in the second.

Rich C.

    Richard,
    
> A look round the bookies up North and Sunderland are favourites to win the
> league. All the 2nd div managers have also put Sunderland favourites to win as 
> well. So it looks like another season in the second!
    
    Don't give me that.... Ask a bookie north of the river Tyne or even
    Gateshead area and I bet that you get a different story! I totally
    agree with your last sentence !!!! BTW the general census that I heard
    was that Newcastle were definitely the favourites for the title,  so we
    may see you up there in 93-94 on our way to winning the championship.
    Watson nominated for Euro player of the Year... (providing he stays)
    
    
    	Luv'n kizzes,
    
    K.

    
    What is going on at Roker?
    
    Marco sold, Smith reportedly happy to sell Owers. Have the youth team
    developed into a potential world beating team?
    
    Totally devastated.
    
    Mark

    
    No!!!!!
    
    Totally ecstatic.
    
    Tim

In a report on the sale of Marco it said that two millionaires have joined 
the Roker board and there is lots of money available (in addition to the 
money for Marco).  Any more info?

Jonathan

    Denis Smith should get the sack. How can he justify playing Gary
    Bennett up front when we have Devenport on the bench as well as Brady.
    i don't know whats happened to Rushie. Has he gone back to Hartlepool?
    I don't blame him. Re Marco, Denis said he might as well
    quit if he sold Marco. Why doesn't he live up to his word? 
    Come back Lawrie Mac all is forgiven :-)
    Anyone else show up to the latest disaster? a 3-0 drubbing off
    Cambridge. We were shite. We've got no ideas on the ball, bennett was
    useless up front, alls he did was play us offside every time the ball
    went forward. The only player who looked interested was Beagrie. And
    he's on loan. If I were him I wouldn't bother signing for us. Not
    unless something dramatically changes. 
    And as for that new signing Rogan from Celtic, well he's not much cop.
    At least he's better than Hardyman. 
    
    Depressed of DECpark.

I was half thinking of going to Port Vale on Saturday but you have 
convinced me that I have better things to do ..... cutting my toe nails, 
gardening, taking the wife to town.......!!!!!


Jonathan

    
    
    ....and what's worse:
    
    
    (for you) The Geordies are catching ya!!! 

We're trying hard to emulate your early-season success and claim that bottom
spot. 
I've decided to go up to Port Vale now. Is anyone else gan up for it?
I'm also lucky enough to go be going home in a couple of weeks time for a
week and catch a couple of home games. Then again I might just stay in the 
Cliff public House and get suitably refreshed.

Rich

    
    Shouldn't that be ROKER::MACKEM ?

We've just signed John Byrne from Brighton for 250k.

Comments...

    
    
    Yes. 
    
    
    There's an echo in this note.
    

Forget that last note then. Its not official yet. He hasn't signed yet. I hope
he doesn't either.

Re  a couple back. I was born a Geordie, but thankfully me old man converted
me to a Sunderland fan before it was too late. Saying that theres been times
this season when I wish he hadn't. But then again...

Port Vale 3 Sunderland 3

The lads staged an amazing fight-back yesterday to draw 3-3 with Port Vale.
Brady scoring twice and Ball getting the other. Sunderland went in 1-0 down 
at half-time and must have thought themselves a shade unlucky having a goal 
disallowed. But the second half was a different story. Port Vale increased 
there lead to 2-0 5 minutes into the second half and added a 3rd 4 minutes later.
It was then that Sunderland started to play a bit of football. Bracewell had
a great game in the midfield spraying the ball around wonderfully, running it
oiut of defence. Makes a change for him. It wasn't long before we were back in 
the game, Brady opening our account, before Ball brought it back to 3-2 with 
a deflected effort from 20+ yards, then Brady making it 3-3 with 20 minutes
left. Brady could have scored the winner with a minute to go when he sliced the
ball in front of an open goal. The team seemed to be a lot more
confident compared to recent weeks and  I feel we can build from this result.
Home to Bristol Rovers next Satda'. They seem to be struggling a bit, 
so I think a result for the lads won't be to difficult. 

Rich

    John Byrne has officially signed for Sunderland for a fee of 225000
    quid. They agreed personal terms and byrne is now a Sunderland player.

Just got back from home. Caught the two matches whils't I was home as well.
1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers was very disappointing. We were lining up to
shoot in the second half but they just wouldn't go in. The Rovers keeper looks
quite handy. Beagrie put another splendid display on for the lads and was unlucky 
not to score a couple with long range efforts. Unfortunately Smith hasn't signed
him yet, and it looks like he never will. At the time of writing Bennett is
out injured and Smith says he may need to dip into the market to pick up a
Central Defender.
Bennett scored for the lads, after Rovers took the lead.
The Watford game was a thriller and we were a bit lucky to come away with the 
3 points in the end. After Byrne had put us ahead, some matey scored a cracking 
overhead kick for Watford but the linesman ruled it offside. I certainly 
didn't see who was offside, and no one around me did either. Oh well, its about
time we had a bit of luck. 
Byrnes goal came from a fumble from Watfords 1.5 million-rated keeper. Byrne shot
into an empty net from about 15-20 yards. The second goal came again from 
a fumble and this time Armstrong was on hand to poke the ball home. The lads
were cruising now and it came as no suprise when Byrne scored Sunderlands 3rd
midway through the second half. Watford pulled one back with 20 minutes to go 
they also had another disallowed for offside again. Norman seems to be back to
his best. Diving all over the place pulling off some amazing saves to 
make sure the 3 points were ours.
Smithie played promising youngster Craig Russell for the final 10 minutes and
the lad certainly looked quick. Denis says hes the spitting image
of Marco in style of play anyway. Hopefully, we'll see a bit more of him 
throughout the season.

    Ipswich 0 1 Sunderland
    
    Sunderland thoroughly deserved their 1-0 victory away to Ipswich last
    night. Armstrong broke the deadlock with a header 5 minutes from
    half-time. In the second half we should have extended our lead on a
    number of occasions, especially when Pascoe hit the post. Byrne is
    turning out to be a great signing for the lads. He seems to be settled
    in alright now, and last night he had another good game for the lads
    and was unlucky not to score himself. 
    The performance of the team as a whole was excellent, we looked fairly
    safe (not 100%) and restricted them to only one shot on target. Going
    forward we seemed to be very confident now in front of goal.
    We played last night, like we played in nearly every game last season.
    It was a joy to see a great game of football, and for us to come out as
    winners.
    
    Rich
    FTM

    
    re -1
    
    What's FTM then?
    
    Tim

    
    FTM - 
    
    "A strange northern tradition involving sexual activity with a
    certain black and white bird..."
    
    Sounds OK until you realise that it's of the feathered variety ...

    
    
    I thought (knew!) as much.
    

    
    Did anyone go to the match yesterday?
    
    Tim

    
    I listened to the match on Metro Radio and it sounded like Newcastle 
    played the better of the two .
    
    Dennis Smith was bleating after the match as usual , he said " Liam
    'O'Brian would have missed the goal 9 times out of 10 " . Can you
    believe him !!!??? Most managers would have said he took his oportunity
    well .
    
    BIll

    
    Cheers Bill
    
    
    	(BUT you shouldn't have wasted your reply in this note.) 
    
    Tim  ;-]

A fair result at the end of the day, although a bit disappointing after having
take the lead.
The mags had the majority of the play but we had a few more clear cut chances
which we didn't take. mags keeper Wright was in great form, tipping several
shots over the bar, and making a great save from Kaysie. I think the fact
that Kays a defender and not a striker says a lot about his wasted effort though.
He was put through and only had the keeper to beat and he pushed the ball to 
far in front of him and could only manage a weak effort from 2 yards.
Sunderlands goal came after 22 minutes when Davenport, involved in a bit of a
scramble, put the ball home off the upright. O'Briens goal
was well taken, but I think Norman could have done better had he been on his
line. He still got a hand to it but only managed to tip it into the corner
of the net.
Armstrong forced Wright into a spectacular save early on in the game when he
hit a fierce shot from all of 30 yards which Wright managed to tip over the bar
at full stretch. If only it had gone in. 
The mags had some good spells of pressure during the second half, but thanks to
some good defending they never managed to get any clear cut chances.
Best men on the pitch were Rogan, Byrne, O'Brien & Wright
The atmosphere was alright in patches but was generally pretty poor compared
to most derby games. There was the usual idiots running on the pitch trying
to get in to the mags end but the police put paid to that.
Crowd was 29204 but there felt & looked well over 35000 on the day. Looking
forward to the return fixture.

    
    Well done,
    
    That was almost un-biased.
    
    Tim

    
    
    	Hi Guys,
    
    		If any of you guys living in the south are interested in
    	joining the Cockney Reds, send me a mail for details.
    
    		We have a brilliant Newsletter called 5573, which is far
    	better than ALS. We have regular socials, the next being the
    	Christmas Social on December 14th at the Old Thameside Inn in
    	Clink Street, London Bridge, London. If any prosective members
    	are interested in attending, then send me a mail.
    
    		Bryan

    
    	No, only available in Mackem

	At last, we're on a winning streak. Anyone go? Report would be
appreciated.

	After another two humiliating defeats, 1-0 by 66FM, and 3-0 by
Oxford, and being lucky to get nil in both games, the board have finally
realised that Dennis Smith would never do the honourable thing, so they
have saved him the trouble. To increase the lads chances of a happy new
year, Dennis is looking forward to starting 1992 on the dole.

	Dennis took us from the third to the first, and made about 2000%
profit on Marco, but has not done much else. He had taken us back to the
second, and trying hard for the third, ( maybe he wants to be the next
England assistant manager ).

	Denny was not sacked, he resigned after being requested to do so
by the board. Being the nice friendly club we are, we are paying him for
the remaining 18 months of his contract.

	Currently linked with the position are :-

	Joe Jordan ( Doing very well at Hearts )

	Ian Porterfield ( Struggling at Chelsea, but still a Wearside legend )

	Brian Little ( Doing well at Leicester, and Sunderland born & bred )

	Colin Todd ( Resigned from the Boro, at the end of last season, so is
	available now, and was a favourite at Roker in the seventies )

    
    Maybe Sunderland will try and get McMenemy back........ ?
    
    Paul

	Sunderland maintained their 100% record of 1992, with a 2-0 win
over Barnsley. Goals from Armstrong & Goodman gave the lads a victory for
Crossby's first match in charge.

	Malcolm Crossby's 100% record remains intact although he has now
lost his clean sheet. Under Crossby, we have now played 3, won 3, scored 11
and conceded 2.

	Crossby was apparently disappointed with the performance on Saturday,
as he feels we relaxed too much in the second half, and should have had a
lot more than six!

	A good bet for the double, now!

	Still got 100% !!

	Away to Derby, we went two up in the first half hour, from Byrne
and Goodman, and allowed Derby back into the game with an 85th minute
consolation.

	The best part, is that the players are regaining confidence and
commitment under Malcolm. They are playing much more attractive football
( and getting results ) than they were under Smith.

    
    
    So what's Crosby got that Smith didn't have?
    
    It pains me (slightly) to say that you are looking a good bet for the
    playoffs now.
    
    Tim

    
    
.38>    So what's Crosby got that Smith didn't have?

	Whatever it is, I wish he'd used it sooner! It is hard to believe
that the players are the same people who were playing such rubbish under
Smith.

    
.38>    It pains me (slightly) to say that you are looking a good bet for the
.38>    playoffs now.
    
	I doubt very much if we will be in the play-offs!

	We'll win automatic promotion !!!

>    We'll win automatic promotion !!!
    
    Ha ha. Nice one!!

    
    I see Crosby's lost his first game (against Bristol Rovers who even we
    managed to beat away). I wonder if Ossie has applied for the job yet.
    
    Tim

	Just trying to lull the leading teams into a false sense of
security. We'll be back to form in the league, after dumping West Ham
out of the cup.

<           Just trying to lull the leading teams into a false sense of
<   security. 
    
    Well, you're doing a very convincing job. Certainly had me fooled.
    Here's me thinking that you were just a poor side. Well done.
    
    Tim

    
    Sunderland has been made into a city (God knows why) and there have been 
    rumours that SAFC will change their name to reflect city status.
    
    Any comments?
    
    Tim

    
    If they did then not only would their strips clash with Stoke but their
    initials would as well..
    
    Lets hope they share the same division as them next year !!
    
    Gary..

    
>   Lets hope they share the same division as them next year !!
    
    I don't know a bout that Gary, have you seen where Stoke are in the
    table. Its more likely that they'll be in the 2nd next year. So lets
    hope that they're don't share the same division next year.
    
    Tim

.44>   Sunderland has been made into a city (God knows why) and there have been 
.44>    rumours that SAFC will change their name to reflect city status.
    
	I think I'd rather stay the same. If we do leave Roker, for a new super
stadium, as is likely, we could perhaps call our new ground The City Stadium
or something similar.

    
    Is Richard Connor still about? Or has he just lost interest in
    Sunderland (like the majority of their fair weather supporters).
    
    I read an article in a regional paper stating that even after 4 wins on
    the trot, Sunderland struggled to get 16000 in at Roker. However, near
    neighbours (only in distance) Newcastle, who have had a v. poor season,
    still manage to get considerably larger crowds. Is there that much else
    to do in Sunderland (apart from going to Tyneside)?
    Tim

No I haven't lost interest in the lads, not yet anyway. The performance agains't
Rovers was terrible. Bracewell went off in the first few minutes with a nasty
gash on his leg, and the rest of the team seemed lost without him. 
There is no truth in the rumour that Sunderland will be changing their name to
reflect it becoming a city. Apparantly we will be upgrading one of the
churches in the City to a Cathedral.

    
    
>>  ROKER::GEORDIE 
    
    Richard me ole mate,
    
    		Nice to see that you've given up your Mackem citizienship
    and had the sense to become a Geordie !!!!!   8-)
    
    Regards from Munich,
    
    Keith. 
    

    
    
    How Keith ye old bugger. Munich eh? I'll have a word with the boss to
    see if I can get a course ower there and we can have a bevvie for old
    times sake. How longs it been since you left us? They've still got you
    down as being the System Manager of JUNO on half the equipment in the
    Comp room.
    
    Rich

    
    
      I thought i'd bring this comment onto the sunderland file for mr
    Dagless,  instead of cramping up the predictions file.
    
    
       ( who scored the goal in the 73 cup final and who manages the 
         team thats going to beat you on monday )
    
      ANDY.B....
    

.52>       ( who scored the goal in the 73 cup final and who manages the 
.52>         team that's going to beat you on Monday )

	The scorer of the goal in the 73 cup final was Ian Porterfield, as
	I'm sure you know. The second question, cannot be answered, as we
	are not going to be beaten on Monday.

	Ian Porterfield knows just how strong cup fever can be up there, he
	was part of the team that walked all over Man City, Arsenal, and
	Leeds, when no one gave little second division Sunderland a chance.

	Whilst he will not be stupid enough to be over-confident, I don't
	think he, or anyone, will be able to stop Sunderland this year.

	Last time we played at Stamford Bridge in a cup tie, we went to 
	Wembley.
    
.52>      I thought I'd bring this comment onto the Sunderland file for Mr
.52>    Dagless,  instead of cramping up the predictions file.
    
	In that case, I'll be awkward, and put my prediction in this topic :-)


		Chelsea 1 Sunderland 3

	That was in the early rounds though, before cup fever had set in.

    
    
      All you Rokerites are the same, you win one game and you think
      you can take on the big boys of the first division..
      
      ANDY.B.
    

    
     re .53  little second division Sunderland
    
             finally admitting that your not a big club !!
    
    G.

    
>     re .53  little second division Sunderland
    
>             finally admitting that you're not a big club !!
    				     ^^^^^^
	I was referring to the way Man City, Arsenal and Leeds saw us, rather
than my own views, which is the same way West Ham viewed us, and the Chelsea
fans in here are doing so. Although I've never claimed we are a big club, I
don't think we are a 'little' club either. We were a big club from the
start of football, until the second world war, and soon will be a big club
again, but there are more people outside of Sunderland who refer to us as a
big club now, than inside.

    
    
    Yes, of course ??
    
    So if you not a big club or a little club then I take it you are an
    inbetween club..
    
    Gary..

    
    I think it may be time to pull him in and take the hook out, and let 
    the chels do the talking on the field..
    
    ANDY.B.
    
    

    
    I'm no Makem, but I hope Sunderland win, for the greater good of
    football in the North East. Similarly, I hope The Boro win the
    Rumbelows cup. Hopefully, these successes will go someway to inspire the 
    regeneration of the Great North as a real force in British football.
    
    So, past differences aside and come on you Makems.
    
    Anon

Richard,
	I know you were seconded to Newbury, to cover for Tim, but that
does not give you the right to note from his account!

    
    Tim, you can't be serious.. It wouldn't do anything for Northern
    football apart from having a load of makems ponsing about for a couple
    of months..
    
    
    Come on Chelsea !!!
    
    Gary..

    
    Re: -1 
    
    Here, here...
    
    Tim 'traitor' Moran stikes again.
    
    Nige.

    
    Mist Nige!!!! Is it still foggy in Newbury?

    
    byeee.
    
    Ian.
    

    
    We'll miss all of those biased Makem comments !!! 
    Or perhaps we won't !!!! 8-)
    
    Have fun....
    
    Keith.

    
    Good luck Dicless.
    
    JN. )

    
    Well, what can I say Brian? I would like to say that I'm sorry that
    you're leaving.
    
    But that would be a big fib and I've just been to confession.
    
    All the best (regardles)
    
    Tim
    

I'm sure we're all sorry to see Bryan leave, but he'll be back again. He always
comes back after a wee while. In the meantime, I'll pass on any messages that
he sends to me, so he'll be in spirit, if not in soul.
Is anyone going up for the replay this weds? I'll be going up for a few days,
and will also catch smithys return when he brings Bristol city up. Could be an
interesting game. If anyone needs/wants match reports I'll be happy to post them 
here. Went to the watford game no Satda. Did everything but score in the 1st
half. I think Byrne was more interested in the cup than the game in progress.
he wasted a couple of good opportunities. Kaysie also forced, James into a 
tremendous save early on. The only goal of the game came from a penalty, which
was to say the least, a bit dubious. Bally made a clearance in the box, and kicked
it towards Hardyman whos hand accidently got in the way and a penalty was given
from which Porter scored. The second half was a waste of time with nowt of any
importance happening, bar the ref being a biased git again.

Rich

    
    Bit quiet in here considering last night's events.

    On behalf of the Chelsea fans in diaspora, I would like to congratulate
    you people and wish you well in your quest for the FA Cup. I think
    you play good football, and it would be great if you could lift the 
    silver in Wembley.
    
    Well done,
    
    *Tiger*

    
    Sunderland have been given the Spion kop for the semi at Hillsborough.
    I think that's where you were in '73. Could this be an omen?
    
    Tim

Just getting back from up home. What a great week. The match was tremendous. 
Plenty of action. Nerves were shot to pieces.
I think we were very lucky to come out with a victory after that. Norman played
superb in goal, pulling off a string of fine saves to keep Sunderlands cup
dream alive. 
To add to that,Chelsea hit the post, and the upright and had two saved off the
line by Brace. Our name must be on the cup after that. 
Davenport scored the first goal after a clever ball from Rushie sent Byrne
through. He rounded Elliott and shot for goal which Beasant could only palm 
away to Davenport who shot home from about 10 yards. After that Chelsea
mounted attack after attack but couldn't get past Norman until the 85th minute
when Jones sent Wise through to score the equalizer. Barely two minutes after
the goal went in, Sunderland won a corner, which Atkinson took. Armstrong rose 
above everyone to meet the corner from 15 yards and sent an unstoppable
header past Beasant. The tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. What
an amazing night. I've never ever experienced anything like it at Roker. 
Brilliant atmosphere, terrific game, with both keepers in really good form.
The crowd was a dissapointing 26039, but Chelsea only sold 3039 tickets.

I also had the displeasure of giong to the Bristol City game. 3-0 down in 38
minutes and many of the fans were beginning to walk out. We left after 10 minutes
off the second half to drown our sorrows over a few pints of ex. 
Its amazing how a team can put in two completely different performances within
such a short space of time. 
Smithie got a good reception from the home fans at the start. But things soon
turned sour. City going ahead very early, can't remember the scorers, I think
Anderson (something like that) got 2. They picked up every loose ball, looked like
scoring every time they came in our half. They'll have to pull there fingers out
in time for the mags match otherwise I fear we'll be slaughtered.

Rich

    
    .76> Our name must be on the cup.....
    
    It is!!!
    
    
     WINNERS 1973 SUNDERLAND 

Well it will now be on there 3 times in a few weeks time.
Hows your leg Tim? Will you be home over Easter? Might have to meet up for a few
pints. 
You'll like this. Me and a few of me mates went to St James Park on Friday
afternoon. Parked the car by the entrance to the club and put on 
We Will Rock You with the volume turned up very high. Should have seen the looks
from the people inside. I wish I had a camera to catch there faces.

Rich

    
    I thought Sunderland's fans were devoted ?? Obviously not if they
    are prepared to walk out during a game where their team is 3-0
    down. After the performance Sunderland put in against Chelsea
    I for one wouldn't fancy a game the following Saturday. It must
    of been something of an anti-climax for them.
    
    Sunderland played well in both matches against Chelsea. They couldn't
    expect to raise themselves last Saturday after the emotion of Wednesday
    nights game.
    
    Good luck in the cup anyway.
    
    JN.

    re .77 Rich,
    
    My leg's not too bad now although still in plaster. Should be out of it
    by Easter though. I'll join you for a few drinks. It'll have to be in a
    neutral bar though, how about the black and white? ;-)
    
    Re: Playing we will rock you in St James' car park. Well, I don't want
    to worry you, but did anyone get your reg. no.? If so, expect a horse's
    head in your bed (or something worse) pretty soon ;-0
    
    Tim                                               

I didn't expect the City game to be a great game. Saying that, I didn't expect
it to be as bad as that though. After last weeks games agains't Chelsea
they went out at Watford and looked quite good in parts. Well they could 
string two passes together anyway. It was the worst I've seen them play
for a long time. Thankfully, they all appeared to come through unscathed
and with 8 days rest they should be ready for the Mags this Sunday. That
should be some game. Pity I'm not going back for it. On the other hand, I could
break me leg and stay up there for 12 weeks :-)

Rich

Does anyone need a lift up on the weekend for the match? If so can they
get back to me before 3:30 tomorrow please? 
I'll be going up either Friday lunch or Satday morning first thing.
Rich

    
    Rich, you were at the match. Got an unbiased report?
    
    Tim

Well I got the bus up on Friday to Sunderland and took my place in the queue 
for Semi Final tickets at roughly 11:30. There were a few thousand already 
queued up. As the pubs and clubs shut thousands of fans suddenly emerged from
nowhere and tried to push in the queues. The end result was a fight breaking
out every five minutes between each other. Eventually the gates opened up at
10 and the queues were going down in an orderly fashion until the rimours 
filtered through that someone had came up from the London branch and bought
250 tickets. That caused a panic and poeple at the back raced to the front
in a bid to get tickets. The police couldn't handle it, and a lot of fans 
who had been there all night missed out on tickets. Myself included.
The club are the ones to blame for this. There was quite a few people there
who bought more than 50 tickets. Should this be allowed? Why didn't they set
up some sort of queueing system? Or even vouchers at the game before? 
There was even some Season Ticket holders who didn't get tickets as the 
club said they haven't got Gold Cards! The other thing that p***ed me off
was the fact that they sold 11000 gold cards (not official, its the quotes from
the papers) after the Chelsea game. 
That is the last time I go to Roker to watch them for a long time. We've been 
kicked in the teeth too many times now and I've had enough. There are quite
a few people I know that are doing the same. Even some of those qho got
tickets. It was an absolute disgrace from the club that calls itself
`The Caring Club'! 
I would have thought they'd learn there lesson after the Chelsea game. 
Thousands were queued up for tickets then as well, but nothing like
this weekends fiasco. There must have been well over 20000 fans there
come 10am on satday. 
I've also sent a personal letter up to Bob Murray complaining about the 
arrangements for tickets. 


re: The maggie match. Congrats on winning. From what I heard, you deserved it, 
and should have beaten us by more. We're in serious trouble now. 2 points off 
the relegation zone.

Rich

    Rich,
    
    There were 7 (seven) thousand people who queued all night for
    tickets. That's dedication in anyone's books. How many gold cards
    did you have?
    
    Tim
    
    PS Are you going to change your personal name to "Wear going down." ?

I had one. I gave that to me mate around nine so I could load all the gear
into the van. No I won't be changing my personal name, not yet anyway.
Did you golast night by any chance? Hope you did :-)

Rich

Quiet in here today seeing as Sunderland won through to the F.A. Cup Final
yesterday with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over Norwich.

Sunderland played by far the most composed game, and John Byrne up front didn't
put a foot wrong. He's going places!!! I hope he scores in the cup final to join
the band of 9 others who've scored in every round.

Best of luck at Wembley

Al

The 1st FA Cup final I remember was in '73, and being a Leeds Supporter I was
none too happy.

    Congrats to Sunderland and their marvellous fans. Will Sunderland 
    FINALly give Malcolm Crosbie the job now?
    
    I have to confess that I fell asleep not long after the goal so missed
    most of the match. After the other exciting semi, this one failed to
    keep me awake. Did I miss much? 
    
    I managed to wake up in time to see the highlights of another Sunday 
    afternoon cruise for Mr Mansell.

I am note a great contributor to this conference but I do read note 37 
"daily".

This may be somewhat uncharitable at this ecstatic time but I am not so 
sure that we should make Crosby (Sp?) Manager.  I saw the lads for the 
first time around 1963 and was a regular until 1969 when I left the North 
East to study in Liverpool.  I remember 1973 well (well I must confess that 
my brain became dead sometime around 8.00pm when I was probablythe only 
person in Liverpool singing "WE WON THE CUP" - never seen so many bemused 
Scousers in my life) but put into perspective the lads have hardly become 
the force in the land that they should. 

Good old management theory recognises that any well managed change will 
have a motivational effect for a limited time (just enough to win the Cup 
with luck!).  However in my opinion a club like Sunderland should be 
appointing a manager with proven potential (if available).  We know only 
too well that this is not guaranteed to be a success (remember the joke - 
Who put the Mess into Messiah?) but we really should not be appointing 
someone with no real experience of managing a big club successfully - 
however much short term success he has.

My ideal would be to appoint an elder statesman (Robson or Cloughie) and 
make Crosby Manager Designate with a clear succession in say four years - 
during which time he can gain experience and learn the job.

However, enough of this, especially today.  For the next four weeks or so 
all I want is to make Division 2 safe and get on with adding our third FA 
Cup win to the record.

Regards 
Jonathan

    
    I don't remeber Kenny Daglish, Graeme Souness, Kevin Keegan having much
    management experience before landing a big job. Its criminal that the
    Makems haven't tied Crosby to long term contract.
    
    Tim

    
    Kevin Keegan IS getting a little management experience before landing a
    big management job isnt he?
    :-)
    Ian.
    

     re .91
    
    
    Wot a splasher !!!
    
    

Sunderland are finally safe from relegation thanks to the last 3 games
in which we beat Boro 1-0 in a cracking Wear-Tees derby game on easter Monday.
Davenport scored the goal early on in the game and no matter how hard they tried
Boro couldn't equalize. 
On Satda we drew 2-2 with Brighton at the Goldstone Ground. Brighton took
the lead and the lads drew level within seconds of the restart, Goodman stabbing 
home from close range. 
Brighton regained the lead a short while later before Rogan hit a fierce shot 
from 20+ yards to bring Sunderland level again. Goodman scored again late in
the game but was judged offside. The ball through for him came from a Brighton
player, but the linesman raised the flag for offside.
A 0-0 draw at home to Swindon last night ensured Sunderlands place in the 
second (or will it be the first division next season) division for another
year. We can now relax and enjoy the build up to Wembley. We'll probably 
stuff Blackburn and Cambridge now. 

Rich

    
    Rich, do you want a cheap ticket for the FA cup final?
    
    Tim

I see that now Sunderland have survived the drop to division 3, Crosby has 
officially been named as the Sunderland manager.

He thoroughly deserves it, best of luck to him

Al

Tim,
	I could do with another ticket for me old man if you've got one?
That would be great. 
apparantly Crosby's contract is only a one year contract, is this correct?
Another point from last nights game. 2-2 with Blackburn. Doesn't help them out
to much. Armstrong and Davenport scoring for the lads. Blackburn equalized
with 3 minutes to go.

Rich

    
    Sorry Rich, its gone. I didn't have one but a friend did (who was going
    to be on holiday).
    
    Sorry to raise your hopes, but good luck in the final.
    
    Tim

Nee bother. I've got mine anyhow. We've still got leads on some others. If you
do come across any other ones, can you give us a shout please?
Me da needs one, and our kid wants to go as well.
I think we'll do it. 2-1 is my prediction, with Byrne & Davenport scoring
and Ian Rush replying for Liverpool.

I read on CEEFAX the other night that Byrne is currently doubtful for the final
due to an ankle/achilles injury???

Any one got any news.

It would be a shame if he didn't play, as it has been his consistant goal scoring
that got Sunderland to Wembley in the first place.


Al

    
    Nobody want to be the 100th entry then......
    
    Good luck at Wembley...I reckon you'll need it.....
    
    One good thing , there will be an Irish man on the 
    winning team which ever side wins.....
    
    Keep it up Johnny Byrne and Anton Rogan....
    
    Its a while since there was no Irishman appearing on Cup Final
    Day....
    
    jm

    This a cry for help!!
    
    I don't normally follow this conference, so I apologise if
    this is the wrong place for this, but I'm sure you'll understand...
    
    As a Sunderland born and bred lad, I am stuck in ZKO (Spitbrook,
    Nashua) on a special extended training course at the moment.
    (OK, it does have some advantages, I know).
    
    However, to my horror I have discovered that the much vaunted,
    many channelled Cable TV network in my apartment **will not**
    be showing the F.A. Cup final!!
    
    So, by any chance does anyone know where in New England I will
    be able to see or hear the Cup Final live?
    
    Peter.
    

Looks like Johnny Byrne is fit for the final. However there are some doubts over
Kaysie. he picked up a knock in training and may not be fit. That would be
a great shame if he wasn't there. I think we'd miss him at the back.
Anybody know what hotel they're staying in at Marlow? I might pop up 
tonight with our kid and have a few drinks and a chat if I can.

Rich

    The CELT conference has a note on the FA CUP FINAL. Note 1037.
     TALLIS::CELT. Its been shown in Paddy Burkes in Boston.
    
    john

    re .103;
    
    Yippeee!!
    
    Haway the lads!!
    
    I know where I'll be at 10:00 am, EDT on Saturday (providing I can find
    it!)
    
    Thanks a lot, Peter.
    
    Yet more power to Notes!
    

Kays definately out for the final. I was speaking to him and the rest of the 
lads last night at a Hotel in Bisham, nr Marlow.
They're in good spirits and are just going out there to enjoy themselves on the
day. I still think it'll be 2-1 to the lads.

Rich

    
    Good Luck Sunderland (still can't believe I feel this way).
    I predict a 1-0 victory with a John Byrne goal hlafway through the 1st
    half. Liverpool will pile on the pressure no doubt, but if Tony Norman
    has a good day, he's virtually unbeatable. I'm a bit worried about the
    right back slot. I've been impressed with Kay on the times I've seen
    him. Its a big blow not to have him. Is Gary Owers going to play there?
    
    Incidently, during a trip to the North East last week, I saw hundreds
    of bill board posters wishing Sunderland good luck (& their sponsors' name 
    in discreet 10ft letters). Some of these posters were on Tyneside and
    most were severly "vandalised". Looks like not all North Easterners are
    with you.
    
    Tim

    Sorry bout Saturday LADS!!!! We woz rooting for yez!!!!!
    Ask Tezza hughes!!!!
    
    Si.

    
    How much of a loss was Gabbiadini.....would Sunderland have
    been any better on Saturday if you still had Gabbiadini...
    
    Or were you a better team without him???
    
    Any Sunderland fans like to comment....
    
    Will Goodman replace Davenport ....Davenport doesn't score
    enough of goals....
    
    
    jm

John Byrne has been a more than adequate replacement for Marco. Davenport
doesn't score enough goals, but most games he plays out wide and sets up 
opportunities for the others. He nets the occasional goal but thats about it.
I don't think it would have made much difference on the weekends result.
After Liverpool scored there first, you could see the lads heads went down
and they didn't put the same effort in.
It could have been different if we'd had a bit of luck in the 1st half.
Mark Wright deflecting a Bracewell shot inches wide of the post. Byrne with all
the time in the world to line up a shot, mis hit the ball. Owers wasted a couple
of good runs by shooting over the top instead of crossing.
Still it was a good day out for the fans, and hopefully we can build on that for
next season. 

Rich

just been speaking to a few mates back home.
apparantly there was nearly 400,000 fans in the streets to welcome The Lads
home after the final. Thats quite a turnout for a team that lost the cup.
It should give them the incentive to get back next season and make
ammends for it.

Rich

    
    You only got a big turnout 'cos the Metrocentre was closed. ;-)
    
    Hard lines anyway, but I bet most of Wearside was cringing in the second
    half and couldn't wait for final whistle to come.
    
    Tim

    
    And B&Q were having a summer sale, not to mention the car boot sale
    being held by the Womens Institute at the community hall..
    
    Gary..

    Not sure if this is true or not, but apparantly Sunderland and
    Newcastle have been approached by someone in Scotland to play in part
    of a Scottish Super League. Can anyone confirm/deny this rumour?
    Any thoughts on this? I think it would open the doors to a British 
    Super League. Any comments
    
    Rich
    

    
    Where did you hear this Rich?
    
    Mind you, its probably the only way we are gonna get into a super
    league on current form. 
    
    Tim

One of me mates told us about it yesterday. It was in one of the Sunday papers.
Just been speaking to one of the lads back home. He's heard nowt about it
at the moment. 
I'll keep you posted if I hear owt though.

Rich

Tim,
	Heard some more about this Scottish thingy. Apparantly they have sent
out official invites now to both us & the mags. Have you heard owt yet?
i don't know whats going on. I'll try and find out today.

Rich

    
    Rich,
    
    I was up at the weekend. The Scottish big 5 have given formal invites
    to the both of us to join in a "Scottish" Super league. At the time, we
    were expecting to politley reject the offer, but would be interested
    (maybe) in a British Super League. No disrespect to Scotland, but
    (imho) 7 teams do not constitute a viable league. On the plus side, the 
    majority of games we'd play would involve less travelling (for most of
    our supporters). Unfortunately, as I currently live in the South, I would 
    rarely get to away matches.
    
    Tim

    
    OK
    
    Here's a quiz question for you ,
    
    Who was the last person to touch the ball in the Sunderland team in the 
    
    1992 F.A. cup final ?
    
    HINT
    
    It was in the first half !!!!!!!

    
    Must have been Tony Norman or John Byrne's shin.
    
    Tim

    
    
    Your captain has just signed for a proper club..
    
    See the Newcastle conference for details..
    
    Gary..
    

    
    Nah Gary, John Byrne's past it. I think we'll have Armstrong or Owers
    next. There's very little else worth having.
    
    Tim

Terry Butchers joined the lads for a 2 month trial with a view to a free transfer
up north if everything works out alright.
Don't know whats happening with Gary Bull yet. Anyone else know?
Rich

    
    If he's the Gary Bull that plays for Barnet, then he (and *all* of his
    teammates) have requested a transfer.
    
    Tim

    
    Sunderland have got the last slot to host games in EUFA96, if they
    leave Joker Park.
    
    Tim

    
    You've signed Shaun Cunnington from Grimsby (or somesuch) for 650K.
    I've seen the lad play twice and was the best player on the pitch both
    times.
    
    Tim

    We've also got John Coloquohn (sp?) from Millwall for 250k'ish.
    I remember we tried to sign him a couple of seasons back from Hearts
    but the 750k asking price was to high.
    we drew 1-1 with Falkirk over the weekend. I think we played Ayr on
    Monda? Any idea how we got on?
    
    Rich

    re 127
    
    Around 200 Sunderland fans watched a 0-0 draw with Ayr on Monday.
    
    See 49.365 for a wee bit more about the game....
    
    Kev...

Has anyone seen the draw for the Anglo-Italian cup this season? 
If so can they post the groups please?
Rich

Sunderland have got Cambridge and Birmingham - I wouldn't worry about the 
Italian bit of it just yet . . .

grahame

I was away for most of August and since getting back have hardly had time 
to stop.  All I know is that we have played some games and are not doing 
well.  Don't appear in the games this week for the Coca Cola Cup so I 
assume we were knocked out in Round 1.

Can anyone give me an update on the season so far, new players etc.?  North 
Western papers just ignore any team not in the area (unless managed by a 
certain Mr Keegan).

Jon

    
    You were knocked out of the Coca-Cola by Huddersfield (ha!). Peter
    Davenport has handed in a transfer request. You got beat by (lowly) 
    Cambridge last Saturday. Rumours are rife that Crosby is to be sacked.
    He's in hospital at the moment - he's got a very bad side (boom boom).
    Shaun Cunnington has looked expensive at half the price. Goodman and
    Byrne haven't scored yet and you're in a bottom six place and losing
    ground. 
    
    Apart from all that things are going quite nicely ;-)
    
    Tim 

    
    You forgot to mention that they look likely to lose Armstrong to a
    better club..
    I think they have received 91 inquiries for him..
    
    Gary..

There I was sitting on the throne scanning my son's Roy Of The Rovers 
(well, he had left it in there) and what do I find but a mention that 98% 
of the Roker fans polled (over 30,000 of them!!) had supported a move to a 
new stadium and it will happen by 1996.

Roy cannot be wrong - anyone got firmer news?

Jon

    Apparently the poll went:
    
    Do you want to move to a new stadium? 
    
    98% against!
    
    What about if we don't tell the players?
    
    98% for!
    
    Peter.
    
    

    Gooday from Sunderland supporters in Australia. We get limited info out
    here on what's going on but we get enough to inform me that The Lads
    are in danger of the drop. What I want to know is why is this the case
    when only a few weeks ago I glanced at the table and all seemed safe.
    Not only that but someone told me the last 5 matches are difficult.
    
    Ica.

    
    The next one will be the most difficult of your season. Away to
    rampaging leaders Newcastle. A local derby, that quite possibly could
    decide the championship and who gets relegated.
    
    Your side is suffering because you've got a lumbering lummox playing at
    centre half (namely your manager Terry Butcher). You've got no-one in
    midfield that can split a defence with a pass and your only decent
    player (Don Goodman) is starved of support because of it. In short, I
    think you've got a fairly poor chance of survival.
    
    Tim (being brutally honest) 

    .....and if that wasn't enough, you've then to play Portsmouth (10 wins
    in the last 11 games) at Roker, Tranmere (6th and fighting for a
    play-off place), and the final match is at Meadow Lane, Nottingham where 
    for the second last-day-of-the-season running County can consign a
    team to relegation (Luton in'92). Mind you, if you win that one, it
    could be that County are the team to go down =:-(
    
    Rob

    Well we survived, just.
    
    Can anyone out there give me the draw up to September 15th please?
    I'm coming over to England then.
    
    Thanks, Ica.

    Is anyone except ICA alive still in this topic?
    
    Can anyone tell me what happened to Kieran Brady? He looked to have all
    the potential in the world (when I called him "pisshead" at Roker in
    1990 - 2-2 against my Everton - it was my Australian male's attempt at
    affection; I didn't want to end his career!)
    
    Any help appreciated on this matter.
    
    Peter

    
    Keiron Brady was 'sacked' by Butcher for going away on holiday at the
    end of last season when he was supposed to be turning up for training.
    He went with David Rush and the team members of a team he played on
    loan for last season. Rush was only fined and Keiron's rep meant that
    he was booted out. Shame, as he has (had) a lot of potential but only
    showed it once.
    
    Tim

     Where'd that note about big Butcher being anti-Irish go,I hadn't 
    finished reading it???.

    
    Sunderland's 4 new siginings have all been involved in a serious road
    traffic accident. The accident occurred about a mile away from Roker
    Park. Ian Rodgerson suffered a dislocated shoulder and Phil Gray had to
    undergo an emergency eye operation. The other two (Derek Ferguson and
    Andrew Melville) were suffering only from shock. None are expected to
    play on Saturday.
    
    Tim

    I've just phoned Sunderland and they said Derek Ferguson and Andy
    Melville had been discharged from hospital. Obviously the other two
    players are in a bad way at the moment, but Sunderland have said they
    should be Okay. I was going to enjoy the first game at Derby on
    Saturday, can we do anything without these players? The game is all
    ticket for Sunderland supporters, the Derby end is not so i'll have to
    make do with that. Rumours are that we were only given 1200 tickets for
    the game.

    Sad to hear about the lads?
    
    What's the latest?
    
    Fingers crossed,
    
    ICA.

    
    Rodgerson out for 3-4 months -- he has trapped and damaged nerves in
    his shoulder. Gray should be back in a fortnight. The other two
    (Melville and Ferguson) should be available for Saturday's game. That
    is, unless the police take Ferguson into custody -- They may be
    raising serious charges against Ferguson (the driver).
    
    Tim

    
    I know I'll lose my Toon Stripes if I'm caught in here but I just
    wanted to offer my congrats for overturning a Leeds prediction of a
    7-0 win (see note 34).
    I, for one, like to see NE football doing well, so keep it up (except,
    of course, against Newcastle).
    
    Cheers.....Ned

    Great news.......
    
    
    	A home draw against Aston Villa in the next round of the CCC !!!!

    Gooday Ned,
    		With a name such as yours you're welcome in this note.
    Villa?  They'll be flogged 7-0 at least.  I recall a headline when the
    Lads lost 5-0 to Leeds in 1991 and my mate in England sent me a
    clipping from the paper entitled "Men against Boys". Needless to say I
    had great delight in phoning him after the CCC results and telling him
    it was "Men Against Boys".
    
    Ica 

    
    Sunderland.......1       Aston Villa.......4
    
    Sorry for noting in here again (but no-one seems to, and I think there
    are people out there in the big wide world who read this) but I had to
    offer my commiserations to Sunderland after last night's CCC defeat.
    
    I listened to the game on BBC R5 and a more one sided game I haven't
    encountered (well not since Sunday's Southampton v Newcastle game).
    
    One sided that is in Sunderland's favour!!!
    
    I think Sunderland have caught the disease from arch rivals Newcastle!
    Believe it or not Sunderland had 90% of the ball, Bosnich made umpteen
    great saves, and Villa score FOUR times on the break. I think they had
    five shots all night. What summed it up for me was when Houghton came on
    as sub for Villa and scored with his first kick, as the ball looped
    cruelly after deflecting off a defender. It was a different story at
    the other end though with chance after chance going a-beggin'.

    Calling Ned Kelly, you can note in here any time you like.
    
    Match reports are welcome as we don't get 'em in Oz. Well, my 7-0
    prediction was pretty close then, only out by 1 order of magnitude.
    
    I hope Bosnich repeats the dose to the Argies on Sunday, like he did to
    AC Milan in June (we lost 1-0) and the Lads last night.
    
    Ica  P.S. I read your England match report as well and agreed with it.

    Ica,
    	Thought you must be in Australia as you said in a previous note
    that I was welcome here with a name like Ned Kelly. When I lived in the
    US someone once asked me; "why does everyone call you Ned?". I was
    giving a presentation at the time and the only other "pommie" (sp?) in 
    the room was a geordie workmate. I answered that I was named after that
    famous Australian bandit 'Alan Ned'. There was stoney silence in the
    room and the guy said (in true American style) "Oh really!". Everyone
    was also wondering why my marra had spat nearly half his coffee across
    the table in a fit of laughter.
    	Back to footie and I will try to give you as much info on the Roker
    Men in future games. It can be difficult sometimes as I am based in
    Ireland, so I don't have the benefit of Tyne-Tees Television (if that
    can be classed as a benefit).
    	Keep ahad and howay the lads....Ned
    
    ps - remember - divvent drop ya dottle on the proggy mat. 

    
    Wheeze keeys are theeze, more like.

    Hallo boys, I'm back after having a year in the wilderness. Went up to
    Glasgow fer a wee while ti see the Gers but now back in Newbury. Whats
    happened to you Tim? I was looking forward to seeing you round here.
    I shall try and keep all you Roker fans up to date with as much news
    as I can get me hands on.
    Haven't been home for a while ti see the lads but will be travelling to
    as many matches as possible once the motors up and running again.
    
    Rich
    (alias ROKER::GEORDIE, ROKER::ROAR)

    
    Rich,
    
    Welcome back. I left Newbury a year gone September, working in the
    Gateshead office now.
    
    I have to say that after a (gleefully) dismal start, your boys are
    starting to really look the part. I watched them murder Villa and lose
    on Tuesday and I would expect them to beat most teams in your division
    at home. They still need an improvement in away form.
    
    Tim                                                  

    Tim,
    
    	Did you see the game agains't Boro? Were we really as bad as the
    scoreline said? I know we missed a penalty, don't know if that made any
    difference or not.
    Whats it like back home anyway? I haven't been back since xmas.
    I see your young Andy's got himself in a bit of trouble. Any news on
    him? I don't like to say it but I'd like to see him have a run out for
    the England mob to see how he gets on. He looks quite exciting.
    
    Rich

    
    Rich, I saw the 'Boro game too and I thought the scoreline flattered
    the 'Boro a bit (although they did deserve the win). Your defence was a 
    mess that day, but you played some quite good stuff on the break.
    Goodman scored a great goal from a good flick by Howey).
    
    However, Once the Boro got a couple of goals ahead, that was it
    though. They strolled for most of the 2nd half.
    
    See the Newcastle note for the Cole saga. It looks sorted now though.
    Newcastle is just fine. Who are you working for.
    
    Tim                       

     Re.156
    
    << Went up to Glasgow fer a wee while ti see the Gers>>
    
     Rich,
     
     How could you brag about this, after what their thugs did to your 
     home town ?
     
     SQFCSC
        
                 

    When I was up there, a few people I knew up said it wasn't true
    Gers fans that did the damage, but a bunch of thugs who occasionally
    attend the game for a fight. Of the 40ish arrested, only 2 were from
    Scotland, the others coming from various parts of England.
    I personally didn't have any problems going to Ibrox, even wearing a
    Sunderland shirt. In fact many fans were talking to me about Coisty
    and all seemed to be friendly. 
    
    Tim, 
    	I'm working for John Boyle in the Networks Support group. 
    
    
    Rich

    
    
    >I'm working for John Boyle in the Networks Support group.
    
    Sorry to hear that, Rich ;-)

    Not as sorry as I am :-)
    I hope John doesn't read this.
    
    Ah well another crap weekend for Sunderland away from home. 2-0 to
    Bristol City. So far in our travels this season we have managed to
    pick up a whole point and score 2 goals as well. 
    Apparantly Ian Rodgerson is now fit again, or training anyway, so it
    shouldn't be long before he makes an appearance.
    
    Rich

 
    The following attachment gives details on how to join the newly set up
    Sunderland Mailing List. I'm sure all you Black Cats out there will
    want to contribute. It is run by Newcastle University.
    
    Cheers........Ned
    
    
    
    
    =================================attachment========================== 
I've created a mailing list for Sunderland football club. It is based
at Newcastle University and uses a local version of the national Mailbase
program. Below is the introductory file, including details of how to join
the list. Hope to hear from you there. If you have any problems joining
just email me.
 
Thanks,
Dave.
 
Introduction to blackcats and Mailbase
------------------------------------
Welcome to the 'blackcats' mailing list for those mad about or just plain 
curious about Sunderland football club. 
 
This list is here to discuss anything related to the club. It is also for
those who just want to keep up to date with the latest happenings and, most
importantly, for those willing to contribute information (match reports etc.)
to the list.
 
 
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	This address automatically broadcasts to the entire list.
	Please note if you reply to a message on the list it will
	be sent to the list and not to the writer of the message.
	(I may change this in due course.)
 
 (ii) mailbase@uk.ac.newcastle
 
	This accesses the Mailbase program and is the one to use when
	sending commands, e.g. join, index, send (see later). Please
	note that this is the local mailbase program in Newcastle and
	not the national mailbase program based at Newcastle.
 
(iii) blackcats-request@uk.ac.newcastle
 
	Messages sent here will come to me, the list owner.  Any
	administrative questions about Blackcats should be sent here,
	although please note that extensive Mailbase documentation
	is available to explain the facilities offered to users.
 
 (iv) mailbase-helpline@uk.ac.newcastle
 
	This address is that of the local mailbase expert. Send any
        queries about Mailbase here. 
        Please only contact this address if you are desperate as I 
        think there is only one person at this address. 
 
 
Please note the differences between these addresses, particularly
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The only other thing I have left to say is let's keep the subject
matter mainly about Sunderland football club and not too much about
other North East clubs, one of whose ground is only 800 yards from
where I'm sitting !!
 
							 David Laws
							 November 1993
 
 
 
 
 
-- 
  David Laws                          Department of Mathematics & Statistics
  D.J.Laws@newcastle.ac.uk                                    The University
  Phone: +44 91 222 6000 ext7286                         Newcastle Upon Tyne
  "There is only one way of life and that's your own."               NE1 7RU

    Sunderland lost the 3 point again lst night in the last 10 minutes,
    with Orlygsson scoring for Stoke on 86 minutes. Haven't had a chance to
    see any reports so don't know how the game went. Maybe someone could
    enter a report.
    
    Cheers.....Ned

    Ned... I went or should I say I suffered.
    My wife is a Sunderland supporter and she went to Stoke City full of
    heart and came away singing what a load of rubbish as she has done at
    every Sunderland game she has been to in the last 5 years.
    I was more impressed with Sunderland than Stoke. Sunderland tried to
    play football but too often the final ball was a bad one. Stoke played
    a long ball game throught the 90 minutes. For all Sunderland's good
    approach work Stoke made 4 good chances before they scored. Chamberlain
    made 3 excelent saves. Sunderland had all the second half but had
    settled for a point when stoke scored. It was a fantastic goal and led
    to a few Butcher Out chants.
    Sunderlands best two players were their forwards Gray and Goodman but
    having said that they didn't have an attempt on goal. I was impressed
    with BAll and Melville at the back and Atkinson in midfield. Owers was
    shockingly Bad.
    How many games have Sunderland lost in the last 10 minutes over the
    last few weeks.
    Sunderland had about 4000 supporters there and as always they were full 
    of song but they deserve better than the 11 who represented Sunderland FC 
    last night.
    BTW Stoke's ground  was nice compact staduim, visiting  supporters were
    covered and could sit for $10 or stand for 7$.
    
    Simon Hughes
    
    Next game Bolton W on Boxing day.

    Sunderland 1 2 Portsmouth & Tranmere 4 1 Sunderland
    
    2 more losses pushing TB closer to the exit door. No information on
    the games at all. I haven't seen them at all since last season, too
    busy trying to get me car on the road, but we seem to be playing quite
    well at home and not very well away from home. Seem to be losing a lot
    of matches in the final 10 minutes of games.
    I am hoping to start going again in about 2/3 weeks time so will post
    all details etc. after that.
    
    	Rich

    re - .167
    
    I listened to the last 15 minutes of 1st half (Tranmere game) and the
    2nd half, and I felt sorry for the Sunderland lads. They had the best
    of the first half and went ahead through Goodman (leading at half-time)
    but fell to the sucker punch after the break. They seemed to play
    better football than Tranmere when going forward but were also totally
    disorganised (positionally it seems) at the back. It was suggested that
    the problem was tactical not player quality, but it's hard to judge
    when you 'watch' it on the radio. It has to be said that they still
    tried to play, even when 4-1 down.
    	I think that is five straight turnarounds and Butcher could be for
    the chop ('scuse the pun) in the near future.
    
    Cheers.....Ned
    

    G'day Rich and Ned,
    			If Butcher goes has anyone named a replacement? And
    what happened to Crosby after the '92 cup effort?
    
    Ica

    re - .169
    
    It seems that Butcher has two games grace to get his act together. The
    rumour mill is talking about Steve Coppell as Butcher's replacement.
    
    Cheers....Ned

    
    What about Graham Taylor?
    
    Denis.

    Re: Crosby. He was offered a 1yr contract after the cup final. I think
    he was sacked just before xmas following a poor run of results.
    Personally I don't think he did too bad, considering he wasn't given
    any money to strengthen the team, unlike Butch. I believe thats why TB
    was taken on, to replace Crosby. I think they should have offered
    another job within the club after all he did for them. He used to be
    youth manager and looked after all the kids in a hostel including
    getting his wife to cook breakfasts for the youngsters.
    As far as a replacement goes, I'd imagine the papers will circulate the
    usual names, Bryan Robson, Steve Coppell and then go and appoint
    someone who doesn't have a clue about management, like Graham Taylor.
    That would be exciting :-)
    I quite fancy someone who knows the club inside out, knows what the
    supporters are like, perhaps someone from the '73 cup winning team who
    knows what its like to taste success on Wearside.
    
    Re: Reschs. Who makes that as I think I had a few of them about 6 years
    ago when I was there. As well as Tooheys Draught, sydney Draught and
    KB. Do they still make KB?
    
    	Rich

    
    Whoever they appoint, it'll have to be a big name. They need the likes
    of a Keegan, but sadly couldn't afford it.
    
    Tim

Ian Porterfield? Though he'd probably rather stay in Zambia!

g

    re -1. I think he'd be a pretty popular choice, but I don't rate him
    personally. I mean he hardly set the premier alight with Chelsea did
    he?
    Or Reading come to think of it.
    On other news, I heard that Tom Cowie is willing to buy the club back
    from Murray for around 10mill. He also said that he would make some
    money available for transfers. Can anyone confirm/deny this rumour?
    
    Rich
    

    
    That one was doing the rounds a couple of months ago. No truth in it
    at all (at the time). Blowhard bravado from Cowie.
    
    Tim

    How about Alan Hansen as a candidate for manager? I get the impression
    he knows what he's talking about and as a half-decent defender he might
    be able to stop us conceding silly goals.
    Then again the last few managers we've had (exception of Crosby) have
    been defenders and look what thats done for us.
    How about tempting Cloughie out of retirement?                  
    
    		Rich

    Yes!!!!, get Cloughie
    
    re .172, Rich when you were here you were drinking the same stuff mate.
    The beer's all the same, they just put different labels on it to
    confuse us as all the brands are owned by 1 or 2 very rich men. There
    is one exception, Reschs Pilsener, and you can always tell the
    difference between Reschs and KB because the Reschs smells like vomit.
    There is a newer pommie style beer now called Reschs Real which is
    still a bit gassy but is almost like the real thing.
    
    Ica
                                  

    Re -2 ... Hansen ... a half-decent defender
    
    I take a great deal of exception to that.
    
    After Beckenbaur, Hansen has got to be one of the World's GREATEST
    defenders.
    
    
    Dave

    
    	Good player though Alan Hansen was,  listing the World's defenders
    who were better would produce more names than the one you listed.
    
    	My list would start with Moore.

    re .178 - They've been selling Tooheys Draught over here for the last
    2-3 years. It doesn't appear to be very popular at present with only a
    few pubs selling it and the odd off licence. I agree the xxxx is shite,
    although I remember it being quite tasty up in Queensland when I was a
    nipper.
    Anyone see the Wales game last night? Melville was unlucky with a
    header saved off the line. He seemed to play alright. Why can't he do
    it for the lads, or is it the rest of them around him?
    Does anyone have any info on the new ground, ie whats happening? I see
    the Mags got the go ahead to stage matches at St James's Park for Euro
    96, so I assume that the new Roker has not got any further.
    
    	Rich

    Sunderland 0 2 Southend
    
    A goal in each half putting another nail in Butchers coffin.
    Anyone got a match report?
    I heard another name being touted for the job, that of Arthur Cox.
    Hmmmm.
    
    	Rich

    Butcher's been sacked along with Atkins..about time.

    Yeah, I heard this as well. I was pleased. I hope they take their time
    over deciding who to replace him with. It makes me wonder about Taylor
    though. I have this horrible feeling, the board have spoke wth him
    before he resigned. I hope I'm wrong. If I'm not I think it'll be the
    last time I go to Roker for a while.
    
    	Rich

    Never mind Taylor. Didn't another Roker favorite resign at the same
    time?
    
    Dave.

    Yes he did, but I don't think the board would be stupid enough to re-employ
    him again. Let him go to Southampton, please. 
    I've heard rumours about Arthur Cox, but I can't see him joining, what
    with back problems and what not. Also Steve Coppell (sp?), Bryan
    Robson among others. Please give us someone decent this time round.
    
    	Rich

    
    Bob Murray (chairman) has resigned. Tom Cowie to return?

    What a day. First Butch, now Murray. Whos next? I hope some of the
    players stay. If Tom comes on board I wonder if he will keep his
    promise of giving the new manager 10 million towards rebuilding the
    team? I hope so.
    anything else happening up there Tim? Whats the beer like? Have a pint
    of ex for us! In fact have several.
    
    	Rich

    
    I heard that Ian Porterfield may be taking over..
    
    Andy..B

    Sunderland 2 3 Nottingham Forest.
    16,900ish. Pretty poor crowd again. No facts on the game apart from Stan
    the man destroying the lads with two cracking goals.
    Bryan Robson was the name I keep hearing for the job. I don't think
    he'd be silly enough to leave Man U though. 
    
    	Rich

re .191
	Rich,

	The name couldn't be Bryan 'Pop' Robson by any chance? That's if 
	he's still in football.

	I really enjoyed watching him play for West Ham, he knocked in quite
	a few goals. It seems to stick in mind that he ended his playing
	days at Sunderland (where he had started), but I could be wrong
	for it's a long time since he was playing. 

	Does anybody know whatever happened to him?. 

	Phil.

    Hi Phil,
    
    	Nice to hear from you. Hows things over there?
    Re Pop Robson, I'm not to sure but I think he went off to Carlisle or
    somewhere like that to end his playing days. I'm not to sure, but then
    again I was only about 7 or 8 when he finished.
    The answer to your question is no anyway. Its Captain Marvel from Man
    Utd. For some reason he seems to be a popular choice to take over as
    manager. I always thought he was a Maggie fan in his younger days and I
    can't see him changing sides. I can't see him leaving Man U either,
    not with them in with a great chance to win the league again. And when
    he retires I think he'll be offered a place on the coaching staff
    there.
    I still fancy dragging Cloughie out of retirement, whatever the cost.
    
    	Rich

	Rich,

;Hows things over there?

	Not too bad, but Joyce is keeping everyone busy. But personally
	I'm feeling good after the Hammers win last night.

	Thanks for the replies, I always wondered what had happened to
	Bryan 'Pop' Robson and now I know.

	Phil.

>    <<< Note 37.192 by RDGENG::YERKESS "bring me sunshine in your smile" >>>
>                            -< Bryan 'Pop' Robson? >-

>	a few goals. It seems to stick in mind that he ended his playing
>	days at Sunderland (where he had started), but I could be wrong

Hi Phil,

Surely Pop started at Newcastle? He was certainly very young when he was in 
the first team (and England U-21), and he was of course a member of the great 
Fairs Cup winning side!

grahame

    Man City & Shef Wed are tabling bids for Goodman. 
    Nee chairman, nee gaffer, nee goodman, is it ever going to get any
    better? Probably not. At least we'll still have a local(ish) derby to
    go to next season, even if it is only Hartlepool.
    Even they'll probably give us a good seeing to :-)
    
    
    	Rich

    Portsmouth 0 1 Sunderland
    11,000ish. A goal by ? Smith just on half time giving Sunderland the
    points. Up to 17th now, only about 15 points away from the leaders...
    
    	Rich

    Howard Kendall is the latest name being touted by the press to take
    over the post at Sunderland. It is understood that they are after a big
    name and Kendall fits the bill exactly, or so they say... 
    If he did get it, I wonder if he would be able to pinch Beardsley from
    the local rivals again???
    
    	Rich

    Latest on Don Goodman is that Southampton are after him. A bid in the
    region of 1.6mill will be enough to take him away. Man City are still
    interested with Brian Horton watching him on Saturday. 
    
    On another note, does anybody else read this or am I talking to
    myself:-)

    
    I don't read it Rich.
    
    Btw, you've got a new chairman. He's a 60 year old semi retired
    chartered accountant called John something-or-other (ie another
    nobody). Murray has also relinquished his majority shareholding in the
    club.
    
    Tim

    Oh well, it looks like another few seasons condemned to the lower
    reaches until someone younger/rich etc takes over. any idea who this
    John gadgee is? 
    As nobody reads this anymore I think I'll carry on on the HEAVY_METAL
    conference reading about GnR. Only 500+ replies left to get thru.
    See yas after our next win. Probably about February time:-)
    
    	Rich

    Rich Rich, don't despair, I am here alive and well.
    I'm also getting the blackcats mail from Newcastle Uni
    referred to by Ned Kelly in .164. All news is very welcome as you
    don't get much info down under unless you're Man.Utd or Arsenal (bit
    like England I spose).
    
    Yes, give me all your news on SAFC but please,please don't give me any
    news on HEAVY_METAL, I'm too old for that shite.
    
    Ica

    I believe the new chairman is called John Featherstone, he is 60 yrs
    old and is an ex-accountant. Don't have any other news on him at all.
    Hmmm, sounds dodgy to me. Still no news on a manager though. 
    Grimsby this weekend. 
    
    	Rich

    
    He's got no money, and was already on the board. He'll concentrate on
    team affairs (building/contracts etc) and leave Murray to look after
    ground rebuilding/ relocating affairs. Puppet on a string springs to 
    mind.
    
    Tim

I am currently off site most of the time so am amazed to find activity 
after months of No New Notes in the topic.

The only good thing about life currently is that on the odd occassion I am 
dragged to watch Liverpool by my Brother In Law I can now reminisce (sp?) 
on how they remind me of when I watched the Lads at Roker Park in the 60's 
(yawn yawn...).

I just keep on dreaming of how I am left millions, take over (thousands 
would do currently!) and take them to the top.

Jon

    I've got a spare tenner to help towards rebuilding. I'm sure that would
    buy us a decent defence compared to the one we got:-)
    RE .206, sorry about the sudden burst of activity, it wont happen again
    until the lads win again. Wait till next year/season!
    
    	Rich

    Grimsby 0 0 Sunderland abandoned after 6 minutes. 
    The game started and it was p!ssing down. The ground looked totally
    waterlogged but was passed fit to play at 2pm. Then 6 minutes into the
    game the ref consulted both managers and linesmen and abandoned the
    game much to the disapproval of the travelling Sunderland fans who
    protested for 90 minutes after the game was called off. Their result
    is a voucher which will let them in the rearranged fixture for free.
    
    
    	Rich

    Good to see they didn't get away with it.
    
    BTW this is the equaliser, Wednesday and in about a minute we're gonna
    hit the lead.
    
    Ica

    Must have a few UB40 fans escaped from the Music conference :-)

    And to the vast relief of the North-East Billy Hughes is walking
    somewhat easier as he comes across to take this corner. He floats 
    it in, Watsons up, its chested down, its a goal, Ian Porterfield 
    with a right foot volley puts the underdogs in front. 
    
    Did someone mention Ian Porterfield???

    Right lads, time to pull our fingers out. The Sheff Wed topic have
    stormed a massive 30+ replies in front. Can you believe they're even
    talking about catching up with the FE's?
    Can SUBURB::WAITEG come across and start an arguement with us so we 
    can catch them? Or perhaps we can have another song?

    allow me to start the argument....
    
    I think Sunderland are crap....
    
    what do other noters think?....
    
    Ray....

    I agree. thats why I don't bother watching them anymore. 
    Thats a start, only 29 more to go :-)

    re 220, 221.
    
    You may say that. I couldn't possibly comment.

    Thanks for the own goal, Paul.
    Ica

    while you poms are asleep I'm gonna lift the lads right to the top

    Why stop at 2
    

    Well thats City disposed of. Whos next?

    Until Sunderland get rid of that donkey Don Goodman they will always
    remain a struggling 1st Division club.
    
    Is that what you had in mind, Geordie???
    
    A question for you all....
    
    When did Aston Villa last win a trophy???
    
    
    /GAry

    We're so far in fron I don't think one (or two) are going to hurt that
    much.
    
    Paul.
    

    Re: Villa. 1982?
    re .234 - Aye but we're catching you. I'd start to get worried if I
    were you lot.
    
    And as for Goodman, he's no a donkey, its the rest of the team around
    him that are.
    Unfortunately, still no news on the managerial front yet. Don't know
    what Kendall, Robson are up to. I have a feeling that whoever takes the
    Everton job (assuming one of them gets offered the job) the other will
    come to Roker to try and bring back the glory days.

    Re 235
    
    1982 for a 'so-called' big club is pretty funny. Proves they are
    perhaps the worst club in the Midlands with the exception of Wolves.
    
    
    /GAry

    Apart from Forest, who was the last Midlands club to win something
    worth winning???
    I think winning the European Cup back in 82 was quite an achievement
    meself. What have WBA done since?
    Are u coming down the Sun tonight then?

RE .226

	I seem to remember our Geoff Hurst putting six past Montgomery, 8-0
	was the final result. He must have had an off day :-).

	Phil.

    Who invited you Phil? this is a private conversation :-)
    How ya doing anyway? Whats your lil bruth upto these days?
    
    	Rich

    re .240. Na, we got shot of rogan sometime last season. I think hes at
    Peterborough or somewhere like that, can't quite remember. 
    I'll go along with Coventry for the cup. Still WBA aint done **** all
    for a long long time though. 

    Re 237
    
    Mr Geordie, I grant you not all Midlanders clubs have been successful 
    but I would like to say that West Brom won at Wembley in May winning
    the 2nd Division play-off. 
    
    Wolves also won at Wembley in about 88 beating Burnley 2-0 in the
    Sherpa Van trophy.  
    
    Some more interesting info...
    
    How many current managers have led a team to an European trophy
    success????
    
    Albion                  Wolves                  Aston Villa
    ------                  ------                  -----------
    1 - Keith Bukenshaw       0                          0
    
    
    How many ex-players have scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final???
    
    Albion                   Wolves                 Aston Villa
    ------                   ------                 -----------
    1 - Geoff Hirst            0                         0
    
    
    How many former players are the second most prolific goalscorers in the
    history of Northern Ireland???
    
    Albion                   Wolves                 Aston Villa
    ------                   ------                 -----------
    
    1 - Gerry Armstrong        0                         0
    
    
    So the next tim a Villian or a tatter gives you some verbal on how
    great they are, feel free to use my statistics.
    
    
    /GAry
    
    P.s  Not sure about the pub tonight.  If I don't go then happy
    birthday and have a drink for me.
    

    I think Gary's been taking stats lessons from Cunno:-) I think you need
    a wee bit more work on them yet though.
    As for the 2nd div playoff final, I would hardly call that being a
    sucessful club unless you are a club like Hartlepool or someone who
    have never been in the 1st div. And the Sherpa Van's hardly owt to
    write home about either.

    Re 243
    
    And just what have Sunderland won lately???
    
    
    
    /GAry

	Rich,

	Sorry for got to mention the Sunderland goal.

	Jeff, is still at Mercantile and he's off to Las Vegas shortly
	with Allan. Some computer show is on, well that's his reason
	for going.

	Things are fine here, most people are getting into holiday mode.

	Phil.

    Gary, nothing of late. Promotion to the old 1st (a lucky one at that),
    the 3rd div champ (embarassing or what). Not exactly owt to shout
    about.
    Re .245
    Sunderland never scored a goal in that game, I was just remembering
    when you put 8 past the Mags. sort of cheered me up for the rest of the
    day. I just wih I was alive when we put 9 past them at St James's Park
    all those years ago.
    
    Rich	

    
    I *must* say that I *strongly* disapprove of discussions about the
    relative merits of WBA and Villa in the Sunderland note. Please try and
    keep these discussions in 43 in future.
    
    Paul. (a couple of smileys).
    

    Cheers Paul, another O.G. 3 more left. Who wants to hit the winner?

    Lets face it Paul, Sunderland aren't the most interesting team to talk
    about and that is why i'm talking about Villa and WBA.
    
    
    
    /GAry

    Didn't you miss the smiley off that one Gary? If not, I'd strongly
    advise agains't you coming down the pub for a little while...
    I would disagree with that last statement. In the last 15-16 seasons
    Sunderland have been involved in either promotion or relegation battles
    in all bar about one season. This also keeps the fans interest going
    right to the end of the season, quite often the very last game of the
    season. Just ask anyone who went to Notts Co, last game of last season.
    
    	Rich

    Re 250
    
    I didn't miss a smiley off.  
    
    Honest,
    
    GAry.... 

    Right thats it, we're in front now. It'll probably go dead in this note
    for about 2 months now :-)
    I don't believe you Gary. BTW did you go down the New Inn last season
    when WBA played Reading? did anything happen in there?

    Re 252
    
    I was gonna be going down there but I was warned against it. 
    Apparently a load of Irish people drink down there and they don't like
    visiters from Birmingham or surrounding areas.  I drank in The Star in
    Caversham before the game even though its quite a distance.  A few WBA
    supporters in there and then I met Baz and we went in the Rose &
    Thistle and then onto the The Swiss Cottage.  Not a very nice pub that
    one.
    
    /GAry

    did you not get any trouble in The Star? That always used to be a real
    rough locals pub, who don't take to kindly too visitors from Bracknell
    never mind Birmingham. Rose and Thistle's alright. What was wrong with
    The Spread Eagle? I drink there when I go to reading. Theres usually a
    good mix of fans of both sides and I've not seen any trouble there. And
    its right outside the ground. We quite often get a few visiting fans in
    The Sun of a satday morn/early afternoon. usually worth a good laff. 
    IMO The Swiss Cottage is usually sh!te at the best of times.
    Another good one is The Southcote arms, get a decent meal before the
    match. 
    I remember going into the New Inn and ordering a pint in the middle of
    the Irish nat anthem. I nearly got the sh!t kicked out of me for simply
    being English. I've not been back since and don't intend going back either.
    BTW, I'm partial to the occasional pint in case you didn't realize :-)

    There was no trouble in The Star.  It was about 5.45pm so not many
    locals were in there.  I know the Star used to have a reputation but
    now its nothing more than a pub which lives in the past though most of
    the people in there are okay.
    
    Rose and Thistle was a good one.  Little mix of Reading and West Brom
    without any trouble. 
    
    I didn't go in the Spread Eagle mainly because of time.  I hear its a
    bit of a dive.
    
    The Swiss Cottage is a little rough.  We had some nice looks from the
    locals.  
    
    I do like the Southcote Arms especially if you have a few quid to
    spend.  Nice food in there.
    
    I was told that most away fans meet at The Butler.  Also noticed a pub
    down Oxford Road called Royal Albion.  Is that any good???  A nice
    neutral name.
    
    /GAry 

    Re .255
    
    I just found it strange because there were other people getting served
    as well and the lass was quite happy serving them, then I opened me gob
    and asked for a pint and that was it. 
    All this talk of pubs has made me thirsty. I'm off oot for a pint.
    
    	Rich

    Aye the Butlers a canny pub. The landlady's a bit strange. She won't
    talk to you unless you know her. I think I'm slowly getting there mind.
    I'm off doon the Crown on Cav bridge if ye fancy a pint tomorra
    dinnertime? Remember Frank & Sally? I'm having a few bev's with them.
    Re: The Star. I used to work about 400 yards from the Star earlier this
    year. I often used to nip to the shops and meet Turner in there for a
    bevvie and a game of pool. The boss couldn't understand why it took me
    20 minutes to go the shops :-)

    The Crown is a good pub in the Summer because you can stand outside and
    drink your pint.  I really don't know my plans for tomorrow so if i'm
    down there then i'm there.
    
    
    /GAry

    Should we not resume this note in the BEER conference?
    Then again, sod it Sunderland are doing nowt these days and its more
    fun talking about the one love of my life....
    Tim,
    	If you're reading this, I don't think I'll be able to make it home
    for chrissy. I've asked the boss twice for next Thur and Fri off and
    everytime he's walked off saying I'll let you know. I think I'll be
    stuck in Reading over xmas. How depressing. Do they do turkeys for
    one:-) Should be up in Jan for a long weekend though. Might even
    torture meself and watch the Lads. Oh no, its not halloween yet is
    it:-)

    
    Rich, 
    
    I don't read this cack, but I may see you in Jan, then.
    
    Tim,
    
    PS, You shouldn't have any difficulty in getting tickets to see your
    lot.

    So who have Sunderland got over the weekend???
    
    
    /GAry

    Sorry Gary can't remember. I think it's Forest. I know we're definately
    at home anyway. Probably be bottom by 16:50 satday.
    Sorry its taken a while to reply too. We've just had a wee drinkie. I
    don't like champagne anymore. I wanna stella. 
    Do you guys in Oz still get British Soccer Weekly? I think thats what
    it was called. Used to be a mag out once a week and funnily enough
    concentrated on British Soccer, er Football.
    
    	Rich

    Sunderland 1 0 Derby County
    att: 16,001
    
    Phil Gray scoring for the lads after 8 minutes. 2 wins on the trot now.
    Bolton on the 27th, don't know if we have any midweek games this week.
    Tim, Not going home, not got the time off.
    
    	Rich

    G'day Rich,
    		yeah the British Soccer Weekly is going strong. In fact the
    article titled "Don Does The Job" re the 2-1 victories over Leeds is on
    my fridge. They also publish almost any letter you write to them, they
    must be bloody desperate because they published me mates letter about
    his trip to Roker and Goodison in '90 which was marginally more
    interesting than Gary Waite's surf at Southend.
    
    Ica

    Re 266
    
    And what was wrong with me going into the sea?????
    
    
    /GAry

    
>    And what was wrong with me going into the sea?????
    
    You coming out of it :-)

    What is wrong with me coming out of it???
    
    
    
    
    /GAry:-))

    
    Absolutely nothing wrong with you coming out Gary, but did you come out
    under your own steam or did you rely on the fact that you are a floater
    and would be returned by the tide eventually ?
     

    RE 270
    
    ANDREW, you sound a right Northern nancy-boy like my work mate
    Warburtong who is a Burnley fan.  He says they'd kick Blackburn's ass anyday
    of the week.
    
    
    /GAry

    Gary,
    
    sorry if you were offended, I didn't realise you were so sensitive.
    
    If you want to discuss the merits of Burnley lets take it to the
    Burnley note :-), or even the Blackburn note.
         
    Cheers,
    
    Andy.

    re: -1
    Andy offended??????   Ha!
    
    First off... Nothing there to be offended by...
    
    Second... It take a hell of a lot more to offend a Wednesday fan!!!!
    
    NP

    Gary,
    
    	Whats come over you? You always used to be a quiet lad down the
    pub. Never offending anyone etc. I think the little stint on the Milly
    terraces has changed you. I couldn't believe what I was reading in 
    topic 130.5xx onwards this morning (I was a bit bored this morning so 
    decided to read thru other topics to see what went/was going on).
    No news on the managerial front at the moment. They'll probably do nowt
    till the end of the season, see how Mick fares. If he does alright with
    no money like Crosby they'll probably sack him. 
    Roll on 27th and Bolton away. Haven't been there yet, hoping to get
    there for this one. Depends on the night before, as I have a strange
    habit of falling asleep on trains after refreshing myself in local
    establishments.
    
    	Rich

    Fixtures for the remaining games:
    
    Dec 93
    27	A  Bolton
    28  H  Millwall
    Jan 94
    01  A  Leicester City
    03  H  Barnsley
    08  H  Carlisle (FA Cup 3rd rnd)
    11  A  Oxford
    16  H  Middlesborough
    22  A  Birmingham
    29  ?  FA Cup Rnd 4
    Feb 94
    05  A  West Brom  (Fancy getting the train up Gary??)
    12  H  Bristol City
    19  H  Oxford/FA Cup Rnd 5
    22  A  Charlton Athletic
    26  A  Luton Town
    Mar 94
    05  H  Notts County
    12  A  Wolves/FA Cup Rnd 6
    15  H  Crystal Palace
    19  H  Watford
    26  A  Peterborough
    29  A  Barnsley
    Apr 94
    02  H  Bolton
    06  A  Millwall
    09  H  Leicester/FA Cup semi
    16  H  Stoke City
    23  A  Southend
    30  H  Tranmere
    May 94
    07  A  Notts Forest
    
    
    Probable outcome at the end of season?? 5/6th round of cup and finish
    mid table, 13/14th, unless we get a decent manager.

    Scores over xmas
    
    Bolton 0 0 Sunderland
    An excellent defensive display from the lads, but otherwise pretty
    lacklustre. Bolton should have won.
    
    Sunderland 2 1 Millwall
    Another sound display from the the reds, Phil Gray and Craig Russell
    scoring for Sunderland. Att 19,001. Poor crowd for a xmas fixture.
    
    Leicester 2 1 Sunderland
    A good display, but not enough in the end. Again the defence shone.
    Sounds like they're starting to get it together. Phil Gray scored our
    goal.
    
    Sunderland 1 0 Barnsley
    Att 19,302, another poor crowd watched a disappointing performance by
    the lads in which Barnsley should have taken a point. ANother goal by
    Phil Gray settling the match.
    
    So 7 pts out of 12 moves Sunderland up to 16th place and they are now 6
    points clear of 3rd bottom place and only 10 points away from the
    playoffs. A lot of foota still to be played yet. Who knows??
    
    Rich

    Heard some interesting news with regards to the new Roker park which
    was to be built on land owned by Nissan. 
    apparantly Nissan are laying off a few hundred people and have turned
    round to Sunderland and said they can't build the multi purpose
    centre/ground on their land because of future expansion plans. As
    Sunderland have no other plans in place for this one falling through
    the FA have said they will restrict the capacity of Roker Park to less 
    than 9000 for all home games (9000 being the number of seats inside 
    Roker at present). That should make home games interesting. Now we can
    claim to be just like Man Utd in that all our home games will be
    all-ticket and will presumably be a sell out!
    
    	Rich

    Don Goodman was arrested in the toon for arguing outside a bar. Most
    of the players went up the toon for a xmas celebration. They came out
    of one bar, Goodman started arguing and then got arrested for being
    D & D. He was later released without charge. It was also in the news
    that Keegan is the latest to be interested in Goodman. Can't remember
    what paper reported it, mebbes the Sunday Sun? I hope he doesn't leave 
    but if it comes to it, I hope he goes to Sheff Wed and not our near 
    neighbours. I'd prefer to keep him and leave him up front with Gray 
    who seems to be in a bit of form at the moment. 
    If he does go we could always use the money to bring Marco home, and
    Venison, Bracewell, Chapman...
    
    	Rich

    Sunderland 1 1 Carlisle
    
    Derek Ferguson scored for Sunderland in front of 23,000+ at Roker Park.
    Carlisle equalized in the second half so they go to a replay next week
    sometime. The prize for winning the replay is a trip to Wimbledon.
    Oxford tomorrow away at Manor Park. Anyone know where the ground is
    from the train station (Oxford main station), as I've only ever driven 
    up there. Whats it cost to get in these days?
    Birmingham away on Saturday. 4 points out of this little lot. I think
    I'll go to Brum as well. 
    
    	Rich

Rich,

You must be a fanatic if you fancy going to Oxford - see almost any other note 
in this conf for 'compliments' on their ground. And it's a good way from the 
station - directly opposite side of town, maybe 2 miles away. Last time I went 
I walked, with a 'lunch' break in town. Then just head on east, towards Cowley 
(I think) - follow the crowds!

grahame

    I know where the ground is by road, but I don't know where the station
    is in Oxford. I've been to the ground a few times and don't think too
    highly of the away end or the rest of the ground for that matter.
    Also, what is the nearest station for Brum's ground? Again, I know how
    to get there by road but I wouldn't have a clue where the nearest
    station is.
    
    Gary Waite,
    
    	You fancy the West Brom game in a few weeks? I'm having a few beers
    on the way up by train. Mebbes meet in the Sun? 
    
    	Rich

    RE 283
    
    Yep, should be going if I have the money.  Going to Grimsby the week
    before, so I will see.
    
    
    Hugs,
    
    GAry...

For St Andrews nearest station is Bordesley, whether
anything stops there though is another matter!! Best
get of at New Street.  As for Oxford station is about
5 minute walk from town centre, ground is miles away 
though.

Chris.

Gary,

We may have had our differences in the past, but going to Grimsby is something I
wouldn't wish on anyone, least of all a fellow football fan. It took me twenty
years to escape the place.

Don't follow any lonely sailors down dark alleys. 8-)

Mike

    Well after going to Birmingham on Boxing day, I'm expecting Grimsby to
    be a sort of heavon on earth.  I hear they do good fish and chips...
    
    
    
    /GAry

    I remember going to Grimsby by mistake a few years ago. We were playing
    Hull on New years day at 11:30. I went down with the Jarrow branch of
    SAFC and the driver must have had a good night out as when he came to
    Hull and proceeded to cross over the bridge that goes to Grimsby. As we
    were all too p!ssed to know/care where we were going we ended up
    getting to Grimsbys ground before we realized that we were playing
    Hull. Probably would have been better off going there in the end as we
    lost 3-2 and ex-keeper Hesford saved a panelty and played the game of
    his life.
    Re Oxford, is there any buses that go near the ground? Any idea what
    ones (numbers would be handy)?
    
    	Cheers
    
    		Rich

    As a Carlisle follower of many years I travelled from Birmingham to see
    the FA Cup tie at Sunderland.
    
    Question - what have you done to Don Goodman, who I used to see at WBA
    and in the local press - He looke like Mr Blobby on Saturday.
    
    I'm sure that I don't need to point this out but Sunderland were very
    disappointing on Saturday - Carlisle could easily have won (how can a
    shot hit the inside of the post and stay out?)
    
    The Sunderland fans chants were as articulate as ever (20 mins of sh**
    must have been as boring to shout as to hear!!) On the other hand - I was
    impressed that the fans in the stand by the tunnel clapped Carlisle off the
    pitch - well done if you were one of them!
    
    Is the replay definitely Tuesday 18 ?
    Dave Clarkson
                                    

    Not sure when the replay is yet, either Tues or Weds. No I wasn't one
    of the fans at the game. I refuse to go back to Roker until they sort
    out the board or give the manager a few quid to spend on players.
    With regards to Goodman getting fat, I know he was up the toon prior to
    xmas and was arrested for D&D. I suspect he probably had a few more
    beers over the xmas period.
    How bad were we? It sounds typical of Sunderland, they play quite well
    agains't the top teams and put in dreadful displays agains't the
    so-called lesser opponnents.
    Are you going to the replay? If so, fancy putting in a match report?
    And is Gates still there? If not, what happened to him?
    
    	Cheers
    
    		Rich

    Rich,
    
    Their is a bus that goes to the ground.  You can catch it near the
    station.  I'm not sure of the number though.  Ask someone in the
    station.  I think their is a tourist office just outside the station. 
    They told me when I went there.
    
    Someone will know.  
    
    /GAry

    Cheers Gary, but I don't think I'm gonna have time to mess around in
    Oxford as I won't be getting there till gone 7. i think it'll have to
    be a taxi. I wonder what will happen if we lose here, the last time we
    played them just after xmas the manager got the sack...
    
    	Rich

    Oxford 0 3 Sunderland
    
    After the traditional Sunderland kick-off (pass back to midfield, put
    the ball into touch), the lads settled down quickly and started to play
    some attractive football. The first goal came after 10 minutes when
    Dickie Ord sent the cross in for Martin Smith to head home. Sunderland
    continued to press forward and it was no suprise to see them score a
    second on the half hour, Smith scoring again from close range. Goodman
    should have increased the lead before 1/2 time when a shot rebounded
    off the inside post and stayed out. The second half started much the
    same, Oxford playing scrappy football (much the same as we played for
    most of last season), Sunderland playing some good stuff at times.
    Oxford should have pulled one back when Sunderland old boy Byrne had a 
    chance from 6 yards but he misguided his header. 4 minutes later and 
    the game was over, Goodman sprinting clear shot from 30 yards and the 
    keeper made a hash and Sunderland went 3 up. They had several chances 
    to increase the lead, the best when Atkinson collected a poor clearance 
    from Oxford keeper tried to chip him from 30 yards but his shot went 
    high. Goodman is not match fit, hes lost a yard of pace and his touch
    is a bit off at present. Phil Gray looks a good signing, full of
    running and some nice touches, as does Melville and Fergie.
    Travelling support was pretty good, roughly 2000 give or take a few.
    Middlesborough on Sunday, this win should give us a good boost to take
    n Boro who seem to be struggling. Three points on Sunday. Anyone going?
    
    	Rich

    Apparantly Malcolm Crosby(Remember him?) has joined Denis Smith at
    Oxford. He's been there some time. I think he'll probably be out of a
    job along with Smithie soon the way Oxford are playing at the moment.
    
    	Rich

    Local derby agains't The Boro this weekend. They beat us 4-1 earlier in
    the season at Ayresome. Hopefully we'll get revenge on Sunday. With a
    packed-ish Roker roaring the Lads on, I think we'll do it 2-0,  Smith
    and Gray to score. 
    Is anyone going? Kick offs @12:00.
    I think the team will be the one that started agains't Oxford.
    Chamberlain, Ord, Owers, Bennett, Melville, Smith, Armstrong, Fergie
    (? don't know what his situation is, injured agains't Oxford), Ball,
    P.Gray & Goodman. subs: Atkinson and Russel.
    Hopefully he'll put Goodman on the bench and start Russel, and if
    Fergies not fit put Atkinson on for him.
    After that we play Carlisle away in the cup replay. We should come thru
    this. I'd imagine there'll be a packed house at Carlisle for this.
    
    
    	Rich

    Sunderland beat Boro 2-1 yesterday in front of a very poor derby crowd
    of only 16000. Phil Gray opened the scoring after the hour from the
    spot when Craig Russell was brought down. Sub Lee Howey increased the
    lead 10 minutes later before Boro pulled one back with 15 minutes left.
    Don't know much about the game, apparantly there was 6 bookings, 3
    either side. That win puts us above them now into 14th place, 7 points
    outside the play-offs.
    
    	Rich

    Carlisle away tonight. The lads will be confident after beating Boro on
    Sunday. The prize for winning this is a 4th round trip to Wimbledon.
    Won't be easy, Carlisle will have a packed house and will be confident
    after a good performance at Roker, added with the prospect of a trip to
    a premiership side. 2-1 to Sunderland, just.
    
    	Rich

    Don't bank on it!!   It's 0-0 now at 8:25
    
    Carlisle are on a roll and now have Steve McMahon to put more bite in
    midfield (he's probably cup-tied though!). Re -6/7 I don't know what
    happened to Eric Gates, he hasn't been in the team recently and
    probably moved on soon after Davie Mac arrived as manager. 
    
    Hope its a good match - there have been some
    good ones between the two sides ... Didn't CUFC knock you out of the
    cup in the first round of '74 after you'd won it and paraded it around
    Brunton park??? (It was a while ago, but I was there!) 
    
    On a more friendly note, I remember Billy Hughes scoring for Sunderland
    against Blackpool to help Carlisle go up to the First div and saying
    "That one was for Carlisle!"
    
    By the way did any-one see "Jewel in the cap" last night on C4 about
    Sunderland.  It was a wee bit patronising I thought! 
    
    Anyway I'm off home (and to listen to R5 on the way!)
                                                         

    My memory doesn't stretch back to '74. I was only 3 then!
    Is that Davie Mac from Newcastle?
    Back to last nights game, Sunderland won 1-0 in the end watched by a
    crowd of 13,200. Sunderland scored in the 11th minute of extra time,
    another goal from Lee Howey, coming from a Smith corner. sunderland
    were a shade lucky to get thru in this one though. Carlisle had the
    chance to win the match with 5 minutes left, ? going thru the defence
    but was foiled at the last by Chamberlain. It sounds like an
    entertaining game which either side could have won but thankfully for
    us Howey spared our blushes.
    Away to Wimbledon now, won't be easy but I can see us getting something
    from the game, possibly a replay at Roker and into the 5th round?
    
    	Rich

    Birmingham 0 0 Sunderland
    
    Crap match. No one really deserving to win, although Goodman had 2
    headers in the 1st half which he should have done better with, both
    going well wide. Apart from that, nowt much to talk about. Didn't get
    to see Karen Brady either. Train home was interesting. Met a few
    Millwall fans who thought it would be fun to set fire to the toilets.
    Not sure if one of them got interested at Reading station when the
    train stopped.
    Crowd was around 13,000, Sunderland taking up quite a few up there with
    them.
    
    	Rich

    Re 300
    
    I agree, Richie.  The journey home was interesting.  I liked that
    Millwall bloke singing the song out of the Birmingham programme and his
    guidlines to how football fans should behave on the terraces.  Not
    forgetting that QPR matey with the "Milk Cup" scarf.   
    
    I also reckon the Millwall fan made a mistake in the timing of his
    fire.  
    
    Apart from that a good laugh.
    
    Are you a defo for the West Brom Vs Sunderland game???
                                                          
    
    /GAry

    Wey aye, count me in for that. I might leave a bit earlier this time
    though. Couldn't get a pint near the ground in Brum, all 4 out of 5
    pubs were locked and the other one wouldn't let in away fans.
    I still can't understand why anyone would want to wear a `Milk Cup'
    scarf when they got stuffed off Oxford.
    
    	Rich

    Re 302
    
    The pubs by the Hawthorns are usually ok for getting a pint in.  We
    should have no trouble there.  I know the game isn't all-ticket for WBA
    but it might be for Sunderland due to building work on the Smethwick
    end.  If it is then just come in the Rainbow stand.
    
    
    /GAry  

    Its not all ticket for us either, so I'll bve in the away end. They
    don't keep us back for a little while do they? We should take a fair
    few there, especially if we get a good result agains't the Dons on
    Satday. 
    It'll be Goodmans 1st time back at The Hawthorns since his departure.
    That'll spice things up quite nicely.
    
    		Rich

    They didn't keep Millwall in so I doubt they will with you.  If they do
    you'll still have plenty of time to get back to the 6.06pm train.
    
    
    
    /GAry

    And back to the pub for 8. Sounds good to me.
    
    	See ya there.

    Gary,
    
    	You don't fancy driving up do you? Just getting me new car later on
    the morra. We can have Guns n Roses and Aerosmith with a bit of Macc
    Lads as well.
    
    	Rich

    Re 307
    
    If you're driving i'd be delighted.  Aerosmith "Get a Grip" is a super
    album and Guns N' Roses are pure class.  Never heard any of the Macc
    Lads stuff tho....
    
    
    /GAry

    I'll ask the firefly (Satday gone) for one those rings if you want?
    Have you got the Docs as well? I can supply the braces for you.
    Get your hair cut too...
    
    	Rich

    Good grief.
    

    Send us that one thru by email gary, please!
    
    	Rich

    Yeah will do.  Why was it deleted???  Seems you can't even have a laugh
    nowdays.
    
    
    /Gary

    Na, you're right there. I got mine deleted for me personal name!
    Sorry mod, not getting personal. If you're reading this Gary (Spain), 
    me and a few lads are going on holiday to Southern Ireland in a little 
    while, can you recommend us anywhere to go? We want a bit of sea/sand, 
    a touch of sun and a good few beers with some lively nightlife.
    
    Cheers. 
    
    	Rich

    sea/sand and a few beers + nightlife....
    
    all of Ireland's like that
    
    especially Dublin....my home town
    
    enjoy
    

    If anybody happens to be around there at the time when we are, perhaps
    we could organise a 5-aside competition? Anyone be interested?
    I'll be out there - end of July/start of August with 4 non-deccies.
    
    	Rich

    
    Come to Galway. Give us a bell. A crowd of us  play 5 a-side 52 days a year i.e
    every tuesday.                    
    
    Peter(An Impartial Celt)

    You don't know where there is a cheap b&B for 5 of us do you? 
    5 a-side is definately on, followed by a few beers.
    
    	Rich

    
    What's cheap ?
    
    B&B 12 - 30 pounds a night depending on where you stay.
    
    Jury's Inn Hotel B&B 35 pounds aprox. per night per room.
    (You can have as many people in the room as you want but they only fit
    three in any reasonable comfort)   
    
    Peter(AIC)

    Yeah they seem alright. I'll wait a little while till we sort out when
    and where etc. Cheers for the info.
    
    	Rich

	re .316

	Well, /Gary, it looks like the moderators hear have much the same
	sense of humour as those in EF94.

	Tony

    Re 324
    
    Don't you mean, no humour at all.
    
    
    
    
    /GAry

    Wimbledon 2 1 Sunderland
    
    Didn't get to the game in the end. A good session in London put paid to
    that. From what I heard Sunderland should have came away with a draw if
    not the win and the chance to entertain champions Man United at Roker
    Park. I'll put the details in later on when I find out what happened.
    
    	Rich

    Yo Rich,
    
    Are you still going on Saturday???
    
    
    
    
    
    /Gary

    See the mail I sent this morning. The answers no anyway. I'm getting me
    stereo installed and have got to make another insurance payment. Word
    of advice, don't buy an XR3i. I had mine placed in group 17 insurance
    group. Anyone want an XR3i?
    
    	Rich

    >Word of advice, don't buy an XR3i.
    
    Thanks for that, I won't.
    
    Tim

    RE -2   

    Try SALON::HAIR_DRESSING   You might get it sold there...!!!

    Gary,
    
    	You going to the game then? Get us a prog and I'll meet you
    somewhere one day, probably down the Sun or something.
    2-1 to the red and white army.
    
    	Rich

    Well 2-1 was the score, but not to us. WBA went 2-0 up in about half
    hour. Sunderland pulled one back late on through Goodman, but it wasn't
    enough. No details on the game. Gary, do you want to do the honours?
    
    	Rich

    Re 332
    
    Haven't got much time, Rich but WBA dominated the first half.  Donovan
    scoring after three minutes and later on Fenton adding the second in
    superb fashion.  
    
    Sunderland dominated the second half.  Albion missed a penalty before
    reject scored for yer via a dodgy looking goal.
    
    
    /GAry

    So WBA deserved the win then? Or would a draw have been a fair result?
    Hows the new job? The box is pretty quiet. I need something else to
    start on now. 
    
    	Rich

    WBA were brilliant in the 1st half but in the second half, Sunderland
    looked just as good.  Albion derserved the 3 points.  
    
    The new job is cool.  I hope i'm not missed in the box.
         
    
    /GAry

Gary,

	If WBA looked brilliant in the 1st and Sunderland looked just as good
in the 2nd, then why did WBA deserve the 3pts?
No, you're not missed in the box that much. I'm having fun though. I've had 
another couple of notes deleted for violating conference policy and advocating 
violence. I didn't think there were any rules in the box.

	Rich

    Re 336
    
    Geordie,
    
    Chamberlain made a good penalty save.  That would have made it 3-0.  
    Sunderland are a boring side to watch.  Even at Joker Park they came
    across as a team with no bottle to go forward.  The division would be a
    better place without these sort of teams.  
    
    
    /Gary

Gary,

	How can you say that after saying in a previous reply that WBA played
brilliant n the 1st half, but in the second half Sunderland looked just as
good?

	Confused 

    Oh sorry.....
    
    My mistake oh confused Geordie.....  
    
    WBA superb in the first half.  Different class against a boring side.   
    
    In second half Sunderland had the better of the game but Albion still
    had the chances.  
    
    My mistake oh upset Geordie...
    
    
    /GAry

I think you're lying. Boring side huh? Fair enough, thats your opinion. On the
times I've seen them this season they've looked half decent (alright i've not
seen them much). Mebbes it was a bad day.

	Rich

Sunderland 0 0 Bristol City
Att. 16,800+
Don't know anything about it, apart from Goodman bringing a fine save out of
the City keeper with a free kick. 
This will be the last time I keep you guys informed of the score as I leave on
Weds (16/2). Contract up and with the mess that DEC is in, they can't renew 
the contract.
So its good bye from me for a little while. Will probably see some of you guys
when we come to Ireland in the summer. Get your boots ready.
Cheers

	Rich

    Good look Geordie.  Get in touch for the Sunderland Vs Albion game next
    season if you don't go down!
    
    
    
    
    /GAry

    
    Are Sunderland fans so de-moralised with the Mags success that they've
    stopped corresponding ? Probably ! A renaissance is needed of the club
    and topic 37. Anybody out there ?

    Yes ,
    	there is a very healthy mailing list called 'Blackcats'. One of the
    recent entries was a quiz which I republish here for the enjoyment of
    all, including Leeds and Skunks fans.
    
    
These questions are all about season 1972-73. A season I seem to 
remember was quite a special one for the Lads. Damned if I can 
remember why though........


Q1 Name Sunderland's five man defence in the Cup Final?


Q2 What was the timing of Ian Porterfield's goal at Wembley?


Q3 Which two players in Jan. '73 were purchased for a joint fee
of 35,000, and from which club?


Q4 Who was injured on his Roker debut against Milwall and never
played first class football again?


Q5 That player's replacement was signed from Luton. Who?


Q6 In what position did Sunderland finish in Div. 2?


Q7 Sunderland had to defeat three clubs in the F.A. cup after replays.
Who?


Q8 Who scored the goals that knocked Luton out in the sixth round?


Q9 Where did Sunderland play Arsenal in the semi-final?


Q10 Who was Sunderland's substitute in the final, and did he come on?

>> Q7 Sunderland had to defeat three clubs in the F.A. cup after replays.
>> Who?
    
    One of them was The 'Pies in the 3rd Round; and bl*&@!y lucky they were
    too at Meadow Lane in the first game !
    
    Rob
    
    
    ....mind you, I was supporting them against Leeds...wasn't everyone
    outside of the West Riding ?

    
    How do I subscribe ? 
    
    Skunks fans ? 

A bit quiet in here - due to their current form perhaps?

The Teesiders will probably be playeing in Div 2 next year after changing
there manager in the week from Mick Buxton to Peter Reid who was quoted
as saying that he had turned down other offers but was waiting for a
big club like Sunderland!!! Laugh? I nearly enjoyed one on Malcy's notes.

Talking of Malc it's little known that the English team he really 
supports is Sunderland not that useless bunch from Bristol he claims to
support.

More worrying for Sunderland that being supported by Malc is that they
'signed' Dominic Matteo on loan from the Red S**te until the end of the
season and he played last Friday against Barnsley.  Unfortunately, or not
if you support Sarfend, they still haven't registered the signing with 
the FA or the League.  They will probably be deducted some points putting
them in the relegation zone below even Bristol City.

Come on you Shrimpers!!

>The Teesiders will probably be playeing in Div 2 next year after changing

I'd say they're more likely to be in the Premier League! Try Wear instead of 
Tees

Thanks for the update on the manager - you're always guaranteed a laugh or two 
at Roker.

g

    
    				WANTED
    				======
    
    	Grammar and spelling lessons for John Hussey aka useless turnip.
    
    (see what a mess he makes of replies whenever I don't sit beside him
    and correct all his mistakes. Yes its pretty sad isn't it)
    
    	However ...
    
    	'Tis true my father comes from Sunderland and I have supported them
    (in spirit at least) all me life apart from the mercifully short spell
    when Terry Butcher was manager. This makes me arguably the only person
    in the world to support Sunderland AND Newcastle. However I supported
    Sunderland in the promotion play-off against Toon a few years ago (even
    though I was stood right slap bang in the middle of the Gallowgate End
    at the time. I wasn't part of the pitch invasion though) so I suppose
    they come first. I was trying an experiment actually :
    
    a) Piling rubbish into the Bristol City note to see if that would make
    a difference to their form
    
    b) Keeping quiet about Sunderland to see if that would make a difference
    to their form
    
    	Unfortunately it could well be that they both go down.
    
    	I suppose this could be a good opportunity to admit to a liking
    for Manchester City and Arsenal too. None of my teams seem to be doing
    that great at the moment. Maybe I should start supporting Rangers in
    the hope that will bring them down too ...
    
    Malc.
    

    Malc, 
    
    Keep out og the Arsenal note. They're in enough trouble as it is.
    
    Stuart

Malc,

as Graham piotned uot sit nit mi spelkin thots kneeds sirting uot tub mi
gopearphy :-)

Anyway all those northern gits are just beer-swilling Geordies & 
monkey-hangers.  Plus the north-east is just one big slum ;-)

>monkey-hangers.  Plus the north-east is just one big slum ;-)

Only the Southern bits of it!

g

    
>    but was waiting for a big club like Sunderland!!! Laugh?
    
>    Not exactly a laugh - more a smile as 'the lads' took their first
     points for 7 or 8 games, plus there was more 17,000 - ok there might
     have been a few Blade fans but a good proportion of most crowds are 
     usually away fans especially premier games - at Roker as good as a lot
     of the 'big names' so if we are not a big club we've got the potential 
     of one. As for Peter Ried,(Reid ?) I don't think he can be judged on his
     term at city - which is another managers graveyard - and apparently he is
     only keeping the position till the end of the season, when if no
     improvement Chris Waddle will be appointed (source : Sunderland Echo).
    
    	 
       
	
              
                                       

    
    
    
    
    
    Deja vu
    
    Sunderland 1 Swindon 0 
    
    If Sunderland manage a win in their next game, it will be one of the 
    rare occasions during the last 20 years when the supporters won't
    have to wait till the last game to see which division they will
    be in the following year. 
    
  		

    
    
    
	Burnley 1 Sunderland 1 coupled with Swindon losing to Portsmouth
    	spares us another visit to the old 3rd division.
    	Last game next Sunday to West Brom who after a shaky start were
    	impressive against Tranmere yesterday.
     

    	
    	
    
    	Sunderland 2 West Brom 2 - quite a good game, the blushes being
    	saved by the final kick of the game by Phil Gray, Sunderland 
    	having gone one-up with a spectacular acrobatic shot by Martin
    	'wanted' Smith. Good performances by Scott (missed pen), Ord,
    	M Gray and Bambi Angell looked like he had regained some
    	confidence. It looks like Reid - if he stays - will need to buy 
    	4 or 5 new players if we are going to compete next season for
    	promotion. Incidentally Chairman Featherstone presented some
    	award on the pitch before the game and received a lot of barracking 
    	and at full-time any possible trouble was prevented by a heavy
    	police presence.
    
        
    	

    G'day Keith,
    	I'm still here, and it looks like they're having trouble
    raking up the money for the 4 or 5 new players, from what "Blackcats"
    tells me. Did you manage to get onto the list in the end? 
    
    Ica

                                         
    G'day G'day Ica,
    	I presume you are out in OZ then ?
    	No I am still having trouble - the subscription mail is always
    	returned with some error message about a  pointer pointing to
    	itself - I will give it another go tonight and report back
    	any success or lack of it.
    		
    		Keith (No longer 'the loneliness of the long distance
    			  Sunderland supporter')    
    

    Well are Sunderland going to buy waddle or not?
    
    

    
    	Good to see Sunderland whop de ass off Leeds again in Match of the
    Seventies last night. This is turning out to be a fascinating series
    but on the other hand it's depressing how well I can remember the
    matches. What a magnificent pair of sideburns Ian Porterfield had. What
    a berk Dennis Teuart was.
    
    Malc.
    

    And what about that nice Mr. Revie offering Bob Stokoe 500 quid to go
    easy on his team during the 60's?...
    
    
    ....and what about the state of the pitches those days?...I've seen
    some flatter ploughed fields....
    
    Ray....

    Ray,
    
    re -1
    
    Seems that the rumours surrounding Mr Revies alledged business
    practices were true then. The FA should order the expulsion of Leeds
    immediately. there is a precedent for it after all.....
    
    Stuart

    
    	Thought I'd better mention this :
    
    	Sunderland	6 (count 'em)		Millwall	0
    
    	I think this result (plus others going our way) puts Sunderland
    top. Can't remember who scored but one person scored four. I think he
    is a reserve defender who was drafted into attack because of injuries.
    Sounds like he will have a change of job pretty soon.
    
    Malc.
    

    Niall Quinn signed for Sunderland this week, for 1.3 million....
    
    A good signing for them, methinks....
    
    Ray....

I think this is right;

 Chris Waddle has signed for Sunderland for ~400K


ummmmmmm


Mad

IRN actually says it's ~100K



Smaller ummmmmmm


Mad