The Football.....

[Bicycle]

Any Sunderland fans on here???? normally go up to mackem land for this one alas not this year....

I'll be there.... Driving with elder son. I've never been to see a game that far north before. If you've been there, I have some questions:

1. Your prediction. I have a bad feeling about it and am already warning elder boy that it might be a long drive to see a bad loss.

2. Do we need to take our passports?

3. Why is a Scottish side like Sunderland in the FA Cup?

4. Will I need a phrase book?

 

[Gooner Mad Dog]

Hi first of all they are passionate about footie and friendly no problems in colours etc my prediction is 2 2 . Last time was up there we threw away a shaky 1 0 in dying mins to come away with a point should have been 3, today think it will be other way round, can see them going into lead and us clawing back a point. Several of my Sunderland mates will be there ex Navy buddies always meet up with them for 15 pints before game..... seriously was last time was with oldest son 23 we were bloated n burping all the way to SoL, enjoy day....they are doing the coach for a fiver next Sat back up there Sat in FAC, passport not needed.....

 

[172traindriver]

I'll be there.... Driving with elder son. I've never been to see a game that far north before. If you've been there, I have some questions:

1. Your prediction. I have a bad feeling about it and am already warning elder boy that it might be a long drive to see a bad loss.

2. Do we need to take our passports?

3. Why is a Scottish side like Sunderland in the FA Cup?

4. Will I need a phrase book?

Over the years I have been to the North East many times to see the Villa and would say particularly at Newcastle and Sunderland I have had good days out. I went back in the 80's when things weren't so friendly, but since the Premier League thing came along and football fans attitudes have changed I have found them to be very enjoyable days out.

I have gone into pubs up there and find the natives to be friendly, obviously use common sense and don't be stupid in your behaviour, but if you go in act sensibly and just want a drink, most times I have found the next thing is a local is chatting to you about the game. I tend not to wear colours so I suppose that is a bit of a giveaway as the fans up there are very passionate and wear colours. I really enjoy the trips up there because I think the people in that part of the world are really friendly and very welcoming to well behaved visitors.

As you are going with your lad again the locals should be friendly because who would want to be nasty to a family group. Obviously a local derby would be different, but then that is the same everywhere. I haven't been for the last couple of years, because you only have to look at what is going on at the club and I can't be bothered.

 

[Gooner Mad Dog]

Am not there today, home in london will listen on absolute radio, watch highlights later, fingers crossed...

 

[Bicycle]

Over the years I have been to the North East many times...

Thanks for that. I was hoping it would be that way. The furthest I've been to see the Gunners away is Ewood Park and that was excellent.

Friendly fans, fabulous stadium (more like the old days apart from the all-seater element). The ground staff were great and the coppers on horses were friendly.

It's a tragedy what the current owners are trying to do to a wonderful club. I'm wondering whether they just need a big tax loss and don't really care how they get it. Because of my age, I still see Blackburn as a small, lower-division club. But the past 20 years built a great platform to keep them in the big league and it's in danger of being pissed away with last night's beer. Rant over.

Villa Park is pretty good for away fans too. (Thought I'd add that since I detect some Claret&Blueness in your reply).

We don't wear colours either, but might have AFC beanies on our bonces. Not sure it would be a problem if we did though... Red and white scarves are good camoflage in Sunderland, I'm thinking.

 

[172traindriver]

Villa Park is pretty good for away fans too. (Thought I'd add that since I detect some Claret&Blueness in your reply).

Cheers, nice one!

Must admit over the years I have enjoyed visiting both of your grounds and we have occasionally nicked something off you. We scored the first league goal at the new ground and I was there to enjoy it. Again being sensible, your grounds in recent years have been a stress free day out whereas when I have visited your local rivals I always have felt a little bit more on edge. There are obviously a lot of good Spurs fans but it just never felt so relaxed.

As for the north east as I said before I think they are actually some of the nicest fans you can come across and would always sing their praises.

As for your rant about Blackburn I too feel sorry for them because when you look at how Jack Walker dragged them back up it is tragic to see what is going on. The chicken farmers are ruining the club and if they go down you can't see how they will ever get back up. They should have stuck with big Sam because he is always good for a fight and would have kept them in a comfortable position.

 

[PaulB]

I've held a season ticket for my team for over 30 years and go to all home and most away games but unless it's a cup final, I won't go to that London or any ground in the south (though I've probably been to them all down the years). I go to every ground in the north or the midlands when we play at them...except for one. And we're playing there today, this morning actually, so I will give this a swerve. The open hostility is sickening to see. I'm not putting the blame totally on their fans, the ones who infest our end at their midden can be just as bad. It seems the real bad 'uns come out of our woodwork when we play against these. Yet when we play their near neighbours in their city, we never have any problems at all. It's not the people of the two cities who hate each other, it's just the fans of the reds of the cities that hate each other. As I can live without the real nasty, cheap, sickening chants from their fans and the vile ones from ours in response, I'll be living without it today. And it's likely to be even worse today given all the horrors that have gone on between them recently. I'm off for a run to scour the filth from the inside of my skull.

 

[172traindriver]

I've held a season ticket for my team for over 30 years and go to all home and most away games but unless it's a cup final, I won't go to that London or any ground in the south (though I've probably been to them all down the years). I go to every ground in the north or the midlands when we play at them...except for one. And we're playing there today, this morning actually, so I will give this a swerve. The open hostility is sickening to see. I'm not putting the blame totally on their fans, the ones who infest our end at their midden can be just as bad. It seems the real bad 'uns come out of our woodwork when we play against these. Yet when we play their near neighbours in their city, we never have any problems at all. It's not the people of the two cities who hate each other, it's just the fans of the reds of the cities that hate each other. As I can live without the real nasty, cheap, sickening chants from their fans and the vile ones from ours in response, I'll be living without it today. And it's likely to be even worse today given all the horrors that have gone on between them recently. I'm off for a run to scour the filth from the inside of my skull.

Took me a couple of seconds to work it out then the penny dropped. I can see your point, and like yourself after having a season ticket for the last 22 seasons and having first been taken to see the Villa in the old 3rd division, there are some games I avoid. One in particular being against some of our local West Midlands rivals, the other ones I will go to because even though there is rivalry it is not total hostility. But the way things are currently I have been saving my money from the away games and spending it on bike bling.

Very unpopular manager, not very exciting to watch.

 

[Beebo]

The managerial merry go round continues.

Wolves have sacked Mick McCarthy, and now Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock are the favourites for the job.

What can these two bring to the job that McCarthy can't?

What are Wolves expectations? They will always be a yo-yo club.

 

[Maz]

The managerial merry go round continues.

Wolves have sacked Mick McCarthy, and now Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock are the favourites for the job.

What can these two bring to the job that McCarthy can't?

What are Wolves expectations? They will always be a yo-yo club.

Hmm...me'thinks Warnock might get the job...Problem is, he's got the knack of getting teams up, but not in keeping them up!

 

[yello]

McCarthy going was sadly to be expected.

I realise it's probably of little consolation to him but I'm sure he was expecting it. It seems these days, you're only as good as your last half dozen results. It's manager-go-round.

 

[ianrauk]

 

[cookiemonster]

It appears that Rangers, aka the forces of evil and darkness, are filing for administration.

Oh dear, what a shame.

 

[ianrauk]

It appears that Rangers, aka the forces of evil and darkness, are filing for administration.

Oh dear, what a shame.

Not great for the smaller teams in the Scottish leagues.
They depend a lot on Rangers (and Celtic).

 

[mangaman]

Not great for the smaller teams in the Scottish leagues.
They depend a lot on Rangers (and Celtic).

Completely I'd say.

As do Celtic despite their saying otherwise.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17013512

Celtic would do better than to try and help Rangers out here. A Scottish League without Rangers would be about as marketable as the Irish or Welsh leagues.

Without Rangers all TV money would disappear (it's only for Old Firm games) and so would the sponsors. Celtic would come begging to the English Premier League - who have no reason to let them in.