Everton v SAFC

What a long day without the result we were hoping for!
The day started at 7.45am and after we picked up at all the surrounding villages it was 8.45am before we hit the motorway at Aycliffe. I did not feel too well as I was suffering from a heavy cold picked up on my exploits to Istanbul last week. A few rum and cokes on the way down did not relieve the aches and pains.
We went down the A1(M) to get on the M62 - don't ask why only the driver knew but we hit a traffic jam and delayed us by about 3/4 hour. We eventually arrived at the watering hole in St. Helens just before noon - watering hole was not very good but Phil A was supplying the whiskey as he will miss my Birthday bash this weekend.
Arrived at the Ground - lines of buses showing that we had a great following but alas things got worse we were in the bottom tier and at the end near the corner flag - all what Billy stated he definitely did not want. We paid £26.00 for a seat that we did not sit on as we could not see the pitch unless we stood up and the toilet facilities were from the third division. Only good point was the pies were not bad and reasonably priced.
The Lads appeared not to be wanting to play in the first half - one of the worst first halves for along time we were a bit better in the second half but not much to write home about. It wasn't that we were up against a premiership side - given the right commitment I am sure we could have ground a draw out of this game.
Then there was the long drive home - up the M6 across the A66 - yes ask the driver why??
I eventually got off at the Fishburn road ends - calling my brother before-hand to pick me up there as I did not fancy another 1/2 hour going around the Trimdons. I needed to get out and have a pint in the Club with my missus who had already gone there and had been on the phone asking where I was.
Brian (Billy) seemed a bit edgy and mumbled that this was the last time for him - don't know if it was the long day, the seating, the performance or I had upset him again - not sure but I will call him to find out.
Anyway we got what we deserved, for the loyal support that was there the team should have put on a better show and ease the burden of an absolute shite ground.

Jim Gilling

Memories of Everton

A few assorted memories to ponder ahead of todays game.

I remember going there a few years ago and winning, I think it was 1-0, but I don't think it was in the League. Can anybody help me with this - game, score and scorers?
Remember going there between Xmas and New year and getting beat 5-0 or 5-1. Coxhoe away trip in the 24 seater. Those at the front of the bus were boiling and those at the back were freezing. A long trip home.
Last game of the season. As the players came out they had autographed balls which they kicked into the crowd. Amazingly I caught one (thanks Darren Williams). Held on to it all through the game. On the way back to the bus a couple of little scousers asking "Lets have a kick of your ball mister".
Last season we were in the Prem. Played them when it was obvious we were going to get relegated. In the lower enclosure with a crap view (hope we're not in there today). Poor game and no hope left for therest of the season. A bad day and another long trip home.

I wonder what memories I'll have of today. Will post later.

Bellamy

What a little t#@t, thank god he doesn't play for us. All the makings of a club in crisis at Newcastle. Despite being an absolute git, Bellamy is actually one of their better players and will be missed plus all the shenanigans are obviously unsettling for the others. The way the Mags are going they are heading for mid-table at best and the future is looking very bleak, especially for next season when Shearer retires. Good enought for the arrogant so and so's.

Diouf dive

Just saw the highlights from the Blackburn v Bolton game. I shouldn't be surprised anymore but wasn't that dive by Diouf awful. A blatant cheat that resulted in a penalty which won the game. I've got to say that I don't like this form of gamesmanship, and that includes Arca's dive in similar circumstances vs Derby. I think it's time clubs stood up and took action against blatant cheaters - or am I kidding myself that such thimgs like 'honour' and 'fair play' still exist in the modern game?

Black Cats - Top Dogs

A good day at work today (apart from the lads still being on strike!) with the Mags and Smogs having a right whinge about their weekend games.
Mags up in arms about Bellamy and the Smogs can't believe the Norwich comeback. Only me happy! I think the Boro game was a one off which sometimes happens but I watched some of the Mags game yesterday and they were woeful. Totally devoid of any skill, committment and passion. If I were a barcode I'd be very, very worried. Champions League, more like Coca Cola Championship! Interesting to se how they do in the FAC at the weekend. A poor result and Souness might have to walk.

SAFC v Sheffield United

Saturday started quite hectic with a trip to Team Valley Retail Park to buy a TV package that I had been promising myself to buy for the last five years and finally get rid of the rental package I have had for years. I probably have spent nearly £1,000 on rental and when I phoned Boxclever to tell them to pick the unit up they asked instead of canceling was I interested in a reduced monthly rental as I had been a loyal customer. My reply was you should have suggested it many years ago. That made me wonder about season tickets - if we stated we were canceling our season tickets would SAFC offer a reduced "rental". I think not!
Due to the mad rush to buy the TV I arrived at Coxhoe Club about 12.30pm instead of the usual 12.00pm. Brian and George were getting worried I wasn't going to turn up and Kevin was in with his postman's Pat uniform on - next season I bet he goes to the matches again as he will get a season ticket no problem thanks to the postal system!! I still managed a couple of double Bells before setting off at 12.50 on the coach to the SOL.
There were a few missing on the bus due to holidays and we made a loss of £26.00 on the cost of the bus hire. We are still doing okay on finances but it would be great to get back to the numbers of old but won't hit these until we are back where we belong in the Premiership. As everyone knows I have managed to obtain two sponsors for the coach which will see us okay well beyond next season.
The game was a typical cup match rather than league match with SAFC controlling the game in the first half and a fine Marcus Stewart (Coxa lad!) goal that gave us an advantage to take us into half time. Second half we seemed to loose the midfield and let Sheffield back in the game but held on for a deserved three points. All the more important when we learnt that Wigan and Ipswich had drawn their games.
Journey home was a nightmare with stupid drivers blocking coach exits and not knowing what lanes to be in going around roundabouts. We also saw a guy knocked over opposite the Beehive in the City Centre hope the guy was okay as it did not look good. Finally got home at 6.15pm.
Went down the club with the wife and had a crap night - singer was shite but the beer flowed okay. Bumped into Stephen W "under the influence" and asking for a branch meeting to discuss picking up a West Cornforth as there was only one to pick up today. My thoughts are Jack tries to cut down on the number of pick ups and it backfired and we lost more than we gained. Okay next meeting we will discuss as the guys from Bishop Middleham who have to drive to Coxhoe for their lifts might be questioning why the Doggie people can't do the same. I think we should leave as it is until next season then discuss where we are in terms of league and what pick up points we want. Also heard from big Brassy that Roughy had briefly been in the Red Lion as he had been doing a local gig. It would have been good to meet up with Roughy with my Birthday bash only two weeks away - perhaps he was looking for a deposit!!!!!.
Regarding my birthday bash - to all those who have invites get there early as I am expecting a big crowd about 240 or so and the "big end" has a fire and safety limit of 260. The committee are putting out all the seats and tables as they do when there is a full house but be warned if you want to sit next to your mums and dads or friends and don't want to sit next to any Mags that are invited ( I only invited them so Roughy could take the piss - honestly) get there about 7.00pm to 7.30pm.
Well now I have to sit down and get all my gear together for this weeks business trips - Birmingham tomorrow, Istanbul Tuesday through to Thursday, Bradford on Friday and not forgetting Everton on Saturday.

FTM


Jim Gilling

Jimmy's birthday

Social event of the year by all accounts.
I wonder if his long lost cousin is going.
What can we get him for a present?
Indian takeaway from that place in Leicester?
A new safari suit?

A birthday card from the black bouncer in the boozer?
Perhaps a bottle of whisky might hit the spot. A bit like the fella he was scuffling with; he certainly hit the spot - right on the chin.

I'm in!

Jimmy has arranged access for me but I don't know what to say now!
Haven't we been having nice weather.
Isn't the price of beer scandalous.
All for now, I'll come back when I can think of something to say!

Brian tries but fails but Jim trys and wins

Brian,
Don't know what you are doing but this is the way to do things to get a posting on the site. It must be that I am older and alot wiser than you! I used your username and password and hey presto (or is it hey tesco now!!)

I will email you tomorrow how to post on the blog site and hopefully you can post a message instead of test test test all the time.

Derby away

Great result and great day by the 25 or so that went on the coach.
Set off at 6.15am and by the time we had picked everyone up it was 6.45am before we hit the A1(M). Not much banter on the bus as everyone was still half a sleep and need of some shut eye to get over the night before's drink.
Arrived at the drinking hole at 9.10am and club was already open - pints of John Smith were freely flowing from 9.11am until 11.00am when we all left to go to Pride Park. The discussions in the pub led to a good 2 hours of laughter with yours truly being at the thick of things (as usual). Subjects under discussion ranged from the pole dancers before the Preston match that led me to phone Steph.W as he had being having me on about this since the New Year - I 'll get him back!. Other subject matter were the size of the sausages against the size of the drivers flask and where you could put the batteries in to the availability of women's towels (Always variety) and the art of fitting them to thongs - I was informed by one of the girls with us that there are special types that fit a thong - the mind boggles.
After three or four pints, a sausage sarnie we headed off to Pride Park getting there about 11.30am and finding the bar was open so another pint was had but none at half time as the bars stayed shut.
50/50 split for the first half with the Collins twins giving nothing away at the back - if in doubt kick it out attitude.
Second half was total SAFC - we dominated and controlled the play all the half with goals from Elliott and Whitehead - not the best of goals but got us the three points to stay with Wigan and Ipswich. Only real complaint was the choice of Jeff Whitley he was rubbish all game and was wandering around like a headless chicken. Big Lee was summoned by the police at half time as his picture matched a hooligan element from the Watford away game. After checking out his name and address on a central computer for criminals he was given the okay to enjoy the match. Can you be convicted of drinking about 6 or 7 pints and eating 3 or 4 burgers???
We left the ground feeling great and the result certainly made up for getting up at 5.15am. The return journey was quiet due to the need for more sleep - yes I allowed everyone to have a nap! Only thought on my mind was how did they get the towels to fit a thong .... mind boggles again!
Got back home at 4.45pm - a great 12 hours of enjoyment.

FTM
J Gilling

Watching the Game on T.V.

Well, I decided not to go to Derby today and watch the game on tv. Main reason was that our Alex plays football on a Sunday and I like to go and see him play plus I don't like Sunday lunchtime KO's. It's just not the same watching the game on tv though and although very pleased with the result and performance I missed the atmosphere etc. I'm going to the next two away games, Everton and Wolves, so looking forward to them .... and a bit kip on the bus home?!

Billy

Friday POETS day

Yes its POETS day (piss off early tomorrow's Saturday) and I am having a wind down looking forward to the week-end and the match against Derby on Sunday.
It look's like we have one player back and one player out in defence - Gary Breen back from injury but Steve Caldwell out due to calf injury (most people have dogs and cats for pets Caldwell must keep cattle)

Today was spent working from home as usual completing emails booking appointments for the next few weeks, only interuption was from my daughter and the arrangments for the wedding end of the year. Times have changed since I got married - book the church, the club for the reception and the night out no problems and very cheap. Now it's Hardwick Hotel and at Hardwick prices and only Hardwick because they have more than one function room other places are booked for Christmas parties or like the Halgarth Manor Pittington could not be bothered to have anyone available even after booking an appointment - what would it have been like if it was the wedding day and no one in. I was thinking of the SOL but too far to travel so we will probably stick with the Hardwick Hall, after all I was born there when it used to be a hospital.

Talked to a work mate from Surrey today - he supports Chelsea and pays a fortune for his season ticket. Anyway asked him about the game with Man. U and if it was penalty or not - obvious answer was it wasn't a penalty and he was still stressed out as he stated it was a stressful game - he should try supporting Sunderland. He is going to the second leg in two weeks time so I wished him luck but didn't mean it as I would rather see Northern teams in finals than any Southern team even if it is Man. U who don't have any fan base that live in Manchester.

As stated in my previous blog the interest in the Everton fixture is dwindling, reason for this is the price of the tickets - looks like we will be down to the same 11 or 12 sharing a coach with Sedgefield.


FTM
Jim Gilling

Thoughts on the FA Cup and next season

This morning my wife Linda has gone off with my daughter Melanie looking at wedding dresses. No not for my wife but for the daughter as she is getting married this year on December 3rd. First thoughts when she announced this after her partner asked for her hand in marriage (I thought the old traditions were dead!) was the cost and who would we playing that day. Would it be Man. U / Chelsea / Arsenal or then it may be Wolves or Sheffied United in the Championship - I hope it is the Premiership. Forget what I stated on my last posting - if it's one of the big guns then I hope Sky change it to Friday / Sunday or even Monday night (selfish bastard I know after what I stated yesterday!)
Anyway we have a good draw in the FA Cup - Everton away - hub cap territory when not even tie wraps will deter any one looking for a decent set of hub caps - beware!
Already I have had requests to run our own coach to the game but alas when it gets down to committment I know we will share again with Sedgefield and have a good pint before the match - Clive Dent who runs the Sedgefield branch knows some good watering holes to all away fixtures - without him we would all be teetotal!!
The prices are a bit expensive but I suppose it's a premiership side, I usually take my nephew to all away fixtures so admission only will be £49.00 if we get the top price tickets bus fare should put this up to £70 to £80 for the trip - ah and yes there is the beer money to add ....
The club has also just announced that the FA safety committee have reduced the number of Cardiff fans attending the fixture at the SOL in February to 1,500 as were the Leeds and West Ham fans - apparantly for not sitting down at away fixtures - seats must have been too cold.
One thought I hope will not be correct - 1,500 Cardiff in the game and another 2,000 loose in the Wheatshief or other surrounding pubs - not a good combination considering all the damage done by Cardiff last season. Lets wait and see.

Fixture Changes

Just received the following reminder from the Club:

Derby County v. SAFC Sunday 16th January, 12noon kick off.
(originally scheduled for Sat 15th January 2005)

Wolves v. SAFC Friday 4th February, 7:45pm kick off.
(originally scheduled for Sat 5th February 2005)

Burnley v. SAFC Friday 4th March 2004, 7:45pm kick off.
(originally scheduled for Sat 5th March 2005)

Don't know what you think but we all loved it when Sky came in and bailed alot of clubs out of the shit and initially we all enjoyed watching footie on the box Sunday afternoons. Now it seems Sky is dictating the dates of the fixtures and okay the clubs get the money but what about the true supporters that are being messed about by switching games from Saturdays to Friday nights and Sunday 12.00 kick off. On Sunday I am setting off in the coach at 6.15am reason to grab a pint in a club near Derby ground at 9.00am, hope there will be bacon butties on as well!

I also know that the last away game of the season against West Ham due to be played on a Saturday there are supporters already booked into hotels in London and have booked cheap flights / trains ...... watch out for Sky to bugger this up and switch the game to Friday night or Sunday.

FTM

Jim Gilling

First Posting and Introduction

First posting and a big thank you to Roughy the best comedian to come out of the North East and still flying the flag for SAFC (Sunderland Association Football Club for those would don't already know) Without viewing Roughy's web page I would not have known about the art of blogging.
The purpose of the site is to keep interested parties informed of the activities of the SAFCSA Coxhoe Branch and any news from the Club either official or not will be posted to allow feedback on what's happening with our beloved club.
For those who don't know where Coxhoe is, it is a small ex.pit village on the outskirts of Durham City in the North East of England. The branch was formed just before SAFC hit the dizzy heights of the premiership and now we are in the Championship member numbers have dwindled and we are now down to a loyal following of over 70 members. The Branch covers supporters from the surrounding villages of Kelloe, Bishop Middleham and West Cornforth.
We have a coach to every home game and share a coach with the Sedgefield branch for all away matches. The fares for both home and away fixtures are reasonable and the main thing is trouble free on every occassion.
Our hopes for this season are promotion - not through the play-offs, stay away supporters to come back and get behind the lads and the club to sign players that want to put the red and white shirt on their backs first then think of the money afterwards.

More will follow as we start the site off. Keep you posted - comments welcome.

http://www.safc.com

FTM

J Gilling