SAFC v Cardiff

Another 3 points in the bag with a fine display in the first half followed by backing off (as usual) in the second half allowing for a stupid goal in the later stages of the game and a nervous last 10 minutes. Good performance by Mr Coxa (Marcus Stewart) who thoroughly deserved his goal, lets hope he gets a new contract at the end of the season as this will mean we have been promoted.
Excellent attendance on the bus 49 fans with a £28.00 profit going to the branches coffers plus the funds from the domino card. Lets hope it continues to the end of the season.
Well this week I am away to Leicester on Wednesday with a stop over in Surrey on Thursday as I have to call in to the head office for a meeting. Then it's off to Burnley at 3.00pm on Friday when we are hoping for another 3 points and then a draw between Wigan and Ipswich on Saturday. Hopefully the Lads will not slip up this time as every time we have a chance of breaking away we get a daft result and another set back.
Jack T seems to be turning the corner and thinking about coming to a few matches, it would be great to see his return and hopefully the Lads turn it on for him so he decides to come back again..... but as I mentioned above just when we have a chance .... the Lads give us another set back.

Jim Gilling
FTM

Fixture Amendments

As predicted the silly season has again started with the best team in the Championship being selected for more Sky screening. Another long standing predication is watch this space about the West Ham away game - probably be Friday night or Sunday noon or worst of all 5.30 on Saturday.

Message from SAFC reads: -

Sky Sports have picked another of Sunderland AFC’s Coca-Cola Championship games as a live televised match.
The Black Cats’ home game against Reading on Saturday 9th April has been selected as a live game, with the kick-off being brought forward to 12.45pm.
SAFC’s visit to Burnley next Friday (4th March) is also due to be screened on Sky Sports, kicking off at 7.45pm, while the trip to Ipswich was this week switched to Sunday 17th April, kicking off at 12 noon.
All fixtures up to Sunday 17th April have now been picked by Sky, and any of the last three games of the season could be could yet be subject to change due to Sky’s coverage.
SAFC’s remaining fixtures are:
Saturday 26th February: Cardiff City (H) 3pm
Friday 4th March: Burnley (A) 7.45pm SKY SPORTS
Saturday 12th March: Crewe (A) 3pm
Tuesday 15th March: Plymouth Argyle (H) 8pm
Saturday 19th March: Coventry City (H) 3pm
Saturday 2nd April: QPR (A) 3pm
Tuesday 5th April: Wigan Athletic (A) 7.45pm
Saturday 9th April: Reading (H) 12.45pm SKY SPORTS
Sunday 17th April: Ipswich Town (A) 12 noon SKY SPORTS
Saturday 23rd April: Leicester City (H) 3pm
Saturday 30th April: West Ham United (A) 3pm
Sunday 8th May: Stoke City (H) 1pm

Cardiff

No slip up's please lads, we need to win this game and keep the pressure on Ipswich and Wigan. A big wake up call against Brighton last weekend and an unconvincing win against piss-poor Rotherham does not bode well and I hope we can regain some form and beat Cardiff. We should do, they're on the relegation fringes but you can bet they'll come and scrap for the points. I see Ipswich are at home to QPR who are going through a slump at the moment plus Wigan are away to lowly Gilligham so not holding out a lot of hope that either of them will slip up so it's up to us to keep the pressure on and win.
BTW, I see Burnley have signed Akinbiyi for £600,000. I remember back when he scored against us when playing for Leicester at Filbert Street. They were bottom of the League and he hadn't scored for ages but what happened, Reidy played one up front and he scored! With Breen and Caldwell out of sorts he might just do it again.
Anyway, sorry to be so pessimistic but thats how it feels at the moment. Maybe we'll play well vs Cardiff and come away with all 3 points and be looking forward to the Burnley game.
Billy

Three Points and a Profit

Well would you believe it Tuesday night match, snowing and playing the bottom of the league side ..... a nearly full bus; profit for the club probably first time on a mid-week match since the Premiership. Taking into account we had about 4 or 5 regulars missing due to work it was a great turnout - here's hoping for the same on Saturday.
Not a bad game but not 100% satisfaction. Central defence still looks like they will give easy goals away if playing against better opposition. Whitley and Robinson don't seem to be the right mid-field partnership then enters Thornton with his first kick and what a goal, second of his two was not bad either. He should stick to playing football instead of making all those chocolates for his chain of shops.
Good result with Ipswich slipping up and Wigan might slip up tonight against Coventry. Still think April is our Waterloo get through that month with away points and I think we will be celebrating but after our last match at home as I think it will go to the wire.
Now its off to Belgium with my flight out from Glasgow Prestwick and the snow! Alright you might ask why Glasgow Prestwick and not Newcastle - flight from Newcastle - nearly £400 flight from Glasgow £45. Cheap skate you are saying but time is money - money is definitely money and I rather have it in my pocket than some airline company who charge more because they give you free drink and a free sandwich. Ipod charged up, phone charged, coat and flask in the car so it's off we jolly well go. See you Saturday.

Jim Gilling

FTM

I'm Pleased I didn't go to Brighton

Read Billy's note about should he have gone to Brighton - my thoughts are as the heading, pleased I didn't go. Looking at the ground on the box it looked like Kelloe Council Ground with a few hand made stands dotted about here and there. The game was not much cop either we couldn't beat a lower class side that don't deserve to be in the same league as us but loosing against 10 men was just shite with a capital SH. It makes you wonder what April will bring when we play our nearest rivals all away in the same month.
At least the Pool's won - like to see them get promoted through the play-offs.
Well today we awake to snow and the thought of going down the club to see the mags get beat after hopefully hearing Celtic have beaten Rangers - pity its not live on Sky anyone heard of Sentina channel and how much to subscribe.
Next week I will be off to Leicester on Tuesday but back for the match on the night - road conditions permitting. Afterwards its off to Belgium for three days back late Friday to look forward to Saturdays match at home to Cardiff.

Jim Gilling
FTM

Should I have gone to Brighton?

Well it's 7;30 and I'm out of bed and wondering what to do with the day. Should I have gone to Brighton? On the one hand I'm sure it would have been an experience going to the Withdean stadium, especially if I'd gone with Clive and had an overnight stop (I hope Stewy doesn't get any of the 'gay boys' after his bum - whats the odds on him getting locked up?) but on the other hand the travelling will be a killer and, as Jimmy found out, I'm sometimes not a good traveller, especially after a drink.
Anyway, I haven't gone so I'll reconcile myself with Rotherham on Tuesday then off to Old Trafford on Wednesday. This afternoon I'll be watching for score updates from the game and the FA cup and come 5 o'clock I'll be pleased I stopped at home. Fair result last night with Ipswich drawing and tough game for Wigan against Leeds so hopefully we can make some ground up on the top two this week. Just watch us draw on Tuesday though!

Come on Chelsea.
Your friend Billy

SAFC v Watford

Three points in the bag against poor opposition. The result was never in question as Watfords first goal attempt was in the 43rd minute. Great to see a Coxa lad (Marcus) getting a hatrick and also a standing ovation when he was subbed near the end. He deserves a new contract what ever league we are in next season - this will give me time to save up to put a bid in for his house if and when it comes up for sale. Only downside was the two goals conceded near the end it sounds better 4 nil than 4:2. I thought Leicester and Crewe might have given Ipswich and Wigan a better run for their money but lets now wait for next week-ends games Ipswich take on Preston, Wigan take on dirty Leeds and SAFC are away to Brighton. I decided not to go as it is a shite journey even by train, with the train journey interrupted by a coach link due to engineering works between London and Brighton - 100% genuine supporters who make this trip. I have put my name down for Burnley, Crewe and Wigan away - the Burnley fixture being a Friday night due to Sky Sports wanting to screen the best club in the division (no not Burnley). Pity about the fans who had looked forward to this fixture being on the Saturday.
We only lost out by £1.00 on the coach to the Watford fixture with a better than expected number on the bus - is this the sign of the times - are we heading for automatic promotion or was it the fact that the numbers were up because the members have got wind of the return of the Boss???
After the match it was down to Coxhoe club with missus in tow - not a bad night with a canny singer downstairs and a heavy group playing upstairs - Led Zep and Purple for the first spot. Were you there Waltonthewinger or have you now signed up for Sweet tribute bands? Loads of people saying what a good night my party was with some good vibes about Roughy and great to see a comedian on in a workingmens club other than with strippers on a Sunday afternoon. So Roughy you now have some more adopted fans in Coxhoe and even Kella!!
Next week will be a quiet week, working from home most of the week with only a short trip to Bradford planned for Thursday. Unless something exciting happens my next blog will probably be at the week-end after we have secured second spot in the Championship

Jim Gilling
FTM

The Boss Returns

From the comments in Billy's Wolves trip blog it appears that the Boss "Jack" is coming to a match in April. Must ensure the coach is clean, Stevie W does not winge, no leaks of water through the roof and most of all the seat in the front is free. Should I hand him the money bag to collect the fares or just let him relax and let him enjoy his return as the leader of our merry group?

Seriously it is good to see the Boss back and hope he enjoys the day and we get a good performance and result. Perhaps then he may want to come again!!!!!

Oh by the way as I am now 50 and Billy is 50 in April I think next season anyone over 50 should go for £3.00 return any one agree? - come on own up to your ages!

Jim Gilling

The Big Week-End

Well it started with a trip to Wolves, only 15 of us on a mini bus that picked us up at 1.00pm and got us safe a sound to the watering hole Clive had mapped out for us at 5.30pm. A few JD and cokes on the way down set the way ahead for a good sup in the pub. Billy was in good form leading the way by supping off first and even getting a round in twice. Then it was off to the match.
A good start to the game with a good seat and not a bad ground. The Lads played well in the first half until the goalkeeping error that let Wolves back in then the midfield lost it and Wolves kept pressing for a winner but didn't have the fire power to kill us off. Bridges dropped a beauty of a ball into the centre but Whitehead could not finish as good as the fantastic goal from Elliott. So it ended 1-1 and we went home fairly happy as I think we would have taken a draw before the match started. On the way back we started celebrating my 50th birthday at 12.00am on the M18 just outside Rotherham. Not the ideal spot to be when you turn fifty but the "happy birthday" rendition from all on the bus was much appreciated as was the final bottle of JD and coke.

Saturday 5th February and the day of my birthday party but first a mad dash to my cousin Patricia's wedding with my mother. Started at 12.00pm and finished at 5.30pm - good wedding good banter from my mother and one of my aunts - it was like the muppet show all over again. Got back home at 6.00pm, my mother fell over on our front step and cut all her leg open so another mad dash to get the bleeding to stop before getting down the club to welcome all my guests.

The party was well attended about 230 plus were there, a few did not make it but that was fine as the fire certificate only allows for 260 in the concert room. Did everyone see my bonny pictures on the wall - now I know what Linda, Lorraine and Melanie had been upto while I was at the wedding. The evening started with the disco, then Heartbeat did their sixties spot, then a bit more disco and Roughy was on. Great act, pity he could not have been on for longer as just as he was getting into his stride time was against him and he had to finish to let the group finish their spot with a batch of numbers from the 70's. Forgot to mention to Roughy that there was one of my mates in like Heather Mills as he had to have his leg off due to an accident but I saw my mate in the bogs and he said he had enjoyed the Heather Mills jokes so all was okay. The night was rounded off by my mate Peachey giving a few burst from the past with the Greyhound Football Team's anthem "simply the best" being one of them. Night finished off at 12.00am at the club and then it was back to my house for more drink, more music and this time some food (sorry for those who thought that there would have been food on at the club but you must have realised that there was no room and no time for any). Finally got to bed about 4.30am with a bad head and aching limbs as I had been dancing my wick out which is not the norm.

Next morning woke up with sore head, aching limbs so I went down the club at 12.30pm to have the hair of the dog to put me right. It didn't so I went back home and went to bed about 5.00pm to get up at 8.00pm and read my cards and count my bottles of drink that I had received from some great friends. Total count was 97 cards, 39 bottles of spirits and the club took just over £2,000 behind the bar. Not a bad night - I have the photos to prove it - be warned everyone who was there without their wives!

So thanks to all that came to the bash, to the High-lites disco, Heartbeat and Roughy for making it a special night for me and my family. Here's to my sixtieth bash - already preparing.


Jim Gilling

Jimmy's birthday night

Started off with only being able to get a taxi for 6;30 so we were stood outside the club for 10 minutes before the doors opened. When we got in we spent a few minutes on the stairs looking at the pictures of Jimmy. He hasn't changed much over the years, has he.
Got some good seats and watched the club quickly fill up. A good turn out and the place was pretty full by 8 o'clock. Here's one for Jimmy - I wonder how many of the assembled ladies you've sh@gged? Or perhaps that would be telling! I also wonder how many bottles of booze Jimmy was given - I'd guess one for each year of his life, there must have been over 50. Sat with Taffy and caught up with his crack, also saw John Turton who I hadn't seen since school. Butch and Kenny were in good form and were looking forward to the buffet afterwards; they reckoned there was loads of Indian food on .... they didn't know what it was but other people said it would be good so they knew they'd like it. I thought all the entertainment was excellent, especially the groups first set. Roughy was good and was just getting into his stride when he had to stop.
Overall an excellent night. Got the taxi home at 11:30 and fell asleep in the chair. Woke up at 4:30 with a splitting headache and went to bed. Got up again at 8:30 and felt very seedy but felt better after seeing our Alex's team win their game 7-2 and with only 10 men.
Will post again later in the week as I get more energy back.

Wolves

Never been to Molineux so decided to go this time, even though SKY have messed things up by switching the game to a Friday night. Would have been a nice Saturday trip but, never mind, I'm sure we'll still enjoy it. Hope it all works out better than Everton which was a horrendous journey and a poor game, made worse by the antiquated stadium.
Looking forward to the game and starting some early celebrations with Jimmy for his birthday.
Will post a report afterwards.

On the Box

Still suffering from the cold I have had for over a week now so I have stayed in most of the week and watched some good T.V. the last couple of days.
First of all the Arsenal v Man U match - what a brilliant game plenty of twists and turns and good to see Man U doing the double over the Northern Londoners - a few at the office in Surrey support Arsenal and are getting plenty of stick now from the Chelsea boys. I still think that they should give Chelsea the trophy now and help them concentrate on the other three competitions they will probably win - if they can overcome Barcelona in the Champions League.
As I stated in a previous blog we could have drawn or beaten Everton if we had put our minds and backs to it but the vast gulf in class between Chelsea / Man U and Arsenal against the rest in the Premiership is all there to be seen and may call out in future again for a European Super League - I hope it does not happen but within the next year or so the question will raise its head again ..... but this time at least the Scum will not be in consideration as they look like heading for a bottom end of the table position. Lets see how the Scum fare next season without the money that the European games brings in ..... another Leeds lets hope so!
Then there was last night's Wife swapping - I don't normally watch (honestly) but following Roughy's recommendation that one of his comedy colleagues from Scotland was taking part I thought I would give it a go. Yes she was everything that Roughy was indicating - lets the Kids do there own thing and take responsibilities. A good way of educating the kids for the future but not sure if it was wise to let a toddler roam loose around the house. Oh yes then there was the mess in the house - not good but you want to see my sons room and he is 19. Then there was the other girl from Donny - ah can she move in with me tomorrow - the guy living with her was waited on all day and every day and went out with his mates every night no questions asked. She even filled the bath for him if he phoned on the way home so he could pop straight in the bath. I agree she was a control freak and needed to change but between the two I would have gone for the lass from Donny after all I am married to a lass from Scotland and I know what they are like!!!
Wolves game tomorrow with the bus picking me up at 1.00pm and then my Birthday bash on Saturday night with Roughy and a a 60's/70's group from Scotland called Heartbeat plus disco. Hopefully plenty of drink and fun for all.

Jim Gilling

If we could only have made it

Well the draw was made for the 5th round yesterday and as always I look to see who we would have played - Man.U at home. If only we could have played in the first half rattled a few cages and got stuck in to worry Everton more we might have been playing the mighty reds. (I wonder who Brian would have supported???)
I have still got a filthy head cold can't seem to get rid of it and feeling pretty miserable as I have to travel the rest of the week "down South" on business to the posh end of Surrey.
Today I phoned one of my ex work mates to see if he was still coming to my bash on Saturday as his wife had been ill with cancer for quite a while. He informed me she died last week and will be buried on Thursday - puts my head cold in perspective doesn't it.
Life is a bitch sometimes!

Jim Gilling