Stoke game sold out

Well thats good news and makes for a great day -pity im on call, but i will still be there just have to keep the drinkin celebrations to a minimum .. c,mon Sunday domingo

Them up the road.

Content removed after beer fuelled celebrations send blog administrators into frenzy after evening of enduring a tortuous club singer singing

"I want to break free"

Happiness

A Taste of last night in pictures.

Click the title to see some more.

The Coxhoe Cameraman

West Ham away day

Part 1

What a day! Best way to describe it is as a diary of the day as the events unfolded so let’s start at the beginning and work through to the triumphant end.

As I was off work Julie took the opportunity to go in early and gain some flexi so it was my job to see the boys off to school. After a few grumbles I got them organised and out the door on time and sat back to wait for Jimmy who arrived just before 9 with Steve Walton and young David in the back. Jim has set the GPS routefinder for Boleyn Road, East London so off we set on our West Ham awayday adventure.

We made good progress and passed Ferrybridge using the new bypass and got onto the A1. Big Jeff from Trimdon had told Jim about a good café for breakfast so we were on the lookout for Katie’s Kitchen. Anybody who’s knows Jeff will quickly surmise that he’s a man who knows what he’s talking about when it comes to food and so it proved. We arrived at the café at 11:20 and emerged 40 mins later each having had a £5 ‘bellybuster’ breakfast. This was certainly no ‘greasy spoon’ transport café, it had previously been a Little Chef and was nicely appointed and the food was excellent so top marks to Jeff for his recommendation. We set off at about 12 o’clock having had a bit crack in the café with some Yorkshiremen (Leeds supporters) who were on their way to Newmarket races. They wished us luck and lamented that Leeds had a long way to go to get back into the big time. One of them had a 1972 centenary cup final shirt on so we reminded him that the one the year after was better! Back into the car and next stop ‘the smoke’.

At about 1 o’clock we left the motorway and joined the North Circular and were soon on Romford Road in the heart of the East End of our nation’s capital. However, the most striking feature of the Romford Road was the proliferation of people from OTHER NATION’S CAPITALS – the place was absolutely heaving with people of mixed nationalities with very few indigenous cockneys to be seen. The place was teeming with turbans, rasta’s, saris shops by the dozen, shops with squiggly writing which we could not decipher, women in full Muslim regalia etc etc and not a pearly king or queen to be seen. Steve Walton’s eyes were popping (remember Steve comes from Kella, that tightly knit, if slightly inbred, community where a foreigner is someone who comes from Quarrington Hill) so the sight of so many ‘commonwealth cousins’ had Steve huffing and puffing “I didn’t think it would be like this marra”. It really was an eye-opener, even more so when coming towards us was a funeral procession led by a brass band playing honky tonk music followed by a horse drawn hearse and a long line of mourners. It was reminiscent of the voodoo funeral procession in 'Diamonds are Forever'. We were all gob smacked, a little bit of the Caribbean in London. Jim’s routefinder took us down Green Road and straight to a car park about 200 yards from Upton Park. Although the sun was shining and it felt warm to us (being tough Northerners) the ‘locals’ seemed to be feeling the cold more and most had their big coats on. We parked the car and went to the tube station which was only 5 minutes walk away and got a train to Mile End which was only a few stops away. Last year we went to a pub about 50 yards from Mile end tube station called ‘The Matter of Time’ and that was our destination again. Young David seemed a bit nervous on the train but was enjoying his first trip to London. We got to the pub about 2 o’clock and Jimmy blagged a paper and we sat outside soaking up the sun and people-watching. Jimmy summoned the manager, an Irish Lad, and asked him about the properties across the road, in particular a burnout building. Remember that this is the East End, not fashionable Chelsea or Belgravia, but our ‘gobs were smacked’ once more (fortunately, figuratively speaking this time, not like in Leicester Jimmy!) when he told us the burnt out shell had been sold for £300 - £400k and the other terraced houses went for £750k.

As the afternoon wore on other Sunderland supporters drifted in to the pub including Jane and her friend. Jane goes to most, if not all, the away games and we’ve met her before on the train. She’s a friend of Billy senior’s and recently he was telling us that she’s always texting him and that they are quite pally. Well ….. that’s not exactly the version Jane gave us when we enquired if Kenny had been in touch lately. Words like ‘text pest’ were used, creating the impression that they are perhaps not as close as Kenny led us to believe. I think Jimmy is maybe going to take Kenny to task on this next time he sees him as he had given us the impression that Jane had been the instigator.

A couple more pints and then the swimming baths turned out. Well at least that’s what it looked like. Hundreds of young girls wearing blue smocks and with what looked like towels on their heads came along the road. Jimmy was adamant that it was the swimming baths but a couple of English girls in normal school uniform came along to meet their parents outside the pub and some of the ‘swimmers’ were waving to them so perhaps it was just the school turning out. Next into the ‘beer garden’ came four young mums with their offspring in pushchairs. I think they were perhaps part of an extended family. Going off their looks and accents all the girls were of English cockney descent but all the little ones definitely had a ’touch of the tarbrush’. No dads were in evidence, perhaps they were ‘down the arches’ or ‘up the market’ earning a crust. Nothing very upmarket about their spouses though – a right set of charvesses. Remember Waynetta Slob castigating Wayne that she wanted a ‘braaan baby like the other mums daaaan the precinct’? Well these girls were ‘living that dream’ and had all got themselves a 'braaan baby'.

Another couple of anecdotes from the pub then I’ll move on. Mid afternoon a stunning little black barmaid came on duty. Although petite she was certainly very shapely. We sent Jimmy in to get the drinks so he could see her but as soon as he went to the bar she started collecting glasses - was it something he said? As we were getting ready to leave another stunning black girl came in. This one was very tall and slim with legs which seemed to go all the way up to her armpits. She was wearing a very skimpy white outfit, a very short skirt and a matching cowboy hat. She seemed to know some of the others in the pub and sat with them chatting, but kept crossing and uncrossing her lags in a very distracting manner; at least it was distracting the Mackem lad sat across the table who was trying to read his newspaper but was going cross-eyed! Soon she received a phone call and a big car pulled up and she jumped in and was whisked away but half an hour later she was back and rejoined her mates. Wonder where she’d been? Perhaps she’d just popped home to check on her grandparents? She looked the type of girl who would be kind to elderly gentleman. Anyway, that’s all for know. Time for a breather then I’ll be back on with an account of the game.


West Ham - part 2

Here we go again.

We left the pub at about 6:15 and got back on the tube for Upton Park. After a short journey we arrived and whilst Jimmy and David went to check on the car Steve and I went to the fish and chip shop Abbsy and I found last year. Got talking to a West Ham supporter in the queue, an Irishman (are there any English people left in London?) who was at the game with his young son who was a Man Utd supporter (sounds familiar!). The fish and chips were lovely and we ate them as we made our way to the ground. All day I’d had a good feeling about this game which is unusual for me as I’m usually superstitiously pessimistic but I still felt confident. Got into the ground and the place was already buzzing with ¾ of an hour still to go to KO. Saw a few people I know, including Clive and the Sedgefield lot who were stopping for the weekend. Pre-match entertainment was provided by the lovely Hammerettes (http://www.hammerettes.com/)and before we knew it the teams were coming out for the game. I won’t go into too many details of the game itself as there are plenty of reports elsewhere but what I will say is that the atmosphere was magical and special. Under Mick McCarthy the club has regained pride and a sense of togetherness. I remember being at Birmingham two years ago when we were relegated and turning round at the end of the game to see big Clive Dent blubbering like a baby with tears in his eyes. As that season wore on it was inevitable that we were going to get relegated but when it came it was still a blow and a humiliation, especially as we ended the season with all those defeats and only 19 points. Clive was sitting in front of me last night and he was absolutely joyous, as we all were. Nights like last night help make up for times like Birmingham two seasons ago. I was sat next to Christine on one side and Steve Walton on the other so when we scored I opted for a nice hug from Christine! As the game finished the crowd erupted and the players came across to join in the celebrations. They looked genuinely happy, unlike some of the ‘big-timers’ who were here when we got relegated, and it’s great to know that some of those lads on the pitch had won a medal and were heading for the Premiership whereas a couple of seasons ago they were lower league players. Let’s hope they can all prosper in the Premiership.

The Sunderland crowd stayed back to cheer the players as they left the pitch whilst the WH crowd trooped dejectedly away. Been there, done that, but you have to have some sympathy for them. They came down with us and now look unlikely to make the play-offs so some big issues ahead for them but they’ll have to sort them out, just like we had to. Anyway, back to SAFC. As we left the ground we were ‘over the moon’ and in high spirits as we made our way back to the car. The whole area was well policed but there was no trouble that I saw, I think the WH supporters were too dispirited. We decided to let the traffic clear before we left and Jimmy went in for some more fish and chips. We went up to where we had the car parked which was overlooking the street and watched the crowds dissipate. It was very peaceful up there at the top level of the car park and somehow quite relaxing and uplifting after all the hubbub. Jimmy set the navigator for Coxhoe and we set off back down the same streets we had come through earlier in the day. If anything it looked more dismal than it had during the day and we were glad to get onto the M11 and away. London – you can keep it as far as I’m concerned, OK for a visit but would hate to live there. Nothing to do with the high % of coloured people (although I must admit that the majority we saw seemed unwilling to adopt the English culture and dress) but just too busy and congested for us Northern boys. I suppose all the different nationalities contribute to ‘life’s rich tapestry’ and form the melting pot which is London but it wouldn’t suit me and I can easily see how racial and cultural tensions can arise in such a situation. Social rant over!

Roads were quiet on the way back once we’d cleared London and we made good progress getting home for 2:30. As we sped through the night with the radio tuned in to various night-time ‘easy listening’ stations it was a great feeling to know that we were Champions although I must admit I slept most of the way as it had been an exhausting and emotional day. For once I didn’t have a blinding headache even though we’d had 7 pints at the pub. I’d had plenty of water to drink during the day but I think it’s also the tension which causes the headaches and I was much more relaxed yesterday. Overall a great day out in good company and a few laughs along the way with a Championship at the end of it. What more can a man ask for! Roll on next Sunday when we get presented with the trophy and have the final phase of our promotion party.

Finally a big, big thank you to Jimmy for doing the driving. Much appreciated Jim – top man.

Phew - I'm finished for now. I'll add some more if anything else comes back to me but I'll give Jimmy a chance to interject with his own comments or if I've missed anything. Some great postings also from those who didn't manage to get go the match. Well done lads, I can see you were also passionate and that it means a lot to you too. It's now just past half time so I'll quit now and off to watch the scores come in. Mags currently 0-0 at home to Palace so the weekend just keeps getting better!!

What a Beautiful Day

I know Billy is going to post the main blog as we agreed after last nights match. However I just thought I would add my short comment ....... fucking brilliant!

Jim Gilling
FOM

This Weeks Big Film

Warners Complex Newcastle Upon Tyne
The Coxhoe Cameraman

Message from Sir Mick

Dear Coxhoe Branch

It's a fantastic way to win it. It's nicer than going to the Stoke game on the last day and winning it - and not relying on Preston to get something tomorrow.
It's a terrific result. I thought West Ham were better than us in the first half, they had the chances.
Ben's [Alnwick] played very well. He made a fantastic save from [Marlon] Harwewood. I was disapppointed when we got to 43 minutes and then we conceded.
The game was very open; I just thought they played better than us, possession wise, in the first half. We gave it away and that was my emphasis at half time.
We had had chances and I knew that if we passed it better, we'd get through them. We passed it better second half - it was a good peformance.
I keep hearing that we are not the best side in the league. Well, I think tomorrow morning I'll find that we are.
I said last week that it was my best achievement because it was the most recent - getting promoted. Now this is my best moment, because it's the most recent. And if we stay up next season, that will be my best achievement, because it will be the most recent.
It's brilliant for the older, more experienced players and it's great for the young players. It's a wonderful achievement and great for them.
I'll have a drink tonight - you try and stop me!I think they might enjoy the weekend. Tonight they will be on the bus recovering. All season long they have been magnificent.
All the best,

Mick McCarthy

Jack, Jack..

I feel tearful mate when i'm reading your post.. I agree with all that you state my friend. Now, we'll are all regarded with top-flight again after all.

We all know, only us, Sunderland fans , how to endure such hard times . We all who connected with the club strived for give Sunderland back premiership status. Now we are rewarded..

I want to congratulate all the lads for such a moment.. And this is all for u Julio!! You that stayed at the club after relagation when loads of other guys fled aiming for lining-up in a premier league. Nevertheless, Julio stayed and now enjoyed it you Arca..

I praise S.A.F.C
See you at Sid James Park, Highbury, Anfield, Goodison Park, White Hart Pain, etc.. NEVER AGAIN AT THE MOLINEUX, PORTMAN ROAD, JJB STADIUM and all that rubbish !!

HA'WAY THE LADS
Walter from Argentina

Coca Cola Championship Champions 2004 / 05

SUNDERLAND AFC
The Coxhoe Cameraman

And There You Have It.......

Sunderland crowned Champions of Division 1 ( or Coca Cola Championship) for the 3rd time in the space of ten years.

Now then, if I live to be 100 I never want to see the Lads win that trophy again. I never want to see them relegated again. They never should have got themselves into the position where they had to win the Coca Cola Championship ever agin, but they did. Now they are back where they rightfully belong, because SAFC are a BIG club, and the loyalty the fans have shown over decades now needs to rewarded by establishing themselves in the big league. Never mind the Mags and The Smoggies, the fan base SAFC have should be enough to see us challenging both of them

I tell you what men, it was a nice feeling to hear them win the game tonight. Walter and I listened in and talked each other through it via MSN. We could hardly contain ourselves. Walter in an internet cafe in Buenos Aires and me in me cupboard in Coxhoe. It felt like we were sitting side by side at the match. I said when the second half started we could win this and as soonas Stewy went off and Stevie came on " Walter we'll win this now" Elliots pace will kill them" and as they pushed forward they will leave gaps at the back. Sure enough they did and the rest is history.

The happiness was tangible acrross the 6,000 plus miles from the UK to Argentina. Lots of back slapping and cyber hugs. It's great to have mates who you've never met physically but who you can share joy with. One Day Walter lad, One day.

My thought were also with Jim and Brian, who are there in the flesh tonight. It makes the long journey all the more bearable and coming back with the trophy secured makes it even better. If i'd have been there I'd have been in tears. Soft shite that I am.

Well I'll look forward to the reportss tomorrow sometime and hope they have a safe journey home and are filled with joy and their cup overflows.

An answer for you Brian

You asked what were those ropes for in the pic i posted , Velez's pics by the way. Here's the answer: They are used by hooligans to be able to be standing (as you see, they're over the height of the heads of the rest of the fans as you can see. They are standing on "paravalanchas" like a sort of steel bars, that are used meant to avoid people rolling down the terraces when the team scores a goal.However, hooligans use them as something to be standing on, hanging with those ropes tied up in the fencewire..).

Hope you get it a bit clear
ps:liked the girls!!! haha
Walter

I want to get involved guys..

I definetely want to. I want to get involved with Sunderland, with the club.

( Some months ago, i promised to myself that i'd hold a real party at home with many many of my friends, with barbecue and beer.. I must still do that.. I've just hold just an informal party now must come the best since i dont want to break my promise ).

Well, now i turn to all of u in order to give my your piece of advice. Could a guy as me, living so far, get involved with SAFC. i'd like you to help me please..

See you champs..
Walter

An arnchair View

Started the day(apart from work) of at six -forty five p.m. .at the Cross Keys for a family meal, pondered whether to stay down afterwards on me own, cos the influx of Sunderland shirts had begun, some i knew some i didn,t Any way i went home WITH the Family -T.V. straight on kick- off,- early West Ham press. but nowt to worry about -Harewood goal no tackle from Breen 1-0 but he was playin good so no slags there -Second half West Ham nothing to offer enter HOOLIO equaliser 1-1 And sub Elliot probably 3 rd touch Gerrin 2-1 to us drinks out and celebratin wehay party again.. All round performance -report short and sweet BUT Billy and Jimmy for sure will have the real; report ---It doesnt get much better mite go Shoppin termorra - everythings concluded in Sunderlands season ,, but next week --ENJOY wheres me beer

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL !!!!! We are now Champs man!!
I'm very very happy as you are too.. I've listened the game today along with Jack and we burst into excitement when Elliot scored the winner.. I love u Sunderland..!!!!!!!!

See you all at the Premierleague

Walter

West Ham v SAFC

Well only 1 hour before we set off to go to the match. Am I excited? - yes but a bit concerned why you may ask? In case we struggle to find a car parking space! Pressure is off as you can see - no more anxiety just relax abit and enjoy a game for a change in the knowledge that we have made it to the Premiership where we belong.
What are my hopes? Well I will be happy with a draw then Wigan to get beat or draw Saturday and we are the Champions before our last match at home to Stoke.
So it will be next posting Saturday after a long lie in - if we do make it tonight and the championship is ours then I will leave it to Huyton or MelvinH to post the congrats tonight.

Jim Gilling
FOMMN

Where is us non - travellers watchin the game-Huyton?

Bellendamy extracts the urine

Didn't spot this in Glasgow Jim did you.It's Bellamy's new take on SMS messaging
The Coxhoe Cameraman

Billy Twins Hit Glasgow

It seemed strange having another Billy trip without Billy and cousin Billy but Billy Gilligan and Billy senior went up to Glasgow for the night out on Wednesday. Billy Gilligan was on a business trip and Billy senior tagged along just for the ride.
We got to the hotel about 11.00am and as residents we soon hit the hotel bar - Tennants too gasy for me so I stuck with Worthy smooth. After few pints I showed Billy senior where the nearest bars were as I needed to go back to the hotel for my meetings. I dropped him off at the Walkabout pub and said I would meet him at 6.30pm in the Hotel reception.
My meetings finished earlier than expected so I walked about seeking Billy senior - looked in the Walkabout, O'Neils, Wetherspoons and Yates usual haunts for Billy senior couldn't find him anywhere he either was lost or had gone upmarket in one of the trendy establishments. Decided to cut my losses and entered the casino - put a tenner down on the roulette table and came out with £30 not a bad 1/2 hour work.
Met Billy senior at 6.30pm and had a bit to eat stayed clear of any Indians and stuck with chicken and a steak for me. Then we headed for Walkabout to watch the Chelsea match it was chocker we only found a place near the bar but as we took our first sips we turned around to see a guy with a clowns outfit on - a tee-shirt with a scum badge. I asked was he going to a fancy dress party he replied careful you mackem twat you are both out numbered there are 12 of us! The banter still went on and in the end we had them wishing us luck next year - they were not very complimentary about Souness and Mr Sheppard and the two fighting boys - they all said they should have been sacked for fighting on the pitch and also the police should have done them for breach of the peace. Kenny said even the Catholic church had thanked the scum for the 45 minute silence for the Pope at the FA Cup semi-final - this raised another round of good humoured banter. We left after the match finished shook hands and went to another pub - this time an Irish pub Molly Malones it had an Irish band on who were worse than what gets in Coxa Club on a Saturday night. We had one pint and went out seeking another watering hole. The next one was a bit weird - all full of drunken Rangers supporters - now being a good catholic lad and all that Billy senior uttered the usual words to me - shut the fuck up or we're dead! So having Rangers supporters thinking we hated Celtic we enjoyed drunken banter and even had them buying us drinks, which wasn't all that bad considering we were now on double whiskies. At midnight this bar closed and we were invited to join them in a local night club when they saw we were not really bothered one guy said look if you want to come in later just say Big Sean sent you and that you don't have to pay. Well it seemed to good a thing to miss so after one more visit to Walkabout we headed for the nightclub and sure enough we were stopped by the bouncers and when we said the magical words "Big Sean sent us" we went in and did not pay. The place was a dive really but Big Sean saw us and his brother cracked Billy senior out for a game of pool that Billy senior easily won and then kept playing as he beat all oncomers - I think he was crowned champion about 1.30am. So we did not spend much in the night club but drank plenty thanks to Big Sean who kept giving me £20 notes for our drinks - as the night wore on I wondered about not giving him any change every time but thought it would be dangerous to do so as we had told them what hotel we were in. We headed back to the hotel pretty pissed and with my chin still intact for a change. Moral of the story - perhaps it is either Billy or cousin Billy that gets me into all the trouble as without them we had some sticky moments but no marks on my chin this time.

Billy Gilligan
OOTBG

Terraces to the full.Velez's fan 

With balloons to cheer up the team into the pitch 

From inside the mob... Velez-Racing 

Last Saturday: Velez 2 - Racing 1... Velez's terraces 

Two more of my friends... 

What do you think of my friends... 

The Stadium Of Light Panorama

Here's a different way of looking at the SOL. Click the link in the title.

I will survive - SAFC version

Courtesy of RTG


At first I was afraid, almost petrified,

Kept thinking back to how bad we were with a Premier side,

But then I spent a couple nights, thinking how well Mick has done,

With so few funds, how many tricky games he’s won,

And so we’re back, we’re premier league,

And while the mags go out of Europe we’re the pride of the north-east,

Our fans don’t smash phone boxes up, and our players don’t take a fit,

They don’t even fight each other and they’re not completely shit,

And so we’re back, where we belong,

Been through a lot but, we’re still 30 thousand strong,

All of the pundits thought that we might not return,

Have they forgotten, or do they simply never learn,

We’re Sunderland, the red and whites,

And we’re never gonna be kept down, we’re always gonna rise,

And we’ve got lots of games to play, and we’ve got lots of points to gain,

But we’ll survive, we will survive,

Hey, hey

It took all the strength we had not to fall apart,

Semi’s of playoffs and the cup left us with broken hearts,

And we left after both those games just feeling sorry for ourselves,

Of course we cried, but now we hold our heads up high,

And you see us, top of the league,

Ready to beat the Middlesbrough, Mags, Man U, Chelsea,

Arsenal, Villa, Bolton too, we’ll win away at Liverpool,

And then we’ll win the champions league when we play Juve at Camp Nou,

And so we’re back, where we belong,

Been through a lot but, we’re still 30 thousand strong,

All of the pundits thought that we might not return,

Have they forgotten, or do they simply never learn,

We’re Sunderland, the red and whites,

And we’re never gonna be kept down, we’re always gonna rise,

And we’ve got lots of games to play, and we’ve got lots of points to gain,

But we’ll survive, we will survive

And so we’re back, where we belong,

Been through a lot but, we’re still 30 thousand strong,

All of the pundits thought that we might not return,

Have they forgotten, or do they simply never learn,

We’re Sunderland, the red and whites,

And we’re never gonna be kept down, we’re always gonna rise,

And we’ve got lots of games to play, and we’ve got lots of points to gain,

But we’ll survive, we will survive

Notable Dates for Next Season

Received by email from SAFCSA - London Branch:-


Now that the future is certain, members may like to put certain dates in their diary, plan granny's 80th birthday party, book the partner's surprise romantic week-end in Mauritius (or even Ashby-de-la-Zouch) or whatever else has to be fitted in around football. So here we go!

23rd June Fixtures released at 10.00 hours
13th August Season starts
6th/7th May Season finishes (N.B. No play-offs to worry about!)

Scheduled mid week league fixtures are on 22nd August, 26th December (afternoon), 28th December (evening kick-off), 2nd January, 31st January, and 17th April (Easter Monday).

Fixture free Saturdays (International week-ends) are : 3rd September, 8th October and 12th November.

FA Cup Saturdays are : 7th January, 28th January, 18th February and 22nd March with the Semi-Finals on 22nd/23rd April and Final on 13th May.

League Cup midweeks are : 20th September, 25th October, 29th November, 20th December, with the Semi-Final 1st & 2nd legs on 10th & 24th January and Final on 26th February.

Ian Todd
Enrolment Officer
London Branch SAFCSA
020-8847 2905

Season Ticket Prices 2005/2006

For all those who did not renew their tickets or did not have a season ticket last year:-

Black Cats announce season ticket prices for 2005/06
Sunderland AFC has announced season ticket prices for the 2005/06 Premiership season.
Prices at the Stadium of Light have been frozen for five years, with existing season ticket holders having been given the opportunity to take advantage of a price freeze for an unprecedented sixth year by renewing their season tickets early.
It was previously announced that prices for the 2005/06 season would increase by between 5 and 20 per cent, with the actual increase now being confirmed at an average of 10 per cent.
To encourage future generations of supporters, the Club has taken the decision to freeze season ticket prices for Under-12s, meaning that this age group can experience Premier League football for as little as £5 per game.
Under-16 season tickets will be subject to an increase of only 5 per cent, meaning that older junior fans will pay just over £7 per game to watch top-flight football.
A Sunderland supporter purchasing the cheapest adult season ticket at the Stadium of Light for 2005-06 will be paying £62 LESS than the average Premiership club supporter paid THIS season for the same category of ticket.
Sunderland's cheapest adult season ticket for next season is priced at £360, while the average cheapest ticket in the top-flight in 2004-05 was £422 - a difference of £62 or over £3 per game.
A new Sunderland season ticket holder choosing a premium adult ticket for the 2005-06 season will be paying £179 less than the average Premiership club supporter, based on the top-flight's current prices.
Sunderland's top price adult season tickets in the West Stand, East Stand and Premier Concourse for next season are priced at £495, while the average highest priced ticket in the top flight this season was £674 - a difference of £179 or £9.42 per match.
The Black Cats highest priced ticket for next season remains cheaper than the highest priced ticket at 17 of the current Premiership clubs.
SAFC Chief Executive Peter Walker said: "It's about creating a balance between providing our supporters with affordable, accessible football and giving the Club the best possible chance of attempting to compete in the Premier League.
"We are always mindful of the financial constraints of supporters and we believe our pricing structure is fair and realistic. Our prices are significantly cheaper in comparison to the majority of Premier League clubs."
As well as making substantial savings against purchasing a seat on a match-by-match basis, season ticket holders will receive four quarterly issues of the Club magazine, Legion of Light; priority to purchase tickets for limited availability cup games and away fixtures; and the choice of a complimentary upgrade to the Black Cats Bar for one game during the season (subject to availability) or £10 off any purchase over £30 in SAFC retail stores between October 31st 2005 and January 31st 2006.
The 2005/06 season will also see the Club introduce tiered games for match-to-match purchasers for the first time, with 13 games being awarded category B status and 6 being designated as category A fixtures.
Season Ticket Prices - 2005/06
Category Price
Under 12's - Concession Areas £95
Under 16's - Concession Areas £140
Under 22's - Concession Areas £250
Senior Citizen- Concession Areas £250
Junior - West & East Stand and Premier Concourse Wings £280
Adult Concession Areas £360
Adult - Carling North Stand £395
Adult - West & East Stand and Premier Concourse Centre £495
Adult - West & East Stand and Premier Concourse Wings £445
Disabled - Prevailing prices as above
Helper - Free of Charge
Black Cats Bar £795

Here,s the 1996 bottle (its empty by the way) 

It's official - Boro supporters are smoggies!

How do I know? I've a letter to prove it!
In September 2002 we played Boro at the Cellnet and as we approached the stadium all Sunderland supporters were given this letter. I kept a copy to show the Smoggies at work. It clearly says that Boro wear smog masks/chemical suits. So there you have it. Boro are officially smoggies! 

Promotion Memorabilia

I have had this bottle since the 1995/1996 promotion year, still full and un-opened. Don't fancy a sip as there are plenty of floaters and the best before date is April 2000. Anyone got one in the attic or any other items from other promotion years? I have some around and will post probably mid season to keep dialogue going.

A First For The Blogsite! Now you can phone your Blog in no need to type it out!

First Posting Review

Extract from my opening message to kick this blogsite off -

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.

Well not a bad wish list - we went up without the heart ache of the play-offs, there was pride and passion back in the players and some if not all of the stay away fans drifted back. Even Huyton and Postman Pat attended a few games at the end.

Jim Gilling
FTM

I perfect weekend !!!

Sunderland 's promotion at midday... Velez winning a match scoring at the 88th minute to clinch a 2-1 victory... Whats else can i ask for???

It's been a busy day ....

... what with one thing and another and I haven't had much time to do many postings although I did manage a couple this morning.
I've had a read of the long postings from Jack and Jim and between them they capture my thoughts and emotions exactly. Main thing is to enjoy the rest of this season and whatever the close season brings and look forward to next season. Hopefully we'll be better than at least two teams (whoever else gets promoted) and can finish above a couple of those who manage to stay up by the skin of their teeth. Undoubtedly we'll get some severe defeats next season, but hopefully not too many, and perhaps we might surpise a few along the way. Can't wait for the Mags games to come - they're on a hiding to nothing - after all how could we even think about beating them since they're one of the worlds top teams!
All for now.

A dose of realism

I've been out for lunch today. Nice plate of roast beef and Yorkshire at the Poachers, and at £6:40 you can't be robbed, not with the amount they give you on that dustbin lid of a plate. Me and the missus took our selves off to "Locomotion" at Shildon to have a look round the Co Durham arm of the National Railway Museum. Plenty of red and white stripes on show as you would expect in a SAFC stronghold. Interesting place and worth a visit. On the way back I switched on the radio to Metro in time to hear Newcastle take a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford and listen to Fatty Lowes and Jon Anderson go wild in the belief that the Mags were on the crest of greatness. Can't last this I thought to myself, and put it to the back of my mind as I supped a cup of tea and read the Sunday Sun in the sunshine.

Thinking to myself lets have a look at the blog, I was saddened to see that I had missed out on the quiz, but at least I'd had a go. I switched the radio to 5Live in time to hear Rooney hammer one into the back of the net for the equaliser. I left the radio on and read Jim's blog about yesterday. Some fine sentiment there.

Pessimistically, I think that we are all caught up in the emotion of promotion and we'll all need to take a reality check once the season is over and the planning for next season begins. Some things are obvious and Jim points out that this side is not as good as the last promotion winning side and I think also that time will tell if the likes of Lawrence, Whitehead et al are good enough for the big league. Arca, McCartney, Poom, Myrhe are undoubtedly premier material, though I always thought Arca looked ordinary amongst quality players, but quality amongst ordinary players. Stewarts legs have gone, he'll be two yards off the pace in the Premier and there is no room for sentiment inspite of his goals this season. I wouldn't re-employ him.The staff that they have now are not in the same league ( pardon the pun) as the squad Reid assembled during the first 2 seasons of our soujourn into the Premiership. You can't stand still at premier league level. You have always got to have better than what is there now. The Gulf in Class is enormous, and at present I don't think we can compete, with the Boltons, Boro's, Mags or Man City's. Like it or not they are established prem sides.

McCarthy will have his mettle tested come August and I wait with anticipation to see if he is given resources to build a squad good enough and capable enough of holding it's own in the top league. I'm sure we'll all settle for 4th from bottom in a years time. Jims observation about missing fans will take longer to slove. I honestly can't see SAFC pulling back the missing 22,000 on a regualr basis. It's gonna take time. Fans will need to see positives by the players, the management and the directors before they commit to a long term investment. I'ts certainly the way I feel at the moment.

So as I write this blog Darren Ferguson has given the Mags a reality check by hitting the winner for Man Utd, the final whistle has gone, the dream of a win at Old Trafford remains a dream and the Mags have been given a dose of realism.

Lets wait and see what's in store for us before we get carried away. Lets not think we can win at Old Trafford because we are 1-0 up at half time, and boys it's only half time.

Whoa

After Thoughts

Well what an emotional day yesterday was. A few tears in my eyes when the Lads came back out and if you saw the TV clips this morning Mick McCarthy he also shed a tear or two. Still feeling a bit Groggy (spelt it right this time) from last nights drinking session - got the shite singer to give a message out congratulating SAFC on winning promotion - just to annoy the rather silent Scum followers who were in last night.
So it's off to West Ham next Friday - me, Billy, StephenW and young DaveW will enjoy a more relaxed game when we hope that we come away with at least a point to steer us onto the trophy. We are setting off by car about 8.30am to get there for noon then we will meet up with the Sedgefield branch at the East Ham Club where they always go every year .... but not next year!
Then it will be Stoke at home and if Wigan loose points this Saturday we will be presented with the Championship Trophy - lets hope it's not windy and we break the top off like we did a few seasons ago.
On reflection are we a good side - certainly we are the best in the Championship this year - results and position in the league tell the tale. Are we better than the last promotion side? Possibly not but more talented guys coming through with the likes of Welsh, Whitehead, Elliott, Lawrence, Robinson combined with the "old" guard of Arca and McCartney with another chance in the Premiership for Wright. Then there is our adopted son Marcus (ACLSL) - that was for you Billy! - I would like to see him get a new contract possibly for a year as I think he deserves one and it would not be right to let him go having seen him bag important goals this season. Perhaps he will stay on after a year in a coaching capacity who knows - whatever the outcome of the discussions well done Marcus for a great season especially since January when you stopped the demon drink.
Then there is next season to look forward to. We are up against some money next year, note I stated money rather than good players as we cannot compete with the likes of Chelsea / Arsenal / ManU etc on money terms but we should be able to compete against the lesser teams in the division Bolton / Man. City / Scum / Smoggies / Birmingham etc. It will be interesting to see our retained list - should think it is time for Whitley to go and should be top of the list, interesting to see what happens to the goalkeeping situation will we keep both Internationals or go with one and young Ben Alnwick who has just signed a new contract. Also of interest will be the incoming players - we will be linked with a few but I am sure Mick will be as shrewd in the market place as he was this year. Will there be a major signing - I don't think so but who knows. As long as there is no talk of £10m being available!
The coach next season should be okay and possibly full for each home trip, lets hope so. I will this week write to Don Smiths thanking them for providing suitable, clean, non-leaking roof coaches during this season and state we want to book them next season providing they do not raise the price too much.
A final thought - after relegation and all that, some drifted away the rest of us stayed spent our money both home and away (a lot of money if you counted it up over these past two seasons). Now is it not complete satisfaction and pride that we have got our heads up again and have made the headlines on all national TV channels. I certainly feel proud to support the Lads and hope next year the fans who drifted away will be back and get the support behind the Lads and never ever drift away again. Yes it is ups and downs SAFC build you up to knock you down but that football friends and remember we are all in it together as the saying goes "Sunderland till we die"
Lets boogie!

Jim Gilling
FOMACLSL)

Quiz Answers

Answers:-
Kyle / Stewart / Poom / Thornton / Mc Cartney.

Fooled all of you!

Remember the Quiz

Remember the Quiz? Answers to follow.

This say,s it all -long may the celebrations continue 

Message from Sir Mick

Dear Coxhoe Branch,

In terms of an achievement you can't get better.

As you can imagine, I've got one or two messages of congratulations - 71 to be exact! I'll sit and answer them over one or two beers!

(On Ben Alnwick)
He was terrific, absolutely terrific. He's just re-signed and we're delighted. Poor Inghy got the short end of the stick last week. Ben played well during the week and he's come in and done a brilliant job. He's a good keeper.

It's been great. We played far better against Reading and didn't win. It's been an unbelievable game today. We sat downstairs and analysed the game and I said 'What are we analysing the game for? We've won it - sod it!' That's the way I feel at the minute - it was a win and that's all that matters.

We'll be going to West Ham to win. I don't want to lose any games now. I don't want to go there and not win.

We have a responsibility to fans and everyone else to try and win the Championship. We have a responsibility to try and take the points and that starts at West Ham on Friday.

When we got six points from five games and then lost at Brighton, did I always believe that we were going to go up? Probably not. We were relying on a great bunch of lads to keep winning but we were also relying on others losing.

(On Peter Reid)

I have no idea if he's texted me, but I'll bet you next week's wages he will be. He might have already, but I know that there'll be nobody more happy for me than Reidy.

We sourced players over the (last) summer and bought the best I could and they've been brilliant and deserve the credit.

When the club was relegated a lot of flak went Bob's way, and in fairness to him, when I first came here and saw the infrastructure - the stadium and the training ground - that's all credit to him.

When I first came to the club we had 19 points and were at the bottom of the league. It wasn't his and the board's fault. The board and Bob supported me. I'm delighted for him and everyone that's connected with the club. It's a great occasion.

I left the players celebrating and went to see my wife. She's only missed the Cardiff game this season.

When we lost at Palace she got the sharp end of it. My language was choice when we were on holiday in America last summer. She deserved a hug and a kiss and that's who I wanted it off.

I was tainted when I first came here - there's no question about that, but between myself, Taff, the players and the rest of the staff , we've got the club back where it belongs - in the Premier League.

Whatever flak I got in the beginning when we went down, I'll take it. And now I'll take all the plaudits, pleasure and self-satisfaction for getting the club promoted.

I've been lying when I've been saying that I haven't been thinking about the Premier League. I don't lie much, but it's hard not to. I've been thinking about both scenarios, but I've had to pinch myself in case it didn't happen.

It's been discussed, but we'll start planning on Monday.

I won't be in work tomorrow because my face will be sore because I'm smiling so much. I might be found walking around my estate later on, I have to be honest!

Our supporters were getting emotional. They've enjoyed it, but I don't feel as happy, elated and delighted today as I felt in despair as when we lost at Palace last season.

That feeling of despair and despondency, when you have to face people - it's very hard.

I'll enjoy it, but it doesn't compare with the depth of despair I felt last year.

Our players showed pride and character. We were outplayed for 20 minutes of the game. Ben made a great save. Stewy had a great chance, but the players showed a lot of character. We handled it. It was tough at times, but I'm very pleased.

I enjoyed the game when the equaliser and the winner went in, but even at the end we had to wait for their result. Even then the bloke who read it out ripped the arse off me. He said 'The result from the game is ... Ispwich.1 ... Leeds...1 - I thought he was going to say 2!

I can't describe the feeling I felt when I heard their result, but it was a nice feeling. It was nice for all of us.
All the best,Mick McCarthy (see you in the Premiership).Sunderland 2 Leicester City 1

This website has EVERYTHING!

Think about it

Musical links
Movie clip links
Picture of scantily clad babes (just for Walter!)
SAFC pictures galore
Mag jokes
Closet smoggies (!)
Abbreviations (FOM, FTM, FSOL)
Architectural studies (FSOL)
Human interest stories
Travellers tales (UK and Europe)
Pics and stories from yesteryear

and best of all LOADS OF CRACK ABOUT OUR COMMON LOVE OF FOOTBALL AND SUNDERLAND

What a website!!! Coxhoe SAFCSA website - uniting Sunderland supporters from around the world. Huge credit due to Jimmy who had the vision to set it up and put in the initial work to get it up and running. Also thanks to the regular posters and contributors who have given it life and kept if going.
Jimmy, BTW, I think we need to rename the site as Coxhoe INTERNATIONAL SAFCSA website, in deference to Walter.

Latest Argentine Football Results, VELEZ go joint top.

Use the title link for the full comprehensive coverage.

Closing '05 - Week 10April 24, 2005

San Lorenzo 0 Argentinos Jrs. 2 ( Julios old club)
36th Leonardo Pisculichi 87th Claudio Marini
Fri 22, 9:10 PM
Lanús vs Instituto (Cba)
Sun 24, 3:30 PM

Almagro vs River Plate
Sun 24, 6:30 PM

Quilmes 1 Estudiantes LP 4
Sat 23, 7:00 PM
67th Aldo Osorio, 22nd José Chatruc, 48th Mariano Pavone, 56th Mariano Pavone, 76th Juan Krupoviesa (P)

Vélez Sarsfield 2 Racing Club 1
Sat 23, 9:10 PM
28th Lucas Castromán (P)88th Leandro Gracián
53rd Javier Pinola (P)

Newell's vs Arsenal
Sun 24, 2:00 PM

Independiente vs Rosario Central
Sun 24, 4:00 PM

Gimnasia LP vs Huracán (TA)
Sun 24, 3:30 PM

Boca Juniors vs Colón (Sta.Fe)
Sun 24, 4:10 PM

Olimpo (BB) vs Banfield
Sun 24, 3:30 PM

We're on our way

Click on the title above and it will take you to Amazon for a soundclip from the movie or use link below to take you Amazon for the Broadway version of the song which is played at Sunderland.
Whichever one you choose, remember, "We're on our way, we're on our way, to the Premier we're on our way"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003EWD/ref=pd_sim_music_3/103-5163269-7282230?v=glance&s=music


1. Main Title (I'm On My Way)


From Bamber Bridge to Buenos Aires
Sunderland to Southampton
Dubai to Durham
Coxha to Kella
This is what they're singing


Gotta dream boy
Gotta song
Paint your wagon
And come along

Where am I goin'?
I don't know
Where am I headin'?
I ain't certain
All I know
Is Sunderland's on our way

When will I be there?
I don't know
When will I get there?
I ain't certain
All that I know
Is Sunderland's on our way

Phone call from Buenos Aires

Just about to settle down for MOTD at 10:30 when the phone rang and the display showed "International".

Walter rings to say how happy he is that the lads have won promotion. To Jim, Brian, George and all the lads he passes on h is very best wishes.

Tonight he is off to see Velez play Racing Club.

I'll let you know the score tomorrow.

How do you describe today?

I don't know really. It's been a great day, it's been a fantastic day, it's been an unforegttable day or in the words of U2 It's been a Beautiful Day.

Good start with a fresh pint in the club, some gentle pisstaking of the closet smoggie, with Jim showing off his new 888.com posters for the bus with the smoggie pictured. Jopined up with kev today to pick up our tickets from the Museum Vaults in Sunderland. Now that is what i call a proper pub. Dark and dingy but buckets full of character. The type of boozer where tales from the Shed of Light can be told. Good pictures of the lads on the walls and no one takes any notice of you when you go in. beer good too.

Off to the SOL to meet up with Brian who had arranged to meet with John Holmes outside of Cloughies Bar. I haven't seen John for 34 years and it was good to meet up and catch up. We may grow older and change physically but pit lads are pit lads and it's like we only spoke yesterday. We'll get together again on one of our next socials with DP.

Into the light and readytogo against the Foxes. Atmosphere was quick to build and we had the whinger from hell behind us. Now then I can whinge but this bloke could whinge for the world in a competition against the solar system and win hands down. He criticised Gary Breen before he'd even kicked a ball and that set the pattern. Everyone around him was just rolling their eyes. One bloke told him to shut the f**k up to which he responded "No need to get abusive" he was politely told he hadn't heard what abuse was so be prepared. In the end rather than get involved me and kev chose to mimic him in a piss taking manner and had those around us smirking. He left with about 20 minutes to go.

The game started off like an express train with Stewart missing a golden opportunity in the 1st minute. He knew it too. The Foxes came on strong and De Vries pulled Breen and Caldwell all over, they threatened to score and the did with Maybury putting them 1 up inside of 8 minutes. Danny Tiato was pulling all the strings and his passing, vision and running had us in all manner of trouble at the back The Foxes could have had another 2 but for a good save from Alnwick and a timely tackle from Wrighty. De Vries was taken off injured and we were all pleased to see him go

Stewart latched onto a cross field pass from Wright and he was in on goal and made no mistake this time hammering it past Walker down low to his left. 1 - 1. You could see the Lads starting to get on top and we were edging it by the halftime whistle.

Swift pint at half time then back to the action. The tempo was higher in the second half and we had Leicester pressed back early on. Arca was prompting things down the left and was showboating something rotten with his silky skills, There full back was dizzy and we won a corner. Over it went up went Caldwell and headed into the net to make it 2-1. It was reminiscent of the goal Quinny Scored at SJP on 18/11/2000. Out of reach and Walker could't get anywhere near it.

We made our way to the SW Corner 2 minutes before full time to wait for the final whistle and the prospect of Premiership football next season. We were'nt disappointed. Ipswich drew 1-1 with Leeds and that puts us up. We can't be caught.

Off went the players, on went the music, up went the volume, out came the hankie, back came the players, wet were the eyes.

Brilliant. Another up day for Sunderland.

lets hope it stays that way for a long time to come.

A Little movie from today

Please click the title and be patient. It's a 8.5 MB movie file so it'll take a while to load.

Hope you've got Quicktime all you bloggers and turn your speakers right up and soak up the atmosphere.

The Bridge to the Premiership

We're on our Way
The Coxhoe Cameraman

Dion Dublin wants

a bit of bother
The Coxhoe Cameraman

The Lap of Glorious Honour

Julio and Lord Marcus of Coxhoe salute the SW Corner
The Coxhoe Cameraman

2 -1

is the score that signals Premier League next season.
The Coxhoe Cameraman

Watch This Space

Photo's of today coming, when my batteries are recharged.

GET UP THERE MY BONNY LADS!!!

What a day

Accompianed our Secretary down To the Fort pub to intake a few beers -(but really it was to learn a few chat up lines with the Barmaid) lol still we were all nervous -awaiting the result-But after 20 mins bein a goal down we fought back and Hey were up say no more -well i cant cos 2 -LCL beers hic lol SO-gerrin coxhoe Bloggers -- and thanx Walter, bring on the mags n arsenal next season....

BACK WHERE WE BELONG!!!

Breathtaking lads!!! Two years of pain forgotten today. Thanks Sunderland AFC .. Can't describe how happy i'm today for our promotion.. Now to party.. tonight women, beer and Sunderland shirt ready to show off..
Thanks for all guys as well

We are going up!!!
Walter

Shameful admission

Well lads, now that I’ve been ‘outed’ as a closet smoggy I may as well come clean and confess all my sins and seek forgiveness. My shameful revelation is that I’ve been to see the Mags play twice in games when Sunderland were not playing!!

The first occasion was when I was at college in Newcastle. There was a midweek game at SJP in the League cup and the Mags were playing Charlton. Derek Hales was playing for Charlton and was getting quite a reputation at that time so I decided to go and see him play. I think Charlton won but can’t remember the score. Needless to say I was quietly supporting Charlton. I think Frank Clarke scored a rare (only?) goal for the Mags.

The other occasion was when I was working at Ferrybridge. Sheffield United were playing the Mags at Bramall Lane and my Mag mate, Alan Hood, pestered me to go with him to the game. Mirandhina had just signed and Hoody was raving about him. Anyway we went to the game and Mirandhina was useless and the Mags got beat so I had some good fun at Alan’s expense who was totally gobsmacked. Typical Mag was Alan, full of what they were going to do then a big letdown. That must have been in the early 80’s- nothing has changed to this day!

There you have it lads, I’ve now confessed my early days going to Ayresome Park with Higgy, a couple of visits to see the Mags play and you know about my shameful picture from the other night. I tried to get an injunction put on that Coxhoe Camerman to prevent him publishing but you know what these paparazzi are like. HOWEVER, as you all know, I’m red and white through and through and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me these minor aberrations and accept my repentance and welcome me back into the fold of the true faith - SAFC

FTM
FTSmogs
HAWAY THE LADS.
Sunderland, Sunderland.

Can We Do It?

Well today may bring Premiership Football to SAFC and all the many devoted fans out there. Can it happen today is the question? Well according to the poll of polls I took in Leicester the other night then yes even the Leicester supporters are saying we will beat them today. That leaves our old friends and enemy "dirty" Leeds to do their bit for us. I would have thought a draw was a good result from this one - after all Leeds these days don't pose a real threat (okay they turned us over recently at the SOL) but they are at home so should be an advantage against a nervous Ipswich side that seem to be off the boil at present.
So if all goes to plan we should be up at about 4.55pm today - we will be celebrating in Sunderland an as far away as Argentina with Walter leading the way.
However football is a funny old game and there may be a few twists to go but hopefully we will do it today to allow me, Billy, SteveW and young DaveW to go down to West Ham on Friday in a relaxed mood looking for top spot.
So DaveC don't go asking if we are putting two coaches on for next season before todays match as this only brought bad luck against Reading. Lets all just hope and pray that todays the day the Lads go to the Premiership.

See all you good fellows on the coach!

Jim Gilling
FOMTPM

Republished

Just so it doesn't slip from our consciousness.
And a reminder of the Smog in the mist
The Coxhoe Cameraman

There's some canny boots on here

Kelloe School 1947 /48. Winners of the National Orphange Cup. Mr Ruddick our old headmaster is the young teacher in the centre left. Believe it or not thats my Dad holding the ball, he was goal keeper went by the nickname of Nash and was tragically killed in East Hetton Colliery in 1962 at the age of 29.
Huyton Hoofer

Yes i was there -Cec Irwin scored 

No I wasn,t there 

Remember this advert? Nothing changes up at Sid James Park.

 

My first match

My first match. We drew 1-1. C'mon lads, see if you can remember your first match and post the details on the blog.  

I've traced my first Sunderland match to Saturday 18th November 1967 vs Liverpool. Inside the programme was the "Football League Review" (remember that!) and the featured team that week were none other than Sunderland. I've scanned in the team photo and posted it above together with the programme cover. A lovely photo of times gone by - Bobby Kerr looks about 10 years old. 

The Power Showers

where the sweat of the day is washed off.

The Coxhoe Cameraman

The Fitness and Weights room

which is nearly as good as Coxhoe leisure centre's where Bernie Slaven used to go.

The Coxhoe Cameraman

The Indoor Training Barn

Nice green grass with loads of chemicals applied

The Coxhoe Cameraman

First Team Changing Room

Only a small room really (not)

The Coxhoe Cameraman

The View from The Gallery

As we supped our Nescafe on a warm spring evening

The Coxhoe Cameraman