Wigan v SAFC
Still shattered from the night before so I will keep this brief as I am off to Burnley and then Southport back home Thursday.
Picked up at 3.00pm having first had a few wee drams in Coxa Club - phone call from Huyton wishing us good luck or more a question of was there any spare tickets? He sounded as though he wished he was on the bus. Most of the journey covered by discussions by me and Billy senior about exploits (not football related) in the field of duty and being loyal servants to the female community. God we should win an award for our service to the female gender.
Arrived at the ground 6.15pm went straight in as the pubs were all full to the brim and the bars had opened early in the ground so ordered 4 pints each for me and Billy senior £9.60 for 4 not bad considering we were in a ground. Atmosphere was great - whispers that the stewards were informing everyone that it was un-reserved seating even though all the tickets had a seat number printed on the tickets led to visions of mass brawls as drunken men looked for the seat number on their ticket. This led to Pope Thomas 1st coming to the rescue by discussing with stewards and police and informing them that they would have a riot on their hands and announcement quickly came over the tannoy systems informing us that it was no longer un-reserved but you must sit at the seat allocated on the ticket. This was great news as we were two rows from the front.
Game on - an air of anticipation and concern - would it be nil points / one point or three? Stewart the recently elected Freeman of Coxhoe (now allowed to drive his pigs down the front street like the rest of us) soon settled our nerves and our aspirations by netting in the opener and eventual winner after just 3 minutes. The whole team, and background staff, should be fully applauded for the totally professional approach to this game - we were up for it from start to finish okay with a little sitting back to much again but once the two guys up front for Wigan were played out of the game it was easy (don't believe this) to see that it was going to be our night. It was a great performance with supporters stating "played as a unit" for the first time this season - it was just like old times in the glory days of our historic points haul on the way to the Premiership. A few nervy moments but we held out and the scenes at the end well you think we had won promotion that night - all players and staff at our end of the ground giving it fists in the air and the near on 8,000 fans all going mental.
Back to the bus and after a short wait it was a police escort for the 100 or so buses back to the M6. We still had locals looking out of the windows taking photos as we did on arrival they must not have seen such support down there for years.
Back home shortly after 1.30am wished Rossy all the best as this is our last away trip by bus.
Anyway lets hope we can go on to win the title a bit of luck, points in our last two away games and 2 wins at home should see us there. I hope we can do it before the last game of the season as it will make the last game against Stoke a carnival atmosphere.
Over to you Billy ..... See you Thursday night.
Jim Gilling
FTM
posted by Jim Gilling - Secretary SAFCSA Coxhoe Branch @ 7:27 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
St Thomas of Aqwigans ( well almost)or should it be St Thomas of Aqkellas.
Either way saved the day. Can't beat an awld pitman to talk sense.
Sounds like a great night and a great performance.
Don't think I'll make it to the club for a pre-match drink but looking forward to joining you two old codgers in the over-50's club.
I'm still recovering from last night - what an occasion, a 'red letter' day, a special night. It was totally exhilarating yet totally draining. Looking forward to the Reading game on Saturday where hopefully we can all enjoy it without as much tension.
Still struggling to adequately put my feelings about last nights game and our season so far into words - will have a go later tonight.
Well, after a torrid day at work I've finally regained some energy and use of my mental faculties so I'll have a go at a more extensive posting. What a night - a proper "Sunderland Special", you know what I mean lads, you have to be a Sunderland supporter to have experienced the rollercoaster that is SAFC and to fully appreciate what such nights mean and what it's all about. Jim has recounted the details of the journey etc but when we got into the stadium at ~ 6:30 you could feel the atmosphere building and after 4 pints and another hour had elapsed the atmosphere on the concourse was bouncing. Saw quite a few people I knew, including Tony Ratton and Michael (Kevins mate who sat beside us for a season). We went up to our seats at about 7:50 and the stadium was filling up nicely and the atmosphere moving from the concourse into the arena.
The game started at a frenetic pace with an early chance for Wigan but then Marcus Stewart scored and we were in 7th heaven.
The rest of the game was played with huge committment from both sides but a number of the the Sunderlands lads stood out, namely Wright, Caldwell and Lawrence. However thats not being fair. Whilst these players were exceptional on the night the best part, as Jim alludes to, was the total teamwork and committment. Those lads would have died for each other last night out on that pitch and it makes me so proud to see that the club and supporters regain it's pride following the 19 point season. Whilst it was not the most skillful or tricky football ever seen it was great to see the lads play as a team and support each other in all areas - it's called teamwork and committment Newcastle.
As the second half wore on we were looking more and more in control and Wigan were getting more and more frantic. Whilst it's always dodgy when it's still only 1-0 we never really looked like getting beat and when the ref blew the final whistle there were mass celebrations on and off the pitch. I even got a kiss off Jimmy! As we left the stadium all the Sunderland fans were in celebratory mood and hugging each other. When we got back on the bus Jack phoned and he was over the moon and joined us in our excitement.
Overall a brilliant game and one which we'll remember and reflect back upon for years to come. A fitting game to finish my 4th decade and now looking forward to my 5th decade starting with a win vs Reading on Saturday.
Haway the Lads.
Christ I forgot about THAT kiss - am I changing gender or just elated at a brilliant performance. I think the last point is the closest.
Signing off from a cold and wintry day here in Southport - Yates across the road from my hotel - need somewhere to watch the footie as well - see you all when I get back.
This could be ominous! Think about the combination
Jimmy
Southport
Yatesies
Hotel
Drink
Barmaids
I think Jimmy's next blog will be like an episode of 'footballers wives". I bet somewhere along the line he'll have a tale to tell.
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