HAVE A MARVELLOUS 2006 !!

Hi bloggers,

the year 2006 is almost upon us, and personally speaking, i looking forward to a better year this time.. Hope all of you have a great and healthy year up there in (the hot city of Durham... hehe) the North..

HA'WAY THE LADS
KEEP IN TOUCH
WALTER FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.

PS: PIC TAKEN LAST WEEK ON Dec. 24 th when it was my birthday. That day, we went to play some football (and also have a good drink there..). From left to right: lying in light-blue shirt is Jonathan, Ezequiel, Walter, the nigger and standing in the away FC Barcelona shirt is Mauricio. The one who is on the left side of the tree i white shirt is my friend Leo, the only fucking Mag in Moreno for sure..

Fulham Away

Jimmy / Billy
For the umpteenth time this season we are to make our way down the track to the big city to see if our boys can register yet another point on the board. The Miller-Men is a group of 3 on this occasion and we are on the 7.12am from Durham and return from Kings X on the 19.00hrs.

If you aren't on this train on the way down can you please advise where we need to be meeting you for a couple of cold ones.

Many thanks

Blackburn Away

How pissed must I have been yesterday? I cant even remember the game......

Tom Allinson

I was sad to read this morning of the death of Tom Allinson, good Sunderland supporter and former branch member of Coxhoe SAFCSA.

Tom travelled with the branch to all home matches during our climb to the Premiership in 1999 and subsequent seasons when we reached our zenith in the premiership. A season ticket holder Tom travelled with his son Matthew. He was real gentleman, a nice man, and I am truly saddened to hear of his death at the relatively young age of 57 years.

Peter Crouch

Can't stop scoring.

Said it back in October after he took a hammering in the press following the game against Poland that once the goals came they would flow.

Still think he won't contribute to the England set up?

Another one tonight against Everton.

He's the Quinn for the Kop.

The one armed bandit says Merry Christmas

In case you haven't heard from the jungle grapevine but yours truely had a few too many whiskeys on Friday night and fell over at about 2.00am between Kella and Coxa. Result broken arm and plastered. Heading back on Boxing day for a new plaster to be put on for 6 weeks, then physio.
So Mr Chairman need someone to collect the fares on the coach tomorrow I will be there but with one arm in a sling I will struggle.

Happy Christmas to you all from the one arm plug pulling bandit!

Jim Gilling
FTM

Black Cats Bar

Time we were thinking about using our vouchers for our visit to the Black Cats Bar. Any idea's? How about the Spurs game on 11th February or Wigan on 11th March? Not many left to choose from now so we need to be thinking about getting booked up.

Happy Birthday

Well Bloggers and all SAFC fans out there let's wish a very happy birthday, 50th if I am correct, to a dedicated SAFC life long fan who has given is all in the support of our belovered football team. He organises not only home games but every away match by car, bus or train. He even dedicates some of his time to our country football team and will be going to Germany this June.
The birthday boy - the one and only Clive Dent - Secretary of the Sedgefield Branch.

Happy Birthday Clive from all at the Coxhoe Branch.


Jim Gilling
FTM

Coldplay

Back in November the kids bought me a ticket for my birthday to go and see Coldplay at Newcastle Arena last night.

Final night of the Twisted Logic tour and we were not disappointed. Absolutely superb are the two words that sum it up. Great audience participation, excellent banter from Chris Martin and quality music. What made it even better was the appearance of Chris Martin just 10 feet to our left during " In your place". What made it even worse was the battery on my camera had run out.

Richard Ashcroft, fromerly of the Verve supported Coldplay and he too was superb, playing a quartet of classics from Urban Hymns, Sonic, The drugs Don't Work, O Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet symphony.

Got some photos but not to the usual standard but will see what is worth posting later.

When Saturday Comes ...............

Is this what it will be like if I ever stopped seeing our belovered Club?

Saturday is here and we have no match and not one all week-end so it's off to start our Christmas shopping in scumland today.

I feel relaxed no pressure or worry on any result - yes other teams are playing and we will be wide of the mark again by the end of the day - who gives a shit as long as the queues at the checkouts are not long ones; that's my only worry for today!

Jim Gilling
FTM

It's that time of year again.

Xmas night out.

3 fella's and 21 women.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Old Folks Supper - Coxhoe Club

Just dropped Ma Gilligan and Mrs Gilligan off in the club to feast themselves on a three course meal for the old folks of Coxhoe. No before you ask Mrs Gilligan is not > 65 years old but it was a kind invite off the committee to recognise the annual donation from our Branch towards the prizes.
I wish I had the camera cos sitting there was our dear old Chairman Mr Woodward wearing his whistle and flute. Someone told me the only reason he joined the committee was to get a free meal every Christmas!!! Can anyone give him a lift into Durham tomorrow as he needs to take the suit back to Marksies?
Well I will go down about 6.15pm to see the prizes given out apparantly the Branch are to get a special mention - not for all the suffering that we have had this season but for the prizes we donated this year.
Hope it is as good as last night when me, Brian, Jack were out with the legend we know as DP, but this time I expect to leave the club a bit earlier than I did on leaving the Cricketers 12.15am - good job you didn't stay for that last pint Huyton!


Jim Gilling
FTM

Views on Protests

I make my protest by not allowing myself to watch a poor standard of football week in week out. This means Sunderland AFC lose my contribution through season ticket, beer and merchandise sales. I won't fund them whilst the current incumbents remain in charge.

There is a growing interest on internet message boards about protest movements that may make Sunderland AFC sit up and take notice of the plight of the club and may force change. Billy's zombie thread sums it up perfectly really. People just turn up weeki in week out and things will never change until someone decides to make change happen.

Ideas?

What would be an efffective way to protest?
What will the club listen to and act upon?

"Zombiefied"

On the train back from the game yesterday Butch said he was 'zombified". I knew exactly what he meant as that's just how I feel. I oscillate between "zombified" and "scream", like the image on the front cover of ALS.

This morning I've looked up zombie on google. This is what it said

• Someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way
• Figuratively, a zombie is a very apathetic person
• A company that remains in business even though it is technically bankrupt and almost surely headed for the graveyard
• A character has been bitten and contemplates suicide, at the risk of turning into 'one of them'
• Although this one did not quite fit the bill - Zombies are mindless and always ready to attack, no matter the condition of their bodies

I think this fits SAFC very well at the moment. The whole club, players, manager, directors and fans are "zombified" - when will we be released from our turmoil and misery?

Evening Gazette write up

Click the title link.

At last a write up found on the web about DP.
The Coxhoe Cameraman

The end of the night!

Looking worse for all the wine and whisky last photo shot before I went home at 1.00am. (well at least from my camera)
This is Melanie and some of her mates that she lived with at Bradford Uni. The others were too drunk to get their photos took or had fell out with their husbands!

 

And she looks like she's in love!

 

First Wedding Pics from my camera

Until I get the professional photos I am afraid you will have to do with a few of ones that soemone took with my camera.
Doesn't my daughter Melanie look terrific?

 

Can't even win a toss of a coin!

Click on title for link.

Sunderland's FAC3 tie with Woking or Northwich will take place at 3pm on Sunday January 8th. It is not televised. The match has been put back at the request of Northumbria Police because Newcastle are also at home in the third round. They play Mansfield on Saturday 7th January.

The two North-East clubs tossed a coin to see who's tie would stay on the Saturday - and Newcastle called it right!

Football awards

Don't know what all the fuss is about like. I've got one of them 'outstanding contribution to football awards' meself. Trevor Brooking sent it to me for helping put the nets up at Ferryhill. Had it for ages, long before Parnaby got his.

In the presence of greatness

Well it has'nt been reported anywhere I can find in the newspapers so I'm going to put it on this blog.

AND SHOUT IT OUT LOUD AND VERY, VERY PROUD.

Our great friend of very long standing and Kella fella David Parnaby who is the Academy Director at Middlesbrough FC has been honoured by the North East Football Writers Association.

David has received the award for "Outstanding Contribution to North East Football" for his work with the Boro Academy, which is the top producing academy in the country in terms of both International footballers and lads that have made the first team. He joins the ranks of Sir Bobby Robson and others.

Stewart Downing, James Morrison, Matthew Bates, Danny Graham, Anthony McMahon are amongst the players the academy has produced. There are others but being a Mackem I find myself choking trying to name others. If the AOL had a record like this then we too would be in good stead rather than the mess we now find ourselves in.

I know all of us who know David will be very pleased for him and appreciate the long hours and very hard work he has put in. Being the modest and unassuming guy that he is, he will be the first to acknowledge that it is a team effort and will look on it as a team award, a one he would not have achieved without good people to work with and especially the support of his smashing wife Jean and his lads Ian and Stuart.

Good lad David. Your the top lad.

The Coxhoe Cameraman

Reports/feedback please!

Anything to report after the weekend lads? Any comments on the FAC3 draw or the Spurs game?
Is there anyone out there?

FAC3 - Sunderland vs Woking or Northwich Victoria

AGM and McCarthy's points target

At the AGM on Friday Mick McCarthy said he still had hope as West Brom escaped relegation with 11 points from 20 games at Xmas. As the graph shows, we currently have 5 points from 16 games so we need 6 points from our next 4 games to achieve this target ! Put another way, we need more points from our next 4 games than we've got from our previous 16 - somehow I think it unlikely.

The agony continues. I watched us on MOTD and we still can't defend a cross in our own 6 yard box. Very unlucky with the penalty decision though but that's the way things go when you're rock bottom. At least a bit more fight on display but not enough quality.

Ding Dong the Bells are Going to Chime ......

Well bloggers it's nearly December 3rd and the big day when Melanie and David get married. I have been off work since Wednesday looking after last minute things and off until Thursday next week to relax, sober up and generally put my feet up - so no postings for a while, I will send a report on the big day with or without two of the Billys being there.

Today waiting for the call from Hello or OK magazines to sign up for an exclusive - got to get my money back some how and also put towards my Championship season ticket next year!

Jim Gilling
FTM

END OF THE SEASON = EMPTY HANDED

Yeah guys.. Not the best moment to talk about football.. As usual (unfortunately), the lads were once more beaten. Sad to say that but that's the pure realtity..

I'd like to provide you with a brief report about the race for the Argentinian title. Velez has no more chances (still mathematical chances but don't fool ourselves!) to clinch the title after losing home 0-2 to Rosario Central. The standings are as follows with only two rounds remaining..
Gimnasia 35 pts
Boca 34 pts
Independiente 31 pts
Velez 29 pts
So, no argentine league for Velez fans..
So, no Southamerican Cup for Velez fans as well... Last nght they're battered by Mexican Pumas. A win would have meant a ticket for the final, so the cup dream is over for another year..

As the heading suggest, end of the season, no titles at all...

Teenage Heartbreak

Following the fortunes of Sunderland AFC is bit like having a relationship with a girl for the first time during your teenage years ( You do remember those days Jimmy, don't you?)

You like her, think she's great!
That first kiss, it could be love.
That first feel, it's love
You think you are falling in love with her
That first night of real passion behind the garages in Kella
You love her
You tell your mates
She finds out
It's over.
You cant stop thinking about her
She hates you
You cant stop thinking about her
You get back together
You get engaged
You fall out
It's all off again
You cant stop thinking about her
You get back again
You get engaged
You get married
Your passion for one another grows.
You have kids
You relationship deteriorates
You part
You cant stop thinking about her
You try again
It doesn't work, it's never the same second time around
You stop thinking about her
It's over!

Mick's Missing Formula

Thought I may give MM a helping hand.

Championship players + 1st Division players + gutless performance = relegation to Championship

Players with Premiership experience + players with passion and pride + skill + right tactics + ability to score and defend + will to win = Premiership survival.

Jim Gilling
FTM