Our First Premiership Home Win

The coach picked up at the usual time several members missing due to "other" commitments (or could not be bothered). Everyone seemed to be glad it was the end of the season; I am still looking forward to the Billy week-end away to Villa via Leicester on Saturday/ Sunday.

Collection on the coach was £100 a loss of £65 on the day this will just be added to the losses we made all year, Bankman Tommy gave me the float to add to the collection as we settled into the remaining journey into Sunderland.

All off at our normal stop and 10 of us headed towards the Black Cat Bar to get in while it was happy hour. Got mine in first, Brimlow offered to buy it for me as a thank you for the good work during the season but I declined at these prices and said he could get me a drink at the next AGM in Coxa club as it would be cheaper, after all he is an OAP.

The talk was all about Quinn's backers as we read various Irish newspaper cuttings, similar to what Hodgey sent by email. My philosophy on this is wait till it happens then we know who it is and then see what money they bring to the pot.

After 1 pint the happy hour was off and the prices had risen from £2.20 to £2.70 for a pint of Worthy's. StevieW declined anymore drink "I'll not pay that price for nee one". Looking out of the window with only 15 minutes to kick off the discussion turned to breaking more league records and could we break the lowest Premiership attendance for the season as the stadium looked very sparce of fans.

Game on and we looked positive - StevieW questioned why Hoyte on the right wing answer - and why not may be better than the usual shite up front. Anyway we scored not a bad goal through a borrowed French scoucer. The referee was appalling all the game and left most of his decisions questionable.

Half time 1:0 up and looking good. More beer at £2.70 per pint, none for StevieW.

The start of the second half and we were still on top and a shot from Nyron was not held by Crossley and Bomber Brown followed in and bang 2:0. I started a song off in our row " We always win at home, we always win at home, we always win at home , at home, we always win at home...... to everyones amusement.

Then I made a few more laugh when I said that O'Leary had turned us down but Frank Carson was still in with a chance. The guy infront insisted that he would not get the job as he had heard Jimmy Cricket was in the frame. Imagine the team talk "come here a minute - get closer - come here"

Any way just like we have seen all season we eased back played our usual shite and let them in with a fine goal - wish we had someone that could hit a ball like that. So the last 15 minutes were a bit nail biting but the final whistle came and we had got our first home win without any threat of players being sued

Unbelievably the players started a lap of honour as if they had won the league - I for one was not going to stop and watch that embarrassing moment after all we have put up with the embarrassment all season.

On the way back home a time to reflect and remember about a year ago we got pissed in the Club and were singing we' re on our way to the premiership we're on our way ....... this time we were all quiet on the coach and said our good-byes until the AGM.

Here's to the famous Billy week-end and some factual (censored) details of the trip next week.

Jim Gilling