"Who let the dogs out - woof, woof"

When Winterton swept the board

Tuesday's column told of how football fever had swept Winterton Hospital in the 1960s, both patients and staff benefitting enormously.
Jack Turton, who co-wrote a hospital history, continues assiduously to mop the column's brow - though there's talk of a blood bath, too.
Jack sends a photograph of the 1909-10 team - played 35, won 35 - and another of the 1950-51 side on which our dear old friend Len "the Leap" Watson sits second from left in the front row.

Len, Trimdon lad and Durham City Harrier, still held the world Over-75s long jump record when he died, aged 90, in January last year. Built like a roll of barbed wire, empowered by a noxious liniment called Watson's No 6, he was a painter and decorator at Winterton and ran until he was 80.
From the hospital magazine, interestingly entitled Ahead, Jack also sends an account of the presentation night after the Hospital's 1971 Durham Amateur Cup win - goalkeeper Brian Crampton was player of the year, having conceded just 29 in 51 games - and of a curious incident in October 1970.


Click on title for full article

Cash Turnstiles

CASH TURNSTILES AVAILABLE FOR SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY GAME

The Black Cats welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Stadium of Light on Saturday (September 30, 3pm kick-off), and cash turnstiles will be available.

Tickets for the game, which kicks off at 3pm, are priced from £8 juniors and £24 adults (£19 in concession areas).

Concessionary tickets are not available from the cash turnstiles and must be purchased from the ticket office which will be open from 10am until kick-off.

The following cash turnstiles will be in operation: 9, 10, 13, 14, 25, 26, 28, 29, 55, 56, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69 and 70.

Tickets are available in person from the Stadium of Light ticket office or by calling 0845 671 1973 (local rate number, 24 hours).

Supporters can also purchase match tickets online via the club’s official website, www.safc.com, 24 hours a day.

SAFC v Sheffield Wednesday

KEANE KEEN ON BIG OWLS CROWD

Roy Keane is urging all Sunderland supporters to come out in force as his side look to bounce back at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Black Cats have won seven points from Keane’s first four games in charge – and the Sunderland boss is hoping the Wearside faithful turn out in force for Saturday’s home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The club is already expecting more than 30,000 through the Stadium of Light gates.

And Keane insisted: “I’ve already said our supporters can act as the twelth man, and Saturday is no different. Our fans have been brilliant since I joined the club, first class, and we really need them to continue their superb vocal support this weekend.”

Wednesday have won just one game this season and are second bottom in the Coca-Cola Championship.

But Keane is taking nothing for granted. “Every game in this league is tough,” he said. “So we’re not taking anything for granted, that’s why the backing of our home support is vital.”

Tickets are on sale now for Saturday’s game and supporters are being urged to secure their seat as soon as possible, to avoid potential delays or disappointment on the day.

Tickets are priced from just £8 for juniors and £19 for adults, with the Stadium of Light ticket office open for sales daily between 10am and 5.30pm and 10am until kick off on the day of the game.

Supporters can order their tickets by phone on the ticket hotline, 0845 671 1973 (local rate number) and any tickets ordered by close of business on Thurday will be posted out, thus avoiding potential queues for collection on the day.

Supporters can also order online via the club’s official website, safc.com.

Walter gets sweating in a SAFC shirt

I had gone out with my friend Leo, the mag. Had a good drink and got back home at 6 am sharp.. I knew the game was scheduled at noon on Saturday but after so many beers i have to say i never remembered I had to play football.

At 11.50 am, Robert, who was the guy who organized the game gave me a buzz asking where the hell i was.. I muttered ..'i'll go now'.. Nursing a hangover..

The game was an even one even though we lost 8-5. After the game, i just wanted to rest on the bloody grass and the nigger took this pic.


Walter, the Argentinian Mackem

WHFC part 2

Tomorrows Northern echo will see a column about Winterton Hospital Football team and such is the quality of the material that it will also feature on Friday.

A two parter.

Here for you Mel is a test. How many can you identify on this photo. Most of them will have been around when we started our careers in the Health Service, though none of them are around today and a canny few of them have gone to the great footy field in the sky.

Boot

I gather the husband of the protagonist that caused the plug to be pulled on a certain entertainer in Coxa Club, has shelled out £450 big ones for Alan Shearer’s left boot. Purchased at auction during a fundraiser with 2 of the 3 Legends, Gates and MacDonald, it has been suggested that having never scored with his left foot the left boot is worthless. The right boot however was purchased by the Mackems in memory of the penalty he missed at the carbuncle!!

First Defeat for Roy and he ain't happy

Dear Coxhoe Branch,
There were a few tackles, as you would expect, but you have to tackle to win games.
The goals we gave away was the difference. A lot of the teams in this league are closely matched and if you make one or two mistakes, you are punished.
I made the changes [at half-time] to liven things up a bit, it obviously didn't work. I wanted a bit more from the players.
There's no problems with the tackles from the Ipswich lads. If you don't want to see physical contact, don't come to football.
The game was there for the taking, which was the major disappointment of today. I didn't think we started particularly well but we got our noses in front.
After that, with the experience we have got, you expect the players to put their foot on the ball and move it about.
We gave a silly free-kick away and it's 1-1 going into half-time, that was disappointing.
We conceded two bad goals in the second half, three all together. You don't have to be a genius to work out that if you give three bad goals away, you are going to struggle.
It [the defeat] hurts more as a manager than as a player because you have more responsibility. We're all hurting - me, the players, the staff and the fans. It's how we react now.
If you are on a yellow card, any mistimed tackle and you're in trouble. Players go down very easily now, that doesn't help.
When there's loads of bookings by half-time, there's a good chance there will be a sending-off.
It was disappointing and it's about how we react. We have a big game against Sheffield Wednesday now.
All the best,
Roy
Ipswich 3 Sunderland 1 Click here to visit the match centre.
Next match:Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday Saturday, September 30 (3pm).
Click here for the latest ticket information.

Winterton Hospital Football Club

My historical knowledge of Winterton Hospital was put to the test this morning when I recieved a telephone call from Mike Amos, he of Northern Echo, Backtrack fame who, having been in coversation with Eddie Hughes and Russell Wyatt, both SAFC supporting and ex Winterton Hospital FC players, who put him my way to see if I could help out.

It's a little known fact that in 1970 / 71 season Winterton Hospital FC won the Durham Amateur Cup ( The biggest non - league trophy in these parts ) and the Teesside and District league, with Eddie Hughes scoring 48 goals during the season and only 29 goals conceded in all competitions. To say that Winterton had a canny side back then is an understatement when you consider that many a good Northern League side won the DA Cup.

Anyhow I helped Mike out, had a bit craic about the importance of sport in general when it came to securing a job at the local mental hospital and if you could play footy, cricket or anything that sounded remotely like a tune on any musical instrument then you were in.

I told him about the 1909/10 side that played 35, won 35 scored 218 and conceded 37 and the team of patients that went to St Mary's Hospital in 1939 and beat their team containg 4 staff members 4-0. Mightyly impressed he was too. There is a good story about a game against Darlington RA being called off after the ref got injured and the RA officials cited the possibility of the game decending into a blood bath as grounds to abandon it. ( Must have heard about the rough nurses who looked after the patients or was it the fact that half the crowd were made up of patients).

Sadly the "team of all talents" disintegrated and by the start of the 1972 / 73 season and disbanded, never reaching the heights of the 1970/71 season again. Maybe some more research is needed to find out a little more of the exploits and winning Winterton ways.

The photograph may have one or two faces on it that are familiar to millions ( well one or two) so if you think you know anyone lets have them in the comments section.

Watch out for it in the Northern Echo and if I get wind of when it will be published I'll lete you know.

Brotton 2 Ferryhill 5

Our best player, Reece Woolley, has signed for Boro Acdemy this week so we faced Brotton without him. We sent off from Ferryhill a bit apprehensive as Brotton had given us a hard game at their place last season and although we beat them 6-1 in the first game of the season we knew it would be a tough game. Our gloom deepened as we approached Brotton as the east coast was blanketed in a shroud of sea fret. One of the lads in our car said Halloween must have come early and he expected to see ghosts on the pitch!
The game got underway and it was a tight first half and 1-1 at the break although we'd missed a number of good chances. The second half progressed and the score reached 2-2 and it was anybody's game but the Ferryhill lads dug deeps and ran out 5-2 winners with some great determination and good play. A great start to the season against our old rivals!!

Terriers testicles

Never mind a ride on Quinny's magic carpet - how about a ride in my new car! Most definitely the DOGS BOLLOCKS!

Only problem is I'm frightened to go out in it in case it gets dirty. Gleams like a tanner on the BP's (ample) posterior! It has a 80l tank which at 90p a litre will take £70 to fill but on the run home from Newcastle it did 41mpg so much better than the 29mpg I was getting before.

GERRIN!!

Ipswich Away - SOLD OUT

IPSWICH TICKETS SOLD OUT

Tickets for Sunderland’s next game at Ipswich on Saturday have sold out.

Roy Keane’s side travel to Portman Road on Saturday to take on the Tractor Boys in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sunderland have sold all of their allocation of just over 1,700 tickets for the game, and supporters are reminded not to travel unless they have a valid match ticket.

Meanwhile, season ticket holders have until 5.30pm on Thursday (September 21) to apply for tickets for the Preston game at Deepdale on Saturday October 14, 3pm kick-off. They are priced £20 adults, £13 OAPs and £7 Under-16s (voucher 33 required). General sale will start from 10am on Thursday September 28, subject to availability.

Season ticket holders also have until 5.30pm on Thursday (September 21) to apply for tickets for the Stoke City game at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday October 17, 7.45pm ko. They are priced £24 adults and £14 OAPs and Under-16s (voucher 34 required). General sale will start from 10am on Thursday September 28, subject to availability.

Season ticket holders have until 5.30pm on Monday October 9 to apply for tickets for the Hull City game at the Kingston Communications Stadium on Saturday October 28, 3pm ko. They are priced £23 adults, £14 OAPs and £14 Under-16s (voucher 35 required). General sale will start from 10am on Thursday October 12, subject to availability.

Tickets are available from the Stadium of Light ticket office or from the ticket hotline on 0845 671 1973 (local rate number).

- ends -

Message from Roy Keane

Dear Coxhoe Branch,
It was a reality check for everyone at the football club, especially the players. At any football club, in any team, you've got to work your socks off.
We didn't do that in the first half but credit to the players after going a goal down, we showed character.
The substitution worked, it was a bit of luck and you need that along the way.
When I came to the club I left Toby [Hysen] out after the West Brom game even though he played very well. But he's been a true professional, he hasn't come knocking on my door like one or two others.
I had a feeling he [Hysen] could play a part today and I'm glad he did. He got a great goal and staked a claim for a place.
Most supporters who follow their football club just want the players to give 100 per cent and we did today.
It was a tired performance, I take responsibility for that. I thought about freshening things up and I should have.
Three games in a week is hard for any players, especially in the position we were in. That's my job and I didn't do it really well today.
I should have freshened things up, I just felt they deserved another game but three games in a week is hard going.
I said to Dwight [Yorke] that he could be on very quickly and to be switched on, like all the subs.
I'm delighted with Yorkie, it's tough coming on because he's not played for a few weeks. It will have done him the world of good.
You have to remember that we're still in the bottom half of the league. People have been getting carried away which is natural.
If you have got the character the players showed in the second half, you've got half a chance.
We could have played better in the first half, we didn't close people down or tackle but again a lot of it was down to tiredness.
You learn about different players in different situations, whether you are winning or losing, whether it is a home or away game, different pressures.
You look at the week we had, a couple of wins and a draw, it's OK.
We'll look at Daryl. It's disappointing, it's a hamstring injury and I'm sure it'll be a fair few weeks.
You need the squad and it's just unfortunate that we've got injuries to three strikers - but there you go, it's football, it happens.
It's a reality check for everyone at the club, it's a disappointing dressing room and that's what I like to see.
You're not happy when you draw home game. If you want to go anywhere at a football club, you have to win your home games. Give credit to Leicester, they closed us down and tackled.
They probably smelt blood, we had some tired legs out there.
All the best,
Roy
Sunderland 1 Leicester 1 Click here to visit the match centre.
Next match:Ipswich Town v Sunderland Saturday, September 23 (3.00pm).
Click here for the latest ticket information.

AWAY TRAVEL

Due to a few non-attendances and mix ups Sedgefield branch have asked that I take names for our branch members who want to attend away games. I will be taking names for Preston, Stoke and Hull on Saturday. Please note that if you put your names down to travel and do not notify me of any reason why you can't travel within 72 hours of the departure time then you will loose any payment made or will be asked to pay for the full cost of the match ticket and coach fare.

Billy I have you down as no seat for the above games!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Gilling
Secretary

The magic carpet has liftoff!

Here's hoping that the good times are back ... but be on standby, in time honoured Sunderland fashion, just when everybody's hopes are built up, for a dose of reality and a resounding thump back to earth!

Keano, Keano, Keano!

C'mon Huyton and Mel, get back onboard the magic carpet with us all. You know it'll likely end in tears, frustration and disappointment but along the way we'll have a few good times and maybe enjoy ourselves. I think possibly the problem is that it's so long since we have enjoyed ourselves at a Sunderland game that we've forgotten what it's like!

By all accounts Jimmy and his possee enjoyed themselves at Derby and Leeds, them that got tickets like!

CASH TURNSTILES

CASH TURNSTILES AVAILABLE FOR LEICESTER GAME

The Black Cats welcome Leicester City to the Stadium of Light in manager Roy Keane’s first home game in charge on Saturday (September 16, 3pm kick-off), and cash turnstiles will be available.

Fans are being urged to buy their tickets in advance to avoid any queues or delays on the day of the game. Tickets are priced from £8 juniors and £24 adults (£19 in concession areas).

Concessionary tickets are not available from the cash turnstiles and must be purchased from the ticket office which will be open from 10am until kick-off.

The following cash turnstiles will be in operation: 7, 8, 15, 16, 39, 40, 47, 48, 55, 56, 63, 64, 69 and 70.

Tickets are available in person from the Stadium of Light ticket office or by calling 0845 671 1973 (local rate number, 24 hours).

Supporters can also purchase match tickets online via the club’s official website, www.safc.com, 24 hours a day.

Seats on the coach

As you are aware the usual practice of just turning up on the day without booking a seat has stopped for this season. We ahve booked only a 33 seater with Greirsons but lately they have been supplying a 49 seater but I have to take account they could send a 33 seater as booked. We will not transfer the booking to a 49 seater until numbers grow to where they were in our hay day.

I need to know either on the return journey after a home fixture if you are going to the next home game or by the Tuesday before a normal Saturday game.

For the Leicester match on Saturday we have only 2 seats left (31 booked) - to book these seats please get in touch with me on my usual number.

Jim Gilling
Secretary

Yes we were Roy ..... even Steph Walton said so!!!!

Dear Coxhoe Branch,
It took us 10 or 15 minutes to get the pace of the game and after that the players were outstanding.
I've spoken about character, desire and spirit but on top of that you need good players and talent and tonight they showed it, I'm very proud of them.
I think the new players have made a difference but the biggest plus over the last two weeks is the win over West Brom. That victory was a great boost for the club.
There has been a big issue made of the lads we have signed, but I'd like to give credit to the lads that were already here.
They have reacted well. I freshened it up tonight and the lads who came in were outstanding.
I felt it in my bones that if we got it down and played then we'd have a great chance. You never have it easy coming here and credit to their players, they kept going right until the end.
The downside is the lads who got injured. I take responsibility for Dave's [Connolly] injury, I was going to leave him out. He's got a thigh muscle injury, Stephen Elliott's gone over on his ankle and Dean Whitehead's is just a knock.
We have to put a lid on expectation. It's the best thing in the world when you win football matches - fantastic.
They need to enjoy tonight but for me, looking at the bigger picture, we've had three victories, we've got Leicester on Saturday and we'll get ready for that.
It's fantastic. If the fans are happy then we're doing something right. To win 3-0 away from home is great. If the fans go home happy, I'm happy.
I was expecting to come to Leeds and win; I'm not sitting here in a state of shock ir surprise. We've all got the same aims.
Now Huyton will you return and watch us play good football?
All the best,
Roy Keane
Leeds 0 Sunderland 3 Click here to visit the match centre.

Ballboy scores!

Picked this up from BBC website. Real or an urban myth?

A Brazilian referee faces suspension on Tuesday after she awarded a goal that television pictures showed was scored by a ball boy. Pictures showed that after a Santacruzense player shot narrowly wide in the 89th minute, the boy collected the ball with his feet, took it back on to the pitch and tapped it across the line into the net.
Sign him on, sign him on, sign him on!!

Looks like they have some funny rules in South America Walter. Or is that just in Brazil? What do you reckon would happen if that goal was scored against Velez?

Ferryhill Town Youth U13's sponsored by Hydralectric

Ferryhill 6 Brotton 1

Ferryhill Town Youth under 13's sponsored by Hydralectric played their first game of the new season at home to Brotton.
This game saw last years two promoted team's playing against each other. Ferryhill started this one on the attack. In the first ten minutes the Brotton defence and goalkeeper were under a lot of pressure from Ferryhill's midfield and forwards. New signing Clark River's opened the scoring in the 12th minute and constant pressure from Ferryhill paid off in the 15th minute when Vinny Gash opened his account to the new season. Ferryhill playing very good football attacking down both wings broke Brotton's defence again in the 25th minute with Gash scoring his second. Ferryhill continued to keep Brotton under pressure till half time. The second half was similar to the first Ferryhill going on the attack from the off and skipper Woolley scored after 8 minute's. Ferryhill made some change's to the team and kept up the momentum with sub Lumsden-Parnaby made it 5-0 on 17th minute. Brotton scored a consolation in the 28th minute in a rare excursion into the Ferryhill box. Ferryhill skipper Reece Woolley finished the game off in the last minute with his second of the match. A very good all round performance from all the player's in a very well played game Well done to all the player's from Ferryhill's manager and supporter's. Man of the match went to Jarrett River's on his debut.

Keano needs You!!!!!

Dear Coxhoe Branch and Huyton Hoofer,

Tickets are on sale for Sunderland's game against Leicester City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The game will mark Roy Keane's first as manager on home turf and demand for tickets is expected to be high. Supporters are urged to secure their seat as soon as possible to avoid any delays or disappointment on the day.
Chairman Niall Quinn issued a rallying call to Black Cats fans today, saying: "It's Roy's first game at home and I get the feeling that there is belief in the air.
"The eyes of the sporting world are on us so come along and let's show them what this club is all about."
Click here to book tickets online.
Tickets are priced from £8 for juniors and £19 for adults, with the Stadium of Light ticket office open Monday - Friday 10am - 5:30pm and 10am until kick-off the day of the game.
Supporters can also order their tickets by phone on the ticket hotline, 0845 671 1973 (local rate number) and any tickets ordered by close of business on Thursday will be posted out, avoiding potential queues for collection on the day.
Cash turnstiles will be available on the day but supporters are urged to buy their tickets in advance wherever possible.

Is this a first???

Anyone notice that Sacko (Father Jack) did not have a track suit on at Derby but a two piece suit?
Not sure if it was Armani or George from Asda but is this a first or has he been seen during the Reid reign in a suit other than on Sundays??

Jim Gilling

Cousin Billy's Awayday "DENTED"

The day set off when the Rossie mobile pulled up alongside Gilligan Mansion at 7.25 am - what no Cousin Billy on the coach??? In fact I knew he would not be on the coach as he had phoned me on Thursday evening nearly in tears not that he was going but that a slight mix up with CliveD meant that there was no ticket or seat on the coach for Cousin Billy. Anyway I think Cousin Billy was thinking of a new "black" addition to the family no MrsM has not been a naughty girl and wandered into the darkness but Cousin Billy has bought a new black Merc - just £XXK well as he put it you can't take it with you!!! (should have invested the money in a executive box at the SOL for 10 of us instead!!!)
The next stop was Kella as we were to be first pick up last drop off, CliveD explaining he is rotating the way the coach picks up to keep everyone happy. So on came the Miller men, Nephew Billy without Uncle Billy as he was in Tenerife with MrsJ (for a change). We picked up at Blair Village, the Grange, TrimdonV, Fishburn, Sedgie and finally Chilton before heading down the A1(M). The banter was good on the packed coach not one seat left, it looked like there was more on the coach than allowed - I was hoping the back axel would hold out! We had some of the old clowns at the back that were in fine fettle having been in the Beehive since early doors or did they even go home on Friday night? Nephew Billy by now was feeling down was he suicidal I was worried he was - with text messages like "How are you I have just had my breakfast hope you are missing me" "I've just come in from picking up dog poo something I wouldn't be doing if I was on the bus" "Is Rossie driving say hello from me I would have put a pound in his collection if I had been on the coach"
We soon made our way down to Long Eaton and arrived at the watering hole at 10.30 am Nephew Billy said he would get them in first as he was "flush" - Beefy from England joined our company so three pints it was and Nephew Billy hit the jackpot as a mistake by the busy barmaid gave him three pints for £3, if shit fell from the sky like rain it would miss Nephew Billy!. Sausage butties were lovely as I got my round in at 3 pints for £5 the normal price - as I returned back to the table another coach arraived followed by another coach - this is where it turned bad for service behind the bar. With only 2 serving it became along wait for the drink with 45 minutes to get served being the norm. We went to a side door and got three rounds in followed by another round that Beefy got in as he had won two domino cards £74 between two of them not a bad win as it nearly covered the cost of the trip £47 for an adult.
We left the watering hole at 2.00 pm for the short drive to Pride Park most swearing not to go back to that watering hole due to the bad service even CliveD mentioned it as well.
When we entered the ground in the concourse you could not get moved- we were there in force and had the Keane factor. The only thing that pisses me off was fans wearing green Irish shirts who were probably not even Irish. It is like at England games when you see Mags with Black and White shirts on - you are there to support the team not anyone else so wear the colours of the club not anyones elses!
The game kicked off with 5 of the Keane brigade playing and first thought was that we were playing good football with plenty of forward thinking and through balls splitting the defence, something we had not seen for a while; Derby did not seem like they would trouble us with everone doing their bit for the cause. Then they hit the bar, had a few attempts their spirits were up and a cross in injury time was headed down and bang in the back of the net we went in o:1 down but we were not down and out.
Second half started as the first started we were pushing forward more with some good positive football being played. Alan Brown scrambled a ball over the line (I thought he was going to fluff it) and within another minute we were in the lead with a fine goal from a fine prospect in Ross Wallace. The away end erupted in song and dance - we would not get beat now. As the game went on we looked a team that wanted to win and although there were a few scares like the 6 minutes the ref gave at the end we were home and dry - great day with a good performance that will get better as time goes on. At the end we were applauding the team as the scoreboard showed Mags 1 Fulham 2 time to celebrate even more and even Quinny punched the air when the score went up.
So we set off at the end of a massive possie of coaches but Rossie being the driver he is paased most of them along the M1 - I think that we were in the lead as there were no coaches in sight as we turned off for Chilton at 7.50 pm. It took another 1/2 hour before I got dropped off outside Gilligan Mansion just in time to head down the club. As requested and implemented by StevieN he put on Irish music at the end of the night as he put it "as requested by the Sunderland fans" it sounded better than teh Lindisfarne songs that usually is played by the Mag concert chairman.
So a great day, nice to travel all that way and come back smiling. It's a long way to go but with this showing we will be up there pushing for promotion and hopefully get a few more bums on seats at the SOL and our coach.
Bring on Leeds on Wednesday - can't wait - coach picking me up at 2.20 pm.

PS - I put that pound in for Rossie from you Cousin Billy so you owe it next time I see you!!

Jim Gilling
SEWTKR

A view from a wrinklie SAGA holidaying saddo.....

for what it's worth about Keane's first game in charge.

Only 2 words to say really, GRAHAM KAVANAGH.

Have'nt we been saying for years that what Sunderland really need is a midfielder who can put his foot on the ball, look up and see the pass? Trouble is at 33 years we are not going to get the best out of him.

The other signings look very promising too.

Is my enthusiasm being rekindled? Well................................... we'll see.

Supermackemsgoballisticmagpiesareatrocious!

On the subject of foreign travel....

Jim, did we ever get your World Cup Diaries?

Madeira

Seeing all the postings from Huyton about Madeira made me think maybe I should give it a try .... until this morning I received my monthly AMEX magazine that has details of holidays etc. Exctract from this months was about Madeira and I quote

"For years, Madeira has had a reputation as an ideal destination for the older generation. Recent reports however, have hailed as a renaissance as an adventure sports location, with an up and coming nightlife. Madeira re-invention is certainly underway. although it would be an exaggeration to say that this volcanic island, lying in the Atlantic just North of the Canary Islands, is overrun with young, hip holidaymakers - at least not just yet!!

So perhaps I will give it a miss for the next few years.

Huyton forget about any pitures of local girls from Madeira not sure if I could bare the sight of all of those wrinklies and what travel company did you go with - SAGA Holidays??????

Jim Gilling
Still young at heart

Maderian Women

There's your women Jim. Billy, forget about the wine and cake cos I've supped and eaten the lot.
Yummy!!!

The home village of Cristiano Ronaldo

Campanario, Madeira.

How on earth do you learn to play footy in an environment like that? I mean it's hardly the footy field at Kelloe or Doggie Celtic is it?

Derby Away

SUNDERLAND A.F.C.

FOR RELEASE ON: Tuesday 5th September 2006

DERBY MATCH NEARING SELL-OUT

Sunderland are down to the last 200 tickets for Saturday’s trip to Derby.

The Black Cats travel to Pride Park for manager Roy Keane’s first game in charge this Saturday (September 9, 3pm).

The club had sold all of their initial 3,600 tickets allocated by the Rams and were given a further 1,000 this week.

But the club is now down to the last 200 – and supporters are reminded the game is an all-ticket match, with no tickets available on the day of the game. Fans are therefore strongly advised not to travel without a valid match ticket.

Tickets are priced £27 adults, £14 over-65s and £10 under-16s – and are available from the Stadium of Light ticket office, or by calling the ticket hotline on 0845 671 1973 (local rate number).

Meanwhile, Sunderland take on Leeds United on Wednesday September 13 at Elland Road (7.45pm kick-off) – tickets are still available priced £26 adults, £15 over-65s and £15 under-16s.

Roy Keane’s first home game in charge will be against Leicester City on Saturday September 16, 3pm. Tickets are on sale now, priced from just £8 juniors and £19 adults.

Meanwhile, season ticket holders have until 5.30pm on Thursday September 7 to apply for their tickets for the match at Ipswich Town on Saturday September 23 (3pm), voucher 32 required. They will go on general sale from 10am on Thursday September 14, subject to availability.

To book your tickets now call the ticket hotline on 0845 671 1973 (local rate number) or for home match tickets log on to the club’s official website, safc.com.

- ends -

Estadio dos Barreiros

Home of CS Maritimo of Madeira, currently mid table in the Portuguese 1st Division.

Capacity 10,000.

They must half blasted a canny bit of ground away to construct this stadium. My first time on madeira and to me there were only two ways to move, up or down. Its a mountaing with houses built upon it. Whilst there, and this is for Billy's MUFC supporting son, we passed through the village of Campanario, birthplace and home of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portuguese Footballing Legacy

Spotted this whilst on holiday on the Island of Madeira. The site of the first ever football match played on Portuguese soil, and long before it reached the Portuguese mainland.

Organised by a bloke called Harry Hinton, a local business man in the village of Camacha he took the game to the workers and the rest, so to speak is history.

Did too good a job.

SUNDERLAND = VELEZ .....VELEZ = SUNDERLAND

It's a boring Sunday evening here in Buenos Aires;at midday Brazil beat us 3-0....Velez have just defeated Quilmes in a 3-0 away win.. It's almost 22.00 and nothing important to do.. WELL,YES.. i've decided to make a comparison between Argentinian champions and English champions and the outcome is this...

Titles won

England Argentina
Liverpool 18 River PLate 32
Manchester United 15 Boca Juniors 22
Arsenal 13 Independiente 14
Everton 9 San Lorenzo 9
Aston Villa 7 Racing Club 7
SUNDERLAND 6 VELEZ 6
Newcastle / Sheffield Wed. 4 Newell's Old Boys 5


Surprised?

VELEZ & SUNDERLAND FOREVER!

Ticket News

LATEST BLACK CATS TICKET NEWS

Sunderland take on Leicester City at the at the Stadium of Light in a fortnight and Black Cats fans are urged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid any potential delays on the day.

Roy Keane first home game in charge is against the Foxes on Saturday September 16 (kick off 3pm), with tickets priced from £8 juniors and £19 adults.

Meanwhile, tickets for the home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday September 30 (3pm) are also on general sale, priced from £8 juniors and £19 adults.

Tickets for the home games against Barnsley on Saturday October 21 (3pm) and Cardiff City on Tuesday October 31 (7.45pm) go on general sale from 10am on Monday (September 4).

Tickets are available in person from the Stadium of Light ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 0845 671 1973 (local rate number, 24 hours).

Supporters can also purchase match tickets online via the club’s official website, www.safc.com, 24 hours a day.