But we get up again!!!!!! There never goin ta keep us down. We get knocked down....etc etc. As the Tubthumpin song goes. Another tired defeat in London tonight. Just what is it that bonds the Geordie b/w community so strongly? Could it be the fact that being so close to winning something but never achieving is a stronger bonding agent than success itself?

On Sunday night for the Semi I was told by a mate that the pub showing the game now had a band on and would be closing at half time so he would be staying home ( spurs fan!!) This left me with no option but to drive the streets of Perth city to try and find somewhere with the game on. Now most pubs shut at 10pm on a Sunday which is 3pm UK time so by 9-50pm I was getting pretty desperate and was almost arrested for kerb crawling!! On my final tour of the town I glimpsed what I'd been looking for. .A Toon Top!!...Parked the car and made it into The Old Brisbane just as the manager was padlocking the doors.

Walked into the bar to be greeted by about 15 Toon fans 2 Chelsea fans, the standard shitfaced jock sprawled across the bar and a television with the magical site of Wembley a sea of black and white. Couldn't believe it !!Last minute reprieve, saved by the famous "Lock in"

Now the game has been well chronicled but just as we all made our way out through the back of the pub after the final whistle. The old jukebox in the corner burst into life full blast with that song. I turned to see about 10 sad faces suddenly all produce a huge grin and burst into song. A classic moment I remember being in the Greyhound after the defeat by Man city in the "76" final. Same feeling Defeat seems to bond people. It will be interesting to see what happens (when,if) we win something.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2000