All go at the moment. Nicola was admitted yesterday and she was going to be induced today. Very relieved about this as yesterday was the due date and anything over that is like waiting for a taxi: cant get on with anything else, and just have to twiddle your thumbs.

Anyway, today we were informed that we have to wait until first thing tomorrow as all the beds are currently full. This was a bit of a blow, but the midwife then whispered that Alan Shearer is in with his missus, hence the extra security guards, who I had noticed but not really registered. It turns out that just as I was running up to make my debut goal for the Toon, greedy Alan Shearer muscled me off the ball to score his hat trick :-) Bastard! I know how Paul Robinson felt when Al wouldnt let him take a penalty now.well, not really, as Robbo is a mackem and Ive never felt that useless.

Anyway, there you go. Another bbs exclusive. Just as well he isnt playing tomorrow, eh? [Keegan at press conference] The lads are looking forward to it: they all enjoyed a continental breakfast except Alan who tucked into a placenta

Joking aside, I hope it all goes well for them, as it did for the lass who had her baby in the carpark this afternoon. Mmmmmm. This time tomorrow I should be saying, I cant believe how tiny his fingernails are and all that. Ill let you know how it all went when I get over itabout 21 years or so I gather :-)

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Answers

Just been announced on Metro FM it's a boy for Wor Al. Congrats Al & I hope yours goes as well Softie.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Good luck for tomorrow then Softie (and of course Nicola). I was hoping it would be today as it's my lad's 13th Birthday. I guess he'll have to satisfy himself with sharing his birthday with Shearers first boy and the future England captain - Maybe! Then again maybe it will be your Bobby. :o))

Hope you have better luck with schools that we did. Because he was born on 1st September he went to school a year later than if he'd been born on 31st August! Still I think the extra year has helped him so don't rush to appeal for your young'un to go to school a year early. Better to be the oldest in the class than the youngest I think.

Again good luck.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Good luck Softie. Give my love to Nic. Just think, if it's tomorrow, he'll share his borthday with Gobbi. Of course, if he arrives tonight, then it's with Big Al's little 'un. Make sure you get a picture of the happy dad's together - I suggest you take Al to the Strawbeery for a celebratory dad's neet oot.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Big love to you and Nic, Softoe xxxx

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Fingers crossed for you both. Im on station throughout the night until 0600hrs, will be monitoring this thread, getting excited for you,

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Just heard the Shearer news and immediately thought of you and Nic. Good luck for tomorrow - the pints will be waiting on the bar in the Strawbeery! ;-))

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Best wishes to you both. Like Buff I will be keeping tabs on progress.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Best wishes to you and Nic. Hope all goes smoothly for you. So have you pinned Al down for new daddy tips? Perhaps arrange a little playgroup for the little lads? Best friends from the cradle growing up to lead United to the Championship!

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Good night`s sleep would be really helpful for you both. Try and relax a bit, it all set to happen tomorrow, so you can sleep easier knowing the uncertainty of `when` is no longer there. I, on the other hand, am so excited at the prospect of a new BBS baby that I won`t be able to get a wink! Plllllleassssssse let us know just as soon as possible.

Good vibes and happy thoughts to you, Nicola and baby Softie from `sunny` Bournemouth!(:o)

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Our thoughts are with you & Nic, Softie.

It's an amazing experience so try to take it all in. If you want a tip from an old hand - do loads of brow-mopping, suppport panting, and don't get too close to the soggy end!

Here we go, here we go, here we go....

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

prepare for the greatest day of your life canny lad. God bless your wife, your newborn and yourself. Have a great day, it kinda puts everything into perspective. good luck

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Softie,

Best of luck with the little'un. Still wondering are you going to teach him (if its a boy) to play right back? ;-)

Have a great day. All the best from down under.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

12.30a.m Softie, this could turn out like a match day thread,ie are the players oot warming up yet?, c`mon Mrs Softie were rooting for you,

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

I'm very glad this is on Metro radio. I just got the channel through ... Team selection looks excellent - that nurse will certainly stand no nonsense ... even the half-time oranges seem well prepared, and the black and white nappies are well folded and ready for action!

Haway the lass!

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

0130.00a.m 2nd September- Have they kicked off yet Softie? Big push from the Gallowgate end. Gibbo is en-route with a bottle of bubbly and a fish supper for you, is Mrs Softie needing owt to eat?, he can stop off and get a kebab if you want, catch you on 0230, check in

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

All the very, very best Softie and Nichola. Fingers crossed for both of you.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Good luck Softie.......and more importantly good luck Nicola...... as has been said previously on here, I think by Clarky, for you it is a wonderful experience and you should try and 'enjoy' as much as you can.......its not so wonderful for Nicola but just remember, it doesn't matter what she calls you during labour that matters, its what she calls you after that counts.

Wor Lass screamed four times at the top of her voice that she wanted a fu**ing divorce when our first was born, but we still had a second!

Good luck....keep us 'posted'

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

0230.--2nd September,half - time in the Big Match. Any score yet Softie?, what`s that you say, build up is fine, more work required up front, see if you can arrange beam back for next one, gotta be easier than this, hang on in there,fish supper was fine, hope Nicola enjoyed her kebab. Catch ya later

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

No news yet Soft One, the sun has already risen here in the east, hasn't your son 'come out' yet?

:-)

Best wishes to you all.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

0430-2nd September. Full time, all square, extra time being played, hard on all except the sponsors of this site, Toy`s are us, and The Young Mag`s.. Howay the Lad, and the Mrs of course.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

0500hrs - 2nd Sept. Oi Softie, c`mon marra, our friends down under are surfacing, betcha bottom dollar Tre will be on shortly needing a name to gan alongside Haydn Mullins, David Prutton and the rest of his babes, a real Geordie first, a cyberbairn.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

0530hrs 2nd September. Thanks a bunch Nicola, waited up aal thro the neet thinking I might get a scoop, nee macheen ower the week-end so I will come into work on Monday at 6.30.am, last to bliddy know, unless young Softie you find time to give me a bell on 01346-532310 if owt transpires, in mee pit to 12.00hrs. JUST THOUGHT >who else would/could arrange a free week-end in the season, your some man Softie and then some.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Good luck Nicola and Softie.

Hey Buff, 5 pound bet that Softies offspring will only play for Hartlepool. ;-}

And the BBS is probably the last thing on Softies mind. No scrap it won't even register anywhere in his subconcious untill abot 24 hours afer the event. And you couldn't blame him.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Has ever a baby's birth been more anticipated and wished well from all over the world and by so many people sending sincere love and good wishes over cyberspace ? I doubt it !

All the very, very best to you all. As Syme put it so well, get ready for the greatest day in your life.

Special love to Nicola....we are all thinking of you both out here.

Haven't been 'on' the BBS for a good while now, having just got back from a long and gruelling trip, but will be tuning in 'come hell or high water' every few hours in anticipation of your news.

HOWAY NICOLA, HOWAY SOFTIE JUNIOR and HOWAY THE SOFTIE FAMILY HAPPINESS !!

Love from val. xxxxxxx

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

10:30 Saturday am

Still no news - anybody else heard owt ?

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Assuming Nicola's lasted to be induced it'll probably be late afternoon before sprog jumps out! My bet is 16:55 - maybe we should start a new compy thread. :o))

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

I'm going for 18:10, local time.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Morning all! The baby Softie watch continues I see. Though sure I'd wake up to see news of the birth already on here. My guestimate time of arrival...how bout 1930 BST. Go Team Softie!!

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Does this mean that I share a birthday with your son?

Only one thing for it - you'll have to call him Alan.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

Nicola's in Hospital: Softie posts the results of the BBS Cup Final game!! No news. Anyone heard anything?

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

It's a Geordie. He arrived at 22.47 last night (2 September), clocking in at 7lbs 10oz. Mum and Robert both running temperatures and a bit distressed by it all, father simply awestruck. More gruesome and yet more beautiful than anything you've ever seen before. Never been more upset and felt so helpless as when Nicola was in such pain before they gave her an epidural: she's a strong woman and she lost all control. Don't let the highly publicised mistakes made by anaesthetists cloud your judgement, these people are angels. That was the hardest time of all waiting for them to dull the pain and unable to take it away from her.

She had long periods of stubborness with teams of doctors standing by to intervene and would then carry out several hours-worth of progress in seconds. This ranged from the comic, when she was moaning about needing more gel put in to soften her and had her waters break in mid- whinge - anger to delight in a heartbeat, to the miraculous - surgeon en route to cut Robert free when Nic grabbed my hand and pushed like the whole world depended on it, and then there was my son looking up at me.

I've seen some extraordinary things in my time, but nothing comes close to this. Truly life-altering. He had been very upset by it all and had reacted in the only way he knew how, so he had breathed in all sorts of nastiness and came out very blue. It took them a few minutes (felt like fucking days) to revive him, but those first little wails will ring in my ears for all time.

He's got his Mam's chin, his Dad's hair (that's where it went!) and bright scarlet bollocks from a baboon by the looks of it. He's utterly beautiful and I'll kill anyone that threatens him without hesitation. My bonny, bouncing, baby boy. Is there anything so incredible as holding that little bundle tight when you try to warm him up after the birth?

I'm likely to be offline quite a bit, but will log in when I can. See loads of you at the match on Saturday. Might feel a bit more lucid by then. Love to you all and thanks again for your good wishes and support.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Many, many congratulations to you and Mrs. Softie - treasure these first moments - you`ll never experience anything like it again. (:o)

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Not sure if this will work or not: Piccies

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Just seen the piccies Softie - he is beautiful! (:o))))

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Many, Many Congratulations to the three of you Softie.

It sounds like it was a difficult birth but give Nicola a week and she'll have forgotton all about it. It's the dad who remembers!

Your description brought back many happy memories for me - thanks a lot. I must have logged in forty times yesterday to see if there was any news. At last the waiting's over. It's a boy, Nicola can begin to feel human again, you can strut round like a peacock, and YBW can take centre stage for - oh - the rest of your life at a guess.

Brilliant!

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

A million zillion congratulations to Nic, Softie and of course, baby Robert. I'm sure I speak for everyone one on here in wishing the Softie family love and congratulations at this time.

We've all shared your emotions over the past months, both online and (some of us) in the pub. No doubt, many of us have also experienced similar over the years, but nothing that anyone says can prepare you for the actual moment when you hold your first-born for the first time . No doubt you'll treasure it forever. Life will have it's "little moments" but none are likely to compare with the emotions you both have experienced over the past 24 hours. Enjoy the peace while you can - all of a sudden, there's something else to pre-occupy you for the foreseeable future!

One thing tho - with such an obvious display of his liking for the "reds" and especially the lateness of his arrival, I thought he might just have had an "Alex" in his name somewhere!

PS. Did you see somebody was offering a ST in the SJH for sale on here this week? Just a thought. If that's too much of a commitment, True has a spare for the Chewsea game!! See you on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

So very pleased for you & Nicola, Softie - many congratulations - and welcome to young Robert, of course.

The agony and the ecstacy of the process was so beautifully annotated as only you can do - priceless.

Live every minute - they change so quickly, and these early days can never, ever be recaptured.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

awwwwwwwwwww....

Congratulations to all three of you!

the boy [and girl] done good...

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congratulations Softie and Nic. I hope Nic is feeling better soon - it sounds like it was quite an ordeal for her (or perhaps you too were fooled by the female conspiracy surrounding birth (-; )

Seriously it's great news that the two of you have brought a new Geordie into the World. You are wished every happiness by all of us here. I look forward to seeing Bobby the Even Younger soon, and look forward also to a time when you and he are first seen hand in hand on the way to the match. (Softie and MicroSoftie shirts?) The campaign for a creche at the Strawberry starts now!

Loads of Love

Jonno

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congratulations and love to Softie, Nic and Bobby. Look forward to seeing you all soon.
Steph
xxx

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

>>>>>Live every minute - they change so quickly, and these early days can never, ever be recaptured.

VERY sound advice from Clarky there. There are stories of guys who've gone home early for the first time in ages, to spend some time with the kids, only to find they've gone to University.

Mind you, it's a little too early to mention this, but although these days cannot be recaptured, they can, of course, be repeated ... (-;

(I shall now go into hiding in case Nic takes out a contract on me)

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Many congratulations and all the best to the three of you. Your descriptions of it all have been as evocative as ever, including the bit where the outcome makes it all worth while. That's the part that makes me remember why I didn't want to give up my own past involvement in it all. Wow.

You'll no doubt have seen Nic and Robert again now after a bit of a rest: I bet Geordieland seems a fine place today.

Bill

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congratulations! The baton of 'Newest BBS Dad' is safely passed. I believe that the ritual states I should now pass on glib advice with the assurance of a past master.

Cheers

Dunx

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Terrific news Softie, I'm thrilled to pieces for you. Many congratulations. Best wishes to Nicola and Robert.

Great timing btw, September the 2nd should pretty much ensure this 21st Century bairn will be the oldest in his class by some distance.

Love to all 3 of you.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congrats all round Softie.

When people wonder whay lifes all about you can now tell them.

Next big step, taking your new family home, Magic!!!!

Enjoy

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Many many congrats Softie & Nicola, well done - you are now a family!! It is magic.

I look forward to seeing little Robert at SJP on a future beamback wearing his black & white kit.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congrats to you all! You do know the rule is that the bloke has to have the second one Sofite!

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Stevo,

Second oldest, young master Shearer beats him by a day!!

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Thank you all again everyone, Nicola is still a bit crook and will be kept in until Tuesday, but YBW is fine, and after the way he went for my finger, I can't imagine why more Mams don't go straight onto bottles!

One thing has to be cleared up, however: Screacher maintains:

"One thing tho - with such an obvious display of his liking for the "reds" and especially the lateness of his arrival, I thought he might just have had an "Alex" in his name somewhere!"

YBW has clearly inherited dangerous levels of sarcasm from his Dad, and was making a statement on his feelings for Newton Heath: they are a load of bollocks :-)

He was born with an arm up, which is one reason why Nic suffered so badly, and opinion is divided as to whether he is destined to gain revenge on Argentina for Maradona's hand ball or to be the leader of a great off-side trap.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Bollox! N'ertheless, you wrote:

He was born with an arm up, which is one reason why Nic suffered so badly, and opinion is divided as to whether he is destined to gain revenge on Argentina for Maradona's hand ball or to be the leader of a great off-side trap.

Nah - clearly a goal celebration if ever I heard of one. If he'd only been able to run, he'd no doubt have been peeling off in a wide arc, with a big grin on his chops. Saluti, Little Softie.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

I called in to the RVI earlier. Heard all the gory details from Nic, you must both be very relieved that little Bobby is fine. Congratulations again - he is absolutely gorgeous!

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Born with an arm up? Sounds like he was playing the offside trap....

Could he be the central defender we've been looking for?

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congratulation Softie and Nic.......I bet it was worth waiting for wasn't it........All the best and like everyone else, Looking forward to seeing him for real.....Playing in B&W!

Good luck to all three of you.

Ken, Jenny, Steph & Abbey (aka The ITK's)

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Excellent news. Congratulations to the three of you.I also admire the way you managed to organise it so that the birth happened on the only free Football weekend in September. Nice one!!

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2000

Congratulations, Softie and Nic and much love to you all. I had a worried moment when I saw a Ronnie Gill announcement about a baby born in the car park of the RVI cos it was full. Thankfully it wasn't your wee one.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Congratulations, Softie and Nic and much love to you all. I had a worried moment when I saw a Ronnie Gill announcement about a baby born in the car park of the RVI cos it was full. Thankfully it wasn't your wee one ((-: Sorry, got cut off. BIG HUGS TO ALL OF YOUxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Brilliant, wonderful news. Welcome, welcome, young Robert.

LOVE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE OF YOU FROM W'US GEORDIES OUT IN HONG KONG !!!!!

val.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Congratulations Nic and Softie. Nice picies of Robert. Hope Nic is feeling better today and that you have gotten some sleep. Now get him a plush magpie for the grib.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Stay off here for the w.e and look what happens . Great to hear everyone is doing so well , and all his baboon like parts are in the right place : - ) Congrats to Nic you and the young 'un , and im sure the babys heed will be well whet on Saturday . Much joy ! All the best for the future years , Grant : - ))

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Great thread this. Clarky's advice "don't get too close to the soggy end!" was very sound but probably came a little too late (by around 9 months). Also liked Buff's attempt to make it into a match day thread, so here's my report.

A great match even if it did go on for longer than expected - it seemed as though the ref's watch had stopped towards the end there.

It all started brightly with a marvellous score from Warren Barton (it looked like), ramming it between the uprights in the opening minutes, but then the game dragged on for some considerable time with the defence holding out under ever increasing pressure. United's newest arrival was guilty of some fairly hefty kicks late in the game which fortunately went unseen by the ref although they were certainly felt in the midfield area. He might have got away with that on his debut but he will need to be careful in future.

He looks to be a very bright star on United's horizon. Few will forget the excitement of his emergence from the tunnel and that cheeky wave - although some argue he was appealing for offside. A fine debut and a promising career ahead. Many would like to see him putting in an appearance at Kingston Park soon, but the management have stated quite firmly that he will be kept in cotton wool for some time to come. The fear is that the soubriquet of "The New Warren Barton" may place an unnecessary burden of expectation on those young shoulders.

The entire team returns home in triumph tomorrow - a job well done.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Nice one - isn't the world a grand place.

Best wishes

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Sublime, Jonno, honey.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Great report, Jonno!

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Good on yer, Jonno!

;-)

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2000

Nice one Jonno!(:o)

-- Anonymous, September 05, 2000

well played sir!(and madam)and welcome to The Toon's newest candidate for the number 9 shirt. Fifties fan

-- Anonymous, September 05, 2000