With NUFC top of the league and YBR Manager of the month it was important to let someone know about this. But in Seattle who could appreciate these achievements? Ahh! My wife had reported a rabid Manure fan runs a "British Shop" just north of here - certainly some appreciation was due from such as he. So, being a bit low on spotted dick, custard and choc coated digestives (the Americans really have no appreciation for the finer things of life) a visit to this shop seemed in order.

On arrival I gather the tin of Heinz spotted dick, the Birds custard and the McVities digestives from the shelves and noted the ABSCENCE of NUFC from a collection of EPL scarves for sale. That decided it. "Are you in regulary touch with Britain?" I ask - as plummy as can be. "Oh yes indeed, every day!" Says our little Red Devil. "Then can you tell me who is top of the Premier League?" Adding the old fashioned touch to remove any suspicion. "Newcastle are top and ..." "YESSSSSSSS!" Says I, smashing me hand on the bench before he can get to a whine about the Scum. "Now, who would you like this cheque made out to." "Who you like" he says, probably concerned that the half of the Toon Army were just round the corner. So I made it out to Manure. He recovers slightly. "Of course, we've beaten you already this season." I reply " And it will be a pleasure to repeat last year's result at St James Park!"

He should have left it at that. But no. Like all the whining b*st*rds he had to try a bit. "We have scored more goals than any one else" he says. "I see, so Barnsley are a good team?" "They beat Liverpool" says he so giving me the infinite pleasure of hearing a member of the scum use Liverpool as a standard of high quality.

Thank you YBR for such an enjoyable afternoon out. (Lets hope things continue as they are - or I'll have to send my daughter for the dick, custard and digestives.)

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Answers

What sweet satisfaction - in more ways than one! Long may it last - though your waistline may suffer!(;o)

BTW are you anywhere near Pete in Canada?(:o)

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Excellent sport Sounder.

I've always said that our Toon stars have no real comprehension of the world-wide weight of expectation of them. - ably demonstrated by your story - or the high and lows their performances can occasion.
On the other hand, if they did come to fully grasp it all they would probably be scared s***less and unable to even run down the tunnel.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

The shop had probably sold out of toon scarfs sounder, a good sign if you ask me.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Great story, Sounder! And Clarky, I think you're right. They were genuinely surprised at how many supporters turned out for the US friendlies AND how far people travelled just for those games. And that's still only a handful of what's really out there in the US and rest of the world.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

THanks for the replies lads and lasses.

Galaxy: I live in Seattle - not sure where Pete lives. Do you know?

Clarky: I think we should do all we can to let the players know what the support is. I remember in Hunter Davis book on a year with Spurs that the players particularly liked the support away from home.

Rik: My point about the Toon scarves was that he should RE-ORDER before the last NUFC scarf is sold!! He should NEVER BE WITHOUT.

Ciara: I read your reports from DC United, particularly interested that you got to talk with team members in a way not likely in the U.K.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Hey, I heard someone talking about me. Sounder, I am in Calgary, Alberta, just the other side of them hills. Mrs. and I flew into Seattle for the FA Cup Semi against Chewsea, couldn't find it here but went to the George and Dragon as they had it live on Satelite. Spent too many dollars at Pikes Market, but what the heck. Nice place, Seattle is.

Pete

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Hi Pete,

Glad you like Seattle. The George and Dragon is a good place to go. Quite a few English get there for the matches and many of them are favorable to Toon (thanks Kev). Let's know if you are coming back sometime.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Certainly will do that. It,s only an hour and a half flight from here and makes for a nice weekend away. Next time we pop down, hopefully we can meet for a pint or two.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

AAaagghhh!! The inevitable. I should have paid cash. The Manure supporter rings me at 9:00 this morning (my phone number is on the cheque) - had I heard the results. Who was top of the league? I thanked him for beating the Mackems. Best I could do under the circumstances.

But - In some corner of a foreign field there is forever TOON TOON TOON

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

A really good thread this one, seing our 'American Cousins' as it were getting to know each other, albeit in a cyber sort of way, but I do worry a little about the original posting.

Just to warn you, there as smutty remark about to appear...... .

.

.

.

.

.

.

When Sounder wrote:

I'll have to send my daughter for the dick

I must say it increased my interest in the thread, but luckily nothing further transpired.

Well I did warn you that some smut was coming.....you didn't expect me to leave it just lying there did you?

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2000

Really ITK, really, really. I am surprised at you. No, that's not right! I am shocked ... no that can't be right either. I know what it is I am amazed that you were the first one to rise to the comment, so to speak.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2000