So who else (apart from Rik and the bairn?) is heading down to Smogsville on Monday night. And where can you recommend to drink in pre-match these days ?

I'm a right sucker for smoke stacks and noxious sulphur fumes, so I just HAD to fly back from Sydney especially for this match !

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Answers

BTW, I just had to share this gem with you all - taken from the official Boro site. I'm just overwhelmed that I'm travelling X thousand miles to listen to a classical concert ...

"But the atmosphere in Monday's derby clash at the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium should be extra special.

The club are making the Premiership match an official 'Flag Night' and are asking supporters to create a sea of red and raise the roof as Bryan Robson's team go for their first home league win of the season.

And the official website is doing its bit to try to bring home the three points.

Many fans have fond memories of previous Flag Nights - including the unforgettable Coca-Cola Cup semi-final win over Liverpool two years ago - and the club aims to create a party atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off.

The pre-match build-up, laced with the tension of a local derby, promises to be very special. Boro are urging supporters to take their seats 20 minutes before kick-off to wave their flags and scarves to a specially compiled classical music medley."

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Take something to wave at me Loony, I am taking Tuesday off so I can sit up on Monday night Tuesday morning to watch from home.

That goes for the rest of you as well.

Hey if 3 of you together took a big g, u and s and held them up, in the right order of course it would confuse them for certain!

As a matter of fact I think at home games you lot should hold up a banner each week with the name of one of we exiles on it.

ITK, how about getting a cardboard cut out of my photo and take it along to the match? See how many games I can get too?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Lower tier, south stand. I'll be the one singing me heart oot for the lads. And don't worry Mel, I'll give you the 2 fingered wave alright !

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Do you want a lift down to Boro Loony?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Boro is the worst away trip of the season as far as pre-match boozing is concerned. Yer best off meeting up early in the Toon LT then making the slow torturous journey south. The coaches take a good 2 hours to get there mind cos the police make such a meal out of stopping everyone. I'm getting a train in from Leeds to do a little incognito drinking at a club with a mate. If you get the train from Newcastle there's always a choice between the uniformed thugs or the local scab-ridden youth if you fancy a beating. If you take a car park it somewhere supervised and don't leave anything in view which associates the car with Newcastle. Stick with the crowds. Nice place Middlesborough.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

I've just secured my tickets which I'm told will be winging their way to me 2nd class this afternoon. I don't know what my arrangements are other than working till 5.30 then travelling by car?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

ITK, how about getting a cardboard cut out of my photo and take it along to the match? See how many games I can get too?

Hardly fair Gus........we would have to sacrifce an entire Brazilian Rainforest to get enough cardboard.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

I'm taking the young un to his first away game, won't been drinking. Driving down in the wife's old banger hoping that it gets nickrd so I can claim the insurance. Any one fancy a lift down, leaving toonside after work about 6.30.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

I did not say ti had to be life size ITK. Anyway as long as it is only a Brazilian rain forest it won't matter.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Lads & Lasses, just wanted to warn you that I heard from a Boro season ticket holder that they are organising big trouble on Monday night - please take care.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000