Sensational. Feckin fantastic !! It's Wednesday arvo and I'm still a little bit hoarse from the Riverside nearly 48 hours ago. Loved yer match report Rik (any chance you could mail me a tape of it as well Gus ?). Only thing I'd take umbrage over was your saying 3500 Geordies were in fine voice - it was actually me making all that noise ! Well, I did have 4 years worth of catching up to do ;o)

I tell you I could easily die and go to heaven now. Not so much for the match itself (although we were excellent as you all go) but just for the sheer experience of following the lads away from home again. I knew I was missing my footy out there in Sydney, but even I hadn't realised just how much.

Day started with a tour around St.James - outside only, as apparently they're not planning on tours until the spring. Then it was into the Strawbeery for a few lunchtime drinkies with Softie & Steph (great to see you guys) and pick up my ticket. Rik had very kindly offered to pick us up from my brother's in Heaton then it was away down to Smoggieland. Young Maverick (Rik's youngest bairn) in the back of the car had apparently been chatty before I got in, but obviously my ugly mug scared him as he was quiet as a church mouse the whole trip down - funny, as I usually only have that effect on lasses !

Naturally, not having been to M'boro in quite some time, I was all set to find Ayresome Park and hadn't the faintest notion where the Cellblock H Stadium was, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. None of Susie's promised trouble materialised before or after so we didn't need to use the bairn as a human shield after all ... Inside I just stood and just soaked it all up. Like Rik, it was the most bizarre sensation being at an away fixture sober (all my lunchtime/early afternoon McEwans being a long time since). It's all pretty much been said about the match and the players, so it's only left to comment on the atmosphere. Can I just say that the Boro were PATHETIC. Even before Big Al had slotted the opener they were quieter even than Maverick asleep in the back of the motor ! And as for the 'flag day'/classical music fiesta, my god what were they thinking ? Me Mark Page orchestrating the sadsters when to wave flags or whatever - what IS the point can anyone enlighten me ? Is anyone really going to turn up to footy who otherwise wouldn't for that sort of irrelevant nonsense ? Then they did their usual Papas Got a Brand New Pigbag synchronised clapping thing when the players came out, and then ... nothing. Sweet FA. Just sat down and shut up until told to do the same by MMP at the start of the second half. (shudder)

So it's good to hear that I was coming across loud & clear on your tellies (with a bit of help from the Toon Army!) as the support scored an easy 8.5 or 9 out of 10 from me. Despite the limitations of the view it was brilliant being right at the front and having the sound buffet me from behind. Only downside was that I couldn't start any chants as neeone would've heard me - not that they probably would've joined in anyway as they're all old ones ;o). The pinnacle out of so many highlights was when I managed to catch Al's late header that went narrowly wide and then skimmed up to me off the track. I had to knock someone over to get to it (apologies if you're reading this !) but it had my name all over it !

I'm really looking forward to catching up with one or two of you London bbs-ers this coming Monday night - no idea where young SBA is thinking of at this stage mind, but I'd love to meet anyone who can get along.

And the final word - I've had a chat with the significantly-better-half and persuaded her that we really should leave Ireland a day early, fly back to the NE via Dublin & Teeside Airport just so we can fit in the Bradford cup game before flying back to Oz the next day. Haven't told her how much it will cost yet but never mind that for now. I'm over the moon !!!! And, if that weren't enough for one lifetime, it means I get to start her indoctrination process earlier than expected - her first ever football game & I get to see the inside of new Fortress St.James after all. Pre and post match bevs in the Strawbeery anyone ??

This is one happy lad signing off ... (and thanks again Rik and young Marrick for the company)

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Answers

Great post LT.
It's lovely to get a sense of the joy experienced by an ex-pat returning to his roots - especially when for once the Lads obliged, big-time, and didn't tarnish the experience.
You really should try to take in a home game before you return to Oz. Hope you make it.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Thanks, Loons. When do you come down to London? I'm gonna try to make the beers. Otherwise, I'm in the Toon in Friday evening if you are around and fancy a pint.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Excellent report, Loony. Glad you'll get back over for Bradford. Hopefully the lads will oblige with a similar performance. even better if the crowd does! :-)

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I'll be there on monday with Sue mate....should be fun ;)

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Great report Loony - you certainly picked the right game to come over for! Hope to meet up again for Bradford.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000