So we lost to Sunderland, Alan Shearer is injured and suddenly we face Armageddon, just 3 or 4 weeks after being 3rd and talking of a Euro place. I'm depressed to read a lot of negative stuff on the BBS lately. Have we lost faith in YBR's aquatic perambulations already? It's starting to sound like the darkest days of TSM again. On another thread someone asks when was the last time we finished in the top 5. Well the answer is of course that at just 4 years ago it is in the living memory of all of us here. If you had asked the question 8 years ago you would really be struggling for an answer. Stop worrying about it all. There is nothing you can do about it, except to get behind the lads during the matches and sing yer hearts oot. What the hell does it matter anyway if we NEVER win anything? So what? As a fan of close on 40 years I've seen a few promotions and the incredible Fairs Cup win in '69. Apart from that it was all a waste of time? A Waste of Time?!!! The point is that those 39 years have been a labour of love. I've enjoyed the limited successes, I've mourned the failures, I've overdosed on the adrenalin rush of the excitement at games, I've wiped the tears from my eyes as those black and white shirts emerge from the tunnel proudly carrying our hopes and dreams, I've rejoiced in the artistry of players like Pedro, Tino, Suddick, Tony Green, I've revelled in the characters like McGarry, McNamee, Hockey, I've loved the dedication and attitude of the likes of Bartinho and Frank Clark (who knew my father), I've revered our history, those names, those legends, Milburn, Gallagher, Veitch, Brennan and so very many more, above all, I've shared a drink, a laugh, or sorrows with some of the finest people it has been my priveledge to meet (many of you actually reading this), in short, I've loved every minute of it. I'm bursting with pride to be a Geordie. It's a land of heroes, heroes amongst the miners who built this nation's wealth with the sweat of their backs and sometimes their lives, heroes like me mam and me grandma and so many women of their ilk who raised families against impossible odds of poverty, heroes on the football field as mentioned above. Look at the majesty of Geordieland. Those magnificent bridges, the beauty of the coastline, the heritage of our castles, The Wall, the most unspoiled countryside, finer than anything in the whole of England. (That country attached to our Southern Border). OK, OK, so we don't always have a team to live up to all this. What the hell. (We don't care if the Sun don't shine - what the hell do we care? Etc). We certainly have the fans. We are the best. We are Geordies. (The intellectuals amongst you will recognise this as a tautology). We cannot be beaten. So let's pick worselves up, forget the little local difficulties of recent weeks and get behind Wor Bobby and his valiant lads. One or two decent results now, a pick up in confidence in the squad and I'm sure wor Bobby will soon be seen once again strolling across the Tyne and causing a danger to shipping. For this is a mighty town
Built upon solid ground
And everything they've tried so hard to kill
We will rebuild
This is a big river
And in my heart I know it will rise again
The river will rise again

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2000

Answers

Inspiring post, Jonno! Just what we need to lift some of the gloom around here in recent weeks. :-)

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2000

Awe Jonno - you've just sent a great big shivver down me spine. Or is it the bliddy cold weather blowing down from teh Arctic? We were on -3F yesterday morning, and you know how cold that is as you're probably only one of the few of us what knnas what Fahrenheit is aal aboot.

I echo Ciara's words - inspiring. See you in the boozer on Sat'dy then?

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

i'm on the next flight back.....

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Alreet, where's the war ?? Just point me in the direction of them southern Gooner pooftas ... "HAWAY THE LADS ! GET INTO THEM !!"

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Well said, Jonno. I know what Screach means about shivers down spines: "For this is a mighty town, built upon solid ground".

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Excellent Jonno. At 4:55pm after our hiccup against our nearest Southern neighbours I stuck Big River on the CD. It works wonders!

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Inspiring stuff Jonno.

Being of roughly the same 'vintage' as yersel, I began in awe of Milburn & Mitchell, Harvey & Scoular, Eastham & Allchurch; lived through the same b&w times, supported them through basically "thin & thin".

We've waited for success, but never craved it; been optimistic and resilient and never stayed down-hearted for too long; we've lauded our heroes, and been patient with the failures; we've stayed loyal, passionate and true.

All we've ever demanded is that those who pull on the b&w stripes wear them with the same pride that we do.

In my mind that is what the debates and concerns of the last couple of weeks has been all about.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Screacher

>>>>We were on -3F yesterday morning, and you know how cold that is

Haway man Screacher that's nowt. Geordies divven't feel the caad at aal. Fasten the top button of ya short, roll ya sleeves doon and ye'll be aal reet.

Ya gannin soft man.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Is it me or did I hear the straining melody of "Jerusalem" during that...

Nicely put, Jonno :-D

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Ahm Choking up Jonno. 10 -0 to the lads..

COME ON!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

hahahah..."finest countryside............." etc etc ..You never been on Ilkley Moor...with or without yer hat then :-)

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000

Never seen the Northumberland moors, LR - that set of moors that stretches from Yorkshire right up to Scotland? Or the Northumberland coast? Or the countryside around Hadrian's Wall? Or the Derwent Valley (northernmost Durham)? No? Good. We don't want too many tourists.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000

Tremendous rallying call but if it wasn't for the mass debates we've been having in the couple of weeks that you've been away Jonno, you'd come back to one lifeless BBS.

If you can go back further by about another two weeks you'll see the BBS was in danger of dying. You could pop in two hours later to see one new answer to a thread and that's it. I was getting disenchanted with the whole thing.

It was getting so dyer we had to rely on the reliable Softie to waken things up with his highly-controversial 'Get rid of Kieron Dyer' thread. As it turned out that was a fair rallying call as the postings have increased, as people return to the vibrant pub atmosphere, they know and love.

The Grrenspun Arms is open again throughout the day and people are popping in for more than half a shandy now, they sit down have a decent chat over a couple of pints. I, for one, am glad the place has got some spirit back.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000

Douggie...I've seen them PLENTY of times...one of me all time fave routes is Lancaster to Devils Bridge (Kirkby Lonsdale) - Penrith - over Hartside Pass and through Alston (no freakin' Girlies there I can tell ya)on to Haydon Bridge and up towards Rothbury......stop fer a spliff....then up to Carters Bar for a brew...a bleedin' quick one and on to Jedburgh before swinging round down through Hawick and heading back via Carlisle. Super roads...super countryside.

One of the vest routes fer an all-day burn in the land....just don't stop to talk to the locals :-)

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000