Big Geordie

Before my time (just) and legend has it that it landed at the feet of Tony Cottee and John Cornwell (ex Newcastle) The lad that thew it, ended up at Northgate Hospital (I think) There's a picture here among some great old images of SJP in the '80s: http://www.soccer24-7.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179447 That old corrugated Iron stand. Absolute death trap. The old wooden west stand, dating from the turn of the century, was probably a bit of a death trap, too. It was (not good) The thing I remember back then was the rumble of 'thunder' as those in the seats stamped their feet when we got a corner or throw-in close to goal. It's amazing what you remember from back then!

Cheers Ozzie. Gonna have a look now.

Before my time (just) and legend has it that it landed at the feet of Tony Cottee and John Cornwell (ex Newcastle) The lad that thew it, ended up at Northgate Hospital (I think)

It did NG, and we had a very pad rep with visiting teams particularly when the had black players. I'm glad that kind of shite has been removed from the ground, but it definitely still goes on. I think in terms of racism, Andy Cole and Les Ferdinand did much to change things through their performances. I am old enough to remember Howard Gayle and Tony Cunningham- the latter was never the most gifted footballer, but he did graft and for that had my respect back then.

I know some of our lot aren't all sweetness and light - we all know there are and have been violent wasters amongst our ranks, for who going and watching football becomes a distant and poor second to causing grief and bother. If owt, this thread is merely to offer a bit of balance to what's gone on in the mackem thread of recent (examples of racist behaviour on RTG) When I first start going to games, back in 81/82, I remember skinheads from the National Front being regular visitors, trying to pedal their filth. Not unsurprising given some of the racist chanting I head at St James, back in the day. It was par for the course and as a youngster, I didn't really understand. I remember the likes of John Barnes and Bobby Barnes getting awful abuse. I was also at the Charlton game where Colin Walsh broke his leg after a 50-50 with John Anderson, and the poor lad having coins chucked at him by some 'people' the corner as he lay on a stretcher. I also remember plenty being dished out to the likes of David Speedie, Pat Nevin and Frank McAvennie (for obvious and different reasons) Going to the match was a very different experience back then and some of the younger lads won't understand it. Whilst it was great to stand on the terraces with the same lads every home game, it also came with the downside. Any experiences to share?

Some of their lot really are knuckle dragging, ignorant bastards. Give the decent lads amongst their ranks a bad name.

Tabs are cheap as chips in Belguim so folk can actually make a profit over and above what it cost to go if they bring enough back. Well, good way to pay for your trip I guess, if you can fetch enough back through and have buyers back home.

Read somewhere that Birmingham took 6000 last season. I've only been abroad once before to follow the lads (Juventus in the CL) when around 4000 went over. Decided to go to that game, thinking we couldn't get out of the group stage. Of course we did, so when Barcelona and Inter Milan (when a rumoured 12000 went) I couldn't afford to go. Would love to this time, but got other priorities, etc (the bairn, house, etc!) Will make do with TV.

It was on FB (beg your pardon) Here it is; @nufcawaytickets: Based on incoming flights, trains and ferrys and cars, Brugge Tourist board expecting up to 16,000 #NUFC fans! Wow! #NUFCinEurope!!

Just seen it suggested on Twitter that authorities in Belgium are expecting as many as 16000 Mags traveling over for the game. Impressive if this is true but it begs the question, where the hell are folk getting the cash from?

Keyring Richardson as in 'Wheeze Keeyze'

Did well today.

Poor performance, but a better 2nd half and I'll take the point. Ben Arfa gets us out of jail again - team need to do so much better though!

Aye - not good. Lacking fluidity and ideas. Need a rocket up the arse at HT, because Villa are nout flash. I don't buy this being tired from Thursday as not many of them played and are we seriously getting to the point where professional footballers can't play 3 games inside a week?

Boos all round at Spurs. FT.

Huddlestone sent off for Spurs - only been on 5mins as sub. Late tackle on Howson.

Snodgrass equalizes for Norwich.

Been some signing for Swansea, that lad. An absolute steal at £2.5million.

Jammy mackem bastards!

Wigan 1 Stoke 0 Maloney (pen)

/o\ Pardew *shakes head*

Nout flash tonight - job done though and good experience for the youngsters.

Mackems 2 Morcombe 0 McClean with his 2nd.

Stoke 1 Swindon 2 Kenwyne Jones

Yeovil 2 WBA 2 Ruben Reid with his 2nd.