safc

Are they? I didn't know that as I don't pay any interest in Eurostar as a company as I've never needed to use their train. Cheers for that though. Makes sense. Suppose with safc as a forum name you've never really needed a means of travelling in Europe, have you? Superb. That wit of yours really has cracked me up. So what, we've not been in Europe since the 73/74 season but meh, I can handle that plenty of teams haven't been in Europe during that time. Then again Bradford & Millwall have, but European football isn't the be all and end all of football imo No, the Championship is the 'be all and end all' of football isn't it? Edit: *your football, that is. Says the Derby County fan (I don't deny they deserved to get promoted this season), however Derby were a struggling Championship club and probably would have remained one til Billy Davies came in. Derby were going to be like QPR, Burnley and Preston. Seemingly forever in the Championship. You do seem very bitter towards Sunderland, Morph, why is that? I know plenty of Newcastle fans who just enjoy the derby games and laugh when Sunderland lose but aren't particularly bitter, but you do seem to have a real dislike. Seems i've hit a raw nerve talking about Europe. You're right, European football isn't the be all and end all. It is fun though. Believe me. Us toon fans speak from plenty of experience. As for not being bitter towards Derby rivals, you're the one with FTM in your signature. Doesn't that mean f**k the mags? How bitter is that. Sunderland fans sing more songs about the Toon than about their own team. SMB sums it up. You and the smoggies idea of a good season is doing better than Newcastle. I generally think you come across quite unbiased and fair minded on this site. Unfortunately you spoil yourself by quoting FTM. Follow The Mackems, mate. Well that's the way I mean it, although I accept I put it there in the vain hope it may wind up a few of the more bitter fans on here, knowing how they'd take it :icon_thumright:. I have to admit I hate it when our fans sing anti-Newcastle songs at any game bar the Derby's even then I'd prefer for them to sing pro-Sunderland songs, alas there is nothing I can do to change what they want to sing. And about a good season, I accept that finishing above Newcastle is good from the "bragging rights" point of view, but for me it's more of how I saw the season going beforehand. So for example next season I would be deleighted with 17th come the end of the season, and I can't say I'd really be thinking of finishing above Newcastle til after the last day of the season, when everything is over with. And even then I'd be more bothered about how the next season was about to be approached, as you can't really afford to just be happy with what you acheived, you've always got tobe trying to improve in my opinion.

I do think Spurs are almost there. And if Henry does leave, I think it will pave the way for many to follow suit. Plus with Wenger looking likely to leave next summer Arsenal could be in a spot of bother. Spurs have been pushing for that spot really well over the last two season, however I don't think they wouldbe part of the big 4. It would become the big 3 again with Spurs being the best of the rest in my opinion.

sorry, but what were sunderland until the irish adopted them? oh, league one destined, sorry, carry on Were we bollocks. That was down to Quinn doing two jobs Chairman and Manager. Anyone who honestly thought we were going to get relegated again was deluded. Any manager worth his salt could have got the team we had at the start of the season to at least the play-offs. Like we normally do after we are relegated, however Quinn decided to wait for his choice, until then he just wasn't very good as a manager.

Are they? I didn't know that as I don't pay any interest in Eurostar as a company as I've never needed to use their train. Cheers for that though. Makes sense. Suppose with safc as a forum name you've never really needed a means of travelling in Europe, have you? Superb. That wit of yours really has cracked me up. So what, we've not been in Europe since the 73/74 season but meh, I can handle that plenty of teams haven't been in Europe during that time. Then again Bradford & Millwall have, but European football isn't the be all and end all of football imo No, the Championship is the 'be all and end all' of football isn't it? Edit: *your football, that is. Says the Derby County fan (I don't deny they deserved to get promoted this season), however Derby were a struggling Championship club and probably would have remained one til Billy Davies came in. Derby were going to be like QPR, Burnley and Preston. Seemingly forever in the Championship. You do seem very bitter towards Sunderland, Morph, why is that? I know plenty of Newcastle fans who just enjoy the derby games and laugh when Sunderland lose but aren't particularly bitter, but you do seem to have a real dislike.

Are they? I didn't know that as I don't pay any interest in Eurostar as a company as I've never needed to use their train. Cheers for that though. Makes sense. Suppose with safc as a forum name you've never really needed a means of travelling in Europe, have you? Superb. That wit of yours really has cracked me up. So what, we've not been in Europe since the 73/74 season but meh, I can handle that plenty of teams haven't been in Europe during that time. Then again Bradford & Millwall have, but European football isn't the be all and end all of football imo

New Sunderland home shirt: http://www.safc.com/uploads/images/jun_07/safc_1182497835_leadbitter---safc_76.jpg New Sunderland home keeper shirt: http://www.safc.com/uploads/images/jun_07/safc_1182497935_ward---safc_176.jpg Both shite in my opinion.

It's in Kent according to Google. Gravesend and Northfleet aren't the only team changing their name this season either. Hayes and Yeading have joined together I notice. With the imaginative name of Hayes and Yeading FC now the clubs title. why not Heading FC? Or Yayes FC? I agree. I think they should have gone for something a bit different instead of just adding "and" between the two names.

It's in Kent according to Google. Gravesend and Northfleet aren't the only team changing their name this season either. Hayes and Yeading have joined together I notice. With the imaginative name of Hayes and Yeading FC now the clubs title.

Are they? I didn't know that as I don't pay any interest in Eurostar as a company as I've never needed to use their train. Cheers for that though. Makes sense.

The new Ebbsfleet United shirts for the new season: http://ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/kit.jpg I'm suprised they managed to get Eurostar to sponser them actually.

New Preston Shirts: http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/images/0708/pne.jpg And the new Dundee Utd shirts: http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/images/0708/dundeeutd.jpg

I vaguely remember their coverage. As I remember Grimsby Vs. Sunderland being on ITV way back when alongside a few other Divison One games, I can't even recall the score, just remember watching it. I also agree about the big clubs coming first while Sky just shove the lesser games (Reading Vs. Someone last season) to god awful times like 12pm on a Sunday. Sorry Dave, I've just got the forum favourited and so skip straight past the main site. No offence to the contributers like.

talking about how Sky Sports has changed football according to the Guardian: http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2103894,00.html While it can't be denied that Sky's coverage has revolutionised and changed football for ever(most likely). Does anyone think it's acctually for the better? I have to say that I can't really comment as I only started following football in the 95/96 season, so Sky was already in place with the Premiership coverage, howver I do reckon that even from then Sky's money has changed the face of the game and that the money now in the game is reaching sickening levels, especially in wages to players, and transfer fees.

This blokes just been on Five Live and said that Tal and Ballack were included as they came in on Bosmans and there for they would command more than that value if they were to be sold.

Jonny Evans is an excellent defender, looked composed and defended really well, with good distribution. But he is too good to sign here permanetly. Plus I can't see Man Utd selling him, however if he did come I'd be genuinely delighted, and it's not often I say that about Sunderland signings.

All but one of the consortium are Irish apart from 1. That's John Hays, who is a Sunderland supporter. The only name from the consortium that I actually remember is Charlie Chawke, and tat because of the old cartoon type thing. I don't believe we have many Irish in the backroom staff I just know Keane has brought in a few from Man Utd, interestingly including their ex-chief scout. However they certainly are exploiting the Irish market though. Even though we probably had it cornered alongside Man Utd and Liverpool before that, now they do special charted flights on matchdays from ireland plus another set of pre-season friendlies in Ireland this year. There are also rumours of club shops opening over thire but I don't believe them. I'm worried about this though as Ireland is a very small country and imo we should try and push the club elsewhere. Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. Sunderland are not going to break any major Country right now though are they? At least your going for one place then none at all. Winning games and winning trophies brings the fans from abroad, that's not going to happen anytime soon for Sunderland without major investment. But in the meantime they serve Irish interest, where possibly a lot of the Irish NT play, keeping Ireland watching out for them, brining in potential supporters. Who said major? Why not Albania, Kahzakstan, Armenia or even Scotland? I know what your saying and I agree but I'm not overly impressed by just the Irish market ( I suppose the one reason I'm never happy about Sunderland is that I'm a pessimist and not even the best will do as in my opinion it isn't good enough. I expect the club to always want to grow and not just consolidate what they have. Why not try and break into the Scandanavian market, I mean again apart from Man Utd and Liverpool there isn't really a Englis club with massive support there. Again though, why would someone from Scandinavia want to support Sunderland, or Newcastle etc? We've won nowt in years, have a long way before winning something again, and there are glamour clubs in our leagues far more known and supported already. Tours, friendlies and other avenues are not going to open many doors in these countries imo, tbh, thinking about the way Sunderland have gone about the Irish connection is quite impressive, the foot is in the door, the 'club brand' (horrible way to talk about football i know) is in and its growing, its better than nothing. Sunderland just have to realise Irish talent can and will only get you so far, and if you want to achieve the greatest success, there are not many Irish players out there that will be able to deliver it, but right now for a promoted team, its a good foundation. I agree with what your saying it's just I'm extremely greedy when it comes to football. While I accept that everything takes time, not even the best will do me (and atm Ireland is our best) and I want/demand more from the club. Plus I don't know what you mean about neither big NE side winning anything for ages. Sunderland win the Championship every three years on average. And I'm sure Newcastle have a Northumberland Cup to go along with your recent Inter-toto Cup "glory". Take them over and the Scandanivians will lap it up.

All but one of the consortium are Irish apart from 1. That's John Hays, who is a Sunderland supporter. The only name from the consortium that I actually remember is Charlie Chawke, and tat because of the old cartoon type thing. I don't believe we have many Irish in the backroom staff I just know Keane has brought in a few from Man Utd, interestingly including their ex-chief scout. However they certainly are exploiting the Irish market though. Even though we probably had it cornered alongside Man Utd and Liverpool before that, now they do special charted flights on matchdays from ireland plus another set of pre-season friendlies in Ireland this year. There are also rumours of club shops opening over thire but I don't believe them. I'm worried about this though as Ireland is a very small country and imo we should try and push the club elsewhere. Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. Sunderland are not going to break any major Country right now though are they? At least your going for one place then none at all. Winning games and winning trophies brings the fans from abroad, that's not going to happen anytime soon for Sunderland without major investment. But in the meantime they serve Irish interest, where possibly a lot of the Irish NT play, keeping Ireland watching out for them, brining in potential supporters. Who said major? Why not Albania, Kahzakstan, Armenia or even Scotland? I know what your saying and I agree but I'm not overly impressed by just the Irish market ( I suppose the one reason I'm never happy about Sunderland is that I'm a pessimist and not even the best will do as in my opinion it isn't good enough. I expect the club to always want to grow and not just consolidate what they have. Why not try and break into the Scandanavian market, I mean again apart from Man Utd and Liverpool there isn't really a Englis club with massive support there.

All but one of the consortium are Irish apart from 1. That's John Hays, who is a Sunderland supporter. The only name from the consortium that I actually remember is Charlie Chawke, and tat because of the old cartoon type thing. I don't believe we have many Irish in the backroom staff I just know Keane has brought in a few from Man Utd, interestingly including their ex-chief scout. However they certainly are exploiting the Irish market though. Even though we probably had it cornered alongside Man Utd and Liverpool before that, now they do special charted flights on matchdays from ireland plus another set of pre-season friendlies in Ireland this year. There are also rumours of club shops opening over thire but I don't believe them. I'm worried about this though as Ireland is a very small country and imo we should try and push the club elsewhere.

Its a big chunk of the budget to blow on a unproven player. If Keane thinks he can get away with signing Andy O'Brien and a few more of his Irish mates then i'd be a little concerned next season. The likes of Forlan are ridiculous links, but at least this guy isn't Irish or links with manu, shows Keane does actually know there's a world outside his bubble. I reckon we should try and sell on Butt & Carr, i'm sure he'd take em as well. I agree that was something that I was really worried about, that we were only going to sign players that Keane had some connection with, but hardly any of them are realisitic. I mean Forlan was someone just taking the piss surely. One of the top scorers in La Liga also linked with Barca and now Liverpool. There was no chance of getting him. Although I don't think it will be that much of a chunk of out budget as although I don't believe all the stories of tens of millions available ( that would just be stupid) I still reckon we'll have a fair whack. Certainly more than last time. He's certainly called on his contacts hasn't he? But you can't blame him, he needed quick fixes and needed to make an impact so he went with what and who he knew. I just feel the Irish connection is being used so much with your Irish sponsorship, that you maybe opting for Irish answers as its what the Irish want. Sunderland are not Irish, but anymore of them it will be green stripes next season. Oh I agree it was good work when he came in pretty much on deadline day but for everyone he brought in to have some link was quite crazy (Edwards and John must have been recommend by Yorke) and he knew everyone else from Celtic/Man Utd/Ireland. TBF to Keane though he's not the only one with an Irish obession it was pretty much the same with Reid and McCarthy, our Irish links take the piss.

Its a big chunk of the budget to blow on a unproven player. If Keane thinks he can get away with signing Andy O'Brien and a few more of his Irish mates then i'd be a little concerned next season. The likes of Forlan are ridiculous links, but at least this guy isn't Irish or links with manu, shows Keane does actually know there's a world outside his bubble. I reckon we should try and sell on Butt & Carr, i'm sure he'd take em as well. I agree that was something that I was really worried about, that we were only going to sign players that Keane had some connection with, but hardly any of them are realisitic. I mean Forlan was someone just taking the piss surely. One of the top scorers in La Liga also linked with Barca and now Liverpool. There was no chance of getting him. Although I don't think it will be that much of a chunk of out budget as although I don't believe all the stories of tens of millions available ( that would just be stupid) I still reckon we'll have a fair whack. Certainly more than last time.

A lad with virtually zero premiership experience, who Reading were willing to let go after half a season claiming that he hadn't come on as expected while there, all for the price of £3M doesn't exactly excite me. While I accept he was very good at the SoL last season, we were't exactly excellent that game tbh but thats all I've seen of him

Yep against Albania 3-1 win I think. They also had one in the winter against Belarus where Green got injured and they scored while he was down. Don't recall the score though.

It's going to penalties no matter what happens as Pearce wants them practicing with the U21 tournament starting this weekend.

New Hibs away shirt: http://www.hibsshop.co.uk/prod-img/Away_Shirt_300.jpg

Quite embarrasing, but I doubt that every person they spoke to for that article responded in the same way. FFS at the end of the day it's only a game and boycotting something because of a link to your local rivals is pretty sad. That said it won't affect me as I never shop in Sports World, it's shite. One of the worst places in the Bridges, which is poor but at least has a Waterstones and a HMV so I'm usually happy enough to go there.