Paully

Sunderland will welcome Scottish treble winners Celtic to Wearside on Saturday 29 July 2017 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Stadium of Light. Both clubs share the same principal partner in Dafabet and in recognition of this, the game - the first pre-season friendly to be staged at the stadium since 2008 – will be known as the Dafabet Cup, with the respective trophy awarded to the winning side. As well as the milestone of 20 years at the Stadium of Light, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s historic European Cup win in Lisbon, when they became the first British club to lift the prestigious trophy. The legendary team, known as the Lisbon Lions, have been invited by Sunderland to attend the game in recognition of their achievements in 1967. The passionate Celtic fans are renowned for travelling in large numbers and Wearside is looking forward to welcoming a big visiting crowd and creating a celebratory and vibrant atmosphere between both sets of fans. Fans will be able to enjoy family friendly and special season card holder pricing, with junior season card holders able to take in the action for free. The iconic home of Sunderland hosted its first game on July 31, 1997, representing the beginning of a new era in stadium building in the UK. To this day, it remains one of the best modern stadia in Europe. Sunderland ambassador Kevin Ball, who captained the Sunderland side in that game against Ajax, is delighted that Celtic will be visiting next month. He said: “To have Celtic here to celebrate the 20-year anniversary, almost to the day, will be a very special occasion for everyone involved with Sunderland. “The two sets of fans share the same principles of loyalty and passion for their clubs and both teams have long and proud histories. It’s fantastic that Celtic have accepted our invitation to share this special day in what is also a very special year for them with the anniversary of the famous victory in Lisbon. I have no doubt it will be a great game, in front of a full house and something both Sunderland and Celtic supporters will love.” The game will also be the largest gathering of former Sunderland players in the club’s history, with many of the stars of the last twenty years set to attend. Kevin Ball is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, adding: “Bringing together former players and club legends will really make the day special. Recognising and celebrating our history, whether it is recent or long-standing is something that is hugely important to us and keeping our former players actively involved with the club ensures that we retain a strong connection with our history.”

Ha ha! I've just had a look and the Rafa thread is on to page 35 now and the bitterness levels are through the roof! One claims that he'd rather have Grayson as manager :lol: What a bunch of utter doylums!

Six years behind the 2nd longest away which will change once they sign Sandro! Every Premier League club's record deal - and their chances of breaking it http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/premier-league-record-transfer-signings-10685082#ICID=ios_mirrorfootball_AppShare_Click_Other

Ha ha ha ha, just looked - it's absolutely unreal the way they go on about Rafa! Utter idiots! Some are saying they wouldn't want him as their manager :lol: :lol:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/26/north-south-football-divide-sunderland-newcastle-david-moyes-rafael-benitez

Mistake - it's 3000; http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-fans-allocated-spurs-wembley-13241606

What a bunch of utter helmets! https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/benitez-future-in-doubt-over-failure-to-secure-key-signings.1373945/

For anyone panicking, don't forget the end of this month is also the end of the financial year! This is when we made signings last summer;

Midweek and at not at their normal stadium - ERR ERR!

Premier League gauges clubs' interest for safe standing http://dailym.ai/2tP8Zr5 Premier League should consider a return to safe standing http://dailym.ai/2sRV7ir

100% he is! Great news!

Yeah I had him too first and anytime 3/1 on PP special! Unreal odds for him! thought you would, always on the winners Certainly not always but I don't do too bad! Ronnie tonight - 11/4! He's the man!

"Our club is the biggest in the North East, should be one of the biggest in the country and the Premier League is therefore the only place it belongs." As well as the usual 'mack-slapping' :lol: "We have been so touched and inspired by the reaction from our fellow supporters, who rightly deserve their reputation as the best fans in the world"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/21/newcastle-cusp-something-big-premier-league-team-worth-buying/

Yeah I had him too first and anytime 3/1 on PP special! Unreal odds for him! thought you would, always on the winners Certainly not always but I don't do too bad! Ronnie tonight - 11/4!

:lol: 14:30 Royal Ascot has returned with a vengeance and with it punters are suffering in the 30C+ heat. But the gents in the Royal Enclosure aren't the only people to get hot under their over-starched collars. Radio 4's Today Programme has once again offered its predictions for the perennial race meet. But after appalling form in predicting winners in 2016 - with only one winner - they're slowly becoming known as the Sunderland AFC of racing tips. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/horse-racing/40303861

25 Years of the Prem hits 2007-8 and Kinnear's infamous attack on Mirror writer http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/joe-fing-kinnear-newcastle-press-10657176#ICID=ios_mirrorfootball_AppShare_Click_Other

Even Louise is sticking the boot in! https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jun/20/sunderland-10-years-relegated-championship

I can't see anyone stopping this Spanish team!

"Poured his own money in to wipe out the debts"? Fuck off man!

That's not it - it's blue from a good source!

Ha ha ha!

Exactly! Short must despise Quinn for how much he's spunked on them! The grief he gets off their fans for apparently not spending is crackers!

England have been dreadful again - final ball is shambolic!

Evra makes Mondays! https://www.facebook.com/SPORTbible/videos/2348057022006483/