Sunderland FC Forums safc blog

Tuesday, March 18, 2008



Sunderland FC Forums

Sunderland FC forums pop up all the time over the world wobbly web, but very few have the staying power and before you know it they become desolate, disabled and/or abandoned.

There has been one dominant forum on the block since the summer of 2002, commonly known as the SMB (Sunderland Message Board) which forms part of the RTG Message Boards, which in turn is part of the Ready To Go website which has been online since 1998. The SMB forum has and still is a fantastic way for SAFC fans to share a bit of banter about footy related issues and some great off topic threads have been posted over the years.

Towards the end of 2007 though, the comfortable and familiar surroundings of the SMB took on a new focus, completely seperating footy only posts from the off topic stuff and the way this was done was to create a completely seperate forum, Pure Football, great if you want to concentrate purely on footy issues, but for those members that had become accustomed to the mix of footy and off topic stuff it became an issue.

Ready to Go experienced some technical issues during the transition and from this some of the regular members decided to get a forum together, funny thing is, the new kid on the block is turning out to be the new challenger to the crown of the Sunderland FC Forum to frequent, with its mix of the usual banter within the Talk Sport Discussion, there is also the sub forum where all the naughty posters have their threads sin binned for being a little too off tangent shall we say.

That particular mix of footy related and off topic stuff became the successful ingredient of the SMB, where "The Parsnip" was and still is the `Sin Bin` for crap posts.

So what has this new forum got what the other one has not?

Well the obvious praises to sing for the new one would be their Arcade, where you can play games to your hearts content, competing against other forum users within the tournaments or you can simply compete for the High Scores of individual games and eventually you may even become king of the Arcade by achieving the most high scores.

Besides the addictive arcade, there are another 5 sub forums, the `Talk Shite Discussion`, `Cricket`, `Travel` and `Tech Help` that`s only 4 i hear you say! well yes because i do not want to talk too much about the final sub forum `NSFW` because that one is password protected and involves savoury content that even i would not attempt to describe.

That said, their is even more! a vBookie to place wagers using the forum currency on upcoming sporting events, your very own free blog, live chat for those unable, working or exiled on match days a SAFC History section, Downloads and even more links than you can throw a cocker spaniel at within their directory.

So who is this new kid on the block?

The Sunderland FC Forum is Black Cat Chat get over there now and see what all the fuss is about.

Labels: , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Liverpool at the weekend safc blog

Monday, February 04, 2008



Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



RIP Hazey safc blog

Sunday, January 13, 2008



Given the lack of opportunity lately to post new entries it is with sadness that i write this latest entry. One of the SMB`s greatest contributers has sadly lost his fight against Cancer.

Hazey passed away at 4am on the 6th of January after a painful fight against his cancer. Many of us Sunderland fans are united by the Sunderland Message Board and it is through this forum that we first learned of Hazeys condition, in his wisdom he went about setting up his own blog, Dull Ramblings which gives chapter after chapter of insight into the mind of one who had nothing but love to give including everything from his family to the creatures and all of nature he encountered, while at the same keeping us all informed in somewhat at times graphic detail.

A very touching comment PM`ed to Hazey which he happily posted goes a little something like;

"There was this Gadgy I knew of, but didn't know.
We were acquaitances via Footy on the tinternet.
The Bengal Lancer is claiming his Life, but not his Soul.
I now know him and I also now know in a different Life we could have been great Friends.
That's wrong, I know we are great Friends.
My Paraffin Mukka you will never know how much you have inspired me and you have really convinced me not to throw in my Mortal Towel.
Godspeed your tranquility Main Man.
(Liz, you are a very Lucky Lady.)
Hazey Lad you are humility personified and until I die I will be your humble Friend."

This about captures the mood of the majority of us who never had the opportunity to meet the bloke, thanks to Novice Poster of the SMB.

The last words within this post are the final entry he made on Thursday January the 8th 2008 from the vlog entry entitled "This really is a big bag of absolute cock...fucknuts, cuntblisters, WAAANNNNNNKKK! (and any other appropriate expletives of sufficient force)"

My love for all burns timeless, beyond this frail prison of a body. One day I shall burst forth leaving behind my tiny shell. Ill span the universe, al the while watching over you, from my ageless dominion. I’ll always be near, whispering words you can’t hear but you’ll always feel the warmth of my supernova heart
.

Good night

From Graeme

Labels:

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Sticky Toffee Puddings safc blog

Sunday, November 25, 2007



Abject misery are just a few words available in the english language to translate into feeling what a lot of us Sunderland fans are feeling right now after the display against the Toffees.

Everton became a fixture where the staistics of shots on target were literally converted into goals and to be brutally honest we may well have been on the wrong end of a cricket score.

Excerpts of Roy Keanes assessment of the match.

"I have never been on the end of anything like that in my career but I am more concerned about the team, the supporters and the whole club. We need to react in a positive way next weekend.

"I hope it does not damage team morale, but only time will tell. We have good lads and this is hard to take, but in terms of the character of the people in the dressing room we have time now to react in the right way next weekend." source: (skysports.com)

Well, yes we do need to bounce back against Derby next weekend and nothing less than a full blooded passionate display of loyalty to the red and white stripes that we call Sunderland AFC will suffice.

We need to be shown the true mettal of our current playing crop because i have no doubt the axe is shortly to be raised and swung down upon quite a few of the current squad, this can not be done until the January transfer window, but as Sunderland fans we do not suffer fools gladly, we will tell you when we no longer require your services at our club, we are the paying fans week in and week out, show the passion for your club or move on, we have been tagged a yo-yo club for too long.

Labels:

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Sunderland Newcastle 2007 safc blog

Wednesday, November 07, 2007



The Derby match is nearly upon us once more, come Saturday (ko 12.45) are we going to be celebrating our first win against the Mags at home for the first time in 27 years? (Stan Cummins 1-0 Roker Park).

The Mags enter the game following their first home defeat of the season to Portsmouth and we enter following our defeat away to Sven's Man City, this has absolutely no bearing on the match that will ensue.

The whole of the seasons bragging rights at work and schools depends on the outcome of this one and be under no illusion it is one of the biggest derby games on the planet, to the neutral it means nothing but Mackems and Mags it is much bigger than any Man ure v Man City or Celtic v Rangers or those petty little London derbies, like Spurs v Arsenal or any other of the six thousand clubs in the capital.

The north-east derby between Sunderland and Newcastle has developed over generations, our first meeting back in the FA Challenge Cup in 1888 ended with a 2 0 win for the lads thanks to goals from Davison and Jopling.

The first league meeting however ended in defeat on Christmas eve where we lost 2-3 at Roker Park during the 1898/99 season in front of approximately 30,000.

Our biggest recorded win over the Mags was during the 1908/09 season when we gave them a 9-1 hiding at Sid James's Park in front of an estimated 60,000 fans. The biggest win they have managed over us was during SAFC's dismal run in the twenties where they managed to put 6 past us and thanks to legend Charlie Buchan it ended 6-1 at their place.

In all of our 140 meetings so far there have only ever been 7 '0-0' draws and the record to date shows W46 D44 L50 F210 A208.

(Source: TheStatCat.co.uk)

Labels: , , , , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Hands Up safc blog

Sunday, October 07, 2007



Hands up if you expected to get anything from the Emirates today? No i did not think so.

As optimistic a Sunderland fan as i am i truly expected us to put up a fight and when we fell behind early doors i thought ok, tighten up and limit the damage, when the second one went in i thought oh *£$% the floodgates are going to open, thankfully Ross Walace managed to save us from what would have been an absolute tonking had Arsenal grabbed their third earlier.

There is something brewing within the Sunderland squad this season i can sense it, is it going to be giving another team a hiding? i don't know but i am more than sure Keano will be making the headlines for all the right reasons, i hope it comes sooner rather than later.

What is it about Blackburn last week that we could not do? was it because it was Arsenal that we seemed to raise our game, surely Blackburn was worthy of the same sort of performance, after all they are in the same league as us as well, what i mean to say is, have we settled into a mindset that says, we will do alright, even if we do finish in 17th place in the Premiership this season. No, that just can not be.

The teams we are facing from week to wek are obviously doing there homework on us and likewise us on them, so what is it about Keanos technical team that gets it so right one week and so wrong the next?

I feel that there are still a lot more questions than answers already. Yes we made a great start to the season, and maybe this is our baron spell with regards to wins, we have upcoming a good run of games that the lads should get to grips with, they have had time to gel on and off the pitch already.

Labels: , , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Devil the better you know safc blog

Friday, August 31, 2007



It is no secret that Man U will be looking to upset Keanos return to Old Trafford by taking all 3 points against us, regardless of the reception he will get.

Roy Keane as we all know spent a lot of effort and time doing all he could on the pitch as a Captain and player for the Red Devils, but when he returns to his former employers with the Black Cats tomorrow all allegiances with Fergie and co will be set aside for the full duration of the match of that i am sure. He will be sending the lads on with a no fear attitude and he will be telling them not to be in awe of the occasion or the players they will be facing.

Football can be a complete leveller regardless of the skill gap and Keano and his backroom have the knowledge to upset Alex Fergusons team of superstars, into the mix there are a few factors that need to go our way including a bit of luck.

Mickey Chopra will be looking to add to his goal tally and i don`t care if he does take his top off when he celebrates his goal exposing his Newcastle tattoo, as long as the scoreboard shows Sunderland off the mark, whether we hold or go on to win this one or not though will be the test that the lads are looking for.

We may still be lacking in a few areas of our team and we have not exactly had the most forgiving in regards of opening fixtures, we still have the opportunity to make a real impression in the league.

Roy has undoubtedly in my opinion snapped up a player of real quality in Ian Harte on a free transfer, a fantastic left foot that will no doubt be first choice for set plays in and around the box, a proven international that Keano himself played alongside and obviously never forgot.

Andy Cole may be in the latter years of his career but he still has the ability and quality to score goals and he will be aiming towards the 200 goal mark so he will be fighting for his chances to achieve his targets.

This weeks Carling Cup exit does not really need too much said about it, yes we lost to Luton but hey move on. The real concern this week has got to be Clive Clarkes heart attacks during half time at the Walkers Stadium, which both Leicester and Nottingham Forest gaffers agreed to abandon. You can wish Clive well here.

Labels: , , , , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Stern Gives Bruce the Blues safc blog

Wednesday, August 15, 2007



Stern John managed to rescue a point in the dying seconds in our game away at St Andrews tonight. After our last game against Tottenham Paul McShane easily scooped the Man of the match award but this time round he turned being a hero into being a villain, only through being in the wrong place at the wrong time, putting into his own net through a free kick floated towards the far post and Stephen Kelly nodding back across the six yard box and deflecting in of Paul McShane.

It was not until the second half we managed to pull level through Chopra bagging his second goal in two games on 75 minutes, pure elation, Chops started this game as he rightly deserved after his weekend heroics against Spurs. He dashed towards goal with only his finish to concentrate on and yep you guessed it, with his new found confidence he let fly with a half volley that dipped over Doyle and into the back of the net, well deserved

I do not mind admitting now that Birmingham away looked like a tasty encounter judging by the way they played against Chelsea last Saturday, especially Kapo. Then again when you are lined up against a Chelsea team of all stars, what have you got to lose?

They were obviously up for it against Chelsea and went for it, so when it comes to facing a Roy Keane side what did they expect? if it was an easy ride they wanted, then guess what this is KEANOS team.

The 82nd minute arrived and so did Birminghams second coutesy of Gary O`Connors debut goal after being on the pitch for about 15 minutes. The 3 points looked like they were staying at St Andrews, no not so.

Returning to his old West Midlands club, Stern John a second half sub just minutes before his goal managed to wack one against the bar, he need not have woried because it is written in football law that an ex-player WILL come back and bite you in the arse and so it was to be.

Again from a free kick just outside the box Ross Wallace lofted in a shot that was headed back across goal by Nozza and into the flight path of Stern John to knock into an empty net breaking thousands of Blues hearts at the same time.

Well what can you say, Keano has managed to get another one spot on. We are now sat in 4th place looking down on the Mags, bring on Wigan.

Labels: , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Choppy Start safc blog

Saturday, August 11, 2007



We may have left it late today but we managed it, a win against Spurs was exactly the kind of start we needed, points on the board will have settled a few of the lads' nerves. Holding top spot if only for a couple of hours before them up the road squeezed into 1st on goal difference by 4.45pm

Martin Jols side came to the `SoL` with just as much time to prepare as we did, so if you hear that they had an off day, then i say shite, even the supposed better teams in the league can have an off day and still punish you. Spurs are supposedly tipped for a Champions League position at the end of the season, using their "Fantastic Four" strike force worth gazillions, hmmmm.

Chopra managed to grab his goal on his home debut which will certainly settle any anxieties he may have had, solid displays from the majority of the lads with special mention to Nozza and McShane for keeping the tight back line and not allowing the Spurs frontline any time to get comfortable.

Dickson Etuhu showed some good touches on the ball as did Carlos Edwards (06/07 Safc Blog Player of the season with 93 of 430 votes) in Midfield, the passes weren`t exactly flowing in this game but as the team develops the lads will undoubtedly improve.

Overall the performance on our return to the Prem showed a desire and commitment to the Keano cause, in comparison to a few seasons back this team is at least positive in attack, looking for the forward pass in posession and working well off the ball.

Craig Gordon`s home debut was comfortable with only late sub Huddlestones effort coming through the crowd, which he comfortably caught like it was a pass from his sister, we have still yet to see the best of Flash the likes of which the Jambos have already seen.

Next match: Birmingham @ their place on Wednesday the 14th. Read todays game from a Spurs point of view

Labels: , , , , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist Add to: Blogmarks Add to: Technorati Add to: Blinkbits



Lucky Number 7 safc blog

Wednesday, August 08, 2007



Sunderland AFC`s seventh signing of the season has now been confirmed as Craig Gordon from Hearts for a reported £9m.

This fee now completely smashes the fee we paid Rangers for Tore Andre Flop (£6.75m) and breaks all British transfer records for the transfer of any goalkeeper in British footballing history. This is also the 3rd highest fee paid for a goalkeeper in world footballing history the highest fee paid was for Gianluigi Buffon (£32.6m Parma to Juve) in 2001 where Gianluigi was quoted as saying "This is too much money for one player".

If the fee we have paid for Craig who has already been tagged with the nickname "Flash" is going to effect his game or not will be apparent in the upcoming games, although Tottenham on Saturday may be a game too soon as he is nursing a shoulder injury.

If you have read this far and you are wondering who "flash" is then the Sunderland Echo has gathered a few video clips for you to marvel at (cough cough apart from the own goal). If you are scratching your head and wondering why we have paid so much money then think about this: He is reported in some footballing circles to be better than Paul Robinson, he has already achieved over twenty odd caps for Scotland and has even been compared and even touted as better than Petr Cech.

Flash is still only 24 and will undoubtedly improve over time, goalkeepers alledgedly reaching their peak when they hit their late twenties and early thirties.

Keano has had an on off relationship with Craigs representitives over numerous weeks and has fended of interest from Aston Villa and lifelong Sunderland fan Martin O`Neill, although confirmation only came through this morning of his arrival, this has undoubtedly underlined Roy and Nialls intentions along with the backing of the Drumaville Consortium and the £27 Million splashed out so far.

I can not leave this post without a mention of the Hearts fans who have (in the majority) wished Craig well, the £9m should also help Hearts in their quest for the SPL title and in return we have signed a quality shot stopper, with respect to Marton, Trevor and Dave, who is worth at least another 12 to 15 points a season.

Labels: , , ,

Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Slashdot Add to: Furl Add to: Yahoo Add to: Spurl Add to: Google Add to: Blinklist