Malcolm Dawson writes…..Fifty years ago, Peter Sixsmith, M Salut and myself were all at the opening fixture of the 1964/5 season. I wasn’t to meet either of them until many years later, but here the three of us are half a century on, still hoping that the first home game of a new season will bring some long awaited success. Our golden anniversary coincides with Match of the Day’s own 50 year celebrations and it came as a bit of a shock to discover that in all that time only 11 sides have won the Football League/Premier League title. Sunday’s opponents were to finish top of the pile for the sixth time in 1964/5 but it is doubtful that they will do it for the twenty first time this campaign. At least Pete doesn’t think so based on what he saw at the Stadium of Light. Here is how he saw things.
Salut! Sunderland: The Way It Is
Here is the feature we introduced with the intention of getting readers talking.
Salut! Sunderland: the way it is is essentially your forum, a place to let off steam, make a point or raise an issue none of the site’s contributors has got round to writing about. It removes the need to wait for Sixer, Monsieur Salut, John Mac, Ken Gambles, Malcolm Dawson, Jeremy Robson or any of the the others to catch up on the news. We haven’t the resources to be any quicker.
Pure Poyetry: Sunderland vs Manchester United ‘showed why fans will love Buckley’
Gus Poyet, in his post-match e-mail, strikes a justifiably optimistic note. He also singles out a really bright positive to take from the game: the sparkling wing play of Will Buckley. Our new boy’s battle with Blackett was intriguing, but Buckley was its winner. Now let the boss speak for himself …
Sixer’s Sevens: SAFC 1 Manchester United 1. Rodwell did well, won point
Pete Sixsmith sees another Sunderland draw, but one most of us would have accepted before the game. Jack Rodwell, after his disappointing debut at WBA, powered in a splendid header to equalise after Mata had put United ahead much against the run of play. Mata’s tap-in capping a clinical counter-attack after Connor Wickham ought to have scored at the other end when when played in by a superb Will Buckley pass.
Despite a few nervous moments at the end, it was a thoroughly deserved draw in a game where Sunderland never looked second best. Oh, and Ashley Young proved something about leopards and spots. Here, as usual, is Pete’s instant seven-word verdict. He’ll have more to say about the encouraging signs that were there for all to see …
Malky and messages?
I was in the Lakes when it happened, Ian Moody resigning and then Malky not taking the job he hadn’t …
Salut! Sunderland’s Week: looking back at West Brom, forward to Manchester United
There used to be a feature here called Salut! Sunderland’s Week. As you see, Jake even came up with an image for it.
In the end, it seemed too much like hard work, regurgitating the best of the offerings from these pages over the previous seven days or so, especially for those too busy or disinclined to visit the site daily.
Rarely, we unearth the series. Today’s an example for the simple reason that the first home game of the season takes places tomorrow and is against Manchester United.
SAFC-Manchester United ‘Who are You?’: Fergie, Moyes, LVG – and Liam Miller
Tony Park* stood out among Manchester United supporters on Twitter, and elsewhere for that matter. I had not heard of him but his historian’s interest in the MUFC youth scheme and what becomes of its graduates marked him down as a someone with special rapport with the club and its tradition of nurturing young talent.
As a product of Tony’s knowledge and research, last year saw the appearance of Sons of United, a pictorial history of 80 years of the MUFC Youth Team which he co-authored with Steve Hobin. He seemed a great candidate for ‘Who are You?’ ahead of Sunday’s match and I am delighted he agreed to answer our questions …
James Alexander Gordon, football radio’s master of intonation
M Salut writes: something told me we’d be hearing from Pete Sixsmith on the passing of that wonderful voice of …
SAFC vs Manchester United Guess the Score: this is their cup final
Few pundits expect Sunderland to emerge from a game against Manchester United, even a home game, other than as a …
Fifty years of Sunderland openers: (5) not sent to Coventry
We thought it was all over. It will be now, or once this has been published. Pete Sixsmith had presented one last look back over opening games selected from his half century of Sunderland support, and it had promptly been overlooked. Here, then, is his recollection of one he missed – which was perhaps just as well. See the rest of the series at https://safc.blog/category/fifty-years-before-the-red-and-white-mast-2/