Malcolm Dawson writes…..what with M Salut galavanting around the Orient and me having body parts and invasive extras removed in Sunderland Royal last week, it has fallen to John McCormick to keep the site ticking over and a stirling job he’s done too. But I’m home now and though the bulk of the post Palace postings may still have to fall his way, I’ve just got time to upload this piece from Rob Hutchison before Barnes and Benno keep me updated on events at Selhurst Park, showing that there are still some at the club, the manager included, who understand what a football club means to its supporters.
Rob Hutchison: posing somewhere, not in London
The London Branch celebrates its 50th year this year and as part of the celebrations, Martin Bain, David Moyes & Kevin Ball kindly accepted an invitation to a small invitation-only pre Palace social at the Southwark Brewery. Here’s the craic . . .
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Around 80 well lubricated Branch members greeted the boys with open arms on the rainy Friday evening. Although there was no formal structure to the evening, they mingled and spoke freely to everyone for just over an hour. David Moyes cheerful persona came to the fore as he posted for photos and fed us titbits throughout the evening. Clearly disappointed Ulloa didn’t arrive, it seems the club did enquire about other targets although his opinion on the form of one of the targets (it’s been sh*te) showed how difficult he felt this window has been.
Martin Bain too mingled at length, as did Kevin Ball, who spent ten minutes eulogising with my daughter Olivia @livvhutchison about the steel and inner passion he feels may be lacking with some of the club’s playing staff in recent years.
Olivia – often sends us her dad’s post match comments. Here she tells DM what’s needed
“Who’s your favourite player?” Bally asked her ? She turned around to show the name Cattermole on the back of her shirt, which was a rather canny coincidence. “He’s not as good as me, (although he’s very good), and not as hard as me either” was the reply. Epic stuff.
He went on to recount how when the going got tough and the lads needed invigorating in games gone by, how he’d grab the odd player by the throat, kick someone up in the air or do anything to awaken them from any lethargy. God how we miss that this season.
The man still gets it all those years later and you can’t help but feel the passion he still has.In fact everyone felt it all evening, that reconnection with with the club feels like it’s coming back and irrespective of what happens this season at least there feels like there is a slow-burn plan again.
It’s never been easy supporting Sunderland, but every now and again it’s great to be reminded of the togetherness that’s created when people come together to share a pint and support the lads.
So it’s well done Olivia and Happy Birthday to the London branch. Don’t forget that we, too, are celebrating an auspicious anniversary. Only 10, nothing as impressive as a half-century, but still worth celebrating with a competition. Share your thoughts on any Sunderland-related topic, with 10 years being the theme, and you could win a miniature version of Nick Barnes’ Matchbook, courtesy of our friends at Tales from the Red & Whites, publishers of a series of books on SAFC. Follow the link for a chance to win.
4 thoughts on “SAFC London Branch welcomes Bains, Ball and Moyes pre-Palace”
50 years who would believe it? Great credit must go to Ian Todd and the founder members. I was a member from 78 to 85 ish and enjoyed many a journey to home matches, away matches, quiz nights, cricket games and various socials. It made living in London bearable. I still fondly remember all the madmen (and some mad women) that shared my passion for SAFC and beer, some sadly no longer with us. Here’s to the next 50.
Congratulations to the branch on its 50th anniversary. Have very happy memories of my time travelling with them and some memorable (drunken) evenings at the Swiss Cottage.
Great to hear Bally’s comments!
I have to say that I agree with Bally. And that is not to underestimate Lee Cattermole. Vinnie Jones rated Kevin Ball the hardest player he ever faced.
It’s good to know someone associated with SAFC can organize a piss-up in a brewery.
50 years who would believe it? Great credit must go to Ian Todd and the founder members. I was a member from 78 to 85 ish and enjoyed many a journey to home matches, away matches, quiz nights, cricket games and various socials. It made living in London bearable. I still fondly remember all the madmen (and some mad women) that shared my passion for SAFC and beer, some sadly no longer with us. Here’s to the next 50.
Congratulations to the branch on its 50th anniversary. Have very happy memories of my time travelling with them and some memorable (drunken) evenings at the Swiss Cottage.
Great to hear Bally’s comments!
I have to say that I agree with Bally. And that is not to underestimate Lee Cattermole. Vinnie Jones rated Kevin Ball the hardest player he ever faced.
It’s good to know someone associated with SAFC can organize a piss-up in a brewery.