Salut! Sunderland has gone bullfighting in Nimes. There may be a delay until Sunday night or Monday in getting Pete Sixsmith’s verdict up here.
Feel free to comment on the game anyway.
Oh, and after lots of struggles between conflicting emotions – love of tradition and hatred of cruelty – I am almost sure I oppose bullfighting but want to see it once more for myself before reaching a definitive conclusion.
On such a great day I thought the verdict shouldn’t be delayed, so have stepped in to post it. A good performance, a great home debut by Jones and an important win. But the day will stick in my mind for the tributes to Ian Porterfield. The club got it exactly right. The z-cars theme, the ’73 players coming out with the cup, the commentary from the game, then a great cheer from the crowd followed by prolonged and heartfelt applause. All the memories and feelings of that time came back. Then, coming up to the 80th minute, the South West corner started chanting ‘Stand up for Ian Porterfield’. As the chant grew the south stand stood up, the corners, the East stand, right around the ground. everyone applauding. I’ve never experienced anything like it at a match.