John McCormick writes: I read or heard something from some commentator a few days ago that their Sunderland game will be every other League One club’s cup final. From the little snippets that came my way I think that was the case today. A sell-out crowd, home and away, the home team coming back from behind and trying for the winner, the away team hanging on and seeking the winner for their own part. Did Sunderland survive a baptism of fire or did they throw a couple of points away? My view is it’s a point gained, given that half our squad is out.
Pete Sixsmith will be able to give a better view as he was there, despite a snarl up on the M1. We’ll have to wait for his return, so I’d advise you to look in tomorrow. As a taster, however, here’s the seven word text he sent immediately on the final whistle:
EFL League 1
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Team: Charlton Athletic
League One fans probably don’t know that Pete Sixsmith is a member of the 92 club, or whatever it’s called. In fact, given his proclivity for non-league and his propensity for travel he’s probably a member of the 192 club, and for many seasons he has regaled us with tales from around the country and beyond. Last season he stepped it up and provided an account of recalling the first time he saw every club we played against at home and his first visit to every ground we were due to play at in the lead up to match.
It was a tremendous series and we didn’t think he’d be able to keep it up. But he reckons he can and here’s the first effort. Charlton fans in particular, League One fans in general, I suggest you bookmark the page. After you’ve read it you’ll appreciate why.