Sunderland A.F.C.

‘All my fault’: the man behind a golden milestone for Sunderland supporters

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From Feb 6 1967: Ian’s letter to fellow SAFC fans announcing plans to establish a formal branch of the Supporters’ Association

Monsieur Salut writes: the London and SE branch of the SAFC Supporters’ Association has just reached 50 years of age. In common with many who leave Sunderland-supporting parts of the North East to ply their trades in and around the Smoke, I eventually got round to joining the branch after seeing numerous mentions in the matchday programmes of various London clubs where I had attended away games. I’d put my membership at around 30 years, but I could and should have joined sooner, since I moved south a few months before the 1973 FA Cup Final. Plenty have done much longer stretches. Step forward Ian Todd, who was largely instrumental in creating the branch 50 years ago and has been a tireless mainstay of its activities.

Special events are planned, with a get-together and buffet at the Stadium of Light on the evening we play West Ham on April 15 – open to members, past members and their guests – and, on the eve of the final game at Chelsea, at the Knights Templar near Chancery Lane, London (all-comers welcome; many will recall the splendid pre-League Cup final gathering there in 2014). Check out details at weardownsouth.com and now read what Ian had to say in a piece headlined ‘It’s all my fault’ in the new edition of the excellent branch newsletter, Wear Down South …

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Sixer’s Sevens: Sunderland 0-0 Burnley. Unimaginative and wasteful

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Jake: ‘Benno got it right – just not enough’

Monsieur Salut writes: another wasted chance to keep in touch with anything remotely resembling safety. First half was abysmal, Burnley poor but often threatening whereas Sunderland were just poor. Very poor. Second half? Four or five excellent chances to score so it was undoubtedly better, but still so far short of being good enough. On his birthday, Pete Sixsmith had to field questions on social media about what could possibly spoil his day. His seven-word verdict, later modified a little and on which he will gloomily expand, tells it all …

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Hail Jermain Defoe, Sunderland and – once more – England

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Bravo, Jermain

Among the things it seemed impossible to believe, Jermain Defoe’s England recall was up there with “of course the pound will recover from Brexit” and “Sunderland won’t go down”.

Monsieur Salut can live, just, with the former being a somewhat improbable development – while allowing himself a mischievous chuckle at what’s it’s done to Magaluf spending dosh – and meekly accepts the latter is a forlorn hope.

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SAFC vs Burnley ‘Who are You?’: Dyche, Barton, Bob Lord and us

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Duncan Sutcliffe (on the right, with his dad Colin): ‘sorry, Sunderland, you’re the worst we’ve seen at the Turf’

Colin Randall wites: What a fabulous set of answers, from a proper supporter of a proper football club, brought to us by Pete Sixsmith, who met him on holiday in Italy and tried to lead him astray (ie by persuading him along to some some Under 23s reserve game Sixer had spotted in the local paper). As I read the first, long answer from Duncan Sutcliffe* I wondered whether the interview ought to be cut in two. I decided against, because a) it’s the sort of read I’d personally want to see in one go and b) because Salut! Sunderland readers generally warm to exchanges of this kind and this quality with people who essentially, share their outlook on football. Great stuff, if ultimately grim reading for us, Duncan – what a pleasure to have you back again ….

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SAFC v Manchester City prize Guess the Score: winning helps Bradley Lowery’s fight

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*****     Please just read on …      *****

The only thought that came to mind after the defeat at Everton was “that sinking feeling”. And so the phrase appeared in my headline for Sixer’s Sevens, Pete Sixsmith’s traditional seven-word verdict.

Despite – maybe because of – having supported Sunderland since the days of Charlie Hurley and Brian Clough, I cannot now approach any game without the same pessimism.

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Everton Who are You?: ‘SAFC have all our injury-prone old players!’

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Graeme Holmes at Athletic Bilbao, the Basque club with strong Sunderland links**

Graeme Holmes* is an Everton season ticket holder whose globetrotting, groundhopping activities make our own Pete Sixsmith seem like an armchair supporter. He’s at a match as a neutral most nights to add to those huge number of Everton games he’s seen over the past 38 years. He has obviously come across Sixer on his travels and it is that connection that introduces him to Salut! Sunderland. Welcome, Graeme …

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Bravo Lincoln, Ha’way Sutton, no sorrier for Burnley than for Leeds

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A day to remember
A day to remember

OK, it’s just an excuse to revive an old classic from the pen of Pete Sixsmith, last heard of ‘having lunch in Easter Road prior to Edinburgh City vs Montrose at Meadowbank’ (completing his Groundhoppers’ Scottish set). But Monsieur Salut, while not disliking Burnley, is chuffed to bits by Lincoln’s win at Turf Moor  and hopes – less likely and while acknowledging the points made by John McCormick in this piece – Sutton can do the same against Arsenal.

And this is how Pete introduced the FA Cup tie against Leeds United two seasons ago. We won 1-0 but it was not a gem of a match and we rode our luck. But the buildup to the occasion gave Pete a chance to reminisce …

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Salut! Sunderland’s 10th birthday present: from us to you

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Join the Salut! Sunderland Facebook group – click anywhere along this line

And follow us on Twitter: @salutsunderland … click along this line

 

Consider this a last piece of housekeeping, says Monsieur Salut, before I depart for the Far East (holiday in what I still calls Burma, not to sign up as a goalie in China). It will remain at the top of the home page until my Salut! Sunderland colleagues get up with seeing it there.

The 10th birthday competition invited readers to share their thoughts on any Sunderland-related topic with 10 years being the theme. It is still open to new entries.

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