Sunderland

Bristol Rovers Who are You?: ‘only one team in Bristol, isn’t there?’

by
Doug Shields before Rovers 0-4 Doncaster. ‘The only time I smiled on Saturday.’ Click on the photo to see all Who are You?s this season

The curse of Who are You? A frantic call from Doug tells M Salut the manager has left today ‘by mutual consent’

Monsieur Salut writes: Doug Shields* is a friend of a friend, my Leeds-supporting, Bristol-based former colleague Richard Savill. He came up with some splendid gallows humour to describe the plight of his beloved Rovers and his life as a fan. He expects a severe beating when he visits the SoL – a common Rovers view that gives me very bad vibes – but looks forward to the delights by night of a certain other city where, he’s been told, ‘all the lads look like Jimmy Nail and all the girls have been on Geordie Shore’ …

Read more

Walsall Who are You: Sunderland ‘pretty useful going forward, less convincing off the ball’

by
Click the image to see all Who are You? interviews so far this season

Monsieur Salut writes: this is a Who are You? with a difference ahead of tonight’s FA Cup 2nd round replay at home to Walsall.

Richard Hall’s Q+A for the first two games – both drawn – between our clubs this season, league and cup, were mightily impressive. Our own star writer Pete Sixsmith thought they were good enough for us to bring forward the annual HAWAY awards (Highly Articulate Who are You?s) since no one else was likely to emulate the standard he set.

Read more

Accrington Stanley Who are You?: ‘borrow a bigger ground? Would SAFC borrow St James’ Park?’

by

Peter Leatham: ‘we lost a generation of supporters when the club folded in 1962’

Monsieur Salut writes: we are delighted to welcome Peter Leatham*, chairman of the Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Club, to this season’s classic series of Who are You? interviews. We expect other clubs at this level to raise their game when they play us, since we have ‘big club’ stamped on our foreheads. But our League One interviewees are reaching lofty standards, too. I loved Peter’s response to my suggestion that Stanley might have moved this match to a bigger ground than one holding just over 5,000 to accommodate our fans! …

Read more

Accrington Stanley vs SAFC Guess the Score: the club that wouldn’t die

by

‘Believe in me’

Pete Sixsmith, having begun his annual Santa duties, has a special gift to offer: that unwon copy of Managers, the third column of Sunderland books from Tales From the Red and Whites. Read on …

Our headline reflects the proud declaration that sits atop the home page of Accrington Stanley FC’s official website.

And many readers will be familiar with the “who are they?” mantra, as exemplified by this exchange from an old milk advertisement quoted at Wikipedia:

Boy 1 (wearing Liverpool top): “Milk! Urghh!”
Boy 2:(also wearing Liverpool top) “It’s what Ian Rush drinks.”
Boy 1: “Ian Rush?”
Boy 2: “Yeah. And he said if I didn’t drink lots of milk, when I grow up, I’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley.”
Boy 1: “Accrington Stanley, who are they?”
Boy 2: “Exactly.”

Read more

Walsall Who are You?: (2) FA Cup memories of Stokoe, Shankly and Alan Buckley

by

Richard Hall, or rather a kindred spirit fond of Old World wine, perhaps listening to Shostakovich’s fifth at the same time

Monsieur Salut writes: by common consent, Richard Hall‘s* interview as a Walsall fan ahead of last week’s league game was as good as these things get. We knew, of course, that an FA Cup tie would follow a week later and, since organising Who are You? features can be time-consuming and frustrating, we cheekily asked Richard to handle questions relating to this Saturday’s game, too.

In fact we may get him to do all the Who are You?s remaining this season, no matter the club. Those who said they were looking forward to this second instalment will not be disappointed …

Read more

Walsall vs SAFC again: another prize Guess the Score (after the Barnsley ‘cracker’)

by

Only one person can win Guess the Score. If it’s not you, click the image to buy one

Another Saturday, another trip to Walsall. After last week’s eventful 2-2 draw in League One, the Lads return to the Bescot for the FA Cup 2nd round.

The Barnsley midweek game produced a Guess the Score winner, the first for a few games. Malcolm Ray, no stranger to prizes from Salut! Sunderland, will soon be the owner of a copy of Managers, Volume III of the Tales From the Red and Whites series, kindly donated by the publishers.

Read more

Power to Jack Ross; his faith in Max is rewarded

by

Max Power courtesy of www.saf.com

This absolutely must be posted. Salut! Sunderland’s gut reaction to Max Power’s sending off at Walsall was along the lines of “what an idiot”. Well some of those connected with the site – and many more beyond it – thought so, anyway.

But now the red card has been shown to have been a miscarriage of justice and has been rescinded. The appeal many said would be a waste of time succeeded. Jack Ross’s defence of the player is vindicated. Power is 100 per cent cleared. Another black stain on the reputation of League One referees.

Read more