Martin O’Neill, Box Fox and being a winner at 59

A few nights ago, I had after-show drinks with a Sunderland supporter who has recently taken over the role of Songman in the highly – and deservedly – popular West End production War Horse.

Bob Fox is someone I know well from my folk music pursuits. He is, like the new manager at the Stadium of Light, 59.

By the time our date in the pub came around, it was already football’s worst-kept secret that Martin O’Neill would get the job vacated by Steve Bruce. I hoped I might receive a text during the show confirming the appointment so that I could pass on the news.

In the event, the waiting went on a little longer and it was Saturday before the official announcement was made.

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