all footie banter goes here

The Premiership starts on Saturday =D to get this thread in the mood im gonna do details for my team Sunderland - These include Signings, Fixtures etc...

Please note - All teams welcome not just from the North east.

Sunderland

Today Sunderland have announced their tenth summer signing – Czech defender Ondrej Celustka on a season Long loan, hes a Right back but can play across the full defence.

Of course their are the 9 other players we have signed:

Duncan Watmore - Gone to under 21's
David Moberg Karlsson
Modibo Diakité
Valentin Roberge
Cape Verde Cabral
Vito Mannone
Jozy Altidore
El-Hadji Ba
Emanuele Giaccherini

Di Canio has confirmed he wants 3 players before Fulham now it looks down to 2... Huddlestone and Fabio Quagliarella look to be our next targets.
We still need a left back as Liverpool has being rumoured to off pulled out the race for Aly Cissokho, Who he was close to joining by everyone... Sunderland should make a bid as we were rumored to be after him.


This is my team for Fulham:

Mannone
Celustka Diakité O'Shea Colback
Cabral Giaccherini Johnson
Sessègnon
Altidore Wickham


Fletcher is injured.
Cattermole and Bardsley have no future with the Club

Fixtures..

Sat 17 15:00 H Fulham
Sat 24 15:00 A Southampton
Tue 27 19:45 H Milton Keynes Dons
Sat 31 17:30 A Crystal Palace
September 2013
Sat 14 15:00 H Arsenal Tickets Available
Sat 21 15:00 A West Brom
Sun 29 16:00 H Liverpool
October 2013
Sat 05 17:30 H Manchester United
Sat 19 15:00 A Swansea City
Sun 27 16:00 H Newcastle United
November 2013
Sat 02 15:00 A Hull City
Sun 10 14:05 H Manchester City
Sat 23 15:00 A Stoke City
Sat 30 15:00 A Aston Villa
December 2013
Wed 04 19:45 H Chelsea
Sat 07 15:00 H Tottenham Hotspur
Sat 14 15:00 A West Ham United
Sat 21 15:00 H Norwich City
Thu 26 15:00 A Everton
Sat 28 15:00 A Cardiff City
January 2014
Wed 01 15:00 H Aston Villa
Sat 11 15:00 A Fulham
Sat 18 15:00 H Southampton
Tue 28 19:45 H Stoke City
February 2014
Sat 01 15:00 A Newcastle United
Sat 08 15:00 H Hull City
Wed 12 19:45 A Manchester City
Sat 22 15:00 A Arsenal
March 2014
Sat 01 15:00 H West Brom
Sat 08 15:00 A Liverpool
Sat 15 15:00 H Crystal Palace
Sat 22 15:00 A Norwich City
Sat 29 15:00 H West Ham United
April 2014
Sat 05 15:00 A Tottenham Hotspur
Sat 12 15:00 H Everton
Sat 19 15:00 A Chelsea
Sat 26 15:00 H Cardiff City
May 2014
Sat 03 15:00 A Manchester United
Sun 11 16:00 H Swansea City

Since the Glorious Hearts beat the wee team from Easter Road (H1b5) 1-0 our next set of fixtures for August are;

Fri 16th 19:45 A Partick Thistle
Sat 24th 15:00 H Aberdeen
Sat 31st 15:00 A Inverness CT

(12 Aug 2013, 2:04 pm)Half Pint wrote Since the Glorious Hearts beat the wee team from Easter Road (H1b5) 1-0 our next set of fixtures for August are;

Fri 16th 19:45 A Partick Thistle
Sat 24th 15:00 H Aberdeen
Sat 31st 15:00 A Inverness CT

Is Scottish football still going? Mind you, I should wait till after Wednesday night to see who gets the bragging rights for the next 10+ years.

I can't wait for Saturday against Fulham, Celtic are my Scottish team have been for about 10 years now, As I lived in Glasgow for a year whilst my Dad was working there

(12 Aug 2013, 7:48 pm)aureolin wrote Is Scottish football still going?

Yup, Berwick Rangers' season got off to a cracking start with a 3-2 win in the Ramsdens Cup over Championship side Livingston before bombing with a 5-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath in the League Cup, followed by 1-0 defeat in the League away to Clyde. Still, the good thing about Division 2 of the Scottish League is that you don't usually get relegated if you come last.

(12 Aug 2013, 8:08 pm)AdamY wrote Yup, Berwick Rangers' season got off to a cracking start with a 3-2 win in the Ramsdens Cup over Championship side Livingston before bombing with a 5-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath in the League Cup, followed by 1-0 defeat in the League away to Clyde. Still, the good thing about Division 2 of the Scottish League is that you don't usually get relegated if you come last.

I was at the Greenock Morton v Cowdenbeath game at the weekend. Cowdenbeath were shocking (the plan was to see Celtic V St Mirren until Celtic decided to play Liverpool in the friendly). How they got 5 against Berwick going from Saturdays performance is beyond me.
Saw the Hearts v Hibs game on TV and that was poor too.

(12 Aug 2013, 8:19 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was at the Greenock Morton v Cowdenbeath game at the weekend. Cowdenbeath were shocking (the plan was to see Celtic V St Mirren until Celtic decided to play Liverpool in the friendly). How they got 5 against Berwick going from Saturdays performance is beyond me.
Saw the Hearts v Hibs game on TV and that was poor too.

I'd love to go to one of the lower division Scottish games. Or even an English one. Love the atmosphere in the traditional style football grounds. Loads more character than what you get in the modern day.

(12 Aug 2013, 8:22 pm)aureolin wrote I'd love to go to one of the lower division Scottish games. Or even an English one. Love the atmosphere in the traditional style football grounds. Loads more character than what you get in the modern day.

Go watch Gateshead or Whitley Bay, they play some half decent football, unless wanna go see Hartlepool get hammered

Never been to Cappielow until the weekend, but it was great. Standing on the terraces, alongside the pitch, propped up against the advertising hoardings.
Inches from the action.
Coke, poured from bottles, served in polystyrene coffee cups. £15 for an adult, sure it was something like £3 for kids.

There was no atmosphere at all mind.

Livingstone and Falkirk all have decent stadiums and aren't that far from Edinburgh if your fancying a Scottish game. Obviously Berwick are even closer.
St Mirren are in the Spl, but dead easy to get to on the train from Glasgow, just like Motherwell is and some of the teams from within Glasgow itself are within spitting distance of Queen Street or Glasgow Central.

Hartlepool is a good day out. Gateshead are canny too, except your miles away from any action.

One of my brothers flew down to Cardiff to watch the Hartlepool Play Off Match v Sheff Wed a few years back and said the atmosphere on the way down, was electric.

I've always supported Gateshead since an early age. My Dad signed me up in the Supporters Club on the day I was born.

Anyway, we started the season on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat away to Kidderminster. It was always going to be a hard game for us. I'm looking forward to the new season though. We've made some decent signings over the summer who should do very well. I know the quality of the matches isn't as good as the Premier League but it is still good and there's always a very good atmosphere.

Tomorrow, we're home to Grimsby Town. Kick-off is 7:45pm. On Saturday, we're home to Barnet, therefore meaning we'll see Edgar Davids

I've been to watch Gateshead a few times and the atmosphere is interesting to say the least. There's a hardcore of vociferous supporters but, as Andreos points out, being situated so far away from the action in a ground that is almost empty leads to a sense of surrealism in my view. You're there, but at the same time somewhere else, like an echo of football match as opposed to being at one would be best way I could describe it. There was some talk, a few years back, about building a new ground opposite the Civic Centre on Prince Consort Road. Does anyone know whatever came of that?

I was going to go to the two Berwick Rangers Vs. Rangers matches at Shieldfield last season. Unfortunately, I don't think that opportunity is going to arise again anytime soon.

(12 Aug 2013, 9:22 pm)AdamY wrote There was some talk, a few years back, about building a new ground opposite the Civic Centre on Prince Consort Road. Does anyone know whatever came of that?

We are still looking at getting a new stadium there but there have been a lot of unwanted delays. There hasn't been anything said for a few months now which is disappointing. However, I've heard a rumour there's going to be a big announcement soon.

(12 Aug 2013, 9:31 pm)Adam wrote We are still looking at getting a new stadium there but there have been a lot of unwanted delays. There hasn't been anything said for a few months now which is disappointing. However, I've heard a rumour there's going to be a big announcement soon.

I think they should go back to Redheugh Park.

(12 Aug 2013, 9:35 pm)AdamY wrote I think they should go back to Redheugh Park.

That ground's had its fair share of history over the years.

(12 Aug 2013, 8:26 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Go watch Gateshead or Whitley Bay, they play some half decent football, unless wanna go see Hartlepool get hammered

Gateshead or Whitley Bay, sod that

Come and watch the best attended North East non-League, Darlington, won the Northern League last season, and about to tear up the NPL Division 1 North

Anyone else been looking forward to England playing the Auld Enemy tonight...

14 years in the making...

I don't care for International games anymore, but there is no bigger game or bigger rivalry than that of England and Scotland

Gave up with England a long time ago.

When players give more of a toss about playing for their clubs in the money pit that is the Champions League rather than pulling on the whites of their country, then serious questions need asking about their attitudes.

I feel more affinity towards Scotland than I do the rest of England. Anywhere south of Ferrybridge services might as well be a different country to me.

(14 Aug 2013, 7:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote Gave up with England a long time ago.

When players give more of a toss about playing for their clubs in the money pit that is the Champions League rather than pulling on the whites of their country, then serious questions need asking about their attitudes.

Me as well, for the most part, there is only 2 games at International Level I like to watch or look forward to

England v Scotland
England v Germany

I have a soft spot for Northern Ireland these days as well

(14 Aug 2013, 8:06 pm)fozzovmurton wrote Me as well, for the most part, there is only 2 games at International Level I like to watch or look forward to

England v Scotland
England v Germany

I have a soft spot for Northern Ireland these days as well

I keep an eye open for their results with their gaffer being an ex-Newcastle player, just as I did with Wales a few years back.

However, what is evident, watching this match and when the other home nations are playing, that whilst players for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland may not be as 'good' or technically gifted, they are hard workers and play with passion. It is clear, they are proud to play for their country.
I'm not sure their supporters would tolerate any of the prima donnas that play for England either :p

(14 Aug 2013, 8:16 pm)Andreos1 wrote I keep an eye open for their results with their gaffer being an ex-Newcastle player, just as I did with Wales a few years back.

However, what is evident, watching this match and when the other home nations are playing, that whilst players for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland may not be as 'good' or technically gifted, they are hard workers and play with passion. It is clear, they are proud to play for their country.
I'm not sure their supporters would tolerate any of the prima donnas that play for England either :p

Gary Speed was one of my all time favourite players, even though I am not a toon supporter, never nothing scandalous about him, loved the game, me dependable who could be relied upon all the time, a true professional, give me 11 Gary Speeds and that would be the perfect team...

Football lost one of it's true greats when he died, still devastating to this day and still miss him

Peter Beardsley is one of my favourite players. A consummate professional both on and off the pitch who always takes the time to sell hello to fans and to sign autographs. I don't know how good his coaching skills are, or whether he has right certificates, but I always thought that he would make a good Newcastle United manager someday.

An underrated player who is widely respected but often under-appreciated.

(14 Aug 2013, 9:00 pm)AdamY wrote Peter Beardsley is one of my favourite players. A consummate professional both on and off the pitch who always takes the time to sell hello to fans and to sign autographs. I don't know how good his coaching skills are, or whether he has right certificates, but I always thought that he would make a good Newcastle United manager someday.

An underrated player who is widely respected but often under-appreciated.

Peter Beardsley has in the past coached Newcastle Youth, he got sacked after he accused of being a bully, although he wqs subsequently cleared by the FA in 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/2959232.stm

Also when I think of Peter Beardsley, the following photo always comes to mind

Sunderland Squad Numbers for 2013-2014

1
2
3
4
5 Wes Brown
6 Cabral
7 Seb Larsson
8 Craig Gardner
9 Steven Fletcher
10 Connor Wickham
11 Adam Johnson
12 Ondrej Celustka
13 Jordan Pickford
14 Jack Colback
15 David Vaughan
16 John O’Shea
17 Jozy Altidore
18 Mikael Mandron
19 David Moberg-Karlsson
20 Keiren Westwood
21 Modibo Diakite
22 El-Hadji Ba
23 Emanuele Giaccherini
24 Carlos Cuellar
25 Vito Mannone
26
27 Ji Dong-won
28 Stephane Sessegnon
29 Valentin Roberge
30
31
32
33 Lee Cattermole

(14 Aug 2013, 10:04 pm)fozzovmurton wrote Peter Beardsley has in the past coached Newcastle Youth, he got sacked after he accused of being a bully, although he wqs subsequently cleared by the FA in 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/2959232.stm

Also when I think of Peter Beardsley, the following photo always comes to mind

Think Beardsley is taking the whole 'sexy football' thing a bit too literally there!

(14 Aug 2013, 9:00 pm)AdamY wrote Peter Beardsley is one of my favourite players. A consummate professional both on and off the pitch who always takes the time to sell hello to fans and to sign autographs. I don't know how good his coaching skills are, or whether he has right certificates, but I always thought that he would make a good Newcastle United manager someday.

An underrated player who is widely respected but often under-appreciated.

Some of the goals still send shivers down my spine.

Met him a few years ago at a talk in. Told him about my eldest, (who had just started having trials at the club at the time), explained how my son had seen some of his goals on youtube, was at the academy, had heard all about him and if I could have an autograph on my sons behalf.

The message: To x. Good luck and play for fun! Peter Beardsley.

My eldest see's that message every morning, whether he always takes notice of it, is another thing - but the message sums Beardsley up for me.

On a separate note, what was people's first ever match?

Newcastle V Bradford in 1989. Not long after relegation from the top flight. It was my first experience of relegation (only beaten by the shambles a few years ago when we were relegated for the 2nd time in 2009).
Missed the goal, with standing in the Gallowgate End, but eventually found it a few years ago. What a cracker, 90th min too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BenQbe5XvlE

I know the word is used loosely these days, but Peter Beardsley is a true legend. I don't think the club would have went the way it did in the 90's if it wasn't for his influence on the team. Although Cole, and then Ginola were my favourite players around that time, Beardsley was always right up there. Oh, and he took the time to sign my toon top in Argos at the Metro Centre back in the mid-90s, when I had the nerve to pester him.

(16 Aug 2013, 7:05 pm)aureolin wrote I know the word is used loosely these days, but Peter Beardsley is a true legend. I don't think the club would have went the way it did in the 90's if it wasn't for his influence on the team. Although Cole, and then Ginola were my favourite players around that time, Beardsley was always right up there. Oh, and he took the time to sign my toon top in Argos at the Metro Centre back in the mid-90s, when I had the nerve to pester him.

About a year ago (maybe two?) I was stood behind him in the queue at the Food Hall of Marks and Spencers in Newcastle. I also had to nerve to pester him and he was good enough to oblige.

It's back!!!

Hopefully Sunderland have a good season and our signings gel together.

1-0 win today for us - Giaccherini to score =)

My end of the table predictions...
Manchester City
Chelsea
Manchester United
Arsenal
Everton
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Swansea City
Fulham
West Ham United
Sunderland
Southampton
Aston Villa
Cardiff City
West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle United
Norwich City
Stoke City
Hull City
Crystal Palace

Surprise team of the season.. Swansea yet again
Top scorer - RVP
Most Yellow cards - Stoke city
Most Red - Stoke City
Manger of the season - Michael Laudrup