In Ready to Go’s quite fabulous thread of images and clips marking the desperately sad exit by Newcastle United and its erudite, self-effacing directors, players and fans from the Premier League, this stood out a mile. Steven Taylor, diver extraordinaire, is a true star.

Brilliant stuff, WoB1973. If you’re happy for Salut! Sunderland to reproduce it, we’re happy too. If you’re unhappy, say so and it will go …

First things first: it was not Pete Sixsmith that we captured from TV coverage of the end-of-match celebrations, but Gerry McGregor, a stalwart of the Blackcats list. Look at the pictures below and decide whether we were justified in being misled for a short time. Now on to the business: an emotional day provided perfect inspiration for Pete’s eloquence …

In my years on this planet, 58 and a bit, there have been a few highlights: Leeds winning the Rugby League Challenge Cup in 1957, us at Wembley ’73 and Michael Portillo’s face in 1997. To that sparse total add May 24 2009 and a home defeat by Chelsea.

I don’t think I have ever celebrated a defeat as much as I did this one. At the infamous game at Notts County in 1994, we slunk out ashamed that a late goal had relegated Brentford rather than us. Sunday was completely different.

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This is how it was for us – Salut! Sunderland – after an explosion of hits all day long, driven first by fast-spreading news of the Who Are They? awards shortlist and then by the red-hot nature of events.

But this morning we are indebted to the Villa Talk fans’ website for dramatic news that Mike Ashley, convinced that the world of English football reneged on guarantees to ensure Newcastle United Premier League status for ever, is prepared to lead the Toon north and into the Scottish Premier League.

(more…)

This is how it was for us – Salut! Sunderland – after an explosion of hits all day long, driven first by fast-spreading news of the Who Are They? awards shortlist and then by the red-hot nature of events.

But this morning we are indebted to the Villa Talk fans’ website for dramatic news that Mike Ashley, convinced that the world of English football reneged on guarantees to ensure Newcastle United Premier League status for ever, is prepared to lead the Toon north and into the Scottish Premier League.

(more…)