View from the Cemetery

A cup final again, and only twelve months since we made a right pigs ear of the last one. Now Ernie Armstrong was a canny old boy, a decent if dirty player in his youth,or so I have been told, but just how much remembrance does he want in Ryhope? However, let's not be ungrateful, promotion might not suit the likes of thee and me, and while admittedly it's not Wembley like what Whitley Bay are looking forward to, it is a night out and a chance to bring fame if not fortune to the village of dreaming spires; or was that burning tyres? I forget....

So once again we reach the end of a long and difficult season, only to find the prize snatched away from us at the death. It makes the blood boil to think of the hours of sweat and effort put in by the troops, only to fall agonisingly short right at the death. I refer of course to the news that has reached us here that once again the programme has failed to win first prize in the Northern League awards. Is there any justice? Just because some lad at Marske has nowt better to do than hand copy a thousand pages every week, why should our beautifully produced effort come second?

4 4 2? Four at the back? Not to mention, away from home to the league leaders. And including two wingers. Have we changed managers while I wasn't looking?

Well, welcome back and where has everyone been? Been quiet as a graveyard up here these past few weeks. Not that you would normally find me and the boys complaining, but it's not usual that's for sure. Only the Sunday carry on to disturb the peace the other day. Seemed like a decent set of lads from t'uddersfield. All paid to get in from what I could see, has it been counted yet? But should it have been played? Some doubt it, and doubt it loud and often. Pitch will never be the same this season I hear, and dark looks are cast at those to blame.