Red Flag

REd FLAG // ke vin b a ll // Jimm y M ontgomery // Geoff Eltringh a m //

// Issue One // ÂŁ Three // May 2014

//Flying High//

//the sunderland afc fanzine//

craddock // l i f e a f t e r f o o t b a l l //

// l oa n g oa ls // m ilt o n nu nez // safc f lop x i //

SEE YOU IN RIO.

welcome to //

red flag

issue number one

// revolutionising ‘the fanzine’ since 2014 // Welcome to Red Flag.

We’re a brand new fanzine dedicated to your Sunderland AFC. From the days of terrace standing and rugged pitches, to the stadia-seating and sleek green carpets of the top flight, one constant remains. Fans.

Turmoil strikes every club once, but as we all know with Sunderland, it’s commonplace. Yet still, despite 41 years without a trophy, and a decade of heartbreaking relegations, false dawns and madcap Italians, fans pile into the Stadium of Light.

In this city, football is the release. Football runs in the blood. It unites the community under one flag.

However, opinions will always be divided. We’re giving fans the chance to air their views to the masses, as well as offering up some top features and exclusive interviews with some true SAFC legends. Past and present. We’re not like other fanzines. See for yourself.

In this launch edition we talk testimonials with Jody Craddock and cup runs with Jimmy Montgomery. Catch up with development squad boss Kevin Ball as he talks us

through our young prospects currently impressing out on loan.

We even have Championship-level referee Geoff Eltringham discussing life as ‘The Man In Black’ after being forced to give up his red and white stripes.

Your copy is packed with features, news and views about all things SAFC with a roundup of yet another crazy season on Wearside. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

And keep the Red Flag flying high,

//Michael Potts //Editor

Name: Michael Potts Age: 20 From: Sunderland How long have you had a season ticket? Since the first Premier League game under Roy Keane. Chopra v Spurs.

First game: York City in the

turned five!

Worthington Cup in 1998. I had just son” derby was, Favourite game: As great as the “Richard us get beat. Sort of. the best game I’ve ever seen live saw In the cup. That 2-1 against Man United, this season. . Magic. save extra-time. Those penalties. That t Kevin Phillips.

Favourite ex-player: Without a doub Arca and Steeeeeed.

Special mentions to Messyrs Quinn, got?

Worst ex-player: How long have you dation. foun firm What do you make of Poyet? A could be the top Need time and a bit of money, but he ers crossed. manager we’ve been waiting for. Fing

// the credits // Editor // Michael Potts Designer // Michael Potts Interviewer // Michael Potts Researcher // Michael Potts With thanks to // Jody Craddock Jimmy Montgomery Kevin Ball Geoff Eltringham Nathan Oliver Shaun Dowd Jean Crow Natalie Riley Chris Simpson Matthew Oliver Andy Malcolmson Daniel Parker Chris Roach Adam Capper (at SAFC) Martyn McFadden (at ALS) You. The SAFC fans that made this fanzine possible.

redflag.co.uk //5

contents// 28

20

23

Up Front//

opinions//

The News// 8

top FIVE: loan goals// 20

Cattermole conundrum// 24

death by instability// 22

letters// 26

We round up the latest news from the world of SAFC.

who are ya?// 12

Four fans. One club. What makes them tick? What are the highlights of their red and white lives? Find out now.

The images// 14

Two giant photos. An unfamiliar face, and the spirit of Wembley.

month by numbers// 18

April was a topsy-turvy month indeed. Here are the important numbers you need to know.

Sunderland have hosted plenty of top loan stars, but which ones scored the goals that have stuck in our hearts.

Contracts are up, loanees are going home. Regardless of which division we find oursleves in, will we have a squad left come the summer?

A Miracle Among us// 23

With the whole of Wearside searching for a miracle formula to hand to Gus, it seems that we may have found one.

interviews// Many love him. Many don’t. After years at the club, people still can’t make their minds up on him.

Though two people can...

Have your say. Write to us.

Make your opinion heard above the crowd. Here you’ll find a selection of fans who have done just that.

Tweets// 27

Your tweets. Your opinions.

There’s a growing art for forming the perfect tweet. Here are some of the top tweets from #April.

jody craddock// 28

COVER STORY: Red Flag talks to ex-SAFC star Jody Craddock.

The centre-back retired from the game in 2013, and is currently enjoying a year of testimonial events, culminating in a game between Wolves and Sunderland legends. Messyrs Phillips and Quinn? You bet.

Jimmy Montgomery// 34

In a year where the cup has been on everyone’s mind, we caught up with ‘73 hero Jimmy Montgomery for his take on the season so far, Sunderland’s survival chances, and Vito Manonne’s debut year.

58 44

40 features// Kevin Ball// 40

The midfield enforcer, turned U21’s manager discusses some of the top talents making their way through the ranks at the Academy of Light, with one player in particular threatening to light up the Premier League.

Ball also looks at the loan system, with SAFC starlets taking full advantage of their spells away.

The Man In Black// 44

Championship-referee Geoff Eltringham talks us through life as The Man In Black, his past life as a Sunderland season ticket holder, and his high hopes for a future at the very top.

beat the boss// 48

“Do this. Do that. I know better than him.” We’ve all heard fans who believe they’re The Special One, we’ve probably thought it about ourselves at some point! So prove it. Go head-to-head with Gustavo Poyet.

The day I went to wembley// 50

As the relegation dogfight wears us down to quivering wrecks, remember a time when cup finals were our thing. The crazy story of my day at Wembley.

at the back// The day you went to wembley// 52

merch// 60

It wasn’t just me having a crazy day in the capital. Some snaps from the invasion of London.

Teaming up with ALS, we can bring you their fantastic range of T-Shirts, for a very special price.

Show your colours, show your support.

The Rise and Rise of Jordan Henderson// 54

away day travel// 61

A homegrown talent on the verge of winning the Premier League title. Take a bow.

Find out all the travel information you need about the final away trip this season, to Old Trafford. Get your bus ticket now.

WHat happened to...

Milton Nunez// 58

the flop xi// 62

The title says it all. Nothing more needs to be said. What happened to the man, the myth, the Nunez.

Rounding off this month’s Red Flag, we look at 11 of the very worst players to grace the Stadium of Light pitch.

this is //

the

news//

// rounding up the latest news in the rollercoaster world of sunderland afc // 8// @redflag

SuperKev Retires// Kevin Phillips is finally hanging up his boots, aged 40.

The Wearside legend has been widely praised by fans from his ten different clubs, though he’ll particularly be remembered for his six years on Wearside.

Phillips scored 116 goals in 211 league games in Red and White, a truly remarkable feat that lives on in the hearts of those who saw him grace the Stadium of Light pitch.

He is the last Englishman to win the Premier League Golden Boot for his 30-goal haul in the 1999-00 campaign, and his stunning season saw him become the only ever English player to win the European Golden Shoe.

The striker has been promoted to the Premier League five times, with five different clubs across the course of his 20 year career.

After winning then-Division One with Sunderland in 1999, he went on to help West Brom, Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Leicester City make it back to the top flight, the latter four, while in his thirties.

Phillips will retire from his playing career at Leicester City, but has already announced his plans to stay on at the King Power Stadium as part of the coaching staff.

Good luck to one of the all-time greatest Wearside legends. Here’s hoping for some sort of game to recognise his career as a true Sunderland hero.

Ki Player To Leave early// Ki Sung-Yueng has reportedly asked to leave Sunderland before the end of the season in a bid to be fit for this summer’s World Cup. The on-loan South Korean midfielder is suffering from a knee injury, meaning he could miss the rest of the season, and is looking to head back to parent club Swansea for treatment, according to his ironically named father, Ki Young-Ok. “Ki Sung-Yueng has asked the team to let him leave early,” said

the father. “Head Coach Gus Poyet will make the final decision after Sunderland’s away match against Manchester United.”

The 28-year-old is sidelined for the United game, and ineligible for the final day clash with Swansea, meaning that even a shock recovery would only see him available for the West Brom match.

Poyet has also commented on Ki’s fitness, saying: “It’s not something that has come on suddenly; he has had a problem with it for a while.

“He had been playing through it but it slowly got worse and now I really don’t know if it will be possible for him to play again for us. We will hope for the best and we will see.”

Regardless of the midfielder’s future beyond this season, he would leave Sunderland as a crowd favourite following a fantastic middle section of the season, even if injury has seen him fade away towards the end.

skp’s career// baldock Town // 1991-94 //

watford fc // 1994-97 //

sunderland afc // 1997-03 //

southampton fc // 2003-05 //

Giac The Lad// Gus Poyet has praised Emanuele Giaccherini following the Italian international’s end of season revival.

The 28-year-old hadn’t managed to fill the void left by Stephane Sessegnon at the beginning of the season, but in recent weeks has shown why then-boss Paolo Di Canio stumped up the cash for the ex-Juventus man.

“Giacchy was always the player I was looking for to go between the lines and make the final pass,” Poyet told the Sunderland Echo.

“But he is finding that now and that is helping make all the difference.”

That last statement has proved true, as Giaccherini provided both assists for Connor Wickham’s brace at Manchester City, and again set-up the English starlet against Cardiff, while the diminutive midfielder also managed to get on the scoresheet.

Poyet said: “The goal against Cardiff he scored was particularly important – it was the third goal and it was the one we needed to put the game to bed.

“We started the second half 2-0 up and Cardiff down to 10 men, but pressure situations like that can do strange things.

“Cardiff were desperate and were giving everything >>

aston villa // 2005-06 //

west brom //

birmingham city // 2008-11 //

blackpool fc // 2011-13 //

crystal palace // 2013-14 //

2014 //

Spaniard Set For SOL?// Sunderland have been linked with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Diego Capel.

The flying winger had been touted around to Liverpool and Arsenal last summer, though a disappointing season in Portugal has lost the attention of some of the European big-boys.

However, at £4 million, the 26-year-old Spanish international could prove to be a bargain if he can recapture his form from his days at Sevilla.

But, as with most transfers, Newcastle have also been linked with Capel, as the rumour mill splutters into life, before the season has even ended.

A Laing way from home//

2006-08 //

leicester city //

>> and, if they had got a goal back, it could have been very tense.

“But Giacchy came on and within minutes scored our third – it was the goal which helped us seal a massive result.”

Hopefully his form has caught the attention of Italy boss Cesare Prandelli as he ponders over his national squad selection ahead of the World Cup.

Sunderland’s highly-rated youth defender Louis Laing has been on trial at Manchester United.

The 21-year-old has spent part of this season on loan in the Championship with Blackburn, but is now searching for a new club as he has been told his contract will not be renewed in the summer.

Laing has made one substitute appearance for the Sunderland first team in the 2010-11 season, but has found opportunities hard to come by.

The youngster was tipped for a big future in the North East, but injuries have hindered his development.

Still, should Sunderland be doing more to hold on to their young talent? Especially those, like Laing, who haven’t had many first team chances, but can still attract the likes of United. >>

redflag.co.uk //9

the news // //jack the Mag? Out-of-contract Jack Colback is reportedly being lined-up by Newcastle United.

The Tyneside-born Academy of Light graduate joined Sunderland when he was 10, but may be moving to the dark side after catching Alan Pardiola’s eye, presumably as Colback smashed home the last goal in the 3-0 derby win earlier this season.

The fiery midfielder would become the first player to move directly between the clubs since Lee Clark swapped St James’ Park for the SOL… And we all know how that turned out…

10// @redflag

We could all chip in for a Clark-esque ALS T-Shirt as a leaving present for Colback, perhaps? Though hopefully it won’t come to that, as Premier League survival could be enough to tempt him into staying.

The tidy midfielder has made 30 league appearances this season.

// for all of the daily headlines, news,

// the news //the wickham man Sunderland’s new goal-hero Connor Wickham is starting to prove why some of the country’s big guns were lining up to prise the England U21 star away from Ipswich, before he moved to the North East.

But before his fantastic scoring streak, Wickham had been written off by many, with a move to Nottingham Forest or Leeds on the cards, with rumoured fees as low as £4 million.

However, The Mirror, has reported that Crystal Palace could revive their interest in the striker in the summer.

It seems very unlikely that Wickham will leave Sunderland in the summer, and could even stay if relegation is confirmed.

But still, Palace boss Pulis is said to be an admirer of the 21-year-old, and could be given a large transfer budget in order to establish his side in the top flight.

and rumours, visit www.redflag.co.uk //

redflag.co.uk //11

the fans //

who are ya?// // four fans. four lives. one football club. // Name: Nathan Oliver Age: 23 From: Sunderland How long have you had a season ticket? Apart from a couple of blips, I’ve had one since ‘97.

First game: Ajax (H), the first game at the Stadium of Light. off final against Favourite game: As a spectacle, the play , beating ories mem Charlton, as for more affectionate Chelsea 4-1 at the stadium. . But for a Favourite ex-player: Phillips is the best act. class A .

Arca genuine cult-hero, Julio n? Kilbane would Worst ex-player: Where do I even begi ing for five games, score a sensational goal and do noth d. Le Tallec. Gray. to earn his place. McShane. Flo. Stea there too.

Andy Gray. Benjani. They all rank up manager there’ll any What do you make of Poyet? With think he’s done a be blips in the season. However, I still position. good job with such a poor team, in that

Name: Natalie Riley Age: 21 From: Wakefield First game: Leeds (A) abo ut 10 years ago, we lost 2-0 . Jody Craddock own goal, and then Robbie Keane scored...

Favourite game: This sea son’s derby - the first one I’ve see n us win! I didn’t want to leave the ground, along with my dad and brother, who came up for the day.

Favourite ex-player: Kevin Phillips, for me, of course .

Although Gary Bennett is a top lad.

Worst ex-player: I hated Kyrgiakos. How he becam ea professional footballer, I really don’t know.

What do you make of Poy et? Keep him, even if we go down. We have a style of play for the first time in yea rs.

It’s the players that we nee d a clearout of; it’s been nea r enough the same group for four different manag ers . This time, I don’t think it’s the manager who needs to cha nge.

12// @redflag

Name: Jean Crow Age: 65 From: Sunderland How long have you had a season ticket? I’ve had one since the new stadium ope ned, but I’ve been going to gam es since I was very young.

First game: It was a Man City replay, when the Ro ker Park gates got broken down because of the crowd, and I lost a shoe! Mid-1960’s.

Favourite away day : I rea lly liked the Sheffield Un ited ground, and Anfield. I don ’t get to many away gam es, but those memories have stu ck.

Favourite ex-player: I use d to love Charlie Hurley.

He was just an immense figure and a great ambassador for the club.

Opposition player you adm ire: Suarez is just an amazi ng player. I don’t like him, but what a talent.

What do you make of Poy et? I thought he was the right man at first, but the jury’s still out. Still, he needs tim e.

Name: Shaun Dowd Age: 41 From: Hartlepool First game: It was at Roker Park, and the first game I remem ber being at was against Liverp ool around 1990. We got bea t.

Favourite game: Beating Chelsea 4-1 was one of the best, but funnily enough I really enjoyed a game at Tranm ere in the cup.

Favourite away ground: Upton Park. I’ve got a We st Ham supporting friend so and once I was in the home end . We won. Varga scored the firs t, but kept calm. The sec ond was a Hutchinson quick free-kick. I jumped up, and got chased out, getting coins and tea thrown. Good lau gh!

Favourite ex-player: Dann y Dichio...Nah, I’m joking . It’s two. Allan Johnston and Nicky Summerbee for me .

I just loved that style of play. Pro per wingers.

What do you make of Poy et? Quality manager. Ast ute man. Not the best team to work with at all.

14// @redflag

//HOW TIMES CHANGE// If you ever needed proof that this has been a ‘long, old season,’ this is it. The mighty Cabral peels away to celebrate his equalising goal against Spurs in the Barclays Asia Trophy back in July. Sunderland went on to win 3-1 against a Spurs side tipped for greatness. Cabral cancelled out Gylfi Sigurdsson’s opener, before Wes Brown put the Black Cats into the lead. David Moberg-Karlsson wrapped up the victory in a game that gave Sunderland fans everywhere, genuine hope. James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon featured in the game, while four of Spurs’ starting XI have now moved on. Spurs’ keeper for the day, Heurelho Gomes, still remains at the club. Cryogenically frozen? Quite possibly.

redflag.co.uk //15

16// @redflag

//No Questions Asked// City turned up in numbers, Sunderland turned up with a carnival. Some fans opted for an overdose of red and white, breaking out their lucky shirts. Others took the laid back approach with a casual scarf draped around their necks. But some seized the opportunity to mark the occasion with a ridiculous array of costumes. Notice how not one person seems to acknowledge these two on the steps. Fair play to them, on what must have been a chilly afternoon for one in particular. Also, take note of a confused Louis Walsh (middle-to-bottom on the right page), in his moment of realisation that The X Factor auditions take place at Wembley Arena as opposed to the stadium. It’s an ‘oh no’ from him.

redflag.co.uk //17

mbn //

month by numbers april 2014//

// we take a look at the numbers from a crazy month for sunderland afc // key: sh - shots sg - shots on target 123 - goals ranking (season)

=50 Connor Wickham // age 21 apps (mins played) // 4 (335) goals (assists) // 5 (0) sh (SG)// 11 (6)

1 Luis Suarez // age 27 Apps (mins played) // 4 (360) Goals (assists) // 1 (1) SH (SG) // 18 (6)

18// @redflag

how the top three Premier league strikers this season fared in april //

2 daniel sturridge // age 24

4 wayne rooney // age 28

Apps (mins played) // 3 (182)

Apps (mins played) // 4 (360)

Goals (assists) // 0 (0)

Goals (assists) // 2 (1)

SH (SG) // 6 (2)

SH (SG) // 6 (4)

// mbn the results//

average time of goals...//

//spurs (a) 5-1

...SCORED

...CONCEDED

MINUTE

MINUTE

//city (a) 2-2

57 48

//chelsea (a) 1-2

league positions//

th

//everton (h) 0-1

192019192017181917

//cardiff (h) 4-0

aug - sep - oct - nov - dec - jan - feb - mar - apr

catts stats// v cardiff

average home attendance//

42,152 1,387 24 hrs miles travelled by safc away fans//

passes// 38/39 completed// 97% attacking third// 5/6 middle third// 25/25 defensive third// 8/8 Short// 30/30 Long// 8/9 points gained from teams this season//

away fans’ drive time//

poyet-watch // (whole reign)

37

won//

14

played in all drawn// 7 competitions lost// 16

th

38% win

percentage

middle seven 41%

3

games in a row with an unchanged team. (w2, D1)

bottom six 28% top six 31% “sometimes the table doesn’t lie. it would be a miracle to stay up.”

- Gus poyet (april 8th)

redflag.co.uk //19

top five//

loan goals

By Michael Potts//

Over the years, SAFC have played host to a wide range of successful loan stars.

Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans, have both been in and around titlewinning Manchester United sides, while their teammate Danny Simpson also put a good shift in at Wearside, before defecting to ‘the dark side.’

Permanent sick-note John Mensah remains one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen in a red and white shirt, while Djibril Cisse has a lifetime seal on the ‘overall lunatic’ award.

Close competitor Nicklas Bendtner finished his season at the SOL as top scorer.

Remember Stewart Downing too? His SOL days were few but fruitful, while others such as Alan Hutton, Darren Carter, and Justin Hoyte, impressed before leaving.

In more recent times, Spurs winger-turned SAFC left back, Danny Rose. He arrived as an underwhelming replacement to Kieron Richardson, and departed as a hero. An excellent footballer.

This season we’ve not had much to cheer about, but Ki SungYeung and Fabio Borini have done their best to provide some truly great individual moments.

So without any further ado, here are the top five goals scored by loan players in an SAFC shirt.

20// @redflag

Bendtner v Newcastle// Nearly 12 years after Alan Shearer saw his penalty stopped

by Tommy Sorensen in the derby, up stepped Nicklas Bendtner at the same end.

The ‘Great’ Dane was very much a ‘marmite’ figure on Wearside, but spot-kick success

Carteron v Newcastle// If there has ever been a more random derby-day goalscorer in world football, I’d like to know.

Patrice Carteron, the French right back, loved a good jaunt around the pitch. Sometimes he’d pop up on the left wing,

2//

yards out, not even Paul the Octopus could’ve predicted what happened next.

Onuoha skipped through the Blues’ defence, and tip-toed past three defenders, before coolly rolling the ball in. Stunning.

Borini v Manchester City// The striker-turned-winger is understandably not the most prolific striker in red and white, but Fabio Borini has scored several massive goals for SAFC, none bigger than at Wembley.

A defensive mix-up gave Borini the chance. His sidefooted shot curled expertly

3//

SAFC looked comfortable for most of the game, but were relying on some late magic to win. Substitute Borini provided. A spectacular curling drive. THAT celebration. Fabio, welcome to Wearside.

MARADOnuoha v Chelsea// Following in the footsteps of the fabled Carteron, right back Nedum Onuoha scored one of the most bizarre, sensational solo goals we’ve seen, in the 3-0 demolition job against Chelsea.

When the on-loan Man City defender picked up the ball 30

4//

sometimes he’d try his hand in midfield.

This time, he found himself marauding down the wing into a striker’s position before slotting the ball home. One of SAFC’s great cult heroes. Eh?!

Borini v Newcastle// It seems like a lot of our loanees love a cheeky goal against Newcastle. This is the third, final and best of the lot.

Poyet had been handed the reigns after...Di Canio...with high derby-day hopes after his predeccesor’s 3-0 triumph.

5//

at St James’ would be enough to win over plenty more fans. So he did just that.

He couldn’t have tucked his penalty any further into the corner, before sprinting away in his protective face-mask. Iconic.

1//

into the bottom corner, giving us genuine hope of ending the trophy drought. That part wasn’t to be, but the goal will be remembered for years to come.

A sublime finish, from the ultimate ‘big goal’ loanee. Hero.

opinion //

death by instability

// as the season draws to a close in perilous fashion, we’re once again looking at a mass overhaul, with the majority of the side out of contract, or on loan //

Jack Colback. Phil Bardsley.

David Vaughan. Carlos Cuellar.

Craig Gardner. Keiren Westwood.

Andrea Dossena. Seb Larsson.

Fabio Borini. Ki Sung-Yeung.

Marcos Alonso. Ondrej Celutska.

Santiago Vergini. It is entirely likely that not a single player from that list will play for Sunderland beyond May. You may be celebrating that some of those won’t don the red and white stripes again, but think again. Regardless of which league we find ourselves in, we need a squad, and we’re about to let a massive chunk of ours go.

Eight players are out of contract in the summer, while five loan deals will come to an end.

Looking deeper at that, we’re losing FIVE central midfielders, both of our right backs, both left backs, and one of the most gifted players our academy has ever produced. How sad is that?

You could make an entire team out of that list, with enough left over to make a couple of substitutions.

It could prove to be the perfect tonic. A weedkiller. Or it could prove to be footballing suicide.

With the fate of our beloved club still undecided, it is obviously difficult to make decisions on which players to sign up, and which ones to cut loose, though Poyet has recently stated that every one of the outof-contract players could leave the club regardless.

Let’s face it, Andrea Dossena is the ultimate chocolate teapot

22// @redflag

footballer. What is his purpose?

We will never know. A panic buy.

A stop-gap. Nothing more.

As for Ondrej Celustka, he impressed me at the start of the season, even though he did look genuinely shell-shocked that he’s stumbled his way into a Premier League team. Since then, he’s declined and barely appeared under Poyet. His time is up.

Carlos Cuellar’s injury problems have not been subsidised by talent. He’s an okay defender but, due to his age, is understandably on his way out, while Keiren Westwood has never clicked at SAFC and will join Cuellar through the exit door.

Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson.

The Chuckle Brothers. I’m not a fan of either. Not at all. But still, if we are relegated, surely they could do a job in the Championship?

The same goes for Phil Bardsley.

Though not blessed with outstanding technical ability, he’s a solid player to have in the mix.

This one may be out of leftfield, but I’ve always rated David Vaughan. He’s a clever passer of the ball, though struggled with the Premier League pace sometimes. Still, I firmly believe he would suit Poyet’s style.

Then there’s the saddest departure. Jack Colback. A fine talent. He’s never going to be a match-winner, but a very welcome cog in the machine, no doubt about it. He deserves Premier League football, and if we stay up, I’d be desperate to

cling onto him.

As for Borini, Ki, Alonso the ‘still in contract’ XI and Vergini, it’s simple.

If we stay up, there’s a Wickham Altidore chance each might stay. If we go down. They’re gone.

What we need is Johnson Giaccherini a de-rooting of the rotten core. Some of the players mentioned have Cattermole Ba Bridcutt underperformed with several managers at the helm. No matter which Roberge Brown O’Shea manager or style we employ, they simply can’t cope with the Premier Mannone League.

We have stagnated. We have sold our key players.

Di Canio swept us away with We have relied too heavily on his slick words, but ultimately, he loans. The outcome? Inevitable. and Di Fanti brought the club to Again, who knows which its dirty knees. division we’ll be lining up in We brought in an immense come August. One thing that is raft of players, though in recent for certain, is that new sportinggames, just three have started, director Lee Congerton is leaving the old core to remain currently occupying the most unscathed. The revolution was difficult job in English football. merely adding to the problem.

How do you solve a problem like What we need is stability. And Sunderland? relegation may be one way to Before these players leave, we provide that, weirdly. could already do with a couple It is the clean slate that Poyet of new bodies, now we find can draw his ideas upon. We ourselves adding another 13 can hit the reset button and start places to fill, and we all know over. It wouldn’t be an easy task, what happened last time we tried but it could be the start of a fresh a ‘revolution’... Cabral & Co. Sunderland.

But this is a problem aging back If we do survive, then such a to Steve Bruce. He overspent drastic lack of players is very on below-par players with likely to only suspend the drop by big contracts. When O’Neill a year if we don’t act well. arrived, he added more overpaid Changing players and dicing mediocrity, failed to root out bad with managers is a risky game. eggs, but flogged prized assets.

Are we still willing to play it?

opinion //

A miracle among us

// April was looking grim. seemingly Down and out, with no hope of escape.

Gus poyet said we needed a miracle to survive. incredibly, we already had one... //

April 7th, 2014. That was the night I accepted Sunderland were relegated. After taking the lead at White Hart Lane, it began to look like a turning point, before Spurs rallied and comfortably shredded our woeful side to pieces. 5-1.

I’m an eternal optimist, but even I couldn’t see a path out of the huge mess we were in.

Everton showed up a week later, and despite a gutsy performance, the quality just wasn’t there, and we fell to another home defeat.

The atmosphere was a strange one that day. The crowd backed each player on the pitch to the death, and at the end, the air of relegation swirled throughout the stands, yet still people acceptingly applauded Gus Poyet’s men.

One man in particular. Connor Wickham. While he didn’t get a great sight of goal, his effort and desire to chase, charge and shake Everton was so refreshing.

In the North East, effort is key. The workman-like spirit is coveted as much as any fancy footwork in a player. And in recent months, being subjected to Steven Fletcher and Jozy Altidore has been painful. There was an apparent lack of interest from the former, and sub-zero confidence levels from the latter.

So when Wickham was seen giving his all, he suddenly hopped to the top of the queue, highlighting just how desperate we were for someone to lead the line with aggression and determination.

“Start him against City, there’s

nothing to lose.” But as it turned out, there was still everything to gain. His two goals demonstrated the two things our frontline has lacked this year.

The first was about instinctively knowing where to be in the box, and the second, a purposeful, sharp drive.

It was a huge shame we couldn’t hold on to the win, but it still felt like one. Hope reared its head.

The Chelsea win was stunning.

A remarkable game. When Eto’o put the Blues ahead early on, it looked like game over. We’ve seen it happen so many times before.

However, Wickham shone though, yet again. His predatory finish had fans shaking heads in disbelief at our emerging talent.

Surely we wouldn’t actually dare to smash The Special Happy Efficient One’s record?

On 82 minutes, we did. Fabio Borini’s icy spot-kick demeanour saw him dispatch yet another.

By fulltime, we’d blown the entire relegation battle wide open.

But still, despite such a win, one of the highlights came in the second half, strangely when our new hero went down injured.

Hear me out...

He was clearly hurt. Maybe just a knock, but he was still hurt. But no fuss was made. No over-thetop theatrics. No rest. No let-up.

He clambered back to his feet and battled on. Eventually, he succumbed, but that’s the neversay-die attitude we’ve lacked so badly. It may just seem like a little thing to many, but watching a player clearly desperate to stay on the field is a great sign.

Thankfully, his injury wasn’t serious and could line up against Cardiff. The game was a sell-out.

We were expectant, yet deep down in every Sunderland fan’s heart, I’m sure there was the unshakable feeling that ‘typical Sunderland’ would choke.

And what great relief it was to see Wickam pin-point his header past David Marshall.

In reality, once the second went in,

Cardiff offered no threat whatsoever and our grip tightened.

Emanuele Giaccherini’s goal gave Poyet a pleasing problem with regards to deciding the Italian’s future come the summer, and AGAIN, Wickham nodded in to make it four.

April 27th, 2014. That was the day I accepted Sunderland had everything to play for.

But what about the 21-year-old Wickham? His numerous loan spells, and rumoured rifts have masked over his obvious talent The truth is, the striker has worked with four different Sunderland managers since arriving in 2011, he still hadn’t been given a chance. Until now.

Twenty minutes here, twenty minutes there. That’s it. Not once did we get to see him start a run of games, and now that he is, look at him go.

He may not have been ready for regular football. Maybe that was the case. Maybe he needed those loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday, and Leeds.

One thing that is for certain though, is that Poyet rolled the dice, took a chance, and it’s paying off, big-time.

The miracle he described, was already among our ranks.

We’re not out of danger yet, not by a long shot. But we’re fighting.

We’re in the driving seat. It’s ours to lose. And we have a reborn striker gunning for Premier League defences. Bring it on.

redflag.co.uk //23

make your case... //

cattermole conundrum // the combative midfielder has divided opinion ever since he arrived. And in another up-and-down season, that’s unlikely to change. but what do you think?//

for// Daniel Parker

I think a football game is won and lost by moments. Moments that get the fans up on their feet and behind the team when all seems lost. Lee Cattermole provides these moments in spades. Can he recycle the ball under pressure? No. Is he the man you want pulling the strings in centre-midfield? Absolutely not. Can you trust him to last the game if he gets booked in the first five minutes? No chance.

And yet he has a valuable place in our team. He is the man to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and go in for those 20/80 challenges when no-one else will.

It is not surprising to note that, although he often subbed before 70 minutes, he frequently covers more ground than his midfield compatriots who play the full 90. He may not have a Premier League range of passing but he always gives everything to win and, that’s more important.

He is one of only three players that I want us to keep hold of after we get relegated. This is because he is our captain even when he isn’t captain. If you watch a Sunderland game during its darker moments, and there are plenty of those, it is Cattermole not John O’Shea rallying the troops. I hope to god he will be rallying and leading by example in the red and white of Sunderland again next year.

24// @redflag

//against andy malcolmson

My own personal idea of Lee Cattermole is that I see him as a modern day Billy Bremner... A thug for hire, so to speak. By my own admission, I have seen an improvement in Lee’s game, but I can still only see him as a spoiler.

I understand that his primary role is to break up opposition attacks, and distribute the ball to our so-called “flair” players to do the damage, but still.

I guess my main dislike of the “hard-man” midfielder is his very poor disciplinary record. Yes, before anyone says it, I do see Cattermole as a victim of overzealous refereeing and constant pressure from opposing players.

But at the same time, Lee could help himself by not jumping in and putting himself and the team into that position. We’ve seen it far too many times from him, and he still hasn’t learned.

To me the modern day footballer should be fast, athletic, equally good with either foot, passionate, skilled and be a professional on-and-off the field.

At all times, a player must be representing the club that pays is wages, in a positive way.

Unfortunately, Cattermole has been fool-hardy to put himself and his teammates in positions that leave them all open for criticism, though more importantly, some of his actions reflect badly on the club itself.

your //

letters// // Have your say on the latest goings on at sunderland afc... //

WHo’s to blame?// Who is to blame for the current situation at my football club? I think everyone at the club has been blamed at the minute, from owner to the kit man but who seriously has questions to answer?

And how long does this problem go back?

As a Sunderland fan, I am no stranger to pain, even in the mere 15 years I have supported the club, the ups and downs experienced in that time would make for a great ride at Alton Towers. The highs of promotion to the lows of relegation, I have seen pretty much everything there is to see when supporting Sunderland.

Previously we have always had people to adore for the highs, and inevitably people to blame for the lows, but who do we blame this time because nobody seems to really know.

Starting with the current regime, is it Gus Poyets fault?

The Uruguayan came in when we were rock bottom with only one point from seven games, gave us a chance of survival and led a mass invasion of the capital on that memorable weekend at Wembley.

What about Paolo Di Canio?

The madcap Italian came into my football club, saved it (just) and then tore it apart in the space of a summer. He was a typical scenario of “talked the talk, but couldn’t walk the walk”.

Of course, he wasn’t alone.

Supposed Director of Football

Roberto Di Fanti was around but as little said about him the better.

Backing up a little, Martin O’Neill, the messiah, the chosen one, the one we all wanted. His reign was potentially too short but poor activity in the transfer market ultimately cost him.

Then there is Steve Bruce. We thought we had the man and the players then, but he seemed to rip that apart and bring in relegated players to replace them with!!

Ellis Short has been the constant factor throughout all of these regimes and without doubt there is some blame to be laid at his door. The appointment of Di Canio on a long term deal he admits himself was a bad move, but has he done anything else wrong? I wouldn’t say so. The current direction of the club with a Director of Football, maybe?

Though I would say it’s the right way to go as long as it works properly and the manager wants it, which Poyet seems to.

What about fans? Have we been too expectant? Of course we have been. As fans we want the highest finish, good football, and great wins but are we too unrealistic?

Personally, yes, I believe we are.

We are not a top seven side, and haven’t been for a long time so why should we expect to be top ten. There are another 13 sides in the league fighting for the other three positions to finish in that top ten, so why should we expect it to be ours.

Personally with fans that are too expectant at times and a lack of consistency in the dugout, my great club will never achieve what it could and probably should.

CHRIS ROACH//

// what do you think? Do you agree? Or not?

Have your say by contacting us via our website, facebook or twitter //

26// @redflag

Undying HOpe// Hope. Something Sunderland fans regularly have; hope that they might one day win the cup again, hope that they might stay in the premier league, hope that they might win the derby, hope that they might might sign a regular goal scorer to replace the beat finisher we’ve had I’m decades - Super Kevin Phillips.

Invariably though, the hope is dashed, sometimes obliterated or best case scenario, fades gently into the distance.

We’ve yo-yo’d more times than I care to remember. We’ve lost play-off finals (15 year old me will never forget that 4-4 and 8-7 on pens). We were relegated with lowest points hauls in history,

ey giaccherini// When I found out Sunderland were signing a Scudetto winning Italian international I thought I was dreaming. This type of thing didn’t happen to Sunderland - we were always linked with this type of player but never quite got them over the line.

However, after watching him play a few times I thought I’d begun to understand why we got him. His diminutive stature was seemingly matched by diminutive contributions on the pitch. There was no chemistry with the centre forwards (although no-one has managed that until the last few games) and his lack of tracking back made him look too expensive a luxury for a struggling team.

That all too familiar feeling of disappointment returned.

However, in the last couple of games I think we’ve seen why Giaccherini warrants a place in

twice! (thanks to Derby County for relieving us of that accolade).

And Darren B£nt left for a ‘bigger club’.

But, recently, after another, and possibly the most ridiculous, topsy-turvy, roller coaster season ever, I wonder if we finally have a manger who will not only be in it for the long haul, but has the ability to do the job. In Connor Wickham we might finally have a return on the millions we spent and someone who can find the back on the net regularly. And obviously we’ve won 3 derbies on the bounce!

If we do stay up, as is looking more likely now than at any point this season, things can only get better, surely...?

matthew oliver//

the Italian national team. Against Chelsea he looked tricky - the little move down the left and perfect ball over for Wickham showed a player with class.

He followed this up with a twenty minute spell against (albeit 10 man) Cardiff where he seemed a different class to anyone else on the pitch - showing more forward movement and ability to drag defenders around than most of the regulars have shown in the entire season. He capped this off with a great finish at the end of a sublime move.

I’ve spent a lot of this season thinking that Giaccherini wouldn’t be here either way next season - and not being too disappointed by it, however, having seen these last couple of performances I think he may just have what it takes to shine on the Premier League stage - Giacc the lad could be top of the class at Sunderland.

chris simpson//

your //

tweets// // a run through of a crazy april in 140 characters or less. who knows what May will bring... //

redflag.co.uk //27

//life after football//

Jody Craddock // catch up with an unsung safc hero, adjusting to life away from the game // Ask any Sunderland fan about the ‘Peter Reid era’ and you’d be bombarded with legendary tales of Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn.

You’d hear about ‘The Derby with THAT Shearer Penalty,’ the 4-1 demolition of Chelsea, and of course, the playoff final against Charlton, lauded as the greatest game ever played at the Old Wembley.

But while others grabbed the headlines, Jody Craddock started in each of those games that will stay in the memories of fans for years to come.

Redditch-born Craddock

28// @redflag

started his career at lowerleague Cambridge United, before catching the eye of Peter Reid, who signed the centre back for £300,000.

He went on to spend six years at the SoL, making 168 appearances in that time.

His uncompromising style and consistent performances won over the crowd, as he starred in the 2000/01 season that saw the Black Cats finish seventh in the top flight.

Craddock scored his first Sunderland goal in September 2001, although it came in a season which saw the side

struggle to match previous success. Instead, they narrowly avoid relegation.

A year later, the drop was confirmed, though Craddock retained his Premier League status after signing for newlypromoted Wolves in 2003.

The process began again.

Craddock established himself as a pivotal figure in the Wolves defence, and despite relegation, stuck by the club.

He enjoyed 10 years in the Midlands, playing most games in their 2009/10 Premier League campaign, before retiring from football in 2013.

A dedicated servant to both SAFC and Wolves, the defender remains a favourite with both sets of fans.

His long-service at Wolves is currently being rewarded, with a year of testemonial events lined up, culminating in a game, to be played in May, which he hopes will reunite the ‘Reid team’.

But after leaving the organised chaos of the football world, how do players cope?

We caught up with Jody as he adjusts to life outside of the beautiful game.

Time to turn the page... >>

redflag.co.uk //29

MP// How have you adjusted to waking up on weekends without a game to play?

JC// I get asked a lot whether I miss it, and honestly I don’t. I miss the lads. the banter, the good bits when it’s sunny and you’re training well. I miss the feeling of winning a game. But there’s a lot I don’t miss. When it’s freezing cold, and gale-force winds, when I’m travelling up and down the country, and trying to get fit after an injury. So do I miss it? No. MP// So you have no regrets about hanging up the boots then?

JC// I played for 20 years. I’ve literally done as much as I possibly could in those 20 years and I think there’s been some fantastic achievements. I don’t really feel like I’m missing out by not doing it. And by the end it wasn’t getting any easier chasing 20yr olds around the pitch every game!

MP// You’ve opted for a year of events for your testimonial, is there a reason behind that?

JC// We wanted to do a bit of a build up to the game. We wanted to get people involved and increase the interest. I’ve added a charity into it which is the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, so the more money we raise, the more money they will get. A few different events means there’ll be more money coming in for them.

MP// What work does the Children’s Hospital do, and why is it so close to your heart?

JC// Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Ward 15. My son was diagnosed with leukaemia about two years ago now, and we spent the first two months solid on the ward. It was a very tough time, and seeing what other people have gone through, it’s bloody hard for the kids, as well as the parents.

MP// And how will the hospital use the money that you raise?

JC// They’re trying to raise £4million to create a new teenage cancer ward and while we won’t scratch that number, every little bit really helps. Basically, they’re trying to do the whole ward up.

Next to that ward is the Teenage Cancer Trust ward and it’s really nice and relaxing for the teens who come in needing treatment.

It’s just a better place for them to be. And that’s what they’re

30// @redflag

FACTFILE// Name// Jody Darryl Craddock Date of birth// 25th July 1975 (age 38) Birthplace// Redditch, UK Height// 6ft 1in Position// centre back Career// 1993-2013 1993-97 - Cambridge - 145 apps, 4 goals.

1993-94 - Woking (loan) - 7 apps, 2 goals.

1997-2003 - Sunderland - 146 apps, 2 goals.

1999 - SHeffield Utd (loan) - 10 apps, 0 goals.

2003 - 2013 - Wolves - 215 apps, 14 goals.

2007 - Stoke (Loan) - 4 apps, 0 goals. total// 527 apps, 22 goals. honours// Sunderland - fL Division one winners - 98/99 wolves - fl championship winners - 08/09

timeline//

cambridge

sunderland

wolves

retired

trying to do with Ward 15 for the families that go in. At the minute it’s difficult. It’s cramped, it’s small, it’s outdated and any little thing to make it that little bit more comfortable while families are going through this, the better.

It’s a no-brainer why I’ve got to help.

MP// What have been the most successful events you have held?

JC// There was an evening dinner where we sold places at tables.

That was a sell-out. We had a lot of the Wolves team that was promoted there, and the manager came back, and it was a bit like a talk night. That was probably the most successful from the money raising angle. I think one of my favourites though was the very first event. A training day. It gave the fans an opportunity to come along and we took them to the training ground, showed them around the place, the dressing room, what player do on a dayto-day basis and then we went out training with them as well. It wasn’t the biggest money earner, but it was a nice event to start with. Hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we did because it was a great day.

MP// Who have you been in touch with about taking part in the game? *Excited Face* JC// Even now, it’s still a work in progress, but I’m trying to get the whole team back together, the Quinny’s, the Phillips’. That team. People are very interested.

I understand some have work commitments, and at the end of the day it does come down to that, and some of the lads work on tele now, but I’ve had a very, very good response from a lot of them. I’ve contacted 20-odd people and had a very good response from everybody so fingers crossed we get to see them back on the pitch. I’m hoping that the lads will want to get back together. Instead of doing me a favour for the testimonial, I’d like to think they want to see their mates. I’m hoping that’s part of the attraction to get back involved with a Sunderland team that was so successful.

MP// How have Sunderland fans supported the testimonial events?

JC// They’ve been great. I came up the day before the derby and did a talk up there. We had Sunderland fans come along and

support that. I also got some tickets for the derby so I went on the buses, stood in with the fans and watched the derby and had a fantastic day. The fans are fantastic, they always were with me when I was there, and that hasn’t changed. It’s great to go back after all this time and still feel part of it.

MP// After playing in a few Sunderland-Newcastle games, what was the derby like from the stands as opposed to the pitch?

JC// I really enjoyed it, and it did sort of hit home when I was up there with the fans. On the pitch as a player, you know what it means. When you’re playing you look at it from a personal point of view and you want to beat your enemy. Up with the fans, I always knew it was important to them, but you kind of realise the difference between player and fan and just how important it is and the passion that goes behind it.

It’s nice to have been involved on both side of it now.

MP// How would you have suited the Poyet ‘play it from the back’ system?

JC// I can’t deny it, I’m an oldfashioned centre half. I always have been. I’d always try to keep it nice and simple and pass it to the full backs. That’s what I kept doing when I went to Wolves. I was never really the type of player that could get on the ball and run forward with it. I had to do it at times, but it was never really my game. I knew my strengths and weaknesses and I just played to them. I’d like to think I could adapt to whatever circumstance I was put in, and as a player you have to do that.

MP// Which player from your era could Sunderland use now?

JC// It’s not just one person.

It’s a partnership. And it’s that partnership of Quinny and Kev Phillips. If you could put them two, in their prime, into the current team... well what can you say?! They were a fantastic partnership and it was a privilege to play with them. I think the fans would agree with me on that one.

MP// Who’s the best Sunderland player you played alongside?

JC// That’s a hard one because at Sunderland it was a whole team performance. I used to have a good partnership with Daz

redflag.co.uk //31

Williams and Emerson Thome when I played next to them. And also, Joachim Bjorklund when he came into the team, but it’s difficult to single one out against the other. Further up the team, obviously Quinn and Phillips were quality, and I had Kevin Ball in front of me who was awesome.

MP// Is there a regret, looking back, that the Sunderland team from your time couldn’t mark the success with silverware?

JC// Not really from my point of view. We had two seasons in a row where we finished 7th in the Premier League is a tough thing to do as we all know how difficult the league is. Sometimes it goes back to the old cliché of ‘we got knocked out of the cup, now we can concentrate on the league’.

Sometimes it isn’t the worst thing to be knocked out of the cup because you do concentrate on the league more. You don’t want to get many injuries, you need to keep the squad together. That played a massive part in that Sunderland team doing well, keeping everybody fit. If you add cups in there you have more games and more chances to pick up an injury. So yeah, no regrets about not winning a cup, but I’ll never forget those 7th placed finishes in the Premier League.

MP// Have you got any personal career highlights, with any club?

JC// I got promoted with Sunderland and Wolves, but there’s two specific games that stand out that were really pleasing for me. There was the Sunderland win at St. James’, and when Wolves beat West Brom at home. As a player to be in a derby is absolutely massive, but to win them, you can’t explain it. Just fantastic. As a player there’s such tension throughout the week leading up to the game and when you win it, it is outstanding.

MP// Moving away from football, how’s the art going for you?

JC// The more I do, the better I get and I’m constantly doing different projects so I don’t tie myself down to one style to paint, for example, ‘just portrait’ or ‘just football’. I do mix it up. It’s my job now. It’s kind of like a hobby but I’m selling them so it’s nice to be my own boss and do what I want. It’s hard work. It’s one thing painting them, but the other aspect is going out selling

32// @redflag

testimonial talk Promoting the testimonial events is important//

birmingham children’s hospital The hospital that Craddock’s testimonial is supporting//

derby day Craddock & Co. take in the scenes after another 3-0 win//

mick Mac Joking with ex-SAFC/Wolves boss Mick McCarthy//

matt murray Former Wolves keeper Matt Murray at the training event//

the art Exhibition of work with original pieces on display//

them. You’ve got to put the right price on them to attract the right people to get them out there. That is a different world. It is a tough one to crack and I am doing bits and bobs to get into the art world, but as far as the painting goes, I think it’s coming on fantastic.

I’m really pleased with what I’m producing so the next step is pushing it in people’s faces and as crude as it sounds, convince them to part with their money at the end of the day.

the Art// You’ve heard all about it, now see for yourself. Examples from the brush of Jody Craddock...

MP// Does that mean you’re not looking for a return to the game?

JC// I’ve never really had any firm plans. Maybe a bit when I was younger, but not anymore purely because I’ve got the art. I might have had something in coaching when I left Wolves, but it wasn’t something I particularly wanted to pursue. Maybe if I’d pursued it and said: ‘let me in, let me help with the academies, I’ve got my coaching badges let me in there’ they’d have opened the door and let me have a go at it, but it just wasn’t what I wanted to do. I’m happy to have done my football and stepped back from it.

As a footballer, I missed having holidays the same as my kids, I missed Christmasses, all that sort of stuff being a family man you miss. As fantastic as the job is, you miss those times, and if I’d gone into coaching it would’ve repeated itself.

The kids grow up so quickly I don’t want to miss it. Now I can work at home and do my art, meaning I can spend time with my children which is exactly what I want to do. It’s why I worked so hard to put myself in a position so that now I can, at the end of my career, just enjoy that and do something that I really wanted to do other than something that people thought I should be doing.

I’ve listened to my heart, instead of my head.

MP// That all sounds great.

Thanks, Jody. Good luck with everything.

So there you are, a modelprofessional hanging up the boots. The testimonial game will take place on May 5th at Molineux. It’s a Bank Holiday, so why not take the whole family for an education in SAFC heroes.

MICHAEL POTTS//

Jody’s work is available for purchase. prints and originals are now available from his website art-affect.com.

redflag.co.uk //33

Jimmy

Montgomery // the legendary sunderland goalkeeper talks about another topsy-turvy season for the club, including a look back to the league cup run which saw an italian keeper begin to etch himself into wearside folklore //

If there are two things Jimmy Montgomery knows all about, it’s top goalkeepers and underdog cup runs. This season, we’ve been lucky enough to have both.

Red Flag caught up with the ‘73 legend to gather his thoughts on the season so far...

MP// So far, so crazy. What are your thoughts on another predictably unpredictable season at Sunderland?

JM// The start that we got, having most of the top ten at home all in

34// @redflag

the same run didn’t help us. It’s very difficult when they’re not as spread out. We got ourselves into a right pickle. Nobody gave us a chance. Fortunately, we’ve stepped it up for some vital games towards the end.

season than theirs because they built up their points and went nowhere after that. We’ve beaten the mags twice, we’ve got into a Wembley final, so all-in-all, apart from the dramas, on paper, it could be a great season.

MP// I suppose whatever you make of the season in terms of success or failure, it’s been entertaining, right?

MP// We now have a genuine shot at survival, was there ever a time you gave up hope?

the old proverb goes. I’ve been in football long enough to see that things do happen, and things can turn around, including last season in a league where every team can beat everybody else.

And look at this season, like us going to Chelsea and winning. I wouldn’t say I was optimistic, but I certainly haven’t given up the ghost.

JM// No. I’ve never ever thought we were down. I keep telling people around me: ‘you’re not down until the fat lady sings’ as

MP// A big part of this campaign has been the man between the sticks, how impressed have you been with Vito Mannone?

JM// Oh, of course. I’ve got friends who are Newcastle supporters who’d rather have our

JM// Vito’s done tremendously well, and he really has been our player of the year. He’s kept us in it quite a few times, so yeah he’s had an exceptional season. I think goalkeepers need time, you know. He’s been on the edge of the Arsenal squad for a while and now he’s getting a number one spot. Westwood looks like he’s out in the summer, so there might be a new keeper, meaning Mannone will have to prove himself again.

Hopefully any new keeper that comes in is a quality one to push Vito all the way and force him to

up his game even more to keep his place. I’ve got a lot of time for the lad. I’ve chatted to him once or twice, especially during the cup run and he’s very down-toEarth. I’m delighted for him.

MP// There’s also Jordan Pickford to consider, how’s he progressing?

JM// I went up to Carlisle to see him play to see how he’s progressing. The boy’s got a presence. He might have got a little bit too big for his boots at one stage, but he’s come back

down to Earth now and he’s getting on with the job. We’ll probably send him out on loan again next year, I would imagine.

Rather than going into clubs like Carlisle, I think he needs to be in a decent Championship side so he can get used to the bigger boys in quicker games where he has to make decisions a lot quicker. It’d be great to see him step up into the Championship, to show him what the top league could be like.

MP// What about stand-out first team players this season? Who

impressed you the most?

JM// Borini’s been tremendous for us. He’s scored some important goals. and he brings something to us which some players can’t give. He’s got great enthusiasm and work rate. It’s unfortunate that he’s going back to Liverpool. I don’t know what the situation is, but hopefully we can look at getting Borini back. I’d also like to think Jack Colback would stay. Bally and I were trying to persuade him on Sunday and made our >>

redflag.co.uk //35

jimmy montgomery// >> feelings known, for what it’s worth. I’d like to see him stay.

MP// Now we’re moving onto another of your specialist subjects, cup runs. Just how important do you think it was for our season?

JM// A winning mentality is what everybody wants at the club. The more games you win, the more confidence you get, and you feel on top of the world. It just gives you that little edge over sides. You found that when we went out of the cup competitions we lost a few games on the trot and that’s when the confidence goes. You see the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool this season, and Man City, who have spent millions and millions but they’ve got that winning mentality, and it’s great to get into the groove of winning, because really that’s what football is all about.

MP// I’m sure you’ll be sick of hearing about it, but I’ve got to mention it... what similarities did the ‘14 Cup Final share with the one back in ‘73?

36// @redflag

JM// Well it was always pointed that way wasn’t it. Leeds were the top side in our day, and City are the top side now. You can’t take one game and match it up to another, but it was the same scenario because we beat a couple of good sides on the way, like Manchester United and Chelsea, so it was a bit of a mirror image.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, but it was just brilliant being there and supporting the lads. We did very, very well until Toure’s superb goal. They were two great strikes actually, but the lads held their heads up high and did the club proud.

MP// Obviously we’re not going to be challenging for titles anytime soon, so do you think sides like us should be concentrating more on cup competitions?

JM// I think we tend to take it seriously all the time. We’re not going to win the title, we’re not going to be in the top six for now, so you’ve got to try and win a cup. It helps when the likes of City, United and Arsenal put

their second strings out. It always gives you a chance. I was a little disappointed when Gus put a weakened side out against Hull because I thought we could’ve been at Wembley again in the semi-final, then beat Sheffield United and you’d be in the FA Cup final, so I was disappointed in that way. Obviously Gus had his reasons though, and felt at that time the league was more important and he was probably right, looking back.

MP// Since Poyet took over, I think that’s pretty much the only criticism he’s received from some fans. What do you make of Gus as a manager? Is he the man to take us forward?

JM// He’s doing a great job this year after starting with very little points after nine games.

The problem he’s had is that he’s inherited Martin O’Neill’s squad, Paolo Di Canio’s players, and only brought in a couple himself.

He’s had a very, very difficult task from when he came in. He had to assess the players he had and work out his best team. He sees

them day-in day-out Monday to Friday and we don’t see that side of things, and now he’s got a settled side and playing well. He’s done a fantastic job considering where we were, and he’s certainly the man to take us forward. Once he gets rid of the deadwood, keeps players he wants to keep, and bring his own players in, then we can judge how good or bad a manager will be.

MP// If Gus pulls off the miracle he talked about, what would your aims be for next season?

JM// I sometimes think it’s a waste of time aiming for anywhere. We just want a settled side to play the type of football we have played under Gus and knock the ball about. I’d much rather come and watch Sunderland than the likes of Crystal Palace under Pulis or West Ham under Big Sam, and even Mourinho at Chelsea the way he plays. I just want to see us get a decent squad to go out there and entertain.

MICHAEL POTTS//

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redflag.co.uk //37

loan roundup //

ball watching

// Michael potts talks to the development squad’s boss about safc’s loan stars, the ‘justin bieber’ of the group, and one young man threatening to take the premier league by storm //

With player fees rising, and British talent suffocating, focusing on youth is becoming an increasingly important part of any professional football club.

For Sunderland, things are no different. And the man tasked with nurturing those young players couldn’t be more passionate about the challenge.

Kevin Ball spent nine years donning the red and white stripes, earning himself ‘legend status’ in the process.

But since retiring from his playing days, Ball has passed on his years of experience to the new generation, many of whom would have grown up watching the midfield rock control games.

It’s midday at the Academy of Light, a state-of-the-art base for growing a new crop of players.

David Craig, of Sky Sports News, is lurking, while I wait for the training session to end.

Soon after, the glass doors in the reception swing open, and Mikael Mandron stoops into the pearly white foyer in high spirits, laughing along with a teammate half the size of his tall frame.

After being whisked away into a side room, Ball enters. It’s a friendly welcome, followed by a trademark iron-grip handshake.

There’s nothing I can do but smile and ride it out. Immediately, he’s switched on, delving straight into the beautiful game he has dedicated his life to.

40// @redflag

“We had a game yesterday, so we’ve just been out watching the four or five players who didn’t play, to get a look at them.”

Every moment watching the crop grow is time well spent. Not featuring in a game, doesn’t mean the players get a weekend off.

But while the U21 squad continue to impress in the development league, the cream has been skimmed from the top and distributed across Britain.

“Development isn’t just about

football. It’s an essential.

“I’ll be honest with you, being on loan is a challenge. Some players will go out there expecting to walk it, and they’ll get well and truly spanked. It’s happened to players before.”

But who makes the decision?

Who gets the call on whether a player develops at the AoL or away plying their trade in the football league?

“It varies. I would have an input, Ged [McNamee], the manager,

“Some players will go out there expecting to walk it, and they’ll get well and truly spanked.” training well in the reserves.

“It’s a combination of everything.

Preparation for a game, knowing that in some games it could cost people their jobs.

“You need to know you could end up in a scrap with a teammate if you’re not prepared to work hard.

“There’s so many things you need: physical, tactical, technical, mental preparation.

“And also, we want them to go out and enjoy their football and get a taste for what it’s like.”

But Ball isn’t idealistic, he has his feet planted on the ground, and places huge importance on a player’s attitude towards loan

now we’ll have Lee Congerton involved as well.

“In the past, players have gone out on loan because we felt that was the best way for them, but if we change that, and want to keep them here, there needs to be a pathway into the first team.”

This is something that has been finely tuned by Fulham.

They have handed several young players debuts over the last few years, with homegrown, and young talent making up a sizeable chunk of their squad.

This would mean more players involved for the U21s while they wait for a first team chance,

but “they can’t be too good for the U21s. They need testing, otherwise they’ll not get better.”

It’s all about striking the balance, it seems, with youth development. And Ball stresses the importance of team spirit in the group to keep progressing.

“The squad itself has been very together this year, very strong.

“They work hard in training and are very supportive of each other.

“One of the nicest things I’ve ever seen was when Duncan Watmore came on for his first team debut [Carlisle] and the U21 squad were all sat watching the game, a whole group of them, and to a man they stood up and applauded him, because he deserved the opportunity.

“It was lovely for me to see how much they felt for him. If Duncan Watmore was a prick they wouldn’t have done it. He’s a good lad, and wants to be successful like they all do.

“Some of those lads know that they aren’t going to make it as players, but they know they’ve helped support him become one.

“I’d like to think in the future, Duncan won’t forget that either.

And on that note, there’s a definite dash of reality.

But while the futures of many hang in the balance, there are a core of players out on loan gunning for their shot at the big time. Here’s what Ball had to say about SAFC’s starlets... >>

e k a m t a h t o d n a c e h s g “ There are thin ” ? t a h t o d e h id d w o h , h s o g y m h ‘o o g you redflag.co.uk //41

loan roundup //

Duncan watmore//

Age// 20 Position// striker/winger Loan Club// Hibernian

Ladies and Gentlemen, the future just got interesting. Young forward Duncan Watmore is already turning heads in his first season at the club following a move from Altringham.

Ball says: “With Duncan we keep in regular contact with him,

get better at. I think that’s the best way. He obviously has our help, but if he identifies things himself, he’ll take more responsibilities and become a better player. He does that, and he’s done it well.

“He has the ability to become a very, very good player, and a massive asset to any team, on and off the pitch.”

While it’s not certain what will happen with any youth prospects, the signs certainly look encouraging. Hopefully the attitude stays the same so we can make the most of his raw talent.

I’m thinking, ‘first season James McClean with a brain.’ And that would be fine by me...

two or three times a week if need be. It’s a case of adjusting to the situation. If we feel Duncan’s happy, we might only put a phonecall in to see if there are any issues, or anything he needs help with “Nope, everything’s good.”

“We have people in Scotland who can watch him play, myself and Robbie try and get to see him play, and I’m good friends with Terry Butcher so if there were any issues, he’d call me straight away.

“He’s doing smashing and thoroughly enjoying it.

“From a social point of view, his attitude is brilliant, he’s prepared to do anything he can to become a footballer. He’s also prepared to study as well. There’s two sides

people need to know about.

“He does his college work, he does his distance learning and all of that. Around Christmas he had a week with a lot of exams so we changed his training to suit that.

“Then there’s the football side of him where he can do things that make you go ‘Oh my gosh, how did you do that?’ But at the same time, he might also do things like that in a negative way.

“There’s just something different he brings over other people.

“When we brought him to the club we didn’t want to change him too quick. We needed him to be him, which is the reason he came here, and as time goes on, he’ll work out what he needs to

David Moberg-Karlsson

There were high hopes for David Moberg-Karlsson ahead of the season. He was brought in as part of the Di Canio ‘revolution,’ but has found first team chances rare since the Italian’s departure.

He’s notched up a few goals for

the U21’s, though Ball and his staff felt that he needed time to adjust to league football.

“David’s time at Kilmarnock has been inconsistent. I’ve spoken to him, their manager and our scout in Scotland. I think he’s finding the adjustment to British football, not just English, Scottish as well, a lot harder than what he thought and anticipated.

“The physical side, including work rate and intensity is something he hasn’t been used to.

“Technically, he’s very good on his left side, but I think needs to understand that you can’t just stand on the wing, get the ball, take someone on and think that’s

your job. That’s most definitely not going to happen in British football. Unfortunately for David, he hasn’t got that transition quite right so he’s in and out of the team there.

“If he was to work to his physical ability, he would get better, but the downside is that he’s not prepared to do that sometimes.

But while we’ve seen and heard snippets of him in action, there’s not been a lot of attention on the Swede as a person.

“He’s different. He’s a nice kid, but he’s a lot deeper than what people probably understand.

“He’s only young so you’ve got to take that into account. Some

Age// 20 Position// winger Loan Club// kilmarnock mature quickly when they move away, some don’t.

“David is a bit like Justin Bieber.

He can come across like that at times, and it’s a shame. He’s got good ability, but whether or not he possesses the attitude to marry it in with the ability, I suppose only time will tell.”

Honest words. I think along with every other Sunderland fan, I was excited after watching the young winger in pre-season action, where he scored against Spurs in the Asia trophy.

Hopefully he can focus on his game to allow the obvious talent to shine through next season.

Jordan Pickford//

Age// 20 Position// goalkeeper Loan Club// carlisle utd

Jordan Pickford. You’ve heard the name before. On the first team substitute’s bench, maybe.

The young stopper has shown remarkable potential according

had to step in, and following the sale of Simon Mignolet, I was delighted he’d get a proper chance, though unfortunately, he couldn’t take it.

Injury hit, soon after, and Mannone’s efforts kept him out of the side. I doubt he’d want to sit out another season.

And given Ball’s words, the potential of Pickford needs to be handled well. And benchwarming won’t do that. Hopefully another fruitful spell on loan could see Pickford pushing for a starting spot in the coming years.

42// @redflag

to match reports while on loan at Carlisle, and at just 20-years-old, he still has time to develop.

“People forget about some of these [players on loan].

“Pickford is a future first team goalkeeper, but at what age?

22-23 maybe? His development plan has got to be right, so he’s probably got to play regular first team football at a good club next year, to deal with the pressures of playing weekly, consistently.

“If he is prepared, we can bring him back to play in our first team because he’ll be ready for it then.”

It’s a ringing endorsement for

the keeper that he is already between the posts for a League One side, considering goalkeepers tend to develop later.

He obviously holds a lot of talent, enough to warrant his comfortable inclusion on a Premier League bench while other keepers have been sold, injured or unavailable.

Vito Mannone has been a shining star in a grim season, but his backup, the unfortunate Keiron Westwood, must surely be on his way out of the club soon.

To be fair to the Irish stopper, he impressed me when he has

connor wickham//

He’s the player we now know most about, but do we really know what the future holds for Connor Wickham?

His costly price tag suggested greatness, though until recently, he remained an untried, unfulfilled footballer. An enigma.

“In Connor’s case when you’ve got an £8million tag on you, it’s a tremendous amount of responsibility.

“What we maybe should’ve looked at better was his development plan at that age. It was a bit like “okay we’re paying £8million for you, you can go and train with the first team.”

“I’d be really interested to see his game time over that first period.

How many games he played, for the reserves or first team.

“It’s something we’re going to look at as a club. Do we look at players and say: ‘We’re buying you for £5million, but we don’t think you’re ready for the first team so predominantly you’ll be training

and playing with the U21s. You’ll play week-in week-out and this is what we expect from you. And when we feel you’re getting better we’ll move you along to the first team, and when you’re ready, you’ll stay over there.’

“That’s something we probably don’t do well enough. Players are not ready and made at 18. They have potential and we try to get them to fulfill that potential. I think at times we as a club and the coaches need to have that responsibility to say: ‘No, you’re not going early, you’re going to do more practice, and not just drive off in your Bentley.’

“Connor has attributes that suggest he’s made for the Premier

Age// 21 Position// striker Loan Club// leeds utd League. Physically, technically.

The bit you would question mark him at times is can he mentally adapt to play every week. That’s the area we should look at deeper.

“I’m pleased he’s done well in the Championship because it’s probably put a little devil off his shoulder by saying that he can do it, and that will hopefully give him more confidence to play.”

And after Wickham’s recall, he’s certainly proving his worth, but still, he needs support. He needs a team around him providing the service. Give him that, and we could definitely make the most of a striker once rated among the top young English prospects.

Mikael Mandron//

Age// 19 Position// striker Loan Club// fleetwood

Place him into the ‘Pickford category’ as Mikael Mandron has also earned himself a place on the first team bench on occasions.

The gangly striker is yet to make an impact on the full squad, though he has successfully

was, how physical it was, so then it’s down to you as a player to work harder at some bits.

“As for Mika, he’s gone there and done really well in some games, in others I’ve thought that he does look like a young boy again.

“He’s only 19 so you don’t want him to run before he can proverbially walk.

“We expect too much in this world at times and some people say if they’re not ready at 19 they’re not good enough. That’s a load of rubbish.”

Hopefully Fleetwood can be used as a practice to another loan as the striker targets success.

scratched the surface, something that has been a rareity for young Sunderland players.

Ball is realistic about his chances, but isn’t giving up.

“Mikael came to us as a 16yr old, so he’s in his third year with us now. He went to Fleetwood earlier in the season, their manager was desperate for him to go there, but obviously we knew he’d be in and out of the team.

'We didn’t expect him to go there and play every week. Something which he hasn’t done. It was a big transition for him from U21’s football to League Two. “Technically it is still good, physically it’s a lot harder, and

John egan//

To round off the loan watch, we have defender John Egan.

You may even have seen his goal for Southend replayed over and over on Sky Sports. If you haven’t,

I suggest you (briefly) put down this magazine, ‘YouTube it’ and enjoy... All done? I’ll carry on.

“It was a hell of a goal wasn’t it?

To be honest with you, when he scored it, I just thought ‘good on you’. I think him taking responsibility to be prepared to do THAT, one: it shows he’s technically efficient to be able to do it. And two: he’s confident enough to do it.

“The goal in itself in brilliant, but what was interesting was that he felt he should’ve done better for a goal against Scunthorpe and he felt he had to make amends.”

mentally preparing for games etc, but he’s enjoyed his time down there. We just felt now was the time to bring him back to play and train with us, let us have a look at him, and the manager to see how he’s got on.”

So given his good record for the reserves, how is it possible to bridge that gap between youth teams and the real deal?

“I don’t know to be honest.

Sometimes you need to be playing there to understand the level you’re at. Sometimes when you get there you find you can do this no problem, and might go a step above it. Sometimes you might not realise how quick it

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Irishman. He broke his leg while on loan at Bradford, and was subsequently sidelined for around a year.

“The injury he had was obviously a bad one, but his attitude to recover was always first class.

“He came back, had a little spell with us and after a year out, you’re not going to come back flying straight away. It took him a little time of transition, then he did really well, but got another little ankle injury which knocked him back again. He came back from that.

Age// 21 Position// centre back Loan Club// southend “We knew when John was ready and he took the opportunity to go back out on loan and he’s done very, very well. I’ve spoke to their manager two or three times. I also talk to John. He’s the sort of player where if something happens in a game, you’d ring to talk about it. He had one game and I thought he was outstanding, but there were a couple of little bits I wanted to talk to him about.

John is a very mature individual and deals with things very well.”

Some very encouraging noises coming from the AoL...

redflag.co.uk //43

the Man in

Black

// this is your chance to see the beautiful game through the eyes of the man in black (or sometimes luminous yellow). A wearside-born referee talks about the most thankless position in football and his safc roots.// Referees. Their job is to rule over a game of football. As fans, it’s normally our duty to complain about every single decision the referee makes, even when the call is blatantly correct.

You hear it at every game. The bloke in the stands who insists the referee has been offered X amount of money to give away a harmless throw-in, despite the ball cannoning off a Red and White shin.

But what people may not realise is that behind the Man In Black’s outfit, there is a human being.

Staggering, I know.

Geoff Eltringham is a Level 1 Championship referee eager to secure a place in Premier League.

The 34-year-old, from New Silksworth, has spoke to Red Flag about his career and giving up the footballing love of his life to progress through the refereeing ranks...though not entirely...

MP// Is refereeing something you’ve always wanted to do?

GE// I wasn’t born with the desire to become a referee. I ended up being thrown in at the deep end refereeing a school match, something I didn’t have any desire to do, but it led on from there, and I caught the bug for it.

One thing led to another and I went for the refereeing course.

44// @redflag

MP// Could you tell us more about your first experience of being a referee?

GE// After school, the referee didn’t turn up. We didn’t have a referee. I was on the substitute bench and I said “Go on, I’ll referee it.” I realised I wasn’t going to make it as far as I wanted playing football, so refereeing would be a good opportunity to keep involved with football as much as I could.

So I went down the refereeing route and it really paid off.

MP// You’ve came a long way since then, but what was the pathway to where you are now?

GE// The first couple of years being a referee were difficult.

There were many a time when I felt like throwing the kitbag in the corner and packing it in.

“I started off in the Russell Forster League youth football, and the problems there more come from the sideline rather than the players” But I progressed from there to the Hetton Youth League. Then

the Wearside League. Then the Northern League. Then the Unibond Leagues. And then into the conference, and up to the Football League. It’s been a steady rise up but the hard work is paying off and I’m getting to where I want to be now.

MP// What is the highest level of football you’ve been involved in?

GE// I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with international tournaments. Under 21’s, yes, but I’ve travelled the world doing games so that’s the highlight of any referee’s career. I did IsraelTurkey u21’s in qualifiers a couple of years ago. As for domestic level, Championship football.

There’s been a lot of high-profile games I’ve been privileged to be involved with this year, including Leeds-Derby, and I’ve been in a few games with Leicester City too, so there’s been a good standard of games.

MP// Does your career and the travelling involved have much of an impact on your home-life?

GE// Yeah it does. At this moment in time, being involved with the Football League, I still have to have another job. I work as a sales rep as well as a football referee. I just recently had a small child as well. He’s three months old, and that has an impact

because the majority of time on Friday nights I’m travelling to a game and won’t get back until the early hours of Sunday morning, so that virtually rules out a weekend. The more time you spend with your family, it’s more precious because you’re away so much. You have to have an understanding family. And you have to have an understanding boss at work. If you don’t have that, you will struggle. Premier League referees are professional, I’d love to see that filter down to the Football League system because at the end of the day, we’re football referees and we’re still working with professional referees and players on a weekly basis.

MP// How supportive is your family? And your boss?

GE// Fully supportive. Work’s great. It’s good to have a boss who knows and understands football so if I did need an extra bit time off during the week, he’s supportive with that. And there’s my fiancée Emma. She’s a football fan herself which certainly helps!

We never switch off from it. If I’m not at a game I’ll be in the house on a Tuesday or Wednesday night and Sky Sports will be on.

MP// You had an attachment to SAFC before refereeing. Could

you tell us a bit more about that?

GE// I had a Sunderland season ticket for four or five seasons during the Peter Reid ‘glory years’ when we were seventh in the Premier League twice. I used to travel home and away, but then I made a decision: “Do I want to take refereeing further?”

And it was hard at the time. I do still go and watch Sunderland, I make no secret of that. I’m still a Sunderland fan. I can’t referee any of their games, which is only right, or Newcastle, but I try to watch Sunderland as much as I can when I’ve got a free gap.

MP// So referees can follow a club of their choice from a distance?

GE// You can’t cut all of your ties.

We’re all professional people, so yes there’s going to be clubs that we follow, but the job in hand is to be as professional as we can about it. But yes, I’ll always follow Sunderland.

MP// That being said, what do you make of SAFC’s season?

GE// More downs than ups. They just never seemed to get going really. I thought the cup run was a great distraction actually. Our league form went hand-in-hand with that cup form at the time, but I think the turning point was the FA Cup run. Once we were out of the quarter finals, when a

lot of people fancied us against Hull, it started to spiral from then. It knocked the stuffing out of us really. From a supporter’s position, it’s been a really disappointing season... so far...

MP// Can you enjoy games or are you purely focused on getting each decision correct?

GE// If I’ve got friends with me, or if I’ve got people at the same game I’ve been refereeing, I’ll come off and they’ll say: “Fantastic game of football, that” but you don’t get caught up in that at the time. Don’t get me wrong you can notice a great goal scored by a player or notice a great bit of skill, but you don’t get caught up in the game side of things, because it’s all about concentrating and making sure decisions are right and doing your job right rather than on how the game is.

MP// What is the toughest aspect to being a top referee?

GE// At this level, it’s the concentration factor because you can’t dwell on one decision, you’ve got to move onto the next one. If you dwell on one, mistakes will happen. Got to keep focused.

MP// How do you deal with the abuse that comes with wearing the uniform?

GE// On the fans side of it, you don’t hear a great deal of it. Just a mass noise. Normally if you’re refereeing in front of 15-20,000 you just hear a noise. It becomes more personal when there’s maybe only 1000 people in the crowd.

“You get to hear all the one-liners and the insults, but you take that with a pinch of salt. I’ve sat there in the terraces as well and I would’ve probably shouted at myself in matches! “ With managers, they tend to be more ‘heat of the moment’. There’s a rule where if a manager’s got a grievance with a decision during the match, they’ve got to give themselves a 30 minute coolingdown period before they come in to see us and ask questions, whereas straight after the game, managers are quite heated and some can throw a few insults, but after a break, they can regain their composure and ask away.

Normally managers are fine. And players are players, they’ll react

spur of the moment and vent their frustration.

MP// In today’s game, players and tactics are designed to be quick.

How do referees deal with that?

GE// Referees tend to do more running than a player over 90 minutes. We do four fitness tests a season, including the bleep test, and we have to download our training data to a sports scientist every week so they can monitor what we’re doing and what we should be doing. There are also guidelines to body fat, and BMI’s we have to keep down to a certain level so we do get checked regularly. I’d say now, referees are as fit as they ever have been, and they need to be because the game’s getting quicker, the players are getting fitter and we need to keep up with that.

MP// Are there any particular players or managers that would make their feelings known towards you?

GE// There are certainly players a lot more passionate than others.

They’ll make their feelings a lot more evident than others as well. In the past it was the likes of Robbie Savage. He’s a very intelligent fella, but he had a certain way of putting questions towards referees. Likewise >>

redflag.co.uk //45

managers. There are the Neil Warnocks of this world who come across quite fiery, but once you’ve got to know him and hear what he has to say, you’ve got to have a great deal of respect for people like that. The likes of [Roberto] Martinez keeps calm, doesn’t let his emotions show much. All managers have got different ways of doing things.

for other forms of refereeing? I’m not certain about that. I really do think football is a game of opinions. Yes, if the ball is over the line, that’s factual, but do we really want to be stop-starting for penalty decisions or offside decisions. I’m not convinced on that, but I certainly think goalline technology has helped us officials and the game.

MP// Have you got any entertaining stories for us?

GE// It wasn’t entertaining for myself but last season I was involved in a playoff game, Swindon Town v Brentford, and I was thrown flying across the field by one of the players. He said it was accidental, but TV footage may have showed different. It made it onto Soccer AM and they told me to get on the weights!

MP// As an alternative to goal-line technology, additional referees have been put on the line in European games...but what do they actually do?

GE// FIFA didn’t really want to go down the goal-line technology route so they’ve opted for the additional officials and the feedback we get is that is does actually work well. What you don’t really see is that the person behind the goal is making decisions over a headset linked to the main referee, so all he will offer behind the goal is assistance.

He might say ‘there’s a foul there’ but it’s ultimately down to the referee as to whether he gives the decision or not. All the goal-line ref is doing is feeding the referee information. He serves as an extra pair of eyes, from different angles, different perspectives. So it can help.

MP// What do you make of the Premier League introduction of goal-line technology? Is it necessary?

GE// Yeah, I think it is. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a few Premier League games this season as Fourth Official, so I’ve been involved with the technology. It’s a great piece of equipment, a great tool and it’s 99.9999% recurring accurate.

That can only aid referees and help to game in general. Do we want to move onto technology

46// @redflag

MP// In your opinion, who are some of England’s top officials?

GE// I think we’re blessed, I really do. There’s some great English and British officials, not just Howard Webb. There are the likes of Mark Clattenburg, and Michael Oliver who is a young lad from the North East. He’s doing fantastic and I really do think he’ll go on to be involved in World Cups and European Championships. But it’s not just that, a lot of people don’t take as much notice of the assistant referees. I think the British assistants are the best in the world.

Darren Cann, Mike Malarkey are top class officials who are really on top of the game, so I think that bodes well for the Premier League.

MP// And finally, going back to your career, where do you see yourself in the future and what is the next step for you?

GE// Next step is Premier

League. I’m involved in the development squad of referees so there are opportunities for me to get to the next level. I know what I’ve got to do and that’s down to hard work, commitment, persistence. I need to be turning out performances on a consistent basis and hopefully the door will open for the Premier League.

After that, that’s another chapter, but the next focus is the Premier League. That’s my main aim and my ultimate aim.

MICHAEL POTTS//

GEOFF ELTRINGHAM// this season// 28 games 89 yellow 6 reds

feature //

beat the boss// // many fans think they know best. go on then. Prove it. Beat the boss // Football Manager. It’s a profession, not a game. How many hours, days, years have you spent huddled around the dim glow of a monitor as Cherno Samba and Henri Saivet run riot in the Champions League with Grimsby Town? Too many.

The flashing box at the bottom of the screen, flicking through at lightspeed, declares your destiny. Whether it be Senegalese hotshot Khouma Babacar bagging his 40th Premier League goal of the season, or Abel Hernandez sending ‘the crowd into raptures’ with a last minute piledriver.

People may rightly point out that ‘it’s just words on a screen’ and ‘it’s not real,’ but when you’re on the verge of becoming a treble winning Premier League manager with Stockport County in the year 2031, it’s more than just mere words.

So much so, that when game users go to matches, all they see are 2D dots gliding around the turf, as they ‘Passionately’ tell the players to ‘Show me

48// @redflag

something different.’

The lines between reality and the virtual world are becoming blurred, so we came up with an experiment. Poyet v Me. Or you, for that matter.

I’ve been playing the season through, in time with real-life.

Can I beat the boss?

It’s approaching crunch time in real-life, with Connor Wickham stealing the April headlines and he seeks to single-handedly claw Sunderland out of danger.

Meanwhile in the virtual world, things are lot different.

It’s been a subdued season on Wearside, which already calls into question the realistic nature of the game.

March saw a 1-1 draw with ‘Arry Redknapp’s Newcastle at St. James’ Park, Luuk De Jong bagging a last-ditch equaliser.

It resulted in a slight dip in the table, and almost cost me my laptop. A quick flight to the pavement via my window looked to be on the cards.

From then, it’s been relatively plain sailing in my attempt to keep Sunderland afloat. Here’s the story >>

the safc roundup// Poyet positions:

end of each month

Potts Positions:

1314131815131313

192019192017181917

19

The month kicked off with news that Emanuele Giaccherini had been ruled out for the season.

His absence gave summer signing Ashkan Dejagah a chance. The ex-Fulham man has ran further per 90 minutes (avg.) than any other player in the league.

7.79 miles. Meep meep.

Sad news broke from Italy as Cabral managed a double sports hernia, while on loan at Genoa. The Swiss international looks set for a bright future on Wearside.

The first two games of the month saw Jose’s Chelsea

and Jurgen Klopp’s Manchester City tear SAFC apart. 3-1 each time. City left back Davide Santon somehow managed to break Wes Brown’s jaw too.

However, the finances saw a brief boost, with Turkish ‘giants’ Antalyaspor paypalling £200k across as part of the Anton Ferdinand deal (I don’t get it either, but hey, free money!)

And with that, Potts’ Black Cats marched to Norwich on the back of a mini-slump.

Expectations were low, but after a freak stunning performance, Brazi...I mean...Sunderland pass the Canaries off the park and take home three points with a 3-0 win.

safc player of the month// Name: john o’shea avg. rating: 7.12

Clean sheets: 2 goals: 1

One point from safety.

Jack Colback suffered a dire injury, but a swift new contract offer saw the fiery midfielder offer to take a £5k-per-week pay-cut to stay in Red and White. Nice guy.

But while Colback’s future had been tied up. Connor Wickham looked to be under increasing scrutiny, with SuperKev declaring the young striker unable to handle pressure. There were also calls for Jozy Altidore to be dropped from the US national team after an anonymous season.

The final game in April saw the visit of Swansea. Borrrrring.

Goalless for the most part, only for Michel Vorm to score past himself... gift wrapping the points for Sunderland. SAFE. Survival had been secured, and the morning after, Craig Gardner reported in sick with a mysterious ‘flu or illness’. His obvious celebrations had not

gone unnoticed, and was quickly shifted to the reserves. Free to leave. Goodbye, Craig.

And with the end of April fast approaching, it was a matter of playing the rest of our games with pride, aiming to score from a free-kick, something that hadn’t happened since Seb Larsson was shipped off to France.

But still, our survival mission was achieved, no stress, and we welcomed back Phil Bardsley after a season out injured.

One day later, the very same Phil Bardsley clattered Lee Cattermole. Out for the season. Bardsley has since been ‘Gardenered’. Goodbye, Phillip.

His absence may have helped Sunderland’s fair play campaign, which after 36 games, has seen the Black Cats pick up no red cards, and just 20 yellows.

May is approaching, with a half ‘dead’ squad. Not long to go.

chelsea // 3-1 loss (a) Chelsea cruised to a 3-1 win over Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

Willian opened the scoring before Frank Lampard dispatched a penalty. £30m-man Diego Costa bagged the third, before Nacho Scocco earned a consolation goal.

man city// 3-1 loss (h) Man City stormed to vic tory over Sunderland at the Sta dium of Light. James Milner sco red inside 60 seconds, before Micah Richards netted an own goal, a minute later. Aleksander Kolarov and Edin Dzeko sealed the win.

the premier league roundup// player of the month: 1st - C. Benteke - (avl) 2nd - Oscar - (Che) 3rd - R. Koren - (AVL)

y. player of the month: 1st - l. Shaw - (sou) 2nd - r. lukaku - (eve) 3rd - j. okore - (AVL)

Of course, it’s not just Sunderland involved in this virtual season. There’s plenty of storylines unfolding as the season rolls into the last lap.

At the top of the table, Manchester United legendto-be David Moyes has just sealed a domestic ‘treble’ (Premier League, League Cup, Community Shield). Robin Van Persie is leading the scoring charts for the league yet again, with 28 goals in 31 games. Soldado (20) and Van Wolfswinkel (18) trail RVP in the table... While ‘contract rebel’ Ryan Giggs has rejected United’s final contract offer.

Trailing behind in second place are Arsenal, fresh from a 3-0 thumping of Fulham.

The rich-man’s Zlatan (Nicklas Bendtner) slammed in a hattrick for the Gunners...

Jurgen Klopp’s Manchester City have underperformed this season, harmlessly finding themselves in third place.

But it’s Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea who have flopped this season. Flogging Demba Ba, before signing Diego Costa and Barcelona’s Pedro for

manager of the month: 1st - m. jol (avl) 2nd - j. klopp (mcy) 3rd - d. moyes (mun)

a combined £50m seemed likea good idea at the time, though the big signings have contributed just 15 goals in 40 games between them.

Mourinho handed a debut to teenage centre-back Ruben Loftus-Cheek in their crucial 4th v 5th game against Villa, though the underdogs ran riot, winning 4-1 as Libor Kozak put Cheek to the sword.

Things are looking up for Son of Poyet, Diego, following his move from Charlton to Atletico Madrid. He made his long-awaited debut in La Liga this month. (I wonder where his Dad went?)

And with the World Cup just around the corner, Roy Hodgson is rumoured to have dropped Joe Hart in favour of Fraser Forster, Jason Steele and Alex McCarthy.

Hodgson also seems insistent on partnering Jordan Henderson with Phil ‘that face’ Jones in midfield. Micah Richards and Chris Smalling look set to start at the back.

England get underway in Group A against hosts Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Mexico.

norwich // 3-0 win (a) Sunderland produced a stunning away victory over Norwich at Carrow Road to get their season back on track. Adam Johnson, Steven Fletcher and John O’Shea all scored to put smiles back on Wearside faces.

swansea // 1-0 win (h) Sunderland stole all three points in a scrappy game agains t Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Bo th sides found chances hard to com e by, though the ball cannoned off Swans’ keeper Michel Vo rm from Steven Fletcher’s shot, to give the Black Cats the win.

next month//

Cardiff city (A) Stoke City (H) plus the (virtual) end of season review.

redflag.co.uk //49

// It seems like centuries ago. a fairytale. a huge distance away from the premier league dog-fight we’re slowly being suffocated by. but here is the story of... //

“The day I went to

wembley” By// Michael Potts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last couple of years, it’s how to make the most of any opportunities that have come my way. Spontaneity has landed me into some sublime and ridiculous places, events and situations. In 2013, spontaneous thinking saw me watch Barcelona in action at the Nou Camp. I camped overnight for tickets into Wimbledon, where we got to see Andy Murray play, before sweettalking a guard into letting us watch Roger Federer on Centre Court…for free… Last year also threw me across the Atlantic for a few months, further away from home than I ever have been, and initially all alone. It was a crazy idea, but it provided some of the best moments of my life so far.

Spontaneity gets you places. Fast forward to March 2014…

Sunderland AFC. My beloved football club had finally made it back to Wembley for a Cup Final. I was -1 year old when we last made it to a major final back in ’92. A long-shot tweet landed me with a ticket to Old Trafford to watch us silence the fallen Manchester United in the semifinal, then the hunt was on for an elusive ticket to our biggest game of the century. Our reward.

I had a season card for seven years, but after cancelling it for America, I missed out on a golden ticket for the final. I texted, called and tracked down anybody who knew anybody that might be able to put a ticket in my hand, but to no avail. I

50// @redflag

entered every competition you could possibly enter, and still no luck. After weeks of rumours, and painstaking trawling of Twitter/ messageboards for a seat at Wembley, time ran out.

Four of our group had managed to land tickets in unlikely circumstances, and were due to go to the game. And after a week of tout-research and contingency planning, myself and Johnny went for it too. Ticketless, we geared up and set off for London, with a scarf jammed in each of the two back windows, along with a rousing blast of Wise Men Say from the stereo. Scenes.

We stopped off in Doncaster, at Matty’s house, on the Saturday night. I sprawled out across the settee, my bed for the night, and watched as Twitter went into meltdown with pictures and videos from the Mackem invasion of Covent Gardens in London.

This made the impossible chore of sleeping, a tougher ordeal.

// It felt like Christmas Eve. I switched the light off at 10pm, and barely even blinked before 1am // The hour of awakeness the next morning was a complete blur. I remember a bacon and sausage sandwich, and I remember it was

good. Otherwise, it was spent running around brushing teeth, charging a phone and throwing on my brand new 1999/2000 retro SAFC shirt from the Quinn/ Phillips era. Before long, we hit the road.

Destination, Wembley.

Johnny, Matty and Frank went in one car, while I hopped in with David and Nathan, who had set off from Sunderland earlier that morning. The motorway was full of like-minded scarf-hangers, with a flurry of red and white swirling from cars all the way there, occasionally joined by a sky blue streak of Manchester City, until all of a sudden, THE Arch. The Wembley Arch. Seen from miles away, and we were headed towards it.

We soon pulled up in a school car park, kitted up and walked through a couple of housing estates, before gazing over the train lines to the spectacular sight of the national stadium.

Stunning. That was the moment my stomach flipped, and ticket budget raised. I had to get in.

Johnny and I left the other four to relax and soak up the atmosphere, while we scanned Wembley Way for touts. Now, I’m informed it’s illegal to sell, but legit to buy. For this reason, touts were very hard to come by.

We spoke to a few shifty looking characters who said they had no Sunderland end tickets, and if they did, they’d be going for around £500… each… That was the moment our bubble burst.

However, Johnny’s plan to give each tout his phone number worked a charm. His phone buzzed, and though the price was steep, it was lower than the initial shock quote. He went for it. Five of our group had secured tickets, but at this rate, I’d be off to the pub. Just me.

Time ticked away. A random drunk bloke claimed a guy ‘outside the cafe’ had five SAFC tickets up for grabs. We left Wembley Way and shot across a busy main road to ‘the cafe’ where we found another set of dodgy characters sitting outside.

One called his contact. He had a ticket. £350 was the price. “No.” The dream was over for now, but at least I’d get to watch my side in a cup final on TV. At least the others got a chance to be in the ground. I was genuinely delighted for each of them. I had accepted it, and headed for a pub.

1:35pm. 25 minutes before kick off. *BUZZZZ BUZZZZ* Johnny had left his phone with me. I answered. Through the interference, all I could make out was “Club Wembley…

Ticket… £250…” from one of the touts. PING. Without hesitation, I pulled off a textbook ‘Roadrunner’ leg-spin and sped off to find him. I didn’t know which tout he was, or whether that really was the price. But it was a chance. A fraction of a chance. A glimmer. My acceptance of watching in the pub evaporated. This had to be mine.

There he was, waving above the masses. The red and white sea parted as I darted through to meet the same tout who had supplied Johnny with his ticket, along with two young sidekicks. £250 was the price, as he whipped out a scraggy piece of A4 paper.

An email printout with a barcode and seat number addressed to ‘Jeff ’. That was it. £250 for an easily-copied email. My heart sank. They explained they’d walk me into the ground and it would all be fine. However, they were Cockneys. As a Northerner, I’m designed not to trust them.

(Brief note to future kids, future grandkids, and any future descendants. Hopefully the Earth is still spinning long after I’m dead and gone. And know this, I’d slap your head clean off your shoulders if you ever copy my next few moves.)

Reluctantly, and feeling quite sick by this point, I was led away towards the great arch by the two younger lads. That walk was enjoyed by almost 60,000 fans and 30,000 corporate prawn sandwich gobblers that day. I was the exception. I walked up knowing that this was my last chance to get in. And knowing that my desperation could very well turn out to cost me a massive amount of money if this didn’t work out. I took an extra precaution by getting some hilarious pictures with the touts in case I did get swindled, not that it would’ve helped at the time.

I got to the front door of Wembley. The main door.

Green carpet rolled out, and guards in ceremonial gear. Suits everywhere, as I was told to remove my replica shirt and

conceal it under my hoodie. And that’s when I was told to hand over the money. No guarantee of getting in, just a scrap of paper and the words of a guy who makes his money off essentially conning people out of money.

I handed over a pile of cash in return for the paper, and in we went. My head spun in the gleaming lobby. I scanned the ‘ticket’ at the pristine, chrome barrier. Nothing. My blood froze.

I tried again. Nothing. I tried another machine. Nothing.

The tout was a good few inches taller than me. And wider too.

Generally not the sort of bloke you want to mess with. Despite this I believe my next move was to square up to him.

// We faced-off toeto-toe as I explained that I would find and hunt him down if this didn’t work. Liam Neeson style // We got pulled to one side by a security guard who took the ‘ticket’ off me. The sick feeling was back. In a split second, I’d gone from ‘I’m getting into the cup final’ to ‘I’ve just paid a couple of weeks wages to walk into a fake ticket scam.’

Nightmare!!! What a joke. Why me? Why, out of everyone, me?

What had I done to deser… “Go right ahead, sir, thank you.”

What?

The guard merely had to key in a number from the ticket, before allowing me to pass through the barrier.

I turned to the tout who shook my hand, smiled, laughed, winked and said he’d meet me at half time for a drink in order to go along with his own made-up back-story of being a guy that I work with, sitting in another area.

Speechless. I could’ve kissed the guy. Then, have you ever

seen the original Willy Wonka film? Charlie getting the golden ticket and being told to run home without stopping? That was me.

I glided up the escalators and skimmed the ground as I darted past the suits and corporate nobodies, wearing a Butler Uni hoodie draped in a bright red and white scarf. I called Nathan. I called Matty.

Genuine celebrations from each side of the phone conversations.

I found my access block and was directed to my seat by a man who called me ‘sir’. I had a padded seat. Straight behind the goal. Pinpoint in the middle, in the middle tier. Best seat in the house. I WAS IN. I couldn’t stop laughing once I was there. I was in genuine shock.

It sounds ridiculous now, but I was properly shaking. I’d gone from pub-bound trudge to a topnotch seat for the biggest game of my Sunderland-supporting life.

Incredible. The national anthem blared, the red and white masses upped-gear into party mode and within no-time, the players were on the field. This was it.

And then we went and did the unthinkable. The unfathomable.

We scored. We actually scored.

FABIO BORINI slotted home after 10 minutes sending half the stadium into delirium. I was already in such a state of shock at being there, the opening period is a complete blur to me now, but I do remember the goal. Who could forget it. Un. Be. Lievable.

Limbs, bodies everywhere. Our corporate gaggle erupted, while we were flanked left and right by 31,000 lunatics in the allocated Sunderland end. Bedlam.

Was this going to be our year?

The whole team put their body on the line for the cause and stunningly led at half time. We were 45 minutes away from winning our first trophy in 41 years. Our wildest dreams suddenly didn’t seem so wild.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Man-mountain Yaya Toure swung in an outrageous effort in the second half, while Samir Nasri rifled City into the lead

just minutes later. That was the hammer-blow. We gave it our all, but ultimately we were undone by two moments of sheer brilliance that nobody could do anything about. Pure quality.

Jesus Navas broke away and sealed the victory at the death, but still, despite the cup slipping away from Sunderland hands, we sang. 32,000 Mackems drowned out the City celebrations.

Defiant in defeat. Proud til the very end. And even after the whistle blew, we stayed. There were no hard-feelings, no anger, just a round of applause for two sides that took each other, and the cup, seriously, and treated us all to an excellent game.

The streamers, blaring music, fireworks, and of course, the cup, gave us a taste of what might have been, but the truth was, we didn’t need a shiny bit of silverware to make the weekend an incredible one. Wembley Way was again flooded with red and white, with beaming smiles still etched onto people’s faces. It was obviously disappointing to leave empty-handed, but we’d exceeded expectations, had a great day out and matched one of the top teams in world football.

The frustrating part actually came on the walk back to the car, away from Wembley. We stayed for the trophy being lifted, but didn’t hang around for long, and yet despite winning the game, we watched as several car loads of City fans were already belted up and driving home, their faces looking grim. What was that all about?! If the result had gone the other way, I’d no doubt still be in the ground celebrating to this very day, or face down on Wembley Way after being prised away from my seat.

But anyway, it was a fantastic weekend. One I’ll never forget.

Mainly because of the game, but that blind risk in the name of optimism and madness has cemented its place among the greatest memories I’ve had. My ultimate ‘getting into places’ story.

One will never forget.

redflag.co.uk //51

// i wasn’t the only person to have an incredible trip to wembley. 31,000 other safc fans invaded the capital. here are your pictures from that crazy day... //

“the day you went to

wembley” @andrewfairlamb//

@agent_zigzag77//

@dan_macpherson//

@cartergadjee//

52// @redflag

@darrensafc11//

@angrypaul83//

@kiransavage//

@dodd7//

@dylannels03//

@kylemurg//

@gibbons23//

@gsunderland28//

@midd2009//

@hollyxmegan//

@jsummerside// redflag.co.uk //53

54// @redflag

The Rise and rise of jordan Henderson redflag.co.uk //55

2008 56// @redflag

2009

2010

pressure reduced, the side improved, Henderson settled, and the rewards have been reaped this year.

During Liverpool’s sensational title charge, the midfielder started the first 34 league games. The more astonishing fact, is that he completed every game bar two. Once subbed, once sent off (against City).

And that’s how things stand.

Henderson sidelined with an uncharacteristic sending-off.

And look at the results since.

A narrow, nervy 3-2 win over Norwich, and a stagnant 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, blowing the title race wide open.

This isn’t an article blaming Henderson for a last-minute Liverpool choke. Not at all. It merely highlights the difference when he plays, as opposed to when he doesn’t.

Seeing a boy who grew up literally five minutes around the corner from myself playing in a Liverpool shirt at Anfield is special enough.

But to see him celebrate potentially league-winning strikes with Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard is immensely satisfying.

I’ll never be the biggest fan of his new side, but for his sake, I wish them all the best as the run-in looms. They’ve got a special player on their hands. Hopefully he keeps on improving, keeps on proving the early-critics wrong, and enjoys a long career for club and country. Do us proud.

2011

2012

2013

widespread praise. PL Champions?

established, good form

first european goal

league cup champions

hard to adjust

liverpool. £20million

MICHAEL POTTS //

fifa hot prospect list

sunderland regular

coventry loan

Sunderland debut

Professional Contract

On track to greatness//

england debut. Too early?

The transfer was ideal for both clubs. Liverpool had got themselves a gem, while we had raked in a staggering sum of money. Our state-ofthe-art £10 million academy had produced a £20 million product. In business terms, that’s a very decent return.

Still, the money would affect everyone’s view of the midfielder. Neutrals expected greatness immediately. It wasn’t going to happen.

No, Henderson didn’t set the world alight in his first campaign on Merseyside, but nobody should’ve expected him to.

You’ve also got to filter in the prices paid for mediocre talent that year. £7 million for Charlie Adam. £5 million for Jose Enrique. £7 million for Seb Coates. And an astonishing £20 million splashed on Stewart Downing.

None of those players could be classed as youth prospects, bar Coates, though he hadn’t proved himself on the ‘talent’ side of being a footballer.

Henderson had a disappointing season playing in a disappointing team.

However, in came Brendan Rogers. The turning point. His predecessor Kenny Dalglish persisted with Henderson from the start. 31 Premier League starts, with six substitute appearances in his first season. Too much, too soon.

Whereas under Rogers, Henderson made 16 starts, and 14 substitute appearances in the 2012-13 campaign. The

SAFC y. Player of the year

The £20 million fee was laughed at. Mocked by a nation declaring Jack Wilshere as England’s top midfield talent. Liverpool fans were nervy, while Sunderland fans fought in Jordan Henderson’s corner.

People everywhere tore into the young midfielder’s price tag. Steep, yes. But worth it?

Absolutely. Liverpool weren’t buying a finished article. They were investing in a superstar.

Henderson’s couple of years in the Sunderland first team were solid. He didn’t score too many goals, nor did he grab headlines in the front or back pages of the tabloids, but that’s just not Jordan Henderson.

He was a slick cog in the machine. He’d give everything he had for the team he grew up supporting, and produced some fantastic performances in the process. Solid, assured, improving.

There were of course going to be times when the intensity of Premier League life would catch up to him. Name a young player who hasn’t had a bump in the road. The difference between Henderson and a lot of young players is that he wasn’t just a flash in the pan footballer. He’d always bounce back.

When Liverpool signed Henderson, his mental attributes were there already from such a young age. All they needed was to condition him in the right way in training, and bleed him into the team. Precisely what they’ve done.

2014

redflag.co.uk //57

what happened to //

Milton ‘tyson’

NUNEZ

// Michael potts searches for answers to the question on every safc fan’s mind: “Oh Nunez, Where art thou?” // FIFTEEN years have gone by since Peter Reid introduced us to the legend of Milton ‘Tyson’ Nunez. He may have made just one appearance, but the mystery around the South American has created a cult hero, still talked about over a decade later.

Signed in 2000 for £1.6million, Nunez was unveiled to thousands of supporters packing the SoL at half-time during a game.

He stood alongside his new teammates, each one towering over the new boy. Incredibly, nobody knows his true height. A few reports state 5”5’ while the majority claim he may have only been 4”10’. Officially, a dwarf.

After a long wait, the time eventually came to witness the striker in action. April 8th, 2000.

A Saturday afternoon Premier League game against Wimbledon.

Nunez came on from the bench to make his first appearance in Red and White. This is the part where I would love to tell you how well he played and how sharp he looked but honestly, I don’t think anybody would be able to remember. A distinctly underwhelming run out for Nunez surely wasn’t going to be the end of his Sunderland career?

Well, yes actually, it was.

The Honduran international managed 88 games for his country but lasted a mere 15 minutes in English football.

There are fabled reports that he even made an appearance from the bench in a glamour cup-tie v Luton, but there’s no research to suggest he ever left his seat in the dugout. Soon after, he packed his bags and headed home.

Then came the farcical news surrounding the signature of the ex-PAOK man. Legend tells us the club had signed Nunez thinking he was his strike-partner Adolfo Valencia. Another urban

58// @redflag

myth involves a mix-up of two scouting VHS tapes.

One popular theory is that SAFC thought they were signing Nunez from top flight Uruguayan side, Nacional Montevideo when in fact he had been playing for third division minnows, Uruguay Montevideo. A reported court settlement was agreed and the club claimed compensation after being mislead about the player’s details.

But again, every single article and record tells a different tale.

But what happened next?

What became of our Milton?

Well, he’s had an interesting career, turning out for 10 different clubs in 13 seasons since SAFC. Mexico, Nicaragua and Honduras have been regular territories for Nunez, while he also enjoyed a spell in the Guatemalan top flight.

Current whereabouts for the now 41 year old are encouraging.

Some reports claim he is still terrorising Guatemalan defenders, while another believes Nunez has signed for Indonesian Superleague team, Persela Lamongan, just last year.

What is for certain is that up until as recently as 2008, Nunez had been a star in the national side. As mentioned earlier, he has an impressive 88 caps under his belt, tallying up an equally remarkable 38 goals making him the third top goalscorer in Honduran history as well as their fourth most capped player.

Just think, if he’d managed to hang on for another two years we could have enjoyed him being

a part of the World Cup 2010 where he would have been faced with the task of breaching the Spanish backline of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol in the group

stages.

And so the legend rumbles on. A patchwork of stories sewn together to give us an idea of the life Milton has led. Who knows whether we’ll ever truly know what went on, but regardless, he will never be forgotten on Wearside for generations to come.

Remember the name, Milton ‘Tyson’ Nunez.

MICHAEL POTTS//

the ultimate Diminutive striker // If true, Nunez, standing at just 4”10’, would be the smallest footballer in Premier League history.

The smallest player to be officially recognised is ex-Villa full-back Alan Wright, a relative giant at 5”4’. The smallest current players are Aaron Lennon and Nathan Dyer (5”5’).

get your //

merch

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60// @redflag

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away day travel //

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call// 0191 234 5678 email// travel@redflag.co.uk visit// www.redflag.co.uk/travel redflag.co.uk //61

... and finally //

the FLOP xi

// celebrating sunderland’s worst eleven from the 21st century // Since the Phillips-Quinn era, Sunderland AFC has been a topsy-turvy club. Some top players have passed through the home dressing room, and homegrown stars nurtured.

However, the 21st Century has, so far, offered up more than its fair share of truly diabolical ‘footballers’ to ‘entertain’ the fans.

This Flop XI is designed with a special breed of awfulness in mind. It is dedicated to regular first-teamers who have bafflingly managed to take part in large swathes of seasons-gone-by. This means Messyrs Angeleri, Medina, Laslandes, and Nunez can each breathe a deep sigh of relief.

In goal, Kelvin Davis.

Stunningly, the 37-year-old has made over 250 appearances for Southampton, where he still resides on the bench.

The defence is made up of Swiss right back, Bernt Haas, Chris Makin’s replacement, that oversaw Sunderland’s plummet from 7th to 17th across two seasons. Steve Caldwell’s defensive efforts saw SAFC relegated with a record low point tally, though the defender is now plying his trade with Jermain Defoe at Toronto FC. When it comes to Ian Harte, I’ll give you £50 and a curly wurly if you find a slower footballer. A mythically lethal freekick reputation isn’t enough to cover up a lack of talent. (Isn’t that right, Mr Larsson?) And then we come to

// the Manager // howard wilkinson // Behind every horrifyingly poor team, there’s a clueless puppetmaster, pulling the strings of misery, and singlehandedly steering the ship into the abyss. Step up, Mr

Wilkinson. In his five month stint following the departure of Peter Reid, his record stood at four wins in 27 games [shakes head].

the Ginger Beast, Paul McShane.

There are no words.

Andy Welsh tried to fill a Julioooo-shaped hole...and failed miserably, while Jeff Whitley would give McShane a run for his money in the ‘psycho’ department. John Oster gets in thanks to dire performances, THAT penalty, and for ending a reserve team player’s career after accidentally shooting him in the eye with an air gun...

Finally we come to the strikers.

Bone-chilling. Truly horrendous.

Quinn-replacement Tore Andre Flo was SAFC’s record signing at £7m. He repaid that with 33 appearances, four goals, and just 11 completed games.

Jon Stead’s price tag of £1.8m bought 35 games, two goals, and an 11-month goal drought.

Meanwhile, not only did Benjani fail to score during his eight game loan spell in 2010, but I genuinely don’t know whether he even touched the ball.

There were also plenty of honourable mentions. Enough to create a whole new team.

Phil Babb, Greg Halford, Gary Breen, Antony Le Tallec, Andy Gray, Rade Prica, Michael Proctor and Daryl Murphy, while Andrea Dossena could make the list from the current crop.

But for now, we can look back with a wry smile at our recent past, safe in the knowledge that things can only get better... Surely?

thank you for reading// Your next RED FLAG arrives...

62// @redflag

...02//06//14