Well back from my holidays at last, takes time to travel in my condition...
So, what do we reckon so far? Mixed bag, mixed bag, what? Solid start, apart from the annual early exit from the FA Cup, good job we don't need the money. Great little result up at the Bay, followed immediately by bad result at home. But couple of old boys back in harness, and a couple of likely looking young boys as well. Will Shieldsy finally be able to put his feet up?
I think we might need a few young legs around the pitch this term, it certainly looks like a real tough league this year. Darlo and Spenny obviously, but West and Shildon look up for it, the Bay won't be far away, Bedlington and Ashington are tough, and even Bishops look like they might have a team to match the size of their fans mouths at last, unlikely as that may seem. But we will battle on I bet, and not many will look forward to their trip to the slope in Ryhope, although already it looks like we will be stronger away than at home like last season, how does that come about?
And that's without any mention of Celtic Nation, what is the story there then? Looks like a funny old business and no mistake, and of course a decent attempt on the daftest name in football title, but good luck to them of course, although I reckon there might be a few twists in this tale yet, I look forward with interest...
No doubt we have all spent the summer enthralled by the Olympics and Paralympics, some real good efforts there by our nowadays professional athletes, properly prepared and able to give their best, but it does sometimes make you a little nostalgic for the good old days when our lads worked full time down the pit, trained on mince pies and bitter and then went out to come a gallant third to some monsters from East Germany, running with the full benefit of scientific methods, not to mention the contents of a few dozen syringes carefully applied when no one was looking. Still all good sport, and we could at least laugh at their cars; always wanted one of those Trabants, mind.
Anyway regular service now resumed from your correspondent over the fence, always happy to keep you up to date with what's really going on, watch this space.