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We may have apocalyptic levels of fewm incoming: Suspect the Bilbao black cats will need to convene an emergency AGM, all three of them must be mightily upset.

I have something to tell you and I hope you don't ban me from the forum because it's something I discovered yesterday. Atlético de Madrid, in its beginnings, wore Blue and white because they used old Blackburn Rovers shirts. From 1903 to 1909 the team played like this. But in 1909, a gentleman went to England to buy new uniforms for Atleti and couldn't get them, so he decided to buy the Southampton uniforms. For this reason, since then, Atletico de Madrid has played in red and white. I found out yesterday that there is a new study and investigation that says that it may not actually be Southampton kits... but Sunderland kits.

They’ve even managed to make that about race

just as a footnote, I should just add that although I was very, very happy with my bird discovery, at no point would I have contemplated putting my willy in its beak.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/05/12/joe-willock-interview-newcastle-united-arsenal-eddie-howe/ Joe Willock: Moving from Arsenal turned me into a man Joe Willock: ‘I was homesick when I joined Newcastle – it hurt Arsenal did not value me’ Exclusive interview: Midfielder thriving in North East after realising he 'was not valued' at Arsenal and now has England ambitions When Joe Willock ends this interview saying he feels at home at Newcastle United, happy, and settled, playing the best football of his career, under a brilliant manager alongside teammates he has come to think of as family, it is a more powerful statement than you might realise. For the first time, Willock, whose excellent performances this season have pushed him to the periphery of the England squad, has revealed he suffered terribly with homesickness. Living on his own, in the middle of the Northumbrian countryside, he wondered if he had made an awful mistake. Pulled away from all his family and friends, as well as the comfortable and reassuring surroundings of Arsenal, Willock struggled after agreeing to turn a loan into a permanent move in the summer of 2021. “At the time, it was overwhelming,” Willock explained, his wide eyes dominating his boyish face. “Leaving London, leaving Arsenal and coming into the unknown really, it was hard but it was the right time. I’d never been this far north before, I’d never visited Newcastle. “To experience a totally different dressing room environment, under a different manager, playing with real pressure on your shoulders because we were in that relegation battle, it was the making of me. “I had been so protected at Arsenal. I was a young kid coming through the age groups, then a young player trying to break into the first team. Even when I played in the first team it was like, ‘oh he’s just a young kid.’ “There was nothing like the same pressure there. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but it wasn’t as competitive as playing for Newcastle. I came here and I was expected to be one of the main players to get us out of trouble.” Willock did just that, but he does not attempt to hide any of the personal problems he endured. The emotions are raw, yet he is proud of what he has achieved. Not so much as a player - although he is a far better one now than he was when he arrived - but what he went through away from the training ground. “I think I arrived a boy and have turned into a man,” he explained. “Maybe not so much in that short period of time on loan, but making the difficult decision to sign permanently. I look back now and I’ve definitely grown up a lot. I was so young and raw. “The loan went really well, but it probably masked a lot of things that I needed to learn, not just football, but about life in general. “My game has grown so much, but I have grown up too. I scored a load of goals in that loan spell and that grabbed headlines, but it masked a lot of my weaknesses.” For all Arsenal have also improved since he left, Willock has blossomed on Tyneside into a dynamic, all action midfield player. The memory of his departure, though, still stings. “I remember that summer going back to Arsenal and I didn’t know what to do,” he admitted. “I’d enjoyed the loan but to make it permanent was a big call. I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave Arsenal. “I probably thought I was going to go back and things would be the same. I’d be working to break into the first team again and everything would be familiar and comfortable. “When the talk of a permanent move started I wasn’t sure, you know. The fans probably made that decision easier but also Steve Bruce. He really fought to bring me here, he was great for me. “We had loads of conversations on the phone that summer. I wasn’t valued at Arsenal, that became clear. When I had a meeting with them, it was obvious they wanted me to go. Yeah, it hurt. “I would probably have drifted for another year had I stayed. I’d been there since I was four-and-a-half years old. I’d given my life to Arsenal. At that meeting it just felt like my time was up. I didn’t feel valued anymore and that was it, I was going to sign for Newcastle after that.” It was a big move, a daunting one, but after months struggling to adapt to his new life, the arrival of Eddie Howe as manager helped bring out the best in him. “Newcastle is my home now,” Willock enthused. “I love the place, the fans, the people, the city. But to be honest with you I was really homesick. It lasted the whole of that first season. I was so used to my London ways. I was close to my family and everything was the same. “Suddenly I was at the other end of the country, living on my own. It was difficult. I was miserable at times. “I would go home after training and it would kick in. The team was struggling at the start of the season. I didn’t think I was playing well. I didn’t have anyone to take my mind off things. I was alone for the first time and spent way too much time thinking about everything. “Coming through that period was the making of me. The manager (Howe) has been fantastic and he’s been one of the most important people, without a doubt, in terms of developing me as a player. But also as a human. “You can speak to him about anything. For him to be genuinely interested in you and everything going on, it’s brilliant. He’s done an amazing job. “He has created an environment for players like me, but also players like (Brazil international) Bruno who are from the other side of the world, to feel at home. We are like one big family here. Newcastle is an incredible place to play football.” Willock has been watched by England manager Southgate this season and earned the nickname Williockinho from supporters for his silky skills alongside Brazilian pair Bruno and Joelinton. But there is one thing - or rather lots of them - that he is missing. Having burst onto the scene at Newcastle with eight goals in 14 appearances on loan, including seven in consecutive appearances, Willock’s finishing is the only thing that has let him down. Since arriving for £25m in the summer of 2021, Willock has only managed five in 70 appearances. “My all round game has developed in so many ways, defensively and offensively,” he explained. “I think I’m far more involved in games than I was. I’m affecting them regularly. I understand my role a lot more, but there is still a long way to go. “Of course, I want to play for England. I’ve represented England through the age group levels so yeah I want to play for the senior side. I hope that I’m pushing to get in the squad now but we have to finish the season strongly - I have to finish the season strongly. “I know I need to score more goals, that’s the thing that hasn’t happened this season and it is annoying. I’ve been getting into the positions to score and not taking the chances. “Maybe I need to speak to Alan (Shearer) and get some advice. I’ve looked at my stats and if I’d taken those chances I would be up there with the leading midfield players in Europe. But I’ve not taken them. I know what Alan will say - hit the ball hard - but I think I’ve been hitting it too hard.” It says much about how comfortable Willock is in himself that he can say the last bit with a laugh, but Newcastle still have serious business to take care of. Sitting third in the table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, the Magpies realistically still need another six points from their remaining four games to guarantee a Champions League place. “This season has been a hell of a ride,” Willock added. “We’ve got to a cup final and we are third in the league, but you ask any of the players, we don’t feel like we have achieved anything yet. “We have come a long way from fighting relegation to third in the league, which is a credit to the whole club, from the owners, to the manager to the coaches. It’s down to everybody. “But we think this is the start of our journey. Things are going to get better and better. I’m so happy here, I love playing football for this club and I’m going to get better too. I can still take my game to another level.” And he will be doing that with Newcastle, happy and content. A London boy taken in by the Geordies, excelling in black and white stripes. He is well on the way to becoming one of their own. Great interview. Willock/Bruno/Longstaff UCL winning midfield.

Can you afford £10 a month? Can you give up the scratch cards for a couple of days? If so the MLFs of Sunderland would like you to donate to a truly worthy cause. Last week a heinous crime was committed when Sunderland played at Preston. A local cenotaph commemorating the war dead was desecrated by mindless graffiti lauding Sunderland and slandering their rivals Newcastle United. Whilst we have no proof at all, similarly to the Athletic Bilbao founding mackem myth, we have have it on no authority that the fans responsible were obviously Mags. Unfortunately in today's climate we have a magedia who occasionally require some sort of evidence to verify an accusation. That's where you, the greatest supporters in the world come in. For just £10 a month, or more if you can afford it, we, the MLFs of Sunderland can hire a private investigator to try and pin the blame on the Mags as it must be one of them that did it. A further £20 will provide the PI with a bribe to plant evidence. Please, for the sake of our well earned reputation of classiness, think about making a donation today. Thank you. FTM.

I’m glad we are bad for it tbh. For years we have been too easy to play against, going back as long as I can remember. One of my favourite things about this team is we are full of fuck and give it to everyone

It would be absolutely hilarious if it turned out the bilbao black cats were technically right all along but that they were thick enough to pick the wrong spanish club

I still had those shorts with the 'new' badge on from the following year and sold them for small fee really a few years ago, 32" as well I think. Still got the green away shorts which just about fit the waist but it's like wearing underpants. (I went running in them once much to the dismay of Mrs HMHM but to the thrill of the female population of Tyneside.....

Poor Graeme Jones will be in the crosshairs for completely nebulous reasons next as these flids try and project their jealousy some more

Looks like Hope was a big fan of Allardyce too.

I like that it hasn’t occurred to these divvies it’s all fully intentional, it’s not stealing the limelight from Howe it’s Tindall taking the brunt of any wind up attempts that come from the opposing dig out as well as winding them up himself while Howe focuses on the match.

I think I'd start Wilson, they'll be cloggers, let him take the sting out of that then unleash Isak when they're knackered.

We should play 9 defenders and lump it up to the lone big man up front. See how Gravyiola likes them apples.

Just seen Jack Harrison in Harrogate. Slick back haired CUNT

They could try not being a bunch of fucking scum bags for once and pack in doing shite like that. Classy lads fans marra.

They've started a gofundme if anyone wants to donate. Fourty quid so far, get a few bottles of fairy liquid, a bucket and some scourers with that I reckon. Seriously, what the fuck are you meant to do with donations like this? You can't just bung a council money like this.

would love to know who's getting my share....

@Monkeys Fist I won’t spoil your post with your lovely pics but just to say Eyemouth cunts are fishy smelling cunts. Fuckin hated them. Kicked me in the head once at the bottom of a ruck. Cunts.

How have the Bilbao Daft Twats responded to this? Have they told the official club account that they know more about their club than they do?

out walking the dog earlier and spotted what at first I thought was a buzzard fly from a tree with a large nest in. then from nearby I could hear a very distinctive and repeated distress call, which I knew didn't belong to a buzzard. googled a sparrowhawk's call, nowt like what I could hear. did a bit more research and found it! very pleased with meself, they're really rare.... it's a goshawk!

Lot of footage of people hitting the net in the training video the club has put out. Looks like this one could be about 17 nil to us.

Or looking after their wellbeing, etc. it’s fucking mental how much some clubs neglect that sort of thing when you consider how valuable players are as assets and how much it can impact on their play etc. It comes as absolutely no surprise given the previous manager / regime that Willock wasn’t supported though (reading between the lines)

There’s a boat trip from Eyemouth in a rib ( like the inshore lifeboats) that goes up the coast to St. Abbs. It’s a fantastic trip and the cliffs are stunning.

Joe Willock, Joelinton, ASM, Callum Wilson. That Steve Bruce fella really did have an eye for a good player* *As long as he's nowhere near the coaching of them.

FYP

You appear to be turning into a bit of a footballer stalker mind wiki

I loved that kit and the players wearing it weren't too bad either.

@strawb here you go. Do it anti-clockwise to save the best view for near the end. It’s way-marked so you don’t need to do much in the way of navigating. Definitely one for a clear day: https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/walk-simonside-hills-northumberland/

If he was 43 and from Italy he wouldn’t have a 20+ year career as a fair to middling journeyman manager. Just as well. If they had a young, promising manager showing potential they wouldn’t be able to hang onto him anyway.

Someone sent me a link to this, nothing we don't know or feel but still made me chuckle a bit.

Thought you’d be avoiding that sort of thing anyway tbh

I like the Cheviots a but unless you are just after shear solitude, I wouldn't suggest them over what you can get in the Lakes. It's easy to get lost and does feel very desolate. For me Nothumberland is all about the coast line and there you're absolutely spoilt for choice. Examples: Get yourelf stranded on Lindisfarne and walk to the NW beaches which will be deserted. Also the castle, Priory, Mead place, pubs et. Craster to Dunstanburgh castle and back again. Enjoy some kippers and crabs (can be a euphemism if you like) at the Jolly FIsherman. Just in Scotland by St Abbs to Coldingham bay. Bamburgh to Seahouses Alnmouth etc.

Back when shorts were short Agreed though. Absolutely loved the black / silver* Umbro club tracksuit I had back then too. *more of a grubby grey

I was up there yesterday, Elsdon, Thropton The western end of that valley is a beautiful spot.

Aye the pair have been working together for about 15 years and has moved with Howe to every job, but OH NO! James here reckons Howe must be desperate for Tindall to take a back seat and not do the thing he always does.

UM was right then

As I said on Twitter: