From our man in the queue for a hot dog at the Leazes end, proud to be a part of the highest Inter3bob match attendance of all time (although - as Softie points out - time hasn't finished yet - so watch this space).

Our clique made it's way secretly by a variety of pre-determined routes to meet at The Strawberry - (as Sun-Tzu tells us - the element of surprise is all important), taking great care to avoid detection by other BBS cliques, infiltrators and fifth columnists. Here it was standing room only as numbers were swelled by a large contingent of the Dr Bill family. Dr Bill was taking no chances with the possibility of an Intertoto attendance record at stake and had dragged along (kicking and screaming) Mrs Dr Bill, 2 daughters and a boyfriend (of one of the daughters not Dr Bill), to be part this historic day.

(The aforementioned boyfriend is a Scot, an Aberdeen fan, and astounded that we let Glass go - me too.)

The names of the remainder of the clique can now be exclusively revealed and they were Softie, Pit Bill and Dougal. Apologies for absence were not received from Steph who had failed to cancel the remainder of her holiday to take part in this historic day. Pit Bill confided in me that he has sinned, and has booked a holiday himself to coincide with the first 3 matches of the season which he shall now miss. The matter is now before the BBS Thought Police and doubtless, a harsh penalty will be exacted.

Numbers were also swelled by a contingent of Lokeren fans who were in good voice and sang "We hate Sunderland" with considerable gusto. It wasn't clear to me what Sunderland had ever done to them, (Sunderland, of course, have never done anything to any continental European team) but it endeared them to the locals nonetheless!

The match, you will probably have gathered, was very low key. I suppose it's hard to work yourself up for a game which is already over. My main concern for most of the game was the lack of creativity especially in the final third of the pitch. There were a few flashes from Shola and Bellamy which suggested that they might be able to open up defences if their lives depended on it but certainly they played as if their lives were not under any immediate threat. Nice to see Bellamy on the scoresheet in his home debut. Nobby had a quiet game but was busy, taking virtually every free kick and corner we had. Newcastle were much the stronger team and the Toon goal was barely threatened throughout with Shay called on to make a single save in the last minute, but the pressure at the other end was not excessive and we will need to work much harder in the Premier. Barton played well and was his usual tireless self, always making himself available and his distribution was better than normal save for one bad error which might have cost a goal against tougher opposition. The main plusses for me were Lua*2 and Bernard making his debut. Lua*2, makes things happen and can open up defences. I'm pretty sure he will succeed - he has enormous raw talent and experience will improve his team contribution. Bernard is very fast and looks as though he may have some ability to take players on and cross from the left. He wasn't on long enough to make any firm judgement but the promise is there. It was good to see Elliot back - he was competent, as were Hughes and Dabizas - the defence never appeared under any real threat. Speed and Bassedas I'm afraid I barely noticed (might be my fault) although I understand that Bassedas got the cross in for the goal - I had thought it was Elliot. Quinn too, was barely noticed but did get in a cracking shot in the first half which went close from distance. "The Mighty Quinn" (another Dylan song) would have had to have been wheeled out again, but it was not to be. All in all the game was nothing to write home about, although I just have.

After a further session at an undisclosed pub next door to the ground, We went home, heads held high, each and every one of us knowing that we had been there, something we could tell our grandchildren, we had been part of the largest gathering of humanity at an Inter Toto match in the entire history of the Universe.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

Answers

Great and very accurate stuff, Jonno. I have to agree that the Lokeren fans were the dog's danglies and their rendition of "We're shit and we're proud of it" will live long in the memory.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

Did all teh pubs have late licences?

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

Bernard looked very promising. I also think that Quinn and Barton had a good game. Bassedas and Speed was far from impressive in the midfield while Ameobi an Bellamy had a good game.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

I forgot to mention that while we were at the pub next to the ground which I cannot name for cliquey security reasons, I had an opportunity to speak to Crystal, one half of "The Belgian Lasses" duo. They attend every home match and were at Lokeren last week. She told me that The Prince was not at the game last night, but that he would be here for Rob Lee's testimonial.

Attractive young woman - old man - no chance you're thinking. Yes it worried me too but I was able to explain Pitiful Bill's presence as an old person I had taken it upon myself to help. She was most impressed with that.

I'll take Screacher next time and finish the job off .... :-D

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2001

Hard to take solace from that game, I suppose I wanted to see a decent performance for the comfort that we wouldn't struggle this season.

Plus points, watched the match from the Sports Bar (Leazes) and was impressed by their range of "proper" drinks, I took my better half to see the game and although she managed to stay awake I thought she deserved an extended break at half time so I got myself two drinks - the twots switched the telly off & hoyed us out. Only other thing of note was Bernard, I never saw him come on but he livened things up a bit.

Plenty of drunks about after the game but well natured, surprisingly.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Yup they always do that in the sports bar....they'll even serve you a drink just as the second half is about to begin and then tell you to drink up.....as I found out at the leicester game :))

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Ooops Gav ! I must have been spotted ;-) "plenty of drunks about after the game"

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Well glad anyone could find anything positive in that performance but agree with you Jonno about Lua Lua. Thought he was great but this was against tiring sub standard opposition but give Lua Lua more chances and play him wide and I think he will come good.

As for Barton he was laughable as usual. You say

Barton played well and was his usual tireless self, always making himself available and his distribution was better than normal save for one bad error which might have cost a goal against tougher opposition

I thought he was terrible, his distribution was appaling as usual culminating in the worst cross of the game, there were many bad crosses, which floated harmlessly over the goal with no NUFC player within 30 yards.

As for the one bad error, he was under no pressure from a demoralised second rate belgian team and sells his whole defence with a mindlessly arrogant pass. First rule of Football don't give the ball away in dangerous positions and he manages it.

He may work hard, he may clap the fans, he may work well off the ball but he is simply not good enough. Never has been never will be. If you can name me one telling pass that he made or one significant contribution he made to the team I would love to hear it.

Griffin on the bench and YBR plays Barton. A damining indictment.

As for the performance, I saw nothing to make me believe even with AS and KD back that we will be any higher than 13th again

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

I doubt it Kats you were in the cab before anyone could've seen you... :))

You provided excellent entertainment....so much so that most of the people around you missed the goal!! :)) I saw at least 10 people mumbling about a nil nil draw as they left ;))

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Yeah well I was in a rush to get back to Sunderland ;-)

nil - nil draw you mean some people missed Bellamy's goal ? that's shocking !

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Ya a right piss head you are! :o) n/t

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Jay - welcome back , I think ;-) It's all lies you know I hardly touch a drop

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Yup apparently some people missed the goal....and they were all sitting around you at the time....allegedly ;)

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

No mate you don't do drops, just whole bottles! Remember Coventry? On seconds thoughts you probably can't! :o)

I hate having to drive to matches :o(

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

To be fair it was easy to be distracted from the game.........I think

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Jay, I remember Coventry totally we went top of the league and it wasn't my fault the landlady of the pub you dragged me into took a shine to me ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Ahhhh label free red plonk.....I am sure 2000 was a very good vintage! Just remember its your turn to drive this season! :o)

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001