I did an interview with Stuart Baxter this week, and it was gratifying to hear him talk so much about stadia and facilities. This guy really understands what he has to do, and is in it for the long term. It was rather amusing that we spoke for 40 minutes and didn't mention any of [...] Click to continue reading...

Sunderland AFC are enlarging their dressing rooms at the Stadium of Light. No, unfortunately, this isn't a move to accomodate the massive egos of a brace of Brazilian superstar signings.

From next season, a change to league rules will mean seven substitutes can sit on the bench - although clubs will still be restricted to using only three in a game.

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Rating: 3 (possible)

According to this article at Tribal Football, both clubs are interested in the young Toronto FC midfielder. Click to continue reading...

Rating: 3 (Good)

Some observations about off season player movement in MLS:

• Real Salt Lake likes Argentina..
• DC United scouts South American players playing wherever they are.
• New England scouts Central America but mostly Wake Forest and other US Colleges for players.

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Rating: 3 (Possible)

We knew that it was only a matter of time before another player in the UK was linked to Toronto.

This time it is 22 year old left-winger, Ross Wallace who currently plays his football for English Premier League side Sunderland.

According to this report Toronto FC would hope to have him for the start of the season. Click to continue reading...

Kenwyne in the wrong R&W stripes Picture: Darren Sumner Salut! Sunderland is in turmoil. After all I said at the Blackcats forum about us being desperately unlucky at West Ham, Pete Sixsmith weighs in with a completely different view Disappointed...yes.... Click to continue reading...

If this picture* - no prizes for guessing when it was taken - captured our only moment of joy at West Ham, there would be no reason NOT to despair. Losing 3-1 to a very average team at this stage... Click to continue reading...

Oct 21, 2007 West Ham 3 SAFC 1 They were there for the taking. Frustrating Oct 7, 2007 Arsenal 3 SAFC 2 Some pride restored after disastrous first 20 Sept 29, 2007 SAFC 1 Blackburn Rovers 2 Proof that Championship... Click to continue reading...

Michael Chopra - overdue a goal Picture: Peadar O'Sullivan Maybe it's just that I've seen us play them so often. But games against West Ham always bring a stream of memories to mind. One match at Upton Park that I... Click to continue reading...

World Cup glory, Durham style So what do you do on a blank Saturday? Pete Sixsmith reminisced about boyhood and "real Rugby", then soaked up the spirit of the FA Cup. Another week off for international games and another week... Click to continue reading...

Ha'way the Lasses Picture: BCLFC photographer Jaskirt Dhaliwal .....while proper football - except for the great SAFC v Mags scoreline you'll see if you read on - takes a break. No, I know it isn't really a football-free weekend. And... Click to continue reading...

Not for the first time, Pete Sixsmith's seven-word summary captures the reality of the game he has just witnessed: in today's case, a valiant 3-2 defeat at the Emirates. The measure of how much better we are than the last... Click to continue reading...