Roker Rapport Podcast

We picked up exactly where we left off on his last appearance on the Pod, as our former SAFC Captain George joined us to talk about what's occurred since last we spoke, the love he has and always will have for the club that raised him, those run ins at the end of last season, the strength of Grant Leadbitter following his performance down Portsmouth, the insanity of the Luke O'Nien fan incident, his honest opinion on the dismissal of former manager Jack Ross, and his thoughts on having to leave the only club he ever really wanted to play for...

Breaking from tradition, we'd like to up George's rating to a solid 10.

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Following up his recent appearance on the Wise Men Say podcast surrounding the current situation at the club, University of Liverpool's Football Industries MBA lecturer, financial expert, author of The Price of Football, and host of the Price of Football podcast - Kieran Maguire joined our Rich for a quick chat about the position SAFC find themselves in.

What are we talking about?

• Money; Recent leaks suggest a large hole in the club accounts, so what does this mean exactly?

• Kieran's opinion on the current climate and state of the market when it comes to buying and selling clubs in 2020;

• If he was asked to advise Madrox Partners on what they should be doing right now regarding Sunderland, what would his advice be?

• Is fan ownership a viable option for the fans of a club like ours; Kieran gives a brief rundown on the fortunes of other clubs who are currently, or were up until recently, fan owned.

• Should Stewart Donald be prioritising profit over what is in the best interests of the club regarding it's possible sale?

• Kieran's thoughts on financial rules and regulations in the leagues and how that is affected by the governing bodies of the sport as opposed to the rule of English law, if at all.

All this and more!

Stay home. Save lives. Protect the NHS.

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Sorry to keep you all waiting.

Our Chris Wynn caught up with a man who brought joy back to the lives of so many Sunderland supporters over 30 years ago, when he arrived on Wearside to deal with the last time the club fell through the divisions - One of the finest managers of our lifetime following the lads - Mr Denis Smith!

What are we talking about?

Absolutely everything Chris could think to ask, from Denis' beginnings as a player and his career at Stoke, his arrival on the managerial scene years later to meet up with some other Sunderland greats at York, to his time at Sunderland and the rollercoaster ride he took us all on.. As well as his regrets, the players he loved, his thoughts on Sunderland's current situation, a brief on his 1,195* competitive matches as a manager in the football leagues, what he's up to now and of course whether we can convince his lovely wife to let him get back to the job he loved...

A wonderful interview with a quite brilliant man. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. Haway the Lads!

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Gav had the chance to chat with former Sunderland winger, a member of a Swedish football family dynasty and an IFK Göteborg legend - Toby Hysén - about his time on wearside in that promotion season under Roy Keane, his career and passion for football to this day.

What are we talking about?

• What's Tobias been up to since the lighter form of lockdown in Sweden took place?

• His arrival at Sunderland in 2006 under Sunderland Legend Niall Quinn, who was trying to famously juggle a few jobs at once around the club;

• The subsequent arrival of Keano, and the huge flow of new signings into that squad as Roy attempted something of a miracle; Why does Tobias think he's not had as good a run in management since?

• His favourite memories of the squad and the season; Who really stood out and why? Who was the leader in the dressing room and how did the added competition impact his ability to get a good playing rhythm?

• Team bonding sessions abroad, Roy helping him celebrate his 25th birthday (aye...) trips to Seaham and all the twists and turns of that season, as well as considering just how impressive that promotion run was;

• The best players he's played alongside, a more human side to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the defensive skills of Jonny Evans, the leadership qualities of Yorke, Tobias' unreal passion for the game - in particular English football - as well as his beloved boyhood and family club in Sweden and the reason he had to leave England when he did;

• His thoughts on the lack of consistency at the club in the years since he left, the need for a singular direction and mindset and his message to the fans who he feels may have expected more from him, as well as some thoughts on why all the NE clubs should be playing together in the same league;

Back in 2006 a teenage Gav made the decision to get new Swedish star Hysén's name across the back of his shirt, little did he know that would serve him well in years to come... A great chat with a ridiculously pragmatic, astute and dedicated footballer and most importantly a true footballing fan with a more than evident love for the beautiful game. Listen In!

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Our Bomber got the chance to chat with the absolute class act that is Mr Bolo Zenden, to have a quick recap of his glittering career in football, from De Herdgang to the Bernabéu, from Anfield to the Stadium of Light and everywhere in between. You can listen for FREE on Acast, iTunes, Spotify, & YouTube - get stuck in!

What are we talking about?

• How is Bolo doing at home during lockdown?

• His quite spectacular list of former clubs; How did it feel moving from the Eredivisie to La Liga, and how did he find his way to the EPL?

• His memories of his time at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal; Is there such a thing as too many Dutch players?

• Moving to the Premier League with Chelsea, Liverpool, Boro and finally Sunderland; How and why did he make the move from Olympique de Marseille to the banks of the Wear?

• Some of his favourite players, managers and memories down the years; Just how good was El Fenomeno in his prime, and who was the best opposition player he faced?

• Upon joining Sunderland in 2009, how did he adjust to a club that wasn’t chasing any titles?

• Could that side have done more given the talent in the ranks?

• Why he chose to try move on after his time on wearside; Was his style of play given enough of a chance under Steve Bruce?

So much more! A true gent of the game, a phenomenal talent and an extremely honest lad! Listen in!

Stay home. Save lives. Protect the NHS.

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Half of the RR editorial and management team got together yesterday (Including the return after two long years of the exiled one, Mr Tom Atkinson) following the announcement of a new CEO - A lad called Jim (I'm not saying that last name either) and tried to work out where they sat with the decision and what they hope/fear this might mean for the club, as well as getting a few things about our owners off their collective chests...

What are we talking about?

• Jim. Who is Jim? Does Charlie know Jim? Does Jim know Charlie? If Jim knows Charlie do we think he likes him, and if so...why?

• More Jim R____ chatter, including his previous endeavours in the footballing world and what we've been told about the way he conducts himself in these roles;

• What do the lads think Jim should do? Should Jim tell us what he's here for, or should he sit in the shadows like at previous clubs?

• General chat about the owners, what they're up to, what they have done (allegedly) and what they haven't done (allegedly) and other stuff people may/may not like to hear;

• The weather;

• More Jim stuff, as well as Charlie stuff and Stewart stuff and finance stuff and general communication with fans stuff.. It's full of stuff.

WARNING

This contains strong personal opinions of the people speaking and other such madness. Listen In!

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Chris got the chance to speak with yet another absolute lad of a golden era in Sunderland's (sort of) recent history - former Sunderland full back and current Darlington assistant manager Mr Darren Holloway!

What are we talking about this episode?

• Darren recalls his time as a youngster being brought in on the FA's Youth Training Scheme at Sunderland, and getting coached by the legends Monty, George Herd and Pop Robson;

• Chats about the differences between not only training methods back in the day, but the integration with the older lads, scrubbing boots, clearing up, getting stuck in where you could and that desire to prove yourself to those above you;

• Premier Passions; What was it like at the time having the cameras in around Roker Park during that relegation season?

• Being championed by Pop to get his chance at the first team, and endlessly working toward his goal to play professional first team football no matter what;

• His relationship with the Lads, that famous team spirit, getting looked after with the rest of the young lads down Seaburn and finally breaking through;

• His favourite moments at Roker and the SOL, making that transition after the Wembley disappointment to a new stadium, the incredible atmospheres at legendary matches, his unfortunate luck with his back injury and having to watch at times from the sidelines;

• His favourite players, playing behind the laziest midfielder in the world, the love he had for the game and the fans;

• His sudden and unexpected move to Wimbledon and how that came about; Did he want to leave or was he pushed, and struggling to deal with a situation he didn't want or expect to be in;

• His partnership with Alun Armstrong over Darlo and before that at Blyth, his love of coaching and earning his stripes in the lower tiers; as well as his thoughts on the struggles of the teams below the money in the FA pyramid...

All this and so much more! Another great interview with a lovely lad that in our opinion should never have left. Sacko may agree...

Listen in!

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Chris Wynn had the chance to catch up with another legend of our time supporting the Lads - Mr Gary Owers - from his garden in isolation (with some beautiful birdsong for added atmosphere) to talk us through his tremendous memories of the Denis Smith era and his incredible record of 320 appearances for the club in just 5 years...

We discuss:

• Gary being signed by Lawrie McMenemy and coached by his son Chris as a youth player at the Charlie Hurley centre, and watching us slip into the third division;

• The arrival of Denis Smith and the amazing football roller-coaster that followed, featuring double promotions, multiple Wembley trips, and getting taken under the older lads wings;

• England youth call-ups, getting battered with planks in Poland, passport woes with Bobby Robson as well as witnessing that famous speech of Robson's on the plane journey home;

• That 1990 playoff derby against the mags, sticking the boot in where necessary, getting chased off the pitch and avoiding swinging fists at Sid James' when the lads won in the rain in one of the most electrifying matches in club history;

• His treasured memories of the lads he played alongside, their fantastic bond, the impact of players like Marco and Bracewell, the parties in Fino's, the coach rides to the match and the overall feeling of pride playing for the club;

• His memories of the fans; the huge away followings, adoration even in defeat, and the pure passion of the era..

• The times 'a changin' as the Denis Smith era ended, and his opinions (holds a few back) on the managers that followed, as well as his thoughts on just missing out on that Reid era;

• His career that followed his leaving the club, and his work in developing and protecting youth teams for grassroots/trying to stop the rampant poaching of talent by bigger clubs;

This is absolutely packed with some brilliant memories, another wonderfully honest reflection on his career and how it compares to the modern era by a man who experienced more in a few years than most do in a lifetime in the game. Hawaaaay!

Stay home. Save lives. Protect the NHS legends.

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In Loving Memory of Jake Craddock.

Never Forgotten x

We had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with a legend of the Reidy years, former Sunderland and Wolves Centre Back - Mr Jody Craddock - To delve into his years at Sunderland and beyond...

Featuring:

• His transition from Cambridge to Sunderland; How did all that come about?

• Resident RR Quizmaster Chris Wynn takes a deep dive into Jody's Sunderland career; A season by season/blow by blow account...

• Jody speaks candidly about his time at the club, his love for the fans, his determination to do the best he possibly could, and both Lads try to put their finger on what exactly happened in those consecutive 7th place finish seasons;

• His views on his teammates, his favourite partnerships, that Charlton playoff final, the derbies against the mags, the character of the dressing room and the importance of having strength in depth;

• His views on the timing of Reidy's departure and the bizarre appointment of Wilkinson; When did he see the wheels beginning to come off?

• His move to Wolves, reuniting with old teammates, his testimonial match with the Lads, and looking at his career in hindsight;

• His love of art and his evolution as an artist;

• Trying to understand what Alex Rae was saying, out drinking with the fans in his tracksuit by Reidy's command, his admiration for those around him, and Jody extends his thanks to all the fans that supported himself, his wife and their family through the heartbreaking loss of his son Jake.

An open, in depth, honest and candid interview with a hero of a man. Listen in!

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BBC's MOTD commentator, former member of the legendary trio of Guy, Gilly and Gatesy on Metro Radio, academy award winner* and all round lovely lad Guy Mowbray joined us from isolation a couple weeks ago to chat.. well about everything really.. Including:

• His career coming up through local radio stations to reach the heady heights of World Cup commentary, and taking over from John Motson as the BBC's lead commentator on Match of the Day:

• The G Force and the Sunderland years; His memories of taking over pubs in London and various other towns and Cities with the lads fans, as well as covering what many see as a golden era for Sunderland;

• His feelings on the nature of club ownership in the modern era, including a few opinions on the situation at Sunderland under Ellis Short and Stewart Donald, as well as looking at the damage caused to his hometown club York City for many years;

• That MOTD scheduling argument; It's far more simple than people may think.

• Football following the COVID-19 Pandemic; What are his thoughts on how we may move forward?

• His favourite moments and memories throughout his career, and crying with Chris Waddle...

• His burning, all consuming dislike of Crabbers (Aye you Simon) as well as his struggles with getting a sweet out the wrapper about 20 minutes in.

• Everything; from being behind the scenes in the industry, to the need for more local leadership of clubs, his ongoing love affair with all things football, the licence fee debate, the future of football coverage in the digital age, the constant underrating of Jordan Henderson and so, so much more!

Stay indoors, stay safe, protect the NHS and each other! Haway!

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