Proud to be a Cumbrian

This is the scene when the final whistle was blown at the Stadium of light. Sunderland won 3-1.
It was a good performance by Carlisle United and if anything stamina and fitness won in the end.

It was a fun day out. All began well with us setting off on time for once. A good journey over there, car parked and food before going through the turnstile to find our seat which was way up in the gods and not a good time to discover you have vertigo! It was a little scary but once the crowds were in it felt better. Only difficulty was re acclimatising yourself when going back down or back up.

The teams came out and the game began. The 6,000 (according to itv) travelling carlisle fans were in good voice, songs of loving Carlisle, united, take me home, Stand up if you love carlisle, if you are proud to be a cumbrian clap your hands, followed by the insults to Sunderland suggesting their ground is not very nice and neither are their fans and they have no fans, its just a bus stop in Gateshead, they are here they are there they are everywhere - empty seats, Premiership you're having a laugh and Sunderland are going down!

There was the usual questioning of the referees eyesight and parentage and also if he was their 12th man! I doubted the latter as most of the Sunderland team wore orange boots and he didn't (I don't think)! Perhaps a job lot from Sports Direct.com

One fan was ejected from the ground, in fairness to the stewards he was asked to sit down as were others in his group but he declined the offer to sit so was removed without too much protest in the end and a smile to his mates and a gesture to phone him! His group sat in their seats like good lads until the stewards turned their backs then they stood up singing stand up if you love carlisle!! Quite funny.

You also have the overweight gentleman who insists on taking off his shirt in cold January. It wasn't off for long. There are also those who keep jumping out of their seats, jeans nearly to their knees and Calvin Klein being advertised from the rear, turn their back on the game, bursting into song and waving their arms in the air trying to get everyone to join in, sitting back down when their efforts are in vain with a little embarrased smile on their face.

The Carlisle fans kept good voice all match it was a great atmosphere to be in. I'm sure the Sunderland fans are very nice people, the ones we saw were and the ground is certainly not as described in the songs which were sung.

We've also on this day worked out where my teenage daughter will be when she goes to see 'her boys' in April/may. (One direction).

So with a stop for Mcdonalds on the way home a good day out for all.

Hard luck Carlisle you did us proud and I am proud to be a Cumbrian and am clapping my hands.