MALCOLM JOHN HALL

About this brick

Firstly, may I add my thanks to Dave for the work that he has done in bringing this together. I listened to the story on Haway the Podcast and am full of admiration. My Sunderland story starts with my Grandad, Thomas Seaton Hall who has a brick at the SOL, but unfortunately never saw it. Grandad was a survivor of WW1 and had a season ticket at Roker Park for many years. Along with my Uncle Raymond, Grandad used to travel to the match from Stanley, sometimes giving centre half Freddie Hall (no relation) a lift to the ground. In 1965, my Dad changed job and our family moved from Chester le Street to Morecambe. Dad also has a brick at the SOL, (Tom Hall Morecambe). We used to return to the North East regularly to see family and normally Dad would go to the match as part of the visit. On the 31st August 1968, Dad took me along for the first time at Roker for the match against Newcastle United. I can remember some of the experience, the massive crowds (we sat in the main stand) parking the car at Uncle Raymonds house at Lonsdale Road, right next to the ground. Grandad went off to his normal seat and I sat with my Dad. We saw a 1-1 draw with Pop Robson scoring for Newcastle. My abiding memory, however, is the crowds derision when the Newcastle sub, Jim Iley, entered the field late in the game wearing white trainers. This was a few years before Alan Ball introduced white boots so Iley opened himself to jeers and mickey taking. Dad took me to the games against Notts County, Reading, Man City, and Luton in the 1973 cup run, but like many, we were unable to get tickets for the semi-final and final. Instead, my Dad bought our first colour tv to watch the final at home. On 8th September 1996, I carried on the legacy of red and white and introduced my own son Stephen to Roker Park. We again sat in the main stand and watched a 0-0 draw with West Ham. We both live in Yorkshire now and over the years have made the pilgrimage to the SOL many times. Stephen also has a brick (Stephen John Hall) and although not ever living near Sunderland, is a mackam through and through. Our experiences of the ups and downs of more recent years have sealed the bond between us and the club and we now have Stephen's son, Eddison, joining us on our trips north. I am certain that our family story of generational love for this football club are typical of many and I am so proud that the legacy is continuing. Thank you for sparking these memories - Our 4 bricks are important and meaningful to us and your efforts should be recognised.