Simon O’Rourke
@sorourkeitv.bsky.social
Regional TV guy. Sports lover, football fanatic, NBA enthusiast and never likely to do Dry January. Sports Correspondent for ITV Tyne Tees and Border. My views, not work views. Similar views to “the other place” but with nicer weather.
It’s the nature of playoffs that this could mean everything or it could mean nothing. But #SAFC were so brave tonight. Not perfect, brave. Unless you’ve been recently you probably won’t know Coventry is one of the EFL’s loudest, most hostile home crowds. Sunderland silenced them
May 10, 2025 at 1:51 AM
It’s the nature of playoffs that this could mean everything or it could mean nothing. But #SAFC were so brave tonight. Not perfect, brave. Unless you’ve been recently you probably won’t know Coventry is one of the EFL’s loudest, most hostile home crowds. Sunderland silenced them
So damned easy for #NUFC that it ceased to be very interesting. But the redemption of Jacob Murphy continues to be one of the nicer, and more surprising, subplots of the season.
April 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
So damned easy for #NUFC that it ceased to be very interesting. But the redemption of Jacob Murphy continues to be one of the nicer, and more surprising, subplots of the season.
1-1. Not a great game, but a couple of decent goals and Preston attempting to rip a hole in the space-time continuum with their time-wasting. #SAFC If it looks like the playoffs and it smells like the playoffs, it's the playoffs.
March 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
1-1. Not a great game, but a couple of decent goals and Preston attempting to rip a hole in the space-time continuum with their time-wasting. #SAFC If it looks like the playoffs and it smells like the playoffs, it's the playoffs.
#SAFC win 2-1. Hard work (it's always hard work. For a team that's had so many good days this season, it's odd how few easy days they've had). Those above have won. But this keeps the wolves below from the door.
March 8, 2025 at 4:56 PM
#SAFC win 2-1. Hard work (it's always hard work. For a team that's had so many good days this season, it's odd how few easy days they've had). Those above have won. But this keeps the wolves below from the door.
Chris BLOODY Mepham scores his first for #SAFC afterr a quick free kick routine that might not have gone ENTIRELY to plan, but worked out just fine. 2-1
March 8, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Chris BLOODY Mepham scores his first for #SAFC afterr a quick free kick routine that might not have gone ENTIRELY to plan, but worked out just fine. 2-1
Infuriating. Hugely disappointing. Partly self-inflicted and a massive opportunity passes #NUFC by. Factor in the future cost of the red card and that’s a horrible day.
March 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Infuriating. Hugely disappointing. Partly self-inflicted and a massive opportunity passes #NUFC by. Factor in the future cost of the red card and that’s a horrible day.
Great win for #SAFC There’s luck involved (handballs). But they find ways to win and for a young team that’s impressive. They proved tonight they aren’t going away. When you consider where it was at the end of last season, and after 2 pretty nasty defeats, it’s really good.
February 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Great win for #SAFC There’s luck involved (handballs). But they find ways to win and for a young team that’s impressive. They proved tonight they aren’t going away. When you consider where it was at the end of last season, and after 2 pretty nasty defeats, it’s really good.
March 16th is another day. Tonight was not surprising and doesn’t really change the dynamic for the final. But, well, it wasn’t great and it suggested the final will be every bit as difficult as people think. March 16th is another day though. #NUFC
February 26, 2025 at 10:24 PM
March 16th is another day. Tonight was not surprising and doesn’t really change the dynamic for the final. But, well, it wasn’t great and it suggested the final will be every bit as difficult as people think. March 16th is another day though. #NUFC
First home league defeat of the season for #SAFC who deserve all the criticism they’ll get for this performance and the dreadful goal they conceded. They were flat and lifeless. But every team has duff games, so by all means react, but don’t overreact.
February 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
First home league defeat of the season for #SAFC who deserve all the criticism they’ll get for this performance and the dreadful goal they conceded. They were flat and lifeless. But every team has duff games, so by all means react, but don’t overreact.
Goalkeeper own goals are generally pretty undignified. That was no exception. Bad communication, bad hands, bad goal. #SAFC look quite a way off the pace so far. 0-1
February 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Goalkeeper own goals are generally pretty undignified. That was no exception. Bad communication, bad hands, bad goal. #SAFC look quite a way off the pace so far. 0-1
As a reluctant connoisseur of many doomed North East Premier League/multiple manager campaigns, let me assure you that Leicester City are going to be relegated.
February 21, 2025 at 8:35 PM
As a reluctant connoisseur of many doomed North East Premier League/multiple manager campaigns, let me assure you that Leicester City are going to be relegated.
There is something darkly marvellous about the “former player scores against old club” moment. Tommy Conway clearly and unashamedly enjoyed that (and wasn’t offside either). #BORO
February 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
There is something darkly marvellous about the “former player scores against old club” moment. Tommy Conway clearly and unashamedly enjoyed that (and wasn’t offside either). #BORO
So what happened with #NUFC and what does it keep on happening? How can a team that, at its best, is relentless and very physical (and, you know, also good at the football stuff) periodically just not turn up? It’s infuriating and fascinating. But mostly infuriating.
February 16, 2025 at 1:35 PM
So what happened with #NUFC and what does it keep on happening? How can a team that, at its best, is relentless and very physical (and, you know, also good at the football stuff) periodically just not turn up? It’s infuriating and fascinating. But mostly infuriating.