The Durham dynasty puts rest in shade

Dec 30 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

If football provided North East sport with a winter of discontent, Durham ensured it was a glorious summer for cricket. Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards looks back on 2009

Thankfully, out of that wreckage, a new type of team has emerged. Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias may remain as unpopular as ever but there is support again – tremendous support given recent attendance figures – for manager Chris Hughton and the players who have put themselves top of the Championship at the halfway stage.

There is a long way to go but at least the club goes into the new year with genuine cause for optimism and a realistic hope the worst is now behind them.

In contrast, Middlesbrough shared their fate in May, but they have struggled to adapt to the Championship and things may have to get worse before they get better on Teesside.

Sunderland have enjoyed the chance to gloat at the demise of their bitter rivals, but they should also be thanking them. The Black Cats were only saved from relegation by the incompetency of their neighbours and that was all there was to celebrate at the Stadium of Light last season under Ricky Sbragia.

Having won that battle for survival, Steve Bruce, is trying to breathe new life into the club and despite a disappointing end to the year Sunderland have certainly progressed with his firm hand at the tiller. A yo-yo club may just have stopped spinning up and down.

There will also be fresh optimism at Kingston Park where a new-look Newcastle Falcons side – despite the Christmas defeat at the hands of Leeds Carnegie – is much improved on last term.

They, like our ice-hockey team, Newcastle Vipers, have had their financial problems and remain a work in progress for head coach Steve Bates, but we once said the same about Durham.