Shaun Ryder is in Toon

Well that was better than expected. Mr. Ryder did himself proud, coming on early (half 8) and soldiering on for nearly an hour and a half - pretty damn good considering he was seriously ill last month. Starting with my personal favourite, Kinky Afro, he sang half a dozen Mondays songs throughout the course of the night including Loose Fit and Wrote For Luck, followed by three Black Grape numbers, which really stole the show. He also sang four new solo songs from a forthcoming album which were good, the last one (his first encore tune) was a belter. He also sang my guilty pleasure - Gorillaz DARE - which was a marvellous treat. The night was completed by the brilliant Step On. Top notch all round.

Yes there were glitches - MC Tonn and Julie, his two backing singers were much better vocally (but SWR never been much of a singer) and he was often muted by sound problems. Ryds had to check down once or twice at the lyrics taped to the floor (but not as often as expected), and unfortunately the venue was only half full (but everyone there idolized him). However he looked fit and well, still has his presence on stage and a cool new way of holding his mic.

Pleased the gig was postponed if I'm honest. Because ones that went ahead when he was still poorly drew up some crap reviews and negative assumptions about him (at Sheffield he only did half an hour before giving up and walking out to boos. Was because he was ill, not because he was showing contempt). This performance in Newcastle was a million miles away from this. SWR was a top professional - although he did forget where he was playing to - and although it wasn't a polished performance, it was a performance non the less and a pretty damn good one for nostalgic reminiscing.

Shaun Ryder Gig Preview

Off to see SWR tomorrow night at Newcastle o2. Had a canny wait - was postponed due to illness the very day I received my tickets. Typical. To be fair though the Ryder was genuinely ill and fair play to him for coming back fighting. Has had some pretty mixed reviews about his tour so far, where he's been singing Mondays, Black Grape and solo songs. Shambolic and chaotic are words been touted - so not at all in the Mondays spirit then...

Not really fussed if it's only an hour set, that Wrote For Luck is omitted, that he'll forget half the lyrics and that he'll have to be dragged through the songs by his backing singers. No, I'm buzzing at the fact I'm going to see a cultural icon and musical genius belt out some classic tunes from two of my favourite bands of all times. You can't put a price on that. Actually you can. £16. Bargain.

True Colours

Picked up these volumes one and two of 'True Colours', which contain photos of all the current and former Premiership teams (and Home Nations) kits from 1980 to mid 2000s. A cracking read, especially seeing the horrid kits some teams have worn - Man United's 'invisible' grey kit from 1995, Arsenal's 'bruised banana' kit from 1992 and Chelsea's grey/tangerine away shirt from 1996 to name but a few. Just a shame these books haven't gone as far the football league, as Hartlepool could give them a run for their money.

Not exactly a fan of replica shirts, have always preferred spending 50 sheets on a Lacoste polo instead of a cheaply made polyester top with sponsor plastered all over it. However replica shirts define our memories of seasons in terms of success or failure - poorly designed shirts can be fondly remember if the club won promotion for example. Anyway, I've been inspired to share a few of the appalling Hartlepool shirts since I've followed the Pools...

Home 1991/92 - The Chessboard
This checkerboard design in several shades of blue was a bit of a change from the clean design of the all white promotion shirt from the season before. Made to look even more daft by the Heritage homes sponsor with a large butterfly motif. Watford used the same template at the same time as an away kit, so it wasn't just us who suffered.

Brian Honour

1992-1993 Home - Hartlepool Heritage
A truly unique design by umbro and also a unique to Hartlepool United, although quite similar to Celtic's vulgar 'People's' kit. This was one of a batch of outlandish Umbro designs that graced 1992's 'reinvention' of Football, which apparently reached the kits of Division Two. Again the butterfly logo of Heritage homes didn't help, but this kit is fondly remembered as the one that Pools wore as they killed the giant, namely Crystal Palace, in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Andy Saville

 1993-95 Away - Green Day
The home version of this shirt design was (obviously) blue and was bad. But the away green was appalling. Maybe the club was hoping that the players couldn't be seen by the opposition when they took to the field. Saw two years worth of action and a change of badge, from the HUFC deer to the ships wheel.

1995-97 Away - Mix Match
This away shirt is the daddy of poorly designed mid 90s shirts. Pools took to the field looking like a playgroups art wall in this red, white and blue effort. So poorly thought of I even managed to pick a match worn version of this rare shirt off eBay for the princely sum of £4.20. A classic. Made even worse by the fact that the home shirt during this peroid was a beauty -  a white and light blue striped Argentina style loose fit with big collar.

Gareth McAuley

1995-98 Jeepers Keepers
Pools had a major problem with getting a decent custodian during this time period. Think we used almost ten keepers in a period of 800 odd days. Maybe it had something to do with the shocking keepers kit. Again with it being the mid 90s clubs keepers shirts were amongst the most outlandish, but nowt compared to this beauty. The makers '1908 Gold' obviously decided that gold was certainly a winner, especially when combined with a green hue. It wasn't. And neither was the away keepers shirt in same design but bright/dark pink.

Steve Jones

1997-99 Away - Grey Day
Two years after Manchester United made it fashionable and with all the hype surrounding players 'disappearing' on the pitch if they wore grey, Pools decided to bring out this cheeky little number. Not the worst granted but you have to wonder why given all the fuss with grey kits, why Pools chose it. Also incredibly cheaply made - my step brother owned this one and it fell apart in the wash. Probably the best thing for it.