Geordie boy Danby coming home to raise the roof against Bolton
It was an atmosphere that left Sunderland shaking in their boots back in April at St James's Park and with a bit of luck it can light the black and white touch paper when Bolton Wanderers come to Tyneside on Saturday.
The performance of opera singer Graeme Danby simply raised the roof last time he was here to belt out a rousing rendition of the Blaydon Races - it's one not to be missed - and even if you aren't an opera fan, you'll know just what a big difference it made to United's cause that day if you were there.
To put it simply, when Michael Owen opened the scoring in the 2-0 win perhaps he should have credited Danby with the assist.
Last season's first home game of the season against Aston Villa coincided with the Bring Back the Noise campaign and without a doubt the atmosphere was crackling ahead of kick-off, with the Toon Ultras in great voice.
That day though, and not for the first time in black and white history, the team failed to match the fans and United could only pick up a point in a drab 0-0 affair.
With, United looking to build on their great start to the season at Old Trafford, victory now becomes a must for Kevin Keegan's men.
Bolton of course proved to be party poopers last time out in KK's first game back.
But surely, they can't do it again?
With Jonas Gutierrez already helping to run the show and Oba Martins getting the season off to a flyer, the door is open for a famous win that can really set the tone for the new term.
Let's hope that the lads can follow Danby's lead on Saturday.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
I took a friend (a Southampton fan) to the home West Ham game last season and he was very underwhelmed by the atmosphere. On reflection he had built it up in his mind that St. James' was a fortress and it would be singing all day long.
Lets make sure it is like that from now on. Lets be having you!!! Lets have 52,000 Ultras!!
i wonder if local hero will be played as the teams come out this season? they were in the friendlies.....
Lee et al - let's not get too carried away yet aye.
Undoubtedly a raft of positives (including a point) to take on the bus home from Old Trafford but things can change so quickly with NUFC - history has a nasty habit of repeating itself.
Biggest positive from the Man U match - ALL the players wanted to play, for themselves, each other, and us - the supporters. They deserve a fitting reception at SJP - especially the new lads.
Assuming the international members of our squad come home safe, we should have too much guile for Bolton. The atmosphere will be nuclear on Saturday after Sunday's display and the thirteenth man will push an extra gear out of the lads. They looked like the free-flowing team typical of Keegan's old entertainers at Old Trafford, and can seriously get better in time, hopefully with the mercurial Saviola. Funny old thing....time, just 2 weeks ago this blog was chocker with gloom and doomers. Well, it's nice to read gushing Toonies again, easy pleased aren't wi?
Lee
It would be nice to think that Graeme Danby's pre-match Blaydon Races will help teach the correct words of the chorus to the many in the crowd that screw them up constantly. It irritates the hell out of me on match days. It's supposed to be the Geordie national anthem, so for god's sake let's get the words right.
Actually, we're not easily pleased - it's just that some fools think we should be!