Sunderland ‘Til I Die was an interesting experience for a Sunderland fan. I was ramping up towards Christmas at university, working behind my college’s bar when Netflix dropped the first season.
At first, it was hard to bring myself to watch it, after all I’d already lived it. Ironically, at Durham University, I was in the minority of students who were actually from the North-East, so when I came back after the Winter festivities, most of my mates had realised exactly what we’d all been through.
I realise I’m speaking from my own experience here, but just in that short period of time, I got the sense of how wide a net that Netflix series cast.
Whilst the club displayed such a comedy of errors, both on and off the pitch, the stars of the show were the people. It captured the rage, hope, anxiety and crippling pain only Sunderland could inflict upon you. Whilst most of us didn’t choose this life, I’d like to try to put into words why on Earth you ever would.
Whilst The Lads are currently stateside and the World Cup is wrapping up in New Jersey, I’m writing an open letter to American fans looking to find a club.
N.B. If you’re reading this and haven’t already seen Sunderland ‘Til I Die, read this then watch it.
Sunderland AFC: The Basics
First of all, I’ll go through the basics. Formed 147 years ago in 1879, Sunderland are the 23rd oldest club in the entirety of the English football league going into next season. Based in the North East of England, Sunderland is a primarily working-class city, built upon mining and ship-building industries which have all but come and gone. Also, known as The Black Cats, Sunderland have won six top-flight titles, with their last major trophy won with the FA Cup in 1973.
If you’re wanting a side that will give you bragging rights at the end of the season, I suggest you look elsewhere. 53 years is the same amount of time the Knicks had to wait before Maddison Square Garden saw another NBA championship, and at the Stadium of Light we’ll probably be waiting a while longer.
What you will receive is a hell of a ride. Last season was our first season in the Premier League after almost a decade out of the top flight. Four seasons each in the second and third divisions of English football had us Mackems thinking that the top-flight of English football was something we may never see again.
In our first appearance since 2017, Sunderland finished 7th. Before the season, this was incredibly unexpected as much of the press and their talking heads predicted us to be relegated straight back down. Not only did we stay up, but we will enjoy playing European football next season.
Mr. Sunderland: Luke O’Nien
Consectatio Excellentiae is our motto, meaning “In pursuit of excellence”. Whilst it’s not really something I’ve taken note of before, it really captures what being a Sunderland supporter means. Glory, silverware, even admiration can go to everyone else; it’s about the journey and embracing it, for better or for worse.
Let me introduce you to Luke O’Nien, known to some as Mr Sunderland. O’Nien joined Sunderland in 2018, and since then, he has made over 300 appearances, been promoted twice, lost at England’s national stadium 3 times, won promotion at that same stadium twice, qualified for the Europa League, and has subsequently been given an honorary doctorate by the city’s university. All in 8 years.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, O’Nien said, “I wouldn’t say you fall in love with the club for what it could be. I think you fall in love with what it is.” before ending the interview with “And it’s wonderful. It’s wonderfully bonkers.”
Sunderland is what it is. It isn’t pretty or glamorous; at times it will have you questioning why you do this to yourself. But it is a drug like no other.
Being able to celebrate your player making a hard, borderline dangerous tackle as much as you would an incredible attacking move makes little sense. But not much about this club does. Again, let’s look at Luke. He joined as a young central midfielder, had to deputise at right-back and has since found himself at centre-back.
This is a position he was never trained to play, is incredibly undersized to play, but one he plays anyway. That summarises what it is to be loved by Sunderland. To pursue excellence against logical or physical sense, because your club needs you. Externally, O’Nien will never be associated with excellence, but to us, the pursuit is enough.
Oh, and also he resuscitated someone’s dog on the beach in August one year.
Many Sunderland fans will tell you the last 18 months have been some of the best we’ve ever had. And it all began on a Spring night in the Championship Play-offs against Coventry City in 2025. For reference, Sunderland went into this match with a 2-1 aggregate lead, needing to win on aggregate to face Sheffield United in the Play-off final.
In the 76th minute, Ephron Mason-Clark scored to equalise the aggregate score, in a game Coventry had largely been in control of. As the whistle blew at the end of normal time, all home fans in the Stadium of Light knew what would occur, largely because of what we’d witnessed in the past. Coventry would advance to Wembley, and we’d understand once again that It’s the hope that kills you.
With the game winding down, Regis Le Bris’ men won a corner, which would be the final kick of the game.
Dan Ballard rose like a salmon, folded himself like a deck chair and headed the ball into the back of the net. Delirium ensued.
The job wasn’t done; a Play-Off final against favoured Sheffield United waited for us, in a stadium in which we’d only one at in one of our last four appearances.
You can say a lot about that final, the miserable first-half performance. O’Nien having to come off with a dislocated shoulder, VAR preventing United from doubling their lead. But in the lead-up to the Play-Offs, Sunderland’s media team had been leading with a phrase: ‘Til the End. If Dan Ballard’s heroics in the semi-final didn’t show this was more than just some branding, Tommy Watson left no doubt.
Having played at every age bracket for the club from under-9s to the first-team, Sunderland was in his blood. Not only did he score the winner in the 95th minute, but it was also ultimately his last touch of a ball for Sunderland, with a summer transfer to Brighton already agreed.
‘Til the End was given a reappearance at the end of last season too. After being written off before the season, Sunderland defied all expectations and on the last day of the season clinched European football with a 2-1 win over Chelsea. Generations have passed since The Lads played continental football in 1974, and next season will be a special one for all involved.
One connection to the US that can be found at the Stadium of Light is through Elvis. When the side runs out onto the pitch, all home supporters will begin a chorus of I can’t help falling in love with you. And with the opening line, we’re told by wise men that “Only fools rush in”.
I think that best sums the club up. In an age where state-funded clubs seek to sportswash, and the world’s game is being sold to “investors”, Sunderland stands apart. In defeat, effort is praised; in victory, there’s always a concern for what comes round the corner. Because this club gets under your skin, and you can’t help but care.
For every 6-0 defeat to Bolton in League One, there’s a derby win at St James’ Park. For every piece of magic for Xhaka, it had been earned from quiet, miserable train rides home from Wembley. Right now is a great time to get on the ride; it hasn’t always been this good, and it won’t last forever.
Even the most cynical SAFC supporter couldn’t tell me there wasn’t magic in Enzo Le Fée kissing the ball before crossing the ball to Ballard against Coventry, or a hometown lad sending his club up to the Premier League with his last action. When everything around your gut tells you not to get carried away, you can’t help but do it. Sunderland makes you a fool, and it makes you rush in.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Niall Quinn, one of Sunderland’s greatest strikers:
I learned my trade at Arsenal, became a footballer at Man City, but Sunderland got under my skin.
— Niall Quinn
