Each sports activities fan likes to complain. That’s the primary level, actually. I’m a Chicago Bears fan, for God’s sake. I’m manufactured from gripes now. However we now have it fairly good over right here within the States, when in comparison with what you would possibly undergo in different components of the world. What we might have all gone by way of had we been Sunderland supporters.
For brand new soccer followers, you won’t have heard of Sunderland. It’s been seven seasons since they appeared within the Premier League. But it surely’s far past that. Sunderland are one of many greater golf equipment in England, not less than when it comes to their stadium and assist. There’s nothing else in Sunderland however Sunderland AFC. Their dwelling floor, the Stadium of Gentle, holds 48k and is likely one of the largest within the land. It’s greater than Chelsea’s. It’s bigger than Everton’s. And a extra rabid assist one couldn’t discover anyplace. It borders on a cult.
And it’s been hell for them. Not solely did they get relegated from the Premier League in 2017, however the very subsequent yr they completed final within the Championship to get relegated to the third tier. And so they spent 4 seasons in League One. Think about the Bears getting kicked to the Pac-12 for seasons on finish (perhaps they need to!) They went from away dates at Previous Trafford or Anfield to standing within the freezing rain at Cheltenham or Doncaster. Ever get caught within the climate at a relaxation cease? It’s about the identical, feeling such as you’re 100 miles from even attending to nowhere and what it says about you that that is the place you’re.
This was Sunderland, the poster baby for a giant membership gone improper, biking by way of incapable or unwilling house owners and managers and nonetheless within the muck. The vicious world of soccer exhibiting simply how a brief interval of mismanagement can handicap a membership for a decade or extra.
And there’s no membership that any group of followers hate greater than Sunderland followers hate Newcastle. Hate is a phrase we throw round an excessive amount of in sports activities, however the feeling between these two golf equipment within the northeast of England is not any exaggeration. I get bodily sick every time I see any mixture of inexperienced and gold, and but I’m petrified of the bile that bubbles between Tyneside and Wearside. It’s frothing.
There’s a Sunderland supporter near me. I as soon as watched a Tyne-Put on derby with him years in the past that Sunderland misplaced on a last-minute Nikos Dabizas header. He was catatonic on a sofa within the pub for the subsequent 5 hours. He wouldn’t have even flinched for a nuclear bomb. That’s what dropping one league recreation to Newcastle did to him.
At the least Sunderland supporters, more often than not, might take solace in the truth that Newcastle had basically been the identical as them, a misguided basketcase. They’d additionally suffered inexcusable relegations, although by no means right down to League One. They’d all the time underachieved when in comparison with the dimensions of their assist. And when the 2 shared the identical league, Sunderland got here out on high. Even in League One till this season, they may cling to the truth that they have been hidden from their largest rival and their nine-game unbeaten streak towards them was protected. Positive, it was embarrassing to be two divisions under them for thus lengthy, however deep down they knew it ate at each Geordie that they hadn’t crushed Sunderland in years. And wouldn’t even get an opportunity to, as foolish because it sounds. In spite of everything, superiority isn’t official till it’s on the sector.
However then Newcastle have been purchased by the Saudis. And whereas that’s ugly and repulsive in most methods, it nonetheless means what came about on the sector was nonetheless hurtful to the Mackems. Out of the blue, Newcastle weren’t a comedy case anymore. Whereas Sunderland have been toiling away within the Championship, Newcastle have been securing video games with AC Milan and PSG, issues Sunderland followers have by no means identified. Newcastle will, most likely, be one of many largest golf equipment on the earth someday. Sunderland nonetheless need to scrape off the gunk after a recreation with Millwall. Even on the rise as Sunderland have been in latest seasons, they’re nonetheless getting kicked whereas they’re down.
After which the FA Cup throws them a lifeline. For the primary time in seven seasons, Newcastle have been drawn to return to the Stadium of Gentle. They could have all the cash. They could have the reminiscences of journeys to Milan and Paris nonetheless vivid and glossy of their minds. However now, for one afternoon, they’d need to arrive within the cauldron of the Stadium of Gentle. Wouldn’t this be the last word chip to have? To beat the nouveau riche Magpies on their very own turf? Wouldn’t this be one thing Sunderland followers might carry eternally? Newcastle might have all of the oil cash, and but they’ll’t win the sport their followers need most. That’s the FA Cup, the chance for the little man.
And higher but, this was the time to see Newcastle. They have been crushed up. They have been exhausted. They have been taking part in terribly. They’d simply gotten utterly mauled by Liverpool of their final recreation, searching on their ft for many of it. For the 40k+ heading to the stadium on Saturday, by the point they entered, the idea would have been palpable. It’s all lined up for Sunderland to have their crowning day.
Nicely . . .
Even this tattered model of Newcastle was miles past Sunderland. No participant within the purple stripes received inside 5 yards of a participant in black stripes for the whole thing of the 90 minutes. The gulf at school couldn’t have been extra illustrated. It was a stroll, which is concerning the worst consequence for Sunderland. Lose, positive. That occurs. However for the distinction between the 2 golf equipment now to be put in such reduction that nobody might miss it, that’s eternally.
All month, for the reason that third-round draw, spent in anticipation of getting only one afternoon to make Newcastle really feel what Sunderland has felt for the previous seven or eight seasons. To have satisfied themselves that it was going to occur, that Newcastle was in simply the kind of kind that Sunderland might catch chilly on their finest day. To be so excited to shout and sing till their lungs bled. After which . . .
Typically, the magic of the FA Cup is actuality hitting you within the face like a 2×4. So is being a Sunderland fan.
Comply with Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social