Fan Letters: More stories from people who became Lads fans after watching ‘Sunderland Til I Die’

Dear Roker Report,

I was reading Deion’s letter from Pennsylvania with a smile and a word of caution.

She’ll lift you higher than a bird in flight and drop you lower than the deepest ocean. Once you take your vows, she’ll break your heart and there’s no divorce.

I was a 7-year-old southerner that chose to support Sunderland after the 73 Cup final - what a roller coaster ride the last 45 years has been.

From my first kit, with everyone assuming it was for Southampton, my first game at Brighton, when winning 1-0. Eric Potts broke my heart with two goals in the last three minutes.

My first and only visit to Roker Park in 1997, with a 1-1 draw with Forest.

Sitting on the terraces at Wimbledon, Sick to my stomach, waiting to hear that Coventry had beaten Spurs to send us down. Celebrating Niall Quinn’s hattrick against Port Vale, singing the mighty Quinn and not even noticing Port Vale score.

Long train rides and car journeys to places best forgotten, narrow victories and whopping defeats with many a beer in which to seek solace.

Three lost cup finals, two lost play off finals, eight promotions, nine relegations, 10 wins versus the scum and 14 losses.

Now in Canada, my Canadian wife can’t understand the attraction, the pain and heartache. How could she - it would be admitting that the other woman exists, the black cat that plays with my emotions.

Good luck Deion, but beware that this Cat bites!

Dave Chivers (Sunderland till I die)

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Lovely words. Sunderland AFC means so much to so many people, and whilst ‘Sunderland Til I Die’ only skims the surface it’s clear throughout that the people who hold this club dear to their hearts would die for it.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to be a part of that?

It’s great that we’re able to reflect now. The world is waking up to this club’s significance - it’s truly unlike no other football club on this planet.

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Hello Roker Report,

My name is Phillipe Carvalho, I’m from Brazil in the state of Bahia there in the city of Salvador. I’m 15 years old and I’m crazy about football (like all good Brazilians) and I met Sunderland through their series on Netflix ‘Sunderland Til I Die’ - and dude, I was impressed with the Championship.

Anything can happen in every game and the way that the fans will support the club and no matter the outcome they are always there.

I was in love with the club and the city and of course, the fans are the best.

Lately I have been following the club games and they are seemingly recovering very well. I hope the club recovers as fast as possible and that it returns to the place that all Giants of England must be - that is the Premier League.

Phillipe

Ed’s Note [Gav]: Stick around for the ride Phillipe... you’re a mackem now!

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