At seventy five years of age and with my first Sunderland match being in January 1961, aged ten years old, Ive seen many false dawns.
The 1960s team promised so much but managerial changes proved costly and our stay in the first division was short. The 1970s team also promised more after a FA Cup final win but again, it fizzled out and Peter Reids team of the 1990s and a new stadium promised so much but again was doomed to fail.
So here we are again perhaps at the start of something big.
My head tells me Weve been here before so dont get carried away, but my heart tells me At my age, this is the last time, for me, for Sunderland to get it right, so Im determined to get carried away and enjoy the excitement of the Stadium Of Light and the players who currently represent our club The owner, management team and players deserve every credit so far, and I expect theyre all driven to take us to the highest level.
Perhaps and hopefully weve all seen the final false dawn.
I may be wrong but as far as I can find, were the only club with land in our name.
So with that in mind, I think a new song for the manager and especially when we end up winning could be on the cards. This song is based on Vindaloo by Fat Les and I can imagine this being blasted on the PA system at full time, or sung at the away end of another ground.
Where do you bide? Were from Wearside where do you come from?
We are Sunderland.na na naaaa, na na naaa, na na na, na na na. And we all love Sunderland. Were Sunderland were gonna score one more than youSunderland!
Can I introduce you please, to our manager, Régis Le Bris?
PHD, hes got one. Masterplan, hes got the bomb. Régis Le Bris, Régis Le Bris, Régis Le Bris, Régis Le Bris, na naaaaa Régis Le Bris (bonjour) Régis Le Bris Bris (monsieur), Régis Le Bris, Régis Le Bris na naaaa.
And we all love Sunderland!
Were Sunderland were gonna score one more than you.Sunderland!
Me and me Mam and me Dad and me Gran.with Bally, Quinn and Philips. Me and me Mam and me Dad and me Granand a bucket of cheesy chips!
(Alternative last chorus) Me and me Mam and me Dad and me Gran, were off to watch the Lads. Me and me Mam and me Dad and me Gran, theyre gonna stuff the Mags!
Haway the lads, Haway the lads, Haway the lads, Haway the lads, na naa.
I wanted to comment on the vast improvement of our fans willingness to stay until the final whistle and beyond. Til the End isnt just on the pitch, but in the stands as well.
In my opinion, it makes the whole matchday experience so much better. It remains to be seen if this will continue even if we are 0-2 down with ten minutes to go, but I hope so.
I know its been commented on here before that our fans dont always do this, and as a fan whos never left a game early, its great to see.
In some of the dark days, it felt like staying until the end was the best way to beat the rush.