A Tribute to Mr Sunderland: Luke O’Nien

When Luke O’nien first arrived at Sunderland in July 2018, not much was known about him. A Centre Midfielder by trade who had been playing his football at League 2 Wycombe Wonderers for 3 seasons who were promoted to League 1 in his 3rd and final season with the Chairboys. A stumbling and staggering start meant that Luke didn’t see much first team action. His first season at the black cats ended with a last second defeat in the League 1 Play off Final against Charlton Athletic. To say that O’Nien has reinvented himself is an understatement as he has adapted his game to support the club in a multitude of positions. From centre midfield to right back to Centre Back Mr Sunderland has proved himself to be everything that represents our great city.

While I’m not here to give you a history lesson on the career of Luke O’Nien I wanted to demonstrate how far not only he has come but also how far the club has come with him as part of it. He came to the club in its darkest hours and has been instrumental in returning it to the glory of the premier league. He bought into Sunderland and Sunderland bought into him. Niall Quinn said Sunderland got under his skin, Luke O’Nien’s heart beats Sunderland. Despite set backs, despite difficulties, he kept going, when he needed to he adapted and thrived. It wasn’t always pretty and it wasn’t always rosy but he did it with a smile on his face and passion in his heart. His loyalty is unwavering and his personality is infectious.

I think every Sunderland fan will have a moment they fondly remember. Stopping an opponent counter attack by getting a piggy back, celebrating a tackle he made like a goal in the League 1 play off final against Wycombe, celebrating the championship play off final win with a dislocated shoulder. Why do I love Luke O’Nien? For all of the reasons above but for a much more personal one. In 2020 I lost 3 family members in a short amount of time. There was no football on and life for everyone was pretty bad. Luke is the only first team player left who was here prior 2020. One of the family members was a massive Sunderland fan would have adored who Luke has became. Luke is a connection to the past I don’t think I’ll ever truly move on from. While I’ve never met Luke, I don’t know him, I feel like I’ve placed this sentimental feeling upon him. The day he leaves Sunderland will be a sad one for many reasons for a lot of people but for me I think it will be pretty devastating. Trauma is a funny thing and will hit you when you least expect it but Luke is a source of strength for me. Seeing him wearing the red and white and achieving his dreams is such a cathartic experience for me because I’ve seen him grow. I’ve seen a young boy from down South become a leader of men, an inspirational father and a good person with a heart of gold. As a newish dad myself, you want your kids to grow up to be like Luke.

He will leave this club one day as a player and when he does he will forever be remembered in legend and folklore, people will pass stories down about him. In fact it’s already begun, ask anyone about the dog he rescued down the sea front, everyone has a slightly different version of it. God knows what the stories will say in a few years time.

So, here’s to you Luke, here’s to you to continuing to prove the doubters wrong, here’s to you being a role model to young people everywhere, here’s to you being a shining example of what Sunderland truly is. A city not defined by its failures or its bad times but by its successes and its ability to thrive when no one else believes it can. A place where you don’t have to be born here to be from here. Here’s to Mr Sunderland, Luke O’Nien

Thank you and good luck for this season