TiL the very end…
They did it…we are back in the big time. “Don’t you know pump it up, Cause Sunderlands going up.” If you were at Wembley you know that the atmosphere for the whole weekend was special. Looking back at that weekend, I know that it will go down as a generational weekend. A weekend that will passed down through the decades, like those of 1973. We all knew someone who was there and they all have their own stories of the day, seeing Porterfield slam the ball home, Jimmy’s double save, Stokoe running across the pitch at full time, Bobby Kerr been carried with the trophy. Images and stories that have passed down through the decades. I think we will always talk of that Patterson save, that VAR decision (a correct one by the way), that pass by Roberts, that strike by Mayenda, that finish by Watson, the scenes at full time.
The tagline “Til the End” was more than apt. First used as part of the League 1 Play off campaign which saw us promoted, half heartedly used in the campaign under Mowbray and perfected this campaign. Without wanting to repeat what every other fanzine, podcaster and journalist has said, The PR team deserve a raise. However, what brought it to life was the players, Dan Ballard contorting his entire body to head the ball off the underside of the bar brought the phrase to life. The lads came into the play offs having been written off by the media, pundits and fans a like. Going into the play offs with 5 losses on the bounce was no doubt giving Sunderland fans flashbacks to last season under Beale and Dodds when the season died a slow painful death. Regis Le Bris told us that rotating the team allowed them to prepare for the play offs with a fresh(ish) squad, while momentum seemed to be the vital cog in succeeding in the play offs, the headcoaches “gamble” paid off.
While I am treading over old ground, I think it’s also important to reflect on the decisions that our French head coach made throughout the season and realise that under his guidance, Sunderland have managed to achieve something that no one seen possible. Losing Jack Clarke to Ipswich was a big blow early in the season. Please ask yourself, When Clarke left did you really see this happening? Yes, Clarke leaving and the lads being promoted happened in the same season. If you watch a lot of RLBs press conferences and post game interviews he often talked about finding solutions to problems and throughout the season, that’s what he did. So many games changed at half time, so many games relied on the squad adapting to the circumstances they were in. Be it a hard fought 3 points at Luton, a comeback at Swansea or changing the game in a Play-off Final. The boss has worked magic this season and inspired some battling and delightful performances from the lads and I think his football will suit the Premier League quite well.
So having a quick reflection on the last season, it becomes abundantly clear the impact Le Bris has had in his very short time at the club. He is the first Manager to start and end the season as head coach/manager since Jack Ross in 2018/19 season. Since then the club has transformed and become a potential powerhouse in England’s Top Flight. Next season will be unpredictable and no doubt very difficult but just remember what was acheieved this season. So believe, dream and never forget, we go til the end…
