Luke O'Nien 2025/26

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LON will make:

  • Total voters
    101
young2077 said:
Thats funny mate, I'm pottering about the house doing last bits before I leave for work and this was in me head before I even read this! <laugh>

Not asking you mate as I know you don't live there but to those who do and for those of who no longer live in Sunderland do the kids still learn this at primary school! I'm 40 so was 30 odd years ago wouldn't be surprised if it had stopped now.
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Mine didn't learn it at school.

I was in the last year of junior school in 1985. The teacher got a loan of a video camera. Git big massive thing he had to hoist up onto his shoulder. We made a local history video with different people in the class researching topics and writing a piece to present. We were then taken out on locations to film it. My friend and me did the Lambton worm. The teacher filmed us telling the story by the river in Fatfield and on Penshaw Hill, then it cut to the whole class singing the song.

This was a massive thing at the time and like nothing children had ever done before! The finished video was sent to all the other schools in Washington and was repeatedly played at parents evenings etc.
 
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I did wonder if my school and the teacher who taught it in particular was in the minority. As I have discussed it with others who said it was never mentioned in school. I can't remember if we sang it in class or in assembly when ya used to sit and sing songs but I rememebr singinig the song and we definitely read the story/fable/legend whatever you would call it? I remmeber we created the worm out of paper on a big display on the wall. I went to Hudson Road in Hendon in the 90's.
 
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young2077 said:
I did wonder if my school and the teacher who taught it in particular was in the minority. As I have discussed it with others who said it was never mentioned in school. I can't remember if we sang it in class or in assembly when ya used to sit and sing songs but I rememebr singinig the song and we definitely read the story/fable/legend whatever you would call it? I remmeber we created the worm out of paper on a big display on the wall. I went to Hudson Road in Hendon in the 90's.
Click to expand...

The Nordic countries embrace folklore with tales of trolls, elves, the hidden people and so on. I loved hearing all the stories on holiday.

It made me think that our local fables are dying out now and they're not being passed onto children.
 
Becs said:
The Nordic countries embrace folklore with tales of trolls, elves, the hidden people and so on. I loved hearing all the stories on holiday.

It made me think that our local fables are dying out now and they're not being passed onto children.
Click to expand...

It's a part of local amd national history that shouldn't be lost. It can fascinating when local language or customs comes from fables past down through generations.

It being lost beacuse it no longer being passed on is a bit sad.

Aren't fairytales a collection of folklore from Germanic and Nordic countries made more widely known by brothers grimm. Their versions and I assume the original folklore was a lot darker than what we ended up with!
 
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To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
 
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Robertson said:
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To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
Click to expand...
I can't give that post enough likes.
What a man.
What a message
Gives hope to all young, and not so young, footballers, and to everyone else.
I'm genuinely pleased that he's one of ours.
 
Last edited:
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Well said Snaggey.
Xhaka’s praise of Luke seemed very genuine. Then gave him a big hug
From someone who has achieved as much as him ( GX ) that is praise indeed. Didn’t he say they talk to each other a lot. It just reinforces how much they respect him and value him as a team mate.
 
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Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
Click to expand...
Beyond excellent....thanks for posting mate!
 
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Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
Click to expand...
The irony of Leeds fans in the comments calling him a cheat. Think some of them need reminding why they are called dirty Leeds.:rolleyes:
 
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Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
Click to expand...
Absolutely superb that mind.
 
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Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️
Click to expand...
That's why he's always regarded so well. What a bloke. He is the very red in our blood.

Luke isn't international standard. But if he was somehow to be in among Thomas Tuchel's group for a few days, he would be staying there.

As Alf Ramsey once said to Jack Charlton, when Charlton asked why he was in the squad, " My job Jack is to pick the best team, not the best players".

Quite. Luke is human glue. And when we have Granit, Nordi and the others, that is one super strong dressing room.
 
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It’s awesome looking back at the posts on this thread. The amount doubting his ability (not sure if many, if any, have come on here to accept their humble pie!)

I’ve loved some SAFC players in my life, but this man is by far the most deserving of my “favourited ever” and I would doubt if anyone takes that mantle from him between now and my death bed.
 
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marcusblackcat said:
It’s awesome looking back at the posts on this thread. The amount doubting his ability (not sure if many, if any, have come on here to accept their humble pie!)

I’ve loved some SAFC players in my life, but this man is by far the most deserving of my “favourited ever” and I would doubt if anyone takes that mantle from him between now and my death bed.
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Unbelievable to think we signed this bloke in league 1 for about the price of a few crates of Guinness and a box of crisps....then hauled off at half time on his debut.

After League 1 promotion , he was doubted whether he could take the step up to the Championship. Then after Championship promotion, could he take the step up to Premier League.

Of course he could, this is Luke O'Nien we're talking about here, different rules apply.

The bloke is a legend, and will deservedly go down as one of SAFC's greatest ever players.
How mad does that sound!!
 
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