Don't get me wrong, I still do - but not so much. When I was 9 my dad took me to Roker Park to see a friendly game in 1958. Immediately I was smitten. Sunderland were my team just as they had been for my dad since the 1930s. Since then my weekends have been a make or break situation depending on whether we won, drew or lost. Until I moved away I went to all the home games and a few away games with my Dad. Every weekend I could feel the tingle. Even after leaving the area the adrenalin rushed at the weekend. It was difficult at times, before the internet arrived, to keep in touch with what was going on but I always managed on the phone or via the Football Echo sent down by my Mum every week. Once the internet happened I could (and did) scour the web for any news. I still got the buzz. It's changing now. It might be age, but I think it's the game that's changed. Just like all other clubs we've moved away from the connection with the area. For most of my life I've felt a close allegiance with the lads because they are a bit like me (but luckier). The players find themselves (I thought) playing for the best club in the league (whatever league that might be) And they love it, just like I would. As time goes on this feeling diminishes. I now realise that non of them could care less about the Sunderland connection - it's just a stopping place in their playing career. I find it increasingly difficult to identify with the constantly changing, constantly interchangeable people who turn up on the pitch on any given matchday. We lost at home to Chelsea today (we always do) and that hurts, but not much. We lost to Newcastle at home and that hurts me much more than, I suspect, the players but it was never the end of the world as some on here would have it. Don't get me wrong, I still care deeply and I always will. The club's not mine any more though and that hurts.
The local player connection is important for teams like Sunderland and Newcastle. Probably moreso than anywhere else in England. The whole area has a strong togetherness and Us vs The World attitude; due in part to geographical isolation but also in part to the sense of regional pride instilled by decades on end of governmental discrimination. It's sad to see it die out and it's sad to see the Hendersons and Carrolls of this world depart for bigger things elsewhere but it's just the way things are now, players are scouted and recruited too young to fully weigh out the feelings of pride and loyalty with the feeling of a heavy wallet and a silver cup every other year. Too much too soon, and the fans are set to suffer. That depressing note aside, your team was exciting early last season and not just because of local players. A run of poor form and the departure of carefree moneygrabbing ****s can hurt but things will pick up and eventually a new era will kick in. Think of the good things: Praise whichever deity you follow that you have a chairman who really cares for your club and city and not a casino running piece of filth like us.
Whitburnlad, I was 9 too when my dad first took me to Roker Park in 1958. That picture of Charlie Hurley sends the tingles down the spine so I am very sensitive to what you have to say. Even so, these lads are wearing the red-and-white stripes and I can't help getting behind them and getting frustrated at performances such as today's. Chelsea were very, very good but we should be getting closer to teams like this than we did today. Skalpel, A nice read. Welcome thoughts.
Ill be honest when Chelsea scored today i didnt get the usual numb feeling i get in fact i didnt react at all either internally or externally then as the second half wound on i thought why did i pay £35 to watch this
Chats - I totally agree but I find myself caring less. If being able to compete with the likes of Chelsea means we have to pack our team with players who couldn't give a toss and hiring a manager from some far off land I'm not sure I can be bothered.
