Surely I cannot be the only one who thinks they may get a little emotional when they walk into the SoL on Saturday?
You're not the only one mate. I've travelled the country supporting the Lads for 50 years. Nothing, and I mean nothing, has ever stopped me going. Not Ken Bates, the Luton away fan ban, the Newcastle away fan ban, not having tickets, not the knife welding Cockney hooligan gangs, not being snowed in, not having an MOT/tax/insurance/tread on my tyres/money/Mrs Smug's permission/time agreed off work/Mam's OK when I was 14/not finding a minibus and having to rent a furniture van to get 17 lads down to Bristol Rovers/not sleeping in shop doorways and airports/not having to jump on away coaches at Roker Park then jumping out at the Mansfield exit. So, to be prevented from seeing my club win a trophy at Wembley, by some pathetic little invisible Chinese bug that you can't swing a punch at, is frustrating to say the least. Imagine if we'd gone up as Champions and won the EFL Cup without a soul to see it ... ... emotional, I'd have cried me a river.
Hhaaawwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy the Lad's... Covid prevents me from going as I didn't renew this season due to the knackers in charge of our club and I ain't going to the pub until we've both had our second jab. But even watching it at home on sky with a few beers I'll be emotional...
Has any one man, other than Donald, caused so many people not to renew ... ... probably the worst person in our entire history. What a tragic legacy.
I can appreciate the emotions upon entering the stadium. For us, not only is it the first game with fans since Covid-19 struck the uk, but it is the first with fans since the takeover and that adds double importance to the event. It will be both a reconnection with our past, the resuscitation of the beating spiritual heart of the club, and the first steps into the future under KLD. I wish more fans could be present and I am envious of those fans who will be there for this historic moment. I just hope that you all get a match as memorable as the event, with the team doing us all proud! Ha'way the lads! Both those on and off the field!
If I'm not at a game it always make me feel like I'm there if I have family of friends in the stadium ... ... in these strange times I'll feel a connection even if everyone present was a stranger. We're all part of it whether we're there or not, can't wait.
Some of the best times of my life have been watching Sunderland ... ... the next three games can go onto that list.
Ok then, a team that doesn't indulge in regular catastrophic series, complete with Christmas specials and a made for TV movie.
I'm starting my drive back to the UK on Wednesday so will watch in a French hotel ... ... but I'll be with my son in Mansfield on Saturday. Might go to Wembley though.
I won’t be crying like I should be grateful to be there. More anger that I’ve been kept away for so long.