Like a lot of you on here, I no longer live in Sunderland. Currently, I find myself living amongst Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and of course the obligatory Man U fans. For the past season and a half, they've all dismissed Sunderland, bar maybe our fabulous 0-3 win over Chelsea, as no-hopers, also-rans. Today, I get a very different response. After the win over Arsenal, I went into my local and got cheered as I went through the door! The Arsenal fans got the p!ss ripped out of them. Everyone is talking about how strong a team we are and how much they admire O'Neill. My Villa and Forest mates are begging for him to go there! Anyway, the question for you Sunderland exiles (and everyone else of course) is: Have you noticed a shift in people's attitudes to SAFC?
Living in France, most people I meet still say "who" That will change quickly if we win the FA cup - there will be pictures in all the local rags of some crazy English lad in a SAFC top going mental Seriously though, we havent quite made international recognition yet, but that could change if we start to see consistent performances for a couple of season - its the top 8 teams that are known over here.
I'm living in Germany and I'm doing my bit for us. When I get a taxi back home after a night out I always end up talking ****e to the driver. These drivers are from all over the place. From Siberia to Portugal and Finland through the middle east and down through Africa. If they are say from Turkey I go on about Riveros on loan there, Africa and Mid East gets Gyan (our player loaned out) and Mohammed Ali. I tell them all where Sunderland is, I come out with people like Quinny, SKP, Keane and Bent who they know of. I met a lad from Paraguay who is a SAFC fan because of Da Silva and Riveros, and still is a SAFC fan now. I'm a musician and play in a SAFC (away) top. Now, any time I get into a taxi I get greeted with "Sunderland" They all know about Sunderland If any of you happen to get a taxi in the Paderborn area don't be suprised if the driver mentions McClean or Sess.
I live just south of boro, I have more crack on with a lad accross the road and he is a mag, than I do with all my wifes family who are smoggies (who dont go to the match).
Some of my work colleagues are Mags and I get a lot more respect from them these days (see what it's like after the derby). London teams also seem to sitting up and taking more notice. Long may it continue!
Here in Cape Town it's a choice of Manure, Chelsea, Gooner's or L'pool. Any mention of Sunderland and it get's a wry smile, which I assume to be a polite reply, (instead of never heard of them) but then suddenly beat a decent team like Arsenal the other day, then they all happen to know who Sunderland are.
