As Sunderland gears up for another shot at redemption at Wembley, there’s a growing sense of urgency in the air—not just for promotion, but for pride.
This weekend’s Championship play-off final against Sheffield United means far more than a football match.
It represents a city desperate to climb back to its rightful place in English football and to face their bitter rivals, Newcastle, on equal footing once again.
More Than Just a Match: A Symbol of Hope
Six years ago, a boy wrapped in a Sunderland flag, barefoot at the edge of a Trafalgar Square fountain, shouted out with joy during a Checkatrade Trophy final weekend.
Sunderland lost that day, but the image stuck—a symbol of defiant optimism that still echoes in the city’s soul.
That very photo now hangs in Sunderland’s Fans Museum, where volunteers and visitors quietly reflect on the moments that define their club’s emotional journey.
“It shows the celebration that these trips to Wembley have become,” says Carol Foster, a museum volunteer.
And once again, Sunderland fans are flocking to London, hoping this trip ends in triumph.
A City That Refuses to Stay Down
It’s been eight long years since Sunderland last played in the Premier League.
Their four-year stint in League One was tough to swallow for a club with such rich history.
While Sunderland clung to hope through the Checkatrade and Papa Johns Trophies, Newcastle surged ahead—thanks to Saudi money, Champions League football, and silverware.
The Netflix documentary Sunderland ’Til I Die, originally envisioned as a resurrection story, instead captured a club spiraling into the third tier.
Yet it also resonated deeply with fans around the world, showing the raw and relatable heartbreak that often comes with supporting your team.
Facing the “Saudi Toon” Machine
With Newcastle United backed by a Saudi sovereign wealth fund, their dominance now looms large. But in Sunderland, that’s only added fuel to the fire.
The city doesn’t fear the money—they want a chance to challenge it.
Jonathan Weightman, a lifelong fan studying players’ boots in the museum, sees it clearly: “Good luck to Newcastle if that’s where they’ve found their money.
The £100 million we’d get from going up will come in handy.”
Sunderland club historian Rob Mason traces the rivalry’s imbalance back centuries—literally.
During the English Civil War, Newcastle sided with the Royalists and gained economic advantages that crippled Sunderland.
“They get the cream and we get what’s left,” he says. “It’s always been like that.”
A Different Kind of Identity
But Sunderland’s story isn’t about chasing wealth.
It’s about being something else—something more grounded and real.
Leo Pearlman, executive producer of Sunderland ’Til I Die and now a non-executive director of the club, says, “Newcastle is a global entity.
Sunderland has the chance to be a local club with a global outlook.”
That authenticity is what drew global audiences to their story—and what inspired actor Rob McElhenney to invest in Wrexham.
“Pain, misery, defeat—people saw something that matched their own experience,” Pearlman explains.
A City Rising, On and Off the Pitch
Today’s Sunderland isn’t just rebuilding its football team. It’s revitalizing itself.
The city has been designated the UK’s first “Global Music City” and a hub for 5G technology.
One of Europe’s largest film studios is being built there—with investment from Pearlman’s own production company, Fulwell 73.
Under the ownership of 28-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland is finally back on track.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has unearthed emerging talent like Jobe Bellingham, Trai Hume, and teenagers Tommy Watson and Chris Rigg.
The club’s renewed energy is reflected in small but meaningful changes—sold-out Hummel kits, a better Tannoy system, and the renaming of the West Stand to honor legendary goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery.
One Magical Night, One Belief
That belief came to life in a dramatic semi-final win against Coventry, sealed in the 122nd minute.
Fans flooded out across Monkwearmouth bridge, singing in unison, horns blaring.
“Monty told me he’d never experienced an atmosphere like it,” says supporter Jim Christie.
“It was right up there with the 1973 Manchester City quarter-final.”
Podcast host Gavin Henderson says Sunderland has nothing to fear about a Premier League return.
“The club has been well run, with a good squad,” he says. “This team has been building for years.”
Holding Onto Talent, Holding Onto Hope
The challenge now is retention. Watson is off to Brighton, Rigg is being eyed by West Ham and Everton, and even Dortmund is watching Bellingham.
With Championship clubs often bouncing straight back down, Sunderland must build smart and build strong.
Former manager Peter Reid says the fans will be the club’s backbone.
“The people are absolutely football crackers,” he says.
He’ll be at Wembley, cheering alongside thousands of others.
Never Overshadowed by Newcastle
Despite Newcastle’s newfound riches, Sunderland still holds its head high.
“Historically, they’ve never been as successful,” Rob Mason points out. “We’ve got more league titles.
Their record attendance is still lower than ours.”
The rivalry, while intense, isn’t just about hatred. Families are often split between the two clubs. Some older fans even hold season tickets for both.
Pearlman believes that’s what makes the friction so fiery.
“They’re so similar. Both proud, determined, storytelling people,” he says.
Mackem Pride: Undeniably Different
Of course, the rivalry comes with its quirks. The Geordie accent is distinct from the Mackem one—just ask anyone who’s heard the infamous phrase “wheese keys are these keys?”
The term “Mackem” itself was originally a jab from Geordies.
But today, it’s a badge of honor—representing a club, a city, and a people who have never given up, no matter how far they’ve fallen.
Now, on the brink of another shot at glory, Sunderland isn’t just chasing promotion—they’re chasing validation, renewal, and the chance to write their next chapter with pride.