Sunderland are set to host AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening to begin their Europa League campaign.
Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening as the club return to European football for the first time in over 50 years, and what a journey it has been.
April 21, 2018. The day that darkness descended over Wearside and the Stadium of Light as Sunderland suffered relegation to the third tier of English football just two seasons after being demoted from the Premier League.
Then, began years of torment and toil for the Sunderland supporters, who still turned up in their thousands weekly in support of their team, with agony in the pit of their stomachs wondering whether the glory days would ever return.
Years of failure led to Sunderland, one of the best-supported clubs in the birthplace of football, being beaten 6-0 away at Bolton Wanderers in one of the most embarrassing days in the Black Cats’ 147-year history.
What made it even more painful was the torment chronicled on Netflix with the infamous Sunderland 'Til I Die documentary. 'We saw you crying on Netflix', sang opposition fans, making the Black Cats the laughing stock of English football.
At this time, the depressing and dark cloud cast over the Stadium of Light appeared to be permanent, leaving fans wondering whether that light, both physical and metaphorical, would ever return.
However, they do say that the night is darkest just before dawn.
Months later, promotion from League One to the Championship was secured by Sunderland, putting the club one step closer to returning to their rightful place among England’s footballing elite.
However, Sunderland’s journey from the second tier back to the Premier League would be one tainted by turbulence and a moment of further embarrassment.
In the Championship season before Regis Le Bris’ arrival on Wearside, three different head coaches took charge of Sunderland, each failing in their own way to steer the Black Cats towards the summit of the second tier, leaving the club a small number of points above the relegation zone.
During this time, the 3-0 FA Cup defeat on home soil at the hands of arch-rivals Newcastle United came, landing yet another scar in the collective hearts and minds of Sunderland supporters.
Not just a pitiful display against our fiercest enemy, but a moment which signified the pain and disparity at Sunderland.
Pondering in the painful purgatory of Championship football seemed to be the long-term potential for Sunderland, before one appointment which would permanently alter the trajectory of the club forever.
Le Bris’ arrival and stewardship saw rays of light burst through that dark cloud shrouding over the Stadium of Light, and would go on to shine the way back to the Premier League.
One arduous Championship season. Play-offs, manoeuvred. Play-off final, 1-0 down to 2-1 and a remarkable comeback victory.
The glory days, riches, and joys of Premier League football had finally returned to Sunderland after an eight-year absence, lighting up the city on the banks of the Wear once again.
Sun beaming over the Stadium of Light (Action Images via Reuters)With Le Bris in the driving seat, Sunderland had landed back in the top flight, but many on-looking doubters believed that it would be just a one-season layover.
How wrong that fretful forecast was. Lift-off.
A 3-0 win over West Ham to start the journey, points gained from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea came before revenge.
Vengeance, years of turmoil and torture in the making, with a 1-0 home win to see the Black Cats swallow the flapping Magpies whole and truly announce their return to the podium of the region.
Sunderland flew high throughout the campaign, and after some bumps en route, landed in seventh place and subsequently qualified for the Europa League, less than nine months after promotion.
Luke O'Nien celebrates Europa League qualification with Sunderland fans (Action Images via Reuters)The tens of thousands of Sunderland diehards who suffered through the years of dark days in wait without promise for the light to return deserve this momentous moment of joy for keeping the faith when that had come so close to burning out.
Many will scratch their eyes wondering if it is all real. Some will cry. All will sing and chant hours before kick-off and long into the night.
The journey is by no means over; it is just beginning, fuelled by renewed fire lighting up Sunderland's football home, with the Europa League clash against AZ set to deliver a raucous atmosphere.
Almost 50,000 Sunderland fans will make their pilgrimage to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening, collectively anticipating the coming stage of the club's journey.
Next stop, Europa.
