There were plenty of heartaches and hangovers to go around in the USA this morning. Finally, when the headaches had time to dissipate and the alcoholic haze from the night before had finally lifted (somewhat like a sea mist in Roker), the Sunderland supporters awoke to find that the lads had once again managed to lose yet another critical match, dumping them out of the cup in the semi final. For me it only really set in this morning when I awoke.
It should be noted to all though that, despite the crushing end to the cup campaign by the, the lions, the USA branch of the Sunderland supporters association managed to keep their heads high and at least tried to enjoy the visit of their team to Old Trafford. In my area over fifteen to twenty supporters made their way, bleary eyed on a Sunday morning to the New York sports Bar to watch the game at eight AM only to watch their team lose… yet they did so in some style and I must congratulate everyone who made the trip a day to remember. Not only were the Millwall supporters outnumbered and out sung in New York, but the mood, despite an initial crushing reminiscent of the play off defeat at wembley, remained somewhat high and, those who stayed even met Daniel Day-Lewis (who turned out to be a Millwall fan, hey who would have guessed?). Plenty of beer was drunk (and ‘Stokoe’ shots downed, thanks to Branch Joint chairman Gavin Frater and regular message board poster AlbaGubrath) and we had a chance to meet and greet a lot of new supporters to the USA.
Over here optimism for the future of the club remains (but, if its at all possible Mic, I’d rather not play Millwall in the playoffs please) and after several hours of incessant drinking everyone thoroughly agreed that given a bit of time Sunderland would be back once again in the big time and back onto winning ways. We’re definitively looking forward to it and we’re definitely going to be here when it happens. If anything the USA supporters came out from the defeat even stronger, and although there was no doubt that a lot of spirit had been crushed in the defeat, the supporters, especially the American ones amongst us, showed more commitment and passion for the club then I could have asked from anyone, especially considering our recent (and prolonged) spell of heartbreak. Once again the roof was raised in this small corner of the world and once again the Sunderland Support in the USA had proved themselves above all other teams supporters.
The world over we are, without doubt, by far the greatest supporters the world has ever seen.