Laeotaekhun
Striker
Me too mate. That's my favourite song anyway and always makes me a little bit weepy. We're cleary not the greatest team the world has ever seen, yet we still sing it and mean it.
We are the greatest club and supporters though.
My first exposure to SAFC was when I first walked into Roker, in January '63, despite never having lived in Sunderland before or since and I was/still am amazed the effect that has had upon my life.
We lost 1-3 but I felt a connection that I'd never felt before (if I'm being 100% honest I wasn't that interested in watching football) - I'd been to St James' a few times with my mates (I lived in Newcastle) but was always bored and would try to wind them up by shouting for the opposition.
All that changed, though, when I went to Roker for the first time.
From the moment I met some lads who joined the Newcastle/Seaburn train at Pelaw who (over the next few years) became mates, to the first time I looked down at the pitch from the steps at the back of the Fulwell I felt at home and the passion, the crowd and their connection with the club had me hooked!
It was the beginning of a long term love affair which has had its ups and downs (as all love matches do) but genuine love never wanes.
It, also, makes me think back to the girl who I still think was the love of my life, but I finished with, after five years - she lived with her parents, I had my own place but we never lived together, before anyone tries to misinterpret that.
I will claim I was too young and stupid to know better - but that still doesn't excuse the mistake I made.
Apologies for a "sloppy" post!
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