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Luke O'nien what a journey.

RichD

RichD

Striker
Taken from Luke's linkedin account..

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream. Not because I didn’t want it. Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible. What kid would? Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game. What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone? I was heartbroken. My dad looked at me and said:“What are we doing tomorrow?”To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:“We’re training, Dad.”So we trained. Every single day. My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity. One club replied. One. That was all I needed. An opportunity. Wealdstone FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC, I’ll always be indebted to you. Then came the move to Sunderland AFC.A massive club.A massive opportunity.And I couldn’t wait to prove myself. But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”Then came the Championship.“He’s not good enough for this level.”Then the Premier League.“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”I understood the doubt. I’ve faced it my whole career. And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times. But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:Outwork your doubt. You don’t always need to see the full journey. You just need to take the next step. Then the next one. And then another. Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough. Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing. Keep working.Keep learning.Keep showing up.Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined. To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early. You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you. And to the boys… thank you. You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself. What a team. What a club. What a fanbase. Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍And in the words of Granit Xhaka:“This is just the beginning.”

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The Great MES said:
A truly amazing story. I hope he stays till the end of his contract which will take him to a testimonial. I for one would definitely be there because he deserves a full house.
Click to expand...

I doubt Luke will be granted a testimonial given that things have changed so much in the game financially.....however if he were granted one then you just know he would do just what Quinny did and donate it away to deserving charities.
Congrats Luke ....you deserve this moment
 
F***ing hell Luke!…..You’ve just gone and chucked a shit load of dust I’m my eyes….again!

What a journey!
And if anyone on here doesn’t think that the players read comments, think again!…..and react better next time.
This man LOVES our club.
He isn’t even from the area and he LOVES it!

And, he never EVER gives less than 100% to the cause….be that on the field of play, on the bench or in training.
He is very much improving as well (as seen in the Everton and Chelsea games).

Mr Sunderland?…..only for f***ing life! ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️
 
RichD said:
Taken from Luke's linkedin account..

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream. Not because I didn’t want it. Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible. What kid would? Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game. What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone? I was heartbroken. My dad looked at me and said:“What are we doing tomorrow?”To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:“We’re training, Dad.”So we trained. Every single day. My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity. One club replied. One. That was all I needed. An opportunity. Wealdstone FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC, I’ll always be indebted to you. Then came the move to Sunderland AFC.A massive club.A massive opportunity.And I couldn’t wait to prove myself. But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”Then came the Championship.“He’s not good enough for this level.”Then the Premier League.“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”I understood the doubt. I’ve faced it my whole career. And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times. But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:Outwork your doubt. You don’t always need to see the full journey. You just need to take the next step. Then the next one. And then another. Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough. Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing. Keep working.Keep learning.Keep showing up.Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined. To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early. You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you. And to the boys… thank you. You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself. What a team. What a club. What a fanbase. Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍And in the words of Granit Xhaka:“This is just the beginning.”

You must be logged on to see external links
Click to expand...
An inspiration to anyone and everyone.Luke ,when he's gone will and rightly so be remembered as a true legend.
EDIT.oh and I love him and would have his babies.Well if I wasn't 65 and a bloke.
 
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FatDrummer said:
F***ing hell Luke!…..You’ve just gone and chucked a shit load of dust I’m my eyes….again!

What a journey!
And if anyone on here doesn’t think that the players read comments, think again!…..and react better next time.
This man LOVES our club.
He isn’t even from the area and he LOVES it!

And, he never EVER gives less than 100% to the cause….be that on the field of play, on the bench or in training.
He is very much improving as well (as seen in the Everton and Chelsea games).

Mr Sunderland?…..only for f***ing life! ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️
Click to expand...
Great comments.
 
RichD said:
Taken from Luke's linkedin account..

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream. Not because I didn’t want it. Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible. What kid would? Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game. What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone? I was heartbroken. My dad looked at me and said:“What are we doing tomorrow?”To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:“We’re training, Dad.”So we trained. Every single day. My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity. One club replied. One. That was all I needed. An opportunity. Wealdstone FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC, I’ll always be indebted to you. Then came the move to Sunderland AFC.A massive club.A massive opportunity.And I couldn’t wait to prove myself. But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”Then came the Championship.“He’s not good enough for this level.”Then the Premier League.“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”I understood the doubt. I’ve faced it my whole career. And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times. But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:Outwork your doubt. You don’t always need to see the full journey. You just need to take the next step. Then the next one. And then another. Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough. Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing. Keep working.Keep learning.Keep showing up.Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined. To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early. You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you. And to the boys… thank you. You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself. What a team. What a club. What a fanbase. Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍And in the words of Granit Xhaka:“This is just the beginning.”

You must be logged on to see external links
Click to expand...
Cheers. Aboot the sixth time I've read it in the last two days but was more than happy to read it again.

It should also stand as a cautionary tale, though. Players obviously read the stuff that is written about them, on here and those without his grit, determination, endeavour ((and immense ability)) could easily crumble. We need to be getting behind players, not telling them they're not good enough because not everybody has the "I'll prove you wrong" attitude that this legend has.
 
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Love Luke and his story, he's such a great representation of where we've been over the last few years and how we've worked our way up.

I find his updates slightly verging into slightly awkward Jake Humphries 'elite mindset' territory (or whatever it's called) but if anyone's earned leeway then it's him.
 
Nedved said:
Love Luke and his story, he's such a great representation of where we've been over the last few years and how we've worked our way up.

I find his updates slightly verging into slightly awkward Jake Humphries 'elite mindset' territory (or whatever it's called) but if anyone's earned leeway then it's him.
Click to expand...
Kind of know what you're saying

Like I have a friend who posts meaningless motivational sh** almost every day on social media. It means nothing when it's borrowed from other meaningless sh**

But then with Luke it seems authentic. We know he's human and we know he knows his own limits but pushes them & and we have the evidence

It's stuck with me for example about him saying about Xhaka talking him through the derby after he messed up

So the motivation lad needed the other motivation lad on that occasion

Along those lines anyway
 
As already alluded to - next time posters on here post awful comments about the players, and worse still personal comments, please stop to think about how the player on the end of the abuse feels reading your vitriol.

They're human beings with feelings. Yes, they're pros and to an extent have to learn to try to block out abuse, but they're not robots, they're people.
Imagine reading fan forums, only to discover your own team's fans think you're shit or resort to childish, personal comments about you.
How is that going to make you feel, ffs? I wouldn't have blamed Luke if he'd left after some of the comments on here.

Would you want to play for fans who don't want you in the team? It's something players will carry with them every time they step out on the pitch.
Why try to create a negative mindset before a ball is even kicked?

No doubt someone will say that all club's fans do it, well I don't give a shit. It's wrong, it's counterproductive and it will affect player's mindsets.
Get behind the lads or STFU.

Edit: I love you, Luke! Congrats on qualifying for Europe! ❤️
 
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RichD said:
Taken from Luke's linkedin account..

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream. Not because I didn’t want it. Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible. What kid would? Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game. What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone? I was heartbroken. My dad looked at me and said:“What are we doing tomorrow?”To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:“We’re training, Dad.”So we trained. Every single day. My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity. One club replied. One. That was all I needed. An opportunity. Wealdstone FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC, I’ll always be indebted to you. Then came the move to Sunderland AFC.A massive club.A massive opportunity.And I couldn’t wait to prove myself. But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”Then came the Championship.“He’s not good enough for this level.”Then the Premier League.“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”I understood the doubt. I’ve faced it my whole career. And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times. But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:Outwork your doubt. You don’t always need to see the full journey. You just need to take the next step. Then the next one. And then another. Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough. Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing. Keep working.Keep learning.Keep showing up.Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined. To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early. You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you. And to the boys… thank you. You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself. What a team. What a club. What a fanbase. Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍And in the words of Granit Xhaka:“This is just the beginning.”

You must be logged on to see external links
Click to expand...
Is he quoting posts off here?
 
Morse said:
As already alluded to - next time posters on here post awful comments about the players, and worse still personal comments, please stop to think about how the player on the end of the abuse feels reading your vitriol.

They're human beings with feelings. Yes, they're pros and to an extent have to learn to try to block out abuse, but they're not robots, they're people.
Imagine reading fan forums, only to discover your own team's fans think you're shit or resort to childish, personal comments about you.
How is that going to make you feel, ffs? I wouldn't have blamed Luke if he'd left after some of the comments on here.

Would you want to play for fans who don't want you in the team? It's something players will carry with them every time they step out on the pitch.
Why try to create a negative mindset before a ball is even kicked?

No doubt someone will say that all club's fans do it, well I don't give a shit. It's wrong, it's counterproductive and it will affect player's mindsets.
Get behind the lads or STFU.

Edit: I love you, Luke! Congrats on qualifying for Europe! ❤️
Click to expand...
I was gutted reading some of it....once again he's proved doubters wrong 8-)
 
Morse said:
As already alluded to - next time posters on here post awful comments about the players, and worse still personal comments, please stop to think about how the player on the end of the abuse feels reading your vitriol.

They're human beings with feelings. Yes, they're pros and to an extent have to learn to try to block out abuse, but they're not robots, they're people.
Imagine reading fan forums, only to discover your own team's fans think you're shit or resort to childish, personal comments about you.
How is that going to make you feel, ffs? I wouldn't have blamed Luke if he'd left after some of the comments on here.

Would you want to play for fans who don't want you in the team? It's something players will carry with them every time they step out on the pitch.
Why try to create a negative mindset before a ball is even kicked?

No doubt someone will say that all club's fans do it, well I don't give a shit. It's wrong, it's counterproductive and it will affect player's mindsets.
Get behind the lads or STFU.

Edit: I love you, Luke! Congrats on qualifying for Europe! ❤️
Click to expand...
True very true, i love Luke, he is a true warrior for our beloved club, it's only the utter arseholes on here who have derided him in the past, hopefully he has shut them up for good with his great displays on the pitch, hope he is kept on past his playing days as he would be a massive inspiration to the younger up and coming players on our books.
 
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