When Middlesbrough embarked upon what can only be described as one of the maddest and most unlikely European runs ever seen under Steve McClaren back in 2005/2006, I would occasionally tune in to watch their games with a sense of envy and often bemusement at how what appeared to be such a humdrum collection of players — captained by future England boss Gareth Southgate, no less — was able to achieve such results on the way to the final in Holland.
OK, even in the mid 2000s, there was a very clear
dividing line between Europe’s second-tier competition and the Champions League, but the old UEFA Cup was still a prestigious and ferociously competitive affair and as Boro negotiated a series of tricky knockout ties before being thrashed by Sevilla at Eindhoven’s Philips Stadion, it was hard not to feel a sense of frustration as our fortunes couldn’t have been more contrasting.
Sunderland were atrocious at the time and following our eventual relegation from the Premier League at the end of the season, the notion of the Stadium of Light ever hosting a competitive game involving ourselves and a continental opponent seemed borderline unthinkable; the kind of fantasy destined to forever remain unfulfilled and the preserve of the dreamers and the true romantics among us.
Yet now, twenty years on, it’s our time.
The Europa League moniker itself may not pack the same emotional punch as its predecessor, but when Friday’s draw (easily one of the most surreal spectacles I’ve ever witnessed) was conducted and our club crest appeared on the screens alongside a range of European big dogs with UEFA figures providing a running commentary, it truly felt like one of those “I was there” moments…and that was before the draw was even made!
And then, the process began, the draw took shape and we found out who we’d be tackling on our travels and under the lights at home this season.
AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia, Levski Sofia, AC Milan, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, Torrense.
By any reasonable definition, an absolute all-timer of a draw — surely to have been accepted by fans of any English club at this level, but for Sunderland? Genuinely about as good as it gets.
A mixture of winnable ties, trips to mysterious, far-flung outposts and encounters with new teams and new fanbases, and with a clash with the Rosseneri at the footballing cathedral of the San Siro also on the agenda, a chance to make memories that’ll truly last for eternity as well as condemning the old Have You Ever Seen A Mackem In Milan? chant to the dustbin of history. Another benefit, you’d have to say.
The likes of homegrown hero Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor and Trai Hume being skippered into battle by Granit Xhaka and potentially running out onto the turf once graced by the likes of Kaka, Nesta, Maldini, Cafu and Pirlo? If that’s not the truest of footballing fairytales, such things don’t exist.
They’ll have earned that opportunity and although the ‘underlying numbers’ brigade may still view our seventh-place finish of 2025/2026 as a triumph of good fortune over anything else, nothing could be further from the truth.
Sunderland finished in such a lofty league position and delivered Europa League football to Wearside because we deserved to.
Resilience, togetherness, unbreakable team spirit and defensive solidity were the foundations, and I want those same qualities to be carried forward this season. Challenges such as this can only be classed as ‘generational’ and although there are plenty of unknowns, that should inspire us all rather than causing us to fall prey to nerves.
Everyone — players, coaches, executives and fans alike — simply must embrace this opportunity.
The flight bookings, hotel confirmations and additional practical arrangements are already being made.
The Sunderland European Tour 2026/2027 flags will be hung from hotel balconies and the railings inside stadiums. Excitement will grow. European nights on Wearside will be the hottest ticket in town and even though it may seem daunting, why can’t we attack this competition with gusto and see where it takes us?
Régis Le Bris has transformed this club like few other head coaches in the modern era, building the kind of culture and team spirit that should easily be transposed into European ties as effectively as it’s often worked in league fixtures.
He deserves the opportunity to guide the Lads through these games and I’m confident that the players will be laser-focused on delivering for both himself and the fans that’ve supported them during his landmark two-year tenure as Sunderland boss. These are already some of the most admired footballers to wear the red and white shirt in years, but succeeding in Europe with a Sunderland badge on their chests? That would be something else entirely.
How far can we progress? Who knows? This is something completely new for all of us but I think we can assume that it won’t be dull, it won’t be forgettable and it’ll more than likely make for some thrilling moments both at home and abroad.
I can’t wait. Bring it on.
