Dear Roker Report,
Having just watched Southampton vs Portsmouth, I am fully realising the relative standards of Premier League and Championship football.
We managed to escape that division somehow — a feat that still feels like a minor miracle given the gruelling nature of the Championship — and the turning point, as you rightly point out, was that iconic moment when Tommy Watson executed that piece of club history.
It was as if a plan, meticulously crafted behind the scenes, was waiting for that spark to ignite it.
The speed of change was truly remarkable and we all know the story: new directors, new players of hopefully Premier League standard, recruited not in a haphazard way but keeping to the club’s philosophy of nurturing young talent with grit and ambition.
I include stadium renovation as part of the plan, as the Stadium of Light is being transformed into a modern fortress that reflects the club’s aspirations. This has coincided with the iconic Keel Crossing and the modern developments — technology, science, and more — within the city itself.
It feels like the whole community is involved and united in a shared vision. The optimism and entrepreneurial spirit of the whole scheme is overwhelming and deserves success, and the team itself has begun encouragingly, showing flashes of Premier League quality.
I share your confidence that progress, whilst not always linear, will require a degree of patience if we’re to reach the upper echelons of the league. The seeds of success are well and truly sown. Believe! Haway the Lads!
Arthur Gray
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Arthur. Thank you for your letter.
The changes that have taken place on Wearside since that memorable day at Wembley in May have been remarkable. I don’t mind admitting that I’m still trying to get to grips with the transfer business we’ve done and the rate at which we’ve progressed from a promising Championship side to a team that looks as if it truly belongs at Premier League level.
Everyone at the club deserves a huge amount of praise for the hard work that’s been undertaken in various departments in order to get Sunderland AFC ready for the challenges ahead.
As you rightly highlight, it won’t be plain sailing all the time and we’ll need to deal with some setbacks along the way, but I’m very excited about what the future holds, and just how far this team can possibly progress in the years ahead!
Dear Roker Report,
Sunderland are known throughout the country for the famous red and white striped shirts we’ve worn for nearly 150 years.
In the present day, we only seem to wear the traditional shirts for home games, whereas in the past, the only time shirts were changed was in away games if there was a clash with the home team shirt — but now it appears to be an automatic change of strip for every away game.
It won’t be long before other clubs’ fans will not know that we wear red and white stripes and as a result our traditional identity will be lost.
I appreciate the club makes money from shirt sales but I would love to see Sunderland restore the tradition of wearing the stripes whenever possible.
Stuart Lathan
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Stuart. Thank you for getting in touch.
There’s definitely been a rise in the use of third kits at Sunderland over the years, and in an era where we need to maximise every available revenue stream, it’s understandable that they would go down the route of having as many different designs as possible.
I must admit that this season’s third kit does leave me cold, and I remember years ago, the Lads would often run out for away games in the traditional red and white stripes — and for some of the most memorable games I can remember as a Sunderland fan.
All part of the modern game, I guess, but I don’t worry about losing our identity: that’ll remain intact no matter which strip we happen to be wearing.
Dear Roker Report,
I’ve just watched the two games against Coventry City, the playoff final at Wembley against Sheffield United, plus the opening game of 2025/2026.
I am eighty five next month, and I’ve followed Sunderland all my life as I was born in Hendon in 1939. During all of those games, I was emotionally moved near to crying with pure joy. Against Crystal Palace, the so-called experts predicted that Palace would be too strong for our lads but come on, you hardened fans that make Sunderland so great: do you feel that way?
I’d be more than happy with a draw but after supporting the team for so long, it wouldn’t surprise me if we came away with a win — even if it’s to shut these experts up. We are Sunderland!
Henry Nixon
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Henry. Thank you for your letter.
I’m writing this reply in the aftermath of our excellent draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday — a hugely impressive outcome for the Lads on the back of a gritty and organised display at Selhurst Park.
For me, it offered more proof that we truly belong at this level and that Régis Le Bris, his coaching team and the players themselves are really starting to get to grips with the Premier League.
Even though we drew a blank in front of goal, there’s something to be said for such a resilient defensive display and it’ll send us into Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa in a positive frame of mind.
Bring it on!
