I’m writing this article as I’m sat on a plane to Portugal.
Seven years ago, in July 2019, I got on a similar flight, also to Portugal. This journey took me to Albufeira, where I watched Sunderland take on Belenenses SAD in a pre-season friendly.
Sunderland had just lost the League One play-off final to Charlton following a heartbreaking last-minute winner, but spirits were high amongst the travelling fans. Pints were flowing, chants were loud and everyone was having a great time.
It was the first time I’d heard the bit of the chant that went ‘I’m from Wallsend’, too. And one fan was being mocked by what felt like the whole away end with chants of ‘socks and sandals, you’re having a laugh’.
The game itself wasn’t all that inspiring, as Belenenses ended up winning 1-0.
Jack Ross was manager, and the Sunderland team was as follows: Jon McLaughlin; Conor McLaughlin, Jordan Willis, Tom Flanagan, Luke O’Nien, Denver Hume; Grant Leadbitter, Dylan McGeouch, Duncan Watmore, Elliot Embleton; Will Grigg.
Kimpioka, Wyke, Ozturk, Power, Gooch, Maguire, Baldwin, Sammut and Diamond all came off the bench.
We stuck around on the pitch for a bit after the game because my brother, aged 11 at the time, wanted to get a token photo holding the fourth official’s substitution board.
The players re-emerged from the tunnel and stuck around to chat to the few loitering fans who remained at the stadium. Even though Sunderland were at their lowest ebb ever, I was still a bit (embarrassingly?) starstruck.
After conversations with a few players, including Lynden Gooch asking where we were off to on our summer holidays (not knowing that Wembley and this trip to Portugal had emptied our pockets), it was Luke O’Nien we had the most time for, as you might expect.
He was with Lee Burge, who had recently signed from Coventry. O’Nien had taken Burge under his wing since he joined, and the ‘keeper was raving to us about O’Nien’s fajita-making ability.
We brought up how O’Nien had been mistaken for a youth player when he was helping to change the Stadium of Light’s seats and was told he should sign the backs of the seats ‘in case he makes it’. He laughed and told us not to bring it up in front of his new teammate.
O’Nien also recommended a nearby water park to us.
If someone had told me, or any Sunderland fan, that seven years later I’d be boarding another flight to Portugal to watch Sunderland play again, but this time in the Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League, I’d have thought that person was crazy.
What’s more, Thursday could be Luke O’Nien’s Europa League debut, which would cap off the incredible career he’s had at Sunderland and be testament to the commitment and determination he’s shown throughout his time on Wearside.
So, as I watch Sunderland’s first Europa League away fixture in 53 years, I will think back to that friendly in Portugal and how infinitely far away weeks like this one felt.
For that reason, we must enjoy every minute of being in Europe and continue backing the Lads, no matter what happens on the pitch. We’ve seen how positive an effect we can have on the team when we get behind them, and they need our support throughout what is an unprecedented period of fixture congestion over the coming weeks.
To everyone else travelling to Portugal, enjoy the sun and Super Bock, and see you in Leiria!