Sunderland fan groups have urged supporters to line the streets and make the Stadium of Light count against Chelsea
Sunderland fan groups have issued a joint rallying cry ahead of Sunday’s huge final-day meeting with Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
This is Wearside, Roker Report and A Love Supreme have joined forces to encourage supporters to create a major atmosphere before and during the game, with the Black Cats still in contention to qualify for Europe at the end of a remarkable first season back in the Premier League.
Régis Le Bris’ side must beat Chelsea and then hope results elsewhere go their way, with Liverpool facing Brentford and Brighton taking on Manchester United. If Sunderland win and either Brentford fail to win or Brighton lose, the Black Cats will qualify for Europe. If Sunderland win and both results go their way, they could finish seventh and secure a Europa League place.
A joint statement from This is Wearside, Roker Report and A Love Supreme read: “There are football matches, and then there are days that can define a generation. Sunday is one of those days. For months, this team has fought for every point, every tackle, every moment. They’ve given us memories we’ll talk about for years - nights under the lights, limbs in the stands, late winners, impossible moments, togetherness like we’ve not seen in decades.
“Now it comes down to this. One final home game. One final push. One chance to drag this football club somewhere it hasn’t been in over fifty years. European football is within touching distance. But this is Sunderland. Nothing comes easy. If we’re going to get over the line, the players need the Stadium of Light at its absolute best. Not quiet. Not nervous. Not waiting for something to happen. Relentless.
“Get into the city early. Line the streets for the team bus. Fill the ground before kick-off. Wear red and white. Scarves up. Flags out. Voices gone by full-time. Make Chelsea feel every tackle. Every chant. Every roar. This club has always been about more than what happens on the pitch. It’s about the people. The city. The noise. The passion. The belief. For ninety minutes, forget everything else. Back the lads. Push them forward. Carry them if we have to. One more effort. One more result. One more memory. ’Til The End. HAWAY THE LADS.”
The fan groups have also shared details of a planned bus welcome, with supporters urged to line the route towards the Stadium of Light main entrance before the team coach arrives.
The schedule encourages fans to gather from 2.10pm, with the team coach expected at around 2.30pm. Supporters are then urged to get inside the ground for the warm-ups from 3.30pm before turning up the volume inside the Stadium of Light from 3.45pm ahead of the 4pm kick-off.
Gavin Henderson, managing editor of Roker Report, added: “These last twelve months have been nothing short of remarkable. It has, without a doubt, been the best year of my life supporting this unbelievable football club. We’ve created so many unreal memories, and yet we could still achieve one more thing if the stars align this coming weekend.
“On Sunday, we head into battle for one final time this season as we hopefully win the game and, if results go our way elsewhere, qualify for European competition for the first time since 1973 - ironically, on the first anniversary of our amazing Sunderland Playoff Final victory at Wembley Stadium.
“Our fans have been unbelievable all season, selling out both home and away games because we love this team and we want to back them. To give them the best possible chance of achieving greatness, they need us now more than ever.
“Together, we have to make the atmosphere on Sunday special. This is a big game, so let’s treat it like one. The weather is going to be great, so let’s get out in force, making the Stadium of Light a boiling cauldron, one that the Chelsea players should be uncomfortable playing in.
“Line the streets to welcome the Lads in, get inside the ground early, wear your colours, and sing your hearts out - all we can do is try our very best, back the players from minute one to minute ninety, and ensure that we as supporters have done our bit.”
The call to arms comes ahead of one of Sunderland’s biggest league games in years. Le Bris’ side have already gone well beyond pre-season expectations, passing the 50-point mark and taking their European hopes into the final day. Now supporters are being asked to play their part in one last push.
Sunderland must beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light to have any chance of qualifying for Europe. A draw or defeat ends the dream. If Régis Le Bris’ side win, they move from 51 to 54 points and climb above Chelsea, who currently sit eighth on 52.
From there, Sunderland need help elsewhere. Brentford, who are ninth on 52 points, must fail to beat Liverpool at Anfield - so a draw or defeat would be enough. Alternatively, Brighton, who are seventh on 53 points, must lose at home to Manchester United. Goal difference means a Brighton draw would almost certainly keep them above Sunderland.
If Sunderland win and one of those results goes their way, they qualify for Europe. If Sunderland win, Brentford fail to win and Brighton lose, the Black Cats would finish seventh and secure Europa League football rather than the Conference League.
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