Sunderland face Man Utd in the quarter final of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening
A little later this month, the footballing link between Armenia and Sunderland will be strengthened when 18-year-old Finn Geragusian takes the first steps in his senior international career.
Armenia was the last management job of the club's FA Cup icon Ian Porterfield, who achieved a string of impressive results in the role before his death aged 61. Geragusian's debut, which could well come in the next break but now appears to be only a matter of time either way, will be a special moment for is club but more importantly a moment of deep pride for his family.
Geragusian counts his grandfather as one of his very biggest supporters, a fixture at his games and so devoted to the Sunderland cause. He is also a proud Armenian, who moved to the UK but still retains a strong bond with his country of birth and visits when he can. Now, he has an excuse he could once have barely dreamed of.
Geragusian is Sunderland through and through but only a few minutes in his company reflects the pride he has in his grandparents and his roots. He speaks only a little of the language but is learning more as quickly as he can, and his excitement is palpable when he reflects on the opportunities he hopes lies ahead.
"My mum's dad is Armenian," Geragusian explains to The Echo.
"He speaks Armenian and he's really showed me the heritage and the culture of Armenia, which is really important, especially when I've been called up for them and get to represent their first team, which will be unbelievable. He was over the moon when Sunderland got the message through got called up, and it means a lot to all the family.
"It's really exciting for me to know that Armenia are looking out for me and if I do manage to get some minutes, then I'll definitely make sure that I'll give my all and hopefully get some goals and just really embrace the moment and enjoy it. My family were really proud of me and for my grandad, he comes to loads of my games and he really enjoys watching me, so going to see me play for the Armenian first team, if I'm able to get on and get the opportunity to do that, would just be amazing."
Sunderland ready for FA Youth Cup quarter final at Old Trafford
First, though, some very important other business. Back on Wearside, preparations are stepping up as Geragusian looks to strengthen Sunderland's bond with the FA Cup that little bit more. Or to be a little more precise, The FA Youth Cup. On Wednesday night Geragusian will be a key player in the Sunderland side taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford, with a place in the last four of the competition up for grabs. It is Sunderland's best run in the competition since the class of 2008 reached the semi finals; a side that featured Jordan Henderson.
No side has as many youth cups to their name as Manchester United's 11, and so away from home this is truly the ultimate test for Geragusian and his team mates. They take confidence from a win over the same opposition earlier this season, and the spirit they have shown to make it this deep into the competition.
"It will be a great opportunity for me and the lads," Geragusian says.
"We'll obviously definitely embrace it when we get there, but then once we've done that, we'll then have to focus our minds on the game and make sure that we give it our all and just get through the game and make sure we win. They are definitely a very good team and they've got great individual players, but I think collectively our team is really good as well. "We have a really good spirit, We're encouraging each other, we always look out for each other and we'll definitely give our all to the last minute and last second and push each other through. I think it goes throughout the whole academy, like the first team, 21s, 18s, we've all got that sense of community of ours. We all look out for each other, whatever it is that you need, we're always helping each other, especially on pitch and off pitch stuff. We'll make sure that everyone's okay and it's just a great environment to be around."
Finn Geragusian on his stellar campaign and next steps
Geragusian has long been spoken of as one of the most exciting talents in the club's academy, and Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi's loan moves this season have seen increased game time and exposure for the forward in both the U18s and the U21s.
The youngster already towers well above 6ft and has been a reliable source of goals, the game's most valuable commodity. Ask the youngster to describe himself as a player, however, and he speaks with a humility and even a little shyness that reflects why he is so highly rated by his coaching staff.
"I'd say that I'm very hard-working," he explains.
"I like to work hard and give everything for my team. Also, encouragement. I'll do my best to encourage my teammates when we're losing. Also, I like to enjoy the game and do what I do."
A senior loan next season looks like a distinct possibility given his rapid progress, but the youngster doesn't want to look too far ahead and especially not with such massive fixtures on the horizon. It has already been a memorable campaign for the youngster, who travelled with the senior group to Oxford and then took a place on the bench at Port Vale. The pathway to the first team is undoubtedly more challenging now that Sunderland are back in the top tier but for players like Geragusian, this exposure gives real motivation when coming back into the youth side.
"It was unbelievable just to watch the first team play and just to be around them and understand what they do as a team," he says.
"If I get on, then I'll know what to do because they're all a great bunch of lads and they'll help me and encourage me. The whole thing really motivates me to get back in the squad, back travelling with them and that's something that I look to do every day, just keep improving my game and hopefully get back with them."
It has already been a very special campaign for the Geragusian family, but the best might well still be to come.
Sunderland face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup quarter final on Wednesday, 18th March (KO 7pm). The game will be streamed live on The FA Cup YouTube account.
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