Fan Letters: “Could Sunderland add a little bit of variety to their pre-match entertainment?”

Dear Roker Report,

A big attraction at American Football (AFL) is the Majorettes choreography set to music. I’ve never seen it at English soccer games, but why not?

There must be plenty of lasses in the Wearside area who would love to be a member of such a group, as well as suitably qualified people to do the choreography required. It would certainly add a bit of glam/glitter to gloomy weather games!

Uniforms could reflect club colours, but designed with ladies’ involvement- merchandise cross selling increasing revenue from a new customer base.

I’d be happy if you would pass the idea on to the relevant management at the club.

Haway the lads and lasses!

Allan

Ed’s Note [Phil]: I’m old enough to remember when Sunderland decided to use a troupe of dancing girls to model the various designs for the 1999/2000 home strip on the same day we played Stockport at home during the 1998/1999 season. Suffice it to say, it was quite a sight, not least because it was freezing cold, with snow on the ground!

However, I can’t see dancing girls being used as entertainment on matchdays in 2024; after all, cheerleading is probably too much of an American tradition to catch on in the UK.

Long-term, I think it’ll be the new sound system and the pre-match playlist that’s kept as our entertainment ahead of kick off.

Dear Roker Report,

I thoroughly enjoyed and totally agreed with Phil’s piece about Luke O’Nien.

If I was a dad, or in my case grandad with a young boy looking to make a career in football, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better role model during the sixty four years I’ve watched football.

His whole persona exudes commitment, self-improvement, collaboration, energy and professionalism- in fact, the list just goes on and on. Add to all that his cheeky smile, his humour and willingness to give time to fans young and old, and you have a fairly special bloke.

I was there to witness his first match for Sunderland, against Charlton Athletic in League One, and his forty-five minute performance reminded me of Claudio Marangoni and Milton Nunez on their debuts for the club.

At the time, I thought we’d brought in players who’d never ever played professional football, and in the case of Marangoni and Nunez, I don’t think I was far wrong. Luke ran around the Stadium of Light pitch like an energised Jack Rodwell- to coin a popular phrase, ‘You know what I mean’.

Almost seven years on, he’s silenced the majority of his doubters and is recognised for his quality, dedication and love of all things Sunderland.

A good player and a special man, and after that first forty five minutes, many would perhaps say that he’s lucky to be here.

Now we’re lucky to have him.

Alan Jackson

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Over the years, expressing support for O’Nien has often been a hazardous task, as he regularly found himself scapegoated during the struggles of the League One years, but as he currently plays a key role in a Sunderland defence that’s looked as organised and resilient as it’s done in a long time, it’s only fair to give him the praise that he’s due.

He’s everything a Sunderland player should be, and the qualities you listed are the basic attributes that any Lads player should possess. He’s clearly taken Sunderland to his heart since joining in 2018, and I think the fans, by and large, have now reciprocated.

Long may it continue.

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Might’ve got the stats wrong about Sunderland and Barcelona.

The first four wins on the trot? I think Stockport and Celtic might have something to say about that, but that’s YouTube for you.

T Young

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Either way, we’ve certainly enjoyed an extremely strong start to the season, and I see no reason why we can’t make it five wins from five in the league when we take on Plymouth this Saturday.

Confidence is high and we’re building some real momentum, so let’s go for it!

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images