Ross Glover

from Newtownabbey

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Boy, you turn me inside out…

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Sunderland’s starting XI in their joyous, season-ending 2-1 victory over listless Chelsea cost the same as £106m Enzo Fernandez. This is no slight on a world champion, an elite attacking midfielder, full of craft and craftiness, if moody at times. This is simply a celebration of Sunderland’s exceptional recruitment, finding gems who can see - and seize - the opportunity at the Stadium of Light.

This is also a celebration of Regis Le Bris’ remarkable team-building, blending and bonding qualities which have guided a side promoted via the play-offs into seventh and Europe. For those of us who thought Sunderland would go straight back down, apologies and enjoy Europe. You deserve it. A well-run football operation deserves it. That backing from stands to boardroom deserves it. Football also deserves it: a reminder that the status quo can be challenged with shrewd planning and investment and hard work.

Of Le Bris’ starting XI against Chelsea, eight joined on the eve of the season and one in the winter window: Roefs a reported £9m from Nijmegen; Mukiele £9.5m from PS-G; Reinaldo free from Atletico Madrid; Geertruida loan from RB Leipzig; Le Fee £19.3m, loan made permanent from Roma; Xhaka £13m from Bayer Leverkusen; Sadiki £15m from Union St-Gilloise; Angulo £17.5m from Anderlecht (in February); and seven-goal Brobbey £21.6m from Ajax. Two 2025 arrivals came off the bench: Diarra £30m from Strasbourg; and Isidor £5m loan made permanent from Zenit St-Petersburg (in February 2025).

Three of the 14 involved were already at the club. The starting pair of: Hume £200,000 from Linfield in 2022; and O’Nien undisclosed but reported as £200,000 to £300,000 from Wycombe Wanderers in 2018. And the sub: Rigg from Sunderland’s academy. (The £105.5m total does not include the undisclosed loan fees).

When Sunderland won 2-1 at the Bridge in October, Le Bris’ starting XI cost only £75m (and also had the important Ballard, £2m from Arsenal in 2022). Chelsea’s starting XI was £433m.

Four miles from the Bridge, on Park Lane this evening, the League Managers Association celebrates its members’ many achievements this season. Le Bris certainly deserves a mention. Mixing old and many new players, and getting new signings to settle quickly, requires real people skills. Le Bris and his staff clearly have them.

It’s also a reflection on Sunderland’s family club reputation that so many newcomers are welcomed and assimilated so quickly. Some will move on, some will be moved on but what a journey this is across England - and soon Europe. #SAFC

[Ross Glover @RossG91]

@_Spirited @TheAthleticFC @PJBuckingham Your ma

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻

🥇 Regis Le Bris | Sunderland

“Newly-promoted teams are not supposed to reach the heights that Sunderland have hit this season.

“Le Bris has been the man to make it all possible.” - @PJBuckingham

#PL | #TAFCAwards26

[Joel Gradwell @joel_gradwell]

I know half of X aren't gonna wanna hear this, but Luke O'Nien's been fucking marvelous since coming on. That's 3 or 4 last ditch challenges thats bailed us out. Plus a diving header that would've fell to Beto from 6 yards had he not been there.

[Roker Report @RokerReport]

Sunderland have gained more points from losing positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (22).

@OptaAnalyst | #SAFC

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

With great power comes great responsibility 🕷️

[Belfast Black Cats @Belfast_cats]

Final away game of the season and club meet in the @BotanicInn at 2:30

[WTF Sunderland Podcast @WTFSunlunPod]

It's May....

But it'll never be May 2025.

#SAFC

[Ross Glover @RossG91]

@SunderlandAFC @CWaters_SAFC Where do Sunderland fans meat in Florida?

[Ryan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚒️ @RyanTlksFooty]

Im not a Sunderland fan but what im seeing in Brian Brobbeys Instagram comments is fucking Disgusting, getting called a monkey for just playing football and doing everything in his power to make his team win. As a white male it disgusts me to see how much ppl can throw around racist remarks with no care in the world to a black man just doing his job be better.

#SAFC

[Roker Report @RokerReport]

Look at Granit Xhaka’s stats from yesterday. World class!

[Belfast Black Cats @Belfast_cats]

Some Sunderland legends with the branch members after today’s game.

[Roker Report @RokerReport]

⭐️🇵🇾

[Belfast Black Cats @Belfast_cats]

Our Belfast Branch, March POTM, is the latest derby day match winner. Mr Brian Brobbey. 🔴⚪️

[Matty Hewitt @MattyJHewitt]

I think @IsidorWilson enjoyed that #SAFC win…

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

TWO-ONE TO THE VISITORS 😉

[Michael Graham @Capt_Fishpaste]

I know I'll get abuse from some for saying it but fuck it, I will.

Amazing how the people who absolutely definitely always need to leave early for various vital unavoidable reasons were able to stay till the end earlier in the season when we were winning games at home.

#SAFC

[Belfast Black Cats @Belfast_cats]

Our Belfast Branch February player of the month, is our very own Big Dan Ballard 💪🏽 🔴⚪️