Calv.

keep your eyes on the road, your hand upon the wheel

[Luke O'Nien @LukeONien]

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️🤍

[Premier League @premierleague]

Luke O'Nien wore the captain's armband in @SunderlandAFC's win against Leeds. It was his first Premier League start AND he won Player of the Match 👏

He has been a key player at the club since they were in League One!

[N O R D I @NordiMukiele]

HA’WAY THE LADS ❤️🤍 DERBY IN THE POCKET

[CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ @CBSSportsGolazo]

A reminder that Sunderland are still unbeaten at home in the Premier League 😤🏟️

[Matthew Powell @Powell_Matthew]

If anyone fancies a laugh the comments here are great

[Ian Brown @ianbrown]

REST IN PEACE MANi X

[THE VOYD @thevoydofficial]

Things you love to see! - See you all March! 🫶🏼

[THE VOYD @thevoydofficial]

Our new single ‘Sober’ is OUT NOW!! - We were a bit concerned about people’s responses to this one as it’s a bit different from the rest but we wanted to show we aren’t just a one trick pony. We love this track!

[Football Tweet ⚽ @Footballtweet]

What an advert for the Premier League.

Sunderland performed incredibly against Arsenal, the best team in Europe right now.

The fans in that ground are the reason why the Premier League is the BEST LEAGUE in the world.

It's another level in this country. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔝

[Sports Illustrated FC @SI_FootballClub]

Brilliant from the Sunderland fans.

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

We will remember them.

[Callum 🎸 @CxllumCM]

Sunderland are a proper club 👏🏻

[Paddy Power @paddypower]

If there's ever a massive asteroid heading for Earth, all we need to do is have Dan Ballard jump in front of it.

[THE VOYD @thevoydofficial]

Very excited to announce our new single ‘Sober’ is out next week on 13th November! 🫶🏼
A bouncy acoustic tune that ironically will get you going after a few! 🍻🍻

[THE VOYD @thevoydofficial]

Little snippet of our new single ‘Sober’ coming out 13th November!

[abs🦦 @AG17__]

just opened my fridge and Sadiki is marking the milk

[Nikki RJ @NikkiJude]

A rising Ballard you say? #SAFC

[Calv. @Calvvvvv]

@DeadlineDayLive Absolutely clueless, Reinildo doesn’t belong on here

[THE VOYD @thevoydofficial]

Buzzing with the amount of streams we’ve got across all our platforms on our new single ‘Lady Luck’. Big thank you from us 4 to you all ❤️

Tickets for our headline show in March are less than 25% now and will sell out very soon!
Ticket link: https://t.co/rfAMatuZ2Y