Mark Colling

Father, husband and golfer (sometimes better than others). Long suffering Pilgrim.

[Luke O'Nien @LukeONien]

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.

Not because I didn’t want it.

Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.

What kid would?

Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.

What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?

I was heartbroken.

My dad looked at me and said:

“What are we doing tomorrow?”

To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:

“We’re training, Dad.”

So we trained.

Every single day.

My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.

One club replied.

One.

That was all I needed.

An opportunity.

@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you.

Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC .

A massive club.

A massive opportunity.

And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.

But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.

“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”

Then came the Championship.

“He’s not good enough for this level.”

Then the Premier League.

“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”

I understood the doubt.

I’ve faced it my whole career.

And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.

But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:

Outwork your doubt.

You don’t always need to see the full journey.

You just need to take the next step.

Then the next one.

And then another.

Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.

Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.

Keep working.

Keep learning.

Keep showing up.

Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.

To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.

You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.

And to the boys… thank you.

You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.

What a team.

What a club.

What a fanbase.

Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍

And in the words of Granit Xhaka:

“This is just the beginning.”

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@UKSteelersPod Mrs C anxious not to miss out!

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@MESHNFL 💯

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@NFLUKIRE @Raiders The Immaculate Reception
@UKSteelers @UKSteelersPod

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

The Bristol Half Marathon is just two sleeps away; I'd be grateful; for any gestures of support for me and, far more impotantly, the Alzheimer's Society via the RSM Bristol Just Giving page.

https://t.co/BoodBggG8V

[National League on DAZN @DAZN_NationalLg]

🚨 Rochdale and York City have released the following joint statement:

“This Saturday’s game brings an end to one of the most thrilling, exciting and unpredictable title races in football history. Both ourselves and Rochdale have the chance to write our names in National League history.

The National League is no longer a non-league competition. It is effectively a League 3, with fully professional clubs operating at a level equal to or higher than many of those in League 2.

We both understand how important this game is to both clubs and supporters. We both pledge now that whatever happens tomorrow, we will both continue to fight for 3UP.

Both clubs sit on over 100 points. One of us will have to fight once more in the National League Play-Offs. However, we both strongly believe that this shouldn’t have to be the case.

We call on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to come together immediately and resolve this issue, so that we do not have to highlight this injustice year after year.

For both sets of supporters attending the Crown Oil Arena this weekend, we say thank you for being with us all season. The passion you’ve shown for both clubs has been felt across the world. This game will be seen far and wide. We want to showcase this league for all its potential. Keep your support in the stands, not on the pitch, and let’s all protect the game we love.

Thank you!

Rochdale AFC & York City FC”

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

It’s Tom Long Eve

Bring. It. On.

#TomLong2026

@MinchGolfClub

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

I am running the Bristol Half Marathon on 10 May.

To make it all worthwhile, I'd be grateful for any donations to our office charity for the year, one I know many of you will have a link to - the Alzheimer's Society.

Thanks in advance.

https://t.co/XdTU90t8Iw

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@freddyharperdav I watched them live on Sunday and it’s definitely not a nuts statement. They have a squad of players who signed up for European football and who won’t be there in the Championship so just don’t care. I wouldn’t sign any of the bottle jobs but you know someone will.

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

Genuinely intrigued to know if Spurs fans would accept relegation as the price for winning the Champions League?

[John Coyne @mrjohncoyne]

Half term can be expensive.

If any parent is struggling financially but would love to take their kids to @altrinchamfc v Braintree tomorrow at the J.Davidson Stadium, I will cover the cost of your tickets. No forms. No questions. No explanations needed.

Just email [email protected]

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

FFS @argyle - it’s the hope that kills you!

#COYG #UTBA #PAFC

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

If you are a fan of quality defending, I implore you to avoid any highlights of @Argyle’s win at @Official_BRFC tonight. Shocking.

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@MESHNFL Dalton Line

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@freddyharperdav @jm_bell95 I’m not sure a solid system QB is th answer for Argyle

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@yinzer_g @KettsUK Let’s hope we get to find out!

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@yinzer_g @KettsUK I realise that but there is a delicious irony that only a SB win would be good enough for some and yet I am sure that would result in him and Rodgers deciding to bow out at the top.

[Mark Colling @markcoll73]

@yinzer_g @KettsUK Win the SB and why wouldn’t he decide to quit on a high?

[Kieran Maguire @KieranMaguire]

FIFA impose 3 minute ‘hydration breaks’ in each half of 2026 World Cup regardless of weather.
If it looks like an ad break, smells like an ad break and features adverts it is of course a hydration break.
First step towards a TV friendly 4 quarter sport?

https://t.co/ogJxn9b53n