John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1912 or 1917 – June 21, 2001) was an iconic American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who widely became known as the "King of the Boogie". He rose to global fame by developing a unique, driving electric guitar adaptation of Delta blues.
This season (if we went off just GK)
Lammes 🇧🇪
Age 23
Games 32
Save 67%
Clean sheets 8
Roefs 🇳🇱
Age 23
Games 35
Save 70%
Clean sheets 10
He hasn’t even been GK of season. Never mind, signing of the season.
Some one care to explain who does this vote? #SAFC#MUFC#EPL
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
Saturday 24th May 2025
Mags….
You’re going down with record low points,
The Derby’s will be cricket scores,
You’re not on our level,
We don’t know any of your players
Sunday 24th May 2026
Sunderland chase Europe
Newcastle chase Sunderland
Funny owld season whatever happens today churs x❤️
When Sunderland appointed Regis Le Bris, they'd just finished 16th in the Championship.
He took them up to the Premier League at the first time of asking and avoided the relegation conversation altogether this campaign. In fact, the lowest that his side have ever been this term is 13th.
Arteta and Andrews will get most of the plaudits, but RLB more than deserves his Manager of the Season nomination. 👋
35 years ago today, Sunderland suffered First Division relegation at Maine Road. But just before half-time they scored twice in 4 mins, giving their 15,000 travelling fans hope.
The noise is incredible. Limbs are everywhere.
This is football at its best.