SI

[SI @sjv1976ftm]

@btsport @Tyson_Fury Can’t stop fuckin listening to this, 2019 onwards n upwards, it will be hard n lonely but will use this as my inspiration, massive respect @Tyson_Fury 👏❤️🥊👍

[SI @sjv1976ftm]

@emilyhewertson I’m sorry but they were all terrible including her

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

🥁 We've got Granit Xhaka...

Emotional scenes for the captain 🥹

[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.”

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

EUROPA LEAGUE FOOTBALL IS COMING TO SUNDERLAND!

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

On this day last year, we went ’Til The End and won promotion to the Premier League 😍🥹

[Dougie Critchley @DougieCritchley]

One player that I don't think has got enough credit outside of Sunderland is Enzo Le Fee.

11 League goals and assists is as many as Saka, it's 1 more than Palmer and Doku and 2 more than Ndiaye.

49 chances created ranks 14th in the Premier League, above Gibbs-White, Rogers and Bernardo Silva.

He's not just a flair player though, 85 tackles, ranks 11th in the Premier League, only 2 off Moises Caicedo's record.

He's an absolutely brilliant footballer, and to my (likely quite biased eyes) one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.

Still can't believe we managed to sign him when we sat 4th in the Championship!

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Our hearts are with @LFC and all those affected by the Hillsborough Stadium disaster on 15 April 1989 ❤️

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Mr. Sunderland singing Wise Men Say. The things you love to see ❤️🤍

[Lord Barrold @lord_barrold]

Luke O’Nien. Mocked by many outside of SAFC but as it stands he has a 100% record when starting in the Premier League

Leeds (A) ✅ (Won 1-0 and MOTM)
Newcastle (A) ✅ (Won 2-1)
Spurs (H) ✅ (Won 1-0)

Couple of clean sheets too 😮‍💨

Mr Sunderland ❤️🤍

[SI @sjv1976ftm]

@donhutch4 Still don’t understand why you left after one season

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Mackem.

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

'The leaders in the team helped me in those difficult moments.'

Mr. Sunderland ❤️

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

'TIL THE END.

[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 ❤️🤍

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

☝️ First Premier League start
🏆 Player of the Match

Mr Sunderland himself.

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

We delighted to announce that Dan Ballard has signed a new contract until summer 2029, with a Club option of an additional year ❤️✍️

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Dan Ballard 🤝 2⃣0⃣2⃣9⃣ 💪

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Mr. Sunderland ❤️🏆

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

♥️ RLB on this photo:

'This shows the connection we have with our fans. We don't win games on our own, we do it together...'

[SI @sjv1976ftm]

@emilyhewertson Happy bday x