Matthew Stoker

[Roker Report @RokerReport]

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡!

You know what would look good on our European adventure? One of these @FootballBobbles bucket hats! We've got one to give away.

🌍 To enter the draw, simply share this post!

🛒 https://t.co/dYyXCfvMOi

Competition closes 5pm on Saturday 30th May!

[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.”

[Kathy Valentine @Kathy_Valentine]

SO HAPPY that Clem's memoir is coming out & available for pre-orders! He would've loved promoting this book, loved meeting people, fans. Please help do what he can't do and spread the word, order, get gift copies. Forward by Fred Armisen, Afterword by me! https://t.co/HLCyAj7BIz

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Ronaldinho and the rest of the legends are in the building 👋

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Djibril Cissé scoring goals on Wearside ❤️

[WTF Sunderland Podcast @WTFSunlunPod]

🇪🇺SUNDERLAND EUROPA GIVEAWAY🇪🇺

🤝We’ve teamed up with @MezzalaDesigns to giveaway any of their Sunderland Prints from our historic Premier League Campaign!🔴⚪️

To enter:

✅Follow @WTFSunlunPod & @MezzalaDesigns
🔄RT this post

#SAFC

[Michael Graham @Capt_Fishpaste]

So much to enjoy, but especially this fella. Never let it be forgotten that our journey is his journey too, step for step.

A Sunderland legend. THE modern day Sunderland legend ❤️❤️ #SAFC

[Gavin Evans @GavinEvs]

Moment they realised they'd qualified for Europe 🇪🇺 #safc

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

Ecstasy.

[A LOVE SUPREME @ALS_Fanzine]

@lukeonien was subbed off at half time on his Sunderland debut, against Charlton in League One.

Eight seasons later, he played 100+ minutes at the heart of defence as Sunderland achieved Europa League.

What a man❤️🤍

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

EUROPA LEAGUE FOOTBALL IS COMING TO SUNDERLAND!

[The Stone Roses Unseen @tsrunseen]

The Stone Roses at the Heaton Park

📸 Matt Squire

#maniforever

[BY @BabaYoungblood]

🖤#GIVEAWAY💙

Here's the chance to #win a T-SHIRT & PRINT of any of these #JoyDivision/#NewOrder designs. To enter just:

RT this tweet 🔁

3 runners up will also win a print!

Winners drawn tomorrow at 8pm 🙌

[Matthew Stoker @TheGeneralMatty]

@ALS_Fanzine Brobbeys winner against the mags

[A LOVE SUPREME @ALS_Fanzine]

😎 WIN A FREE PAIR OF FTM SUN(LUN)GLASSES 😎

Comment below with your favourite #SAFC moment of the season for a chance to enter.

These subtle sunglasses are in stock now and will be available at the ALS Shop on Sunday from 9am…

Perfect for those who sit in the East Stand! ☀️

🛒: https://t.co/pCYWedoi8q

[Sunderland AFC News And Banter Page @sunderlandafc11]

Happy Heavenly birthday Bradley Lowery

He would’ve been 15 today 🔴⚪🔴⚪

Never forgotten

[Sensible Sunderland @SensibleSAFC]

Happy St Ballard’s Day. Hasn’t been a bad old 12 months has it? 😅
#SAFC

[Matthew Stoker @TheGeneralMatty]

@ALS_Fanzine XL