It seemed like the perfect time for the club to arrange a pre-season friendly in Dublin, where Sunderland would take on Shelbourne FC, and on a sunny midweek evening in the Irish capital, hundreds of Sunderland supporters, — including this writer — made the journey from both near and far to Tolka Park on Dublin's north side.
Having just suffered relegation in humiliating circumstances, the timely announcement of Niall Quinn's takeover from Bob Murray added a level of excitement to a fixture that otherwise would've been viewed as little more than a routine summer friendly.
I recall sitting in the stands, clad in my red and white stripes, cheering as the giant that was Quinn strode past, saluting his people while we lavished the man dubbed the "saviour" with praise at a time when the club was on its knees.
Moments later, my attention shifted to a Newcastle supporter who couldn't have been much older than my twelve-year-old self.
He shuffled sheepishly past the Sunderland end, dressed head to toe in black and white, enduring a relentless chorus of abuse from the home crowd. Looking back, I can't help but wonder whether anyone had thought to inform him that his choice of attire wasn't exactly suited to the occasion.

#time #friendly #irish