Every sports fan likes to complain. It’s just a fact. Whether it’s about a bad call, a disappointing performance, or a string of losses, complaining seems to be a universal trait among those who follow sports. As a Chicago Bears fan, I can certainly attest to this. I’m practically made of gripes at this point. But when I stop and think about it, I realize that as sports fans in the United States, we actually have it pretty good compared to fans in other parts of the world.
Take Sunderland, for example. For those new to soccer, Sunderland is a club in England that has had a rough go of it in recent years. It’s been seven seasons since they last appeared in the Premier League, and things have only gone downhill from there. They were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, and the following year they finished last in the Championship, which resulted in their relegation to the third tier.
Imagine if the Bears were suddenly kicked out of the NFL and forced to play in a lower division for multiple seasons. It would be a nightmare. Instead of playing games against top-tier teams like the Green Bay Packers or the Dallas Cowboys, they’d be playing in small towns against teams no one has ever heard of. It would be a humbling experience, to say the least.
That’s exactly what Sunderland fans have gone through. They went from playing at famous stadiums like Old Trafford or Anfield to standing in the freezing rain at places like Cheltenham or Doncaster. It’s like being stuck in a rest stop in the middle of nowhere, feeling isolated and wondering how you ended up there. It’s a far cry from the glory days of competing against the best teams in the country.
To make matters worse, Sunderland’s biggest rival is Newcastle. The hatred between these two clubs is intense and goes beyond what many sports fans could even comprehend. I personally get physically ill whenever I see anything related to Newcastle, and yet I’m terrified of the animosity that exists between the fans of both teams.
I once watched a Tyne-Wear derby with a Sunderland supporter, and when Sunderland lost on a last-minute goal, he was catatonic for hours. Losing one league game to Newcastle had such a profound effect on him that it was as if nothing else in the world mattered. That’s the level of passion and emotion that exists between these two clubs.
In the past, Sunderland fans could at least take solace in the fact that Newcastle had also experienced their fair share of relegations and underachievement. But things changed when Newcastle was bought by the Saudis. Suddenly, they had money and resources that Sunderland could only dream of. They were playing against some of the top teams in Europe while Sunderland struggled in lower divisions.
This season, however, Sunderland had a lifeline in the form of the FA Cup. For the first time in seven seasons, they were drawn against Newcastle. This was their chance to show their rivals that they still had what it takes to compete, even if it meant playing in a lower division. This was their opportunity to make Newcastle feel the pain they had experienced for years.
But reality hit hard. The game was a complete walkover for Newcastle. The gulf in class between the two teams was evident, and it couldn’t have been a more painful outcome for Sunderland. The magic of the FA Cup, the hope and excitement that they had built up, came crashing down like a 2×4 to the face.
Being a Sunderland fan is not easy. It’s a constant rollercoaster of emotions, from the highs of victory to the lows of defeat. But despite all the hardships and disappointments, Sunderland fans remain loyal and passionate. They continue to support their team through thick and thin, hoping that one day they will rise again.
So, the next time you find yourself complaining about your favorite team, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you have it pretty good. Remember the Sunderland fans who have endured years of struggle and disappointment. And maybe, just maybe, let go of some of that complaining and focus on the joy and camaraderie that sports can bring.
