As it is Boxing Day, I find myself reminiscing about my festive football memories, with an emphasis on my favourite one…
It has become a Sunderland tradition in my household to follow the lads to at least one away game over the Christmas holidays. My brother and I would be overjoyed to receive the ticket as a Christmas present. The next day, we would bundle into the car and begin the trip. I would sit in the back, snacking on my Christmas chocolates and trying not to rustle the packet too loudly to avoid having to share with my Dad or brother.
This tradition started with a 1-0 win at Blackpool on New Year’s Day, 2019. Josh Maja scored the only goal of the game, and I remember being totally caught off guard in the celebrations. At only 10 years old, I was quickly flung a few rows down and left rather confused.
My next one was a trip to Doncaster on the 29th of December, 2019, in which Gooch and Maguire scored either side of a Doncaster equaliser to bring home the 3 points. After the lockdown season, another trip to Doncaster beckoned, this time ending with a resounding 3 nil victory on December 27th, 2021.
In more recent times, a late Jack Clarke goal secured all three points at Hull on Boxing Day 2023, which was a rare positive result under Michael Beale. Last year, a goal from Chris Rigg was quickly followed by a deft flick from Wilson Isidor to put us ahead, but Blackburn equalised late to dampen our mood. I remember Mayenda having a late chance in that game, too, but he sadly failed to convert.
Overall, I have been quite fortunate with Sunderland getting good results on my away days. But I don’t think any will top the 4-1 drumming of Wigan Athletic on December 29th, 2022. I remember still being up a height after beating Blackburn at home on Boxing Day, due to a last-minute winner from Ellis Simms to claim victory. We took that momentum into the game at the DW Stadium, and I had high hopes for a good result.
Simms broke the deadlock with a close-quarters header at the back post, with the Sunderland fans breaking into song – “He looks good, he looks fine, Ellis Simms is on my mind, and he’s Sunderland’s number 9”. It was, and still is, one of my favourite chants – now being used in favour of Brian Brobbey.
Later on in the first half, James McClean rattled the post with a brilliant volley, which was met with laughs and jeers, much to his annoyance, I am sure. One of the highlights of the game (alongside the four goals) was when McClean took a loose touch near Trai Hume. As I am sure you can all imagine, our beloved boy from Ballymena proceeded to clatter the unpopular Irishman, much to the enjoyment of the Sunderland faithful.
It was a brilliant and hilarious moment. Wigan equalised before half-time, but I was confident that we would have too much for Wigan, which turned out to be more than true.
Stewart and Roberts came on from the bench, combining to give us the lead. Roberts danced through in his regular fashion before being fouled in the box. Stewart emphatically converted the penalty. With 5 minutes to go, Roberts got on the score sheet, helped by a pretty substantial deflection. I actually didn’t get to see this goal as my brother, in his excitement of seeing us with a chance of scoring, grabbed my head and pushed my Santa hat over my eyes – something he found quite amusing after we had stopped celebrating.
I did, however, enjoy Roberts’ penguin waddle celebration. Amad added the cherry on top a few minutes later. The interchange of passes between Amad and Roberts emphasised their connection and chemistry, before the Ivorian unleashed another outrageous strike, adding to his growing catalogue and furthering the risk of falling in love with yet another loan player.
It was after the fourth went in that the supporters realised that the Wigan manager was, in fact, Kolo Toure. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what famous chant then echoed around the away end. This comical song, combined with the equally funny dance moves, cemented this game as one of my all-time favourites.
These fond memories of festive football are some of my best days supporting Sunderland.
That is the main reason why I am a bit upset to have two home games over Christmas and the New Year. Of course, getting a ticket for an away game in the Premier League is a different beast altogether and at least with the games against Leeds and Manchester City being at home, I am guaranteed to be there. But I would have loved to have had the chance to go to an away game over the next few weeks, as I struggle to get to away games across the rest of the season due to family, school and my own footballing commitments.
Regardless, I will be singing my heart out for the lads in these upcoming home games and hope to continue this family tradition in the future. Are there any memorable festive fixtures that come to mind for you?
Category: General Sports
