Relief as we celebrate rare away-day joy

SUNDERLAND’S first away win of the season against Aston Villa on Saturday was a massive fillip for their fanatical travelling army who have clocked up thousands of miles this term for very little reward.

The scenes at the final whistle following Michael Chopra’s late winner were surreal. You’d think we’d won the league. With three quarters of the ground empty after the Villa faithful had headed home with their tails between their legs well before time added on, grown men hugged Sunderland supporting strangers. There were tears of relief, clenched fists of defiance and every player in the squad took time to come over to the away section and salute their fans who have been fed on a diet of nothing but humble pie away from home this season.

Chopra said afterwards that the players in the dressing room were taken aback by the reaction of the fans and concluded that he couldn’t imagine the ferocity of the ensuing party if the club won a competition. I’m paraphrasing him there of course, because footballers don’t articulate in such a manner, but you get what I mean.