Roker Report
Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!
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Brian Brobbey: Sunderland And The Netherlands’ Unstoppable Force!
On his first start for ‘Oranje’ at the 2026 World Cup, our terrific striker announced himself in what we’ve come to know as a ‘classic’ Brian Brobbey performance. Throughout the game, he highlighted the unique skill set he possesses — initiating contact, pinning defenders, perfect passing, linking play and showing a brilliant striker’s instinct in […]
On This Day (23 June 1997): Sunderland Prepare To Move Into A New Éire
1997 witnessed a summer of change on Wearside, as Sunderland AFC prepared for a new challenge in a new environment. An unfortunate relegation from the Premiership on the final day of 1996/1997 meant that the brand new ‘Wearmouth Stadium’ — as it was commonly referred to prior officially being named as the Stadium of Light […]
Losing Eliezer Mayenda Could Be A Fumble From Sunderland
He’s one of a handful of current Sunderland players that without whose contributions, we wouldn’t be a Premier League club, currently skippered by Granit Xhaka and planning for a second season of top flight football and a Europa League campaign to boot. When Eliezer Mayenda reacted sharply to Milan van Ewijk’s woefully underhit backpass at […]
The Unofficial Myers-Briggs For Sunderland Supporters
Psychologists have spent decades trying to sort people into neat little boxes. Myers-Briggs has sixteen personality types. Other systems use colours, traits and behavioural profiles. Which got me wondering… What personality types relate to Sunderland supporters? With the Premier League fixtures now published, it feels like the perfect moment to ask. After all, what personality […]
Haway The Podcast | THE G-FORCE (Pt3) | “The End Of An Era”
This morning we’ve got the third and final part of our G-Force trilogy, looking back at Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini’s time at Sunderland, and the glorious finish of the 89-90 season! On today’s show, Martin, Kelvin and Andrew look back at: Eric Gates’ retirement plans – will he, or won’t he? (He’d have been […]
Editorial | Brobbey The Poster Boy For Summer Transfer Targets
I’ve almost got used to experiencing new football supporting emotions this season – winning important games with last-minute goals, going toe-to-toe with the country’s best, internationally renowned players joining the club, and qualifying for Europe through the league. They’re the type of things that we’ve seen other clubs’ fans experience as a matter of course, […]
A Love Letter To Régis Le Bris!
Two years to the day since Régis Le Bris was appointed as Sunderland manager, I want to express my sincere gratitude for what he has given us over the last two seasons in charge. Pain, misery and heartbreak often comes with the territory of being a football fan, but for Sunderland supporters, the last eight […]
Sunderland’s Potential Summer Departures Part One: Goalkeepers And Defenders
After an outstanding return to the Premier League that delivered a seventh-place finish and a place in Europe, Sunderland find themselves entering one of the most important summers in recent memory. The challenge facing Régis Le Bris and Florent Ghisolfi is clear: strengthen a squad that exceeded expectations last season while ensuring it’s equipped to […]
Sun, Sunderland, And A Trip To France!
The Pointer Sisters had it right in 1982 — “I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it.” My twenty seven-year-old son and I are booked up to go and watch the pre-season game away at RC Lens on 8 August. We’re staying over for a three-night long weekend in Lens and have done it for […]
From 16th to Europe – Two Years Of Le Bris’ Sunderland Revolution
In May 2024, Sunderland finished a disappointing season in 16th place in the Championship, slumping to a 2-0 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday. At this point, we’d been without a permanent head coach since mid-February, when Michael Beale was sacked. Mike Dodds was at the helm for the final third of the campaign, which fizzled […]
Régis Le Bris Is Doing It His Way At Sunderland
There’s an imminent announcement coming about a multi-year partnership between Elvis Presley and Sunderland AFC, which may even coincide with another multi-year partnership — the one between Régis Le Bris and Sunderland AFC, as today marks the two-year anniversary of his appointment as head coach. He’s the first head coach or manager to be in […]
On This Day (22nd June 1993): Chamberlain Arrives as Butcher Begins Sunderland Rebuild
Twelve months to the day after Malcolm Crosby’s Sunderland pushed Liverpool close at Wembley in the FA Cup final, Terry Butcher’s side survived dropping to the third tier by the skin of their teeth. After the initial boost of winning two of his first three games as player-manager, Butcher’s Sunderland won just three of the […]
Haway The Podcast | ROOM 101 — PT 2 | Throw Ins, 5-a-Side & Annoying Away Fans
If you haven’t listened to part one you might be waiting for this part two of our room 101! Jonny and Andrew move away from World Cup picks to get going on some of their football pet hates! On today’s show… All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss […]
Have Faith In The Process!
Now that the fixtures for the 2026/2027 season have been released, we’ve all been speculating about how the Lads will start. On the surface, it looks like a decent start and the fact that we’re away to a newly-promoted side in Ipswich gives us a great opportunity to kick off with three points — but […]
On This Day (21st June 1993): The Sunderland Transfer That Never Quite Came Off
Sunderland manager Terry Butcher was allowed to spend comparatively big ahead of the 1993-94 season, yet not all of the deals he proposed came off. Having decided that the squad needed a huge overhaul, the gaffer was busy in the transfer market throughout pre-season, but whilst the budget he was handed by the board was […]
The County Durham Miners Who Lifted The First World Cup
As the modern football world obsesses over billion-pound squads, private jets and global television audiences, it is worth remembering that Britain’s first taste of world football glory came courtesy of a group of County Durham coal miners who had to pass the hat around to fund the trip. More than two decades before Uruguay lifted […]
The Difficult Second Album: Sunderland’s Next Big Challenge
Every great band eventually faces the same challenge. The debut album is a revelation. Then success comes, expectations rise and the audience wants more. That is when the real test begins. Led Zeppelin I was a sensation…. Led Zeppelin II hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic. Then there’s Get the Knack (remember […]
Roker Report’s World Cup Diary, Part Two
One of the best bits of the World Cup thus far has been what has felt like wall-to-wall Sun’lun coverage. Since Xhaka’s appearance in the opening game against Qatar and Wrighty’s eulogy pre-match, there’s been at least one player popping up almost every day. The day after writing the last diary entry, Talbi made his […]
On This Day (20 June 1956): The Birth Of A Sunderland Managerial Great!
Peter Reid came into this world on the 20 June 1956, in Huyton, Mersyside (although it was Lancashire in those days) — a tough, working-class area. His family was of a mixed Reds and Blues persuasion and it was the red side that the young Reid had an allegiance with after his dad took him […]
Why Harrison Jones’ Exit Is the Right Move for Everyone
It’s always a bitter pill to swallow when one of our own leaves the Academy of Light, but Harrison Jones’ permanent move to League One side Peterborough United is a classic case of the right move at the right time. The 21-year-old midfielder, a boyhood Sunderland fan who joined the club at the age of […]
Never Let The Facts Get In The Way Of A Good Story…
It must have been watching England in the World Cup, beating Croatia, that caused a faint recollection of a story to come to mind. And before any historians sharpen their pencils, I should offer a disclaimer – forgive any inaccuracies. I wouldn’t want the real facts to get in the way of a good story. […]
An Ode To Enzo Le Fée…Sort Of!
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Well, summer days are increasingly unreliable, really. I imagine the weather was much more dependable back then in Shakespeare’s day — before climate change and that. So how about a red, red rose? With the greatest of respect to Burns, roses are a bit clichéd now, aren’t […]
Haway The Podcast | ROOM 101 – PART 1 | World Cup Special!
Jonny & Andrew join Chris for a special World Cup edition of Room 101! Will they be a bit more successful than their last try at getting their pet hates into Room 101?! On today’s show… All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free […]
Reactions To Sunderland’s 2026/2027 Fixture List!
Anth Gair says… Could’ve been a lot worse, this. Ipswich away then Fulham at home to ease us in. Nothing there to have you hiding behind the sofa, and a real chance to bank a few early points before the big boys come calling. Start well and the whole thing feels a lot less scary. […]
Haway The Podcast | REACTION | Sunderland’s 2026/27 Premier League Fixtures Revealed
Sunderland’s 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have been announced today, so join Gav and Andrew direct from the Foundation of Light’s Fixtures Breakfast event as they react to all the news! On today’s show: All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show. Want […]
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