Roker Report
Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!
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Simon Adingra’s Exit Is A Sign Of The Times At Sunderland
When Granit Xhaka took what felt like ten Leeds United players out of the game with a sumptuous pass to Simon Adingra, who then composed himself before curling a smart finish beyond the dive of Lucas Perri at the Stadium of Light back in December, was I the only Sunderland fan whose first thought was […]
Who Is Sunderland’s Most Significant Signing Since League One Relegation?
Ben McKevitt says… Enzo Le Fée! What does a hard-working, defensively solid Sunderland team which is slightly lacking in creativity need when trying to escape the clutches of the Championship? Well, a French midfield magician of course. Enter Enzo Le Fée. I may just be his biggest fan but I think it’s completely fair to […]
Lasses Preview: Friday Nights Under The Lights!
A February night under the lights at Eppleton always carries its own kind of electricity, but tonight’s game feels particularly charged. Sunderland Women welcome Sheffield United in a fixture that arrives at a pivotal moment for both clubs, with each navigating the fine margins of a league table where a handful of points separate mid‑table […]
On This Day (6th Feb 1993): Butcher’s Reign Gets Off To The Worst Possible Start
Malcolm Crosby’s sacking on the back of a pools panel verdict summed up a lot about the way Sunderland were being ran in the early 1990s, and the immediate days after his dismissal saw a flurry of names mentioned as possible replacements. Steve Coppell, the Crystal Palace manager, had allegedly been offered the job in […]
Lasses News: Proposed Changes To The Women’s FA Cup
Earlier this week, it was announced that The Women’s FA Cup is facing a moment of reckoning — and the proposals currently circulating feel like they pose a threat to the very soul of the competition. The Football Association is considering a series of structural changes that would fundamentally alter how the tournament works, and […]
SAFC Women Strengthen Squad with Double Loan Swoop for Hamilton & Griffiths
On Tuesday evening, Sunderland Women announced a pair of loan signings that immediately reshaped the complexion of their squad for the remainder of the season. Defender Caragh Hamilton arrived from Nottingham Forest, while winger Mared Griffiths joined from Manchester United, giving Sunderland both experience and youthful dynamism in two key areas of the pitch. The […]
Haway The Podcast | IS HE ANY GOOD? | Belgian Footy Scout On New Sunderland Winger Nilson Angulo!
Sunderland completed the signing of Anderlecht and Ecuador winger Nilson Angulo on deadline day, which led us to ask… wey, is he any good? Of course, we haven’t got a clue, so we caught up with our old mate Elijah Michiels – a video scout who focuses mainly on Belgian football – to find out […]
The James Hunter Column: ‘The Price Of Sunderland’s Progress’
In his first guest column here on Roker Report, long-time SAFC journalist James Hunter looks at the departures of two of the heroes of Sunderland’s renaissance… Wembley Stadium, 4:59pm on 24 May 2025, was a seismic moment. Who can forget Tommy Watson’s 95th-minute winner against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final? It ended Sunderland’s […]
On This Day (5th Feb 1936): Remembering The Tragic Life Of Jimmy Thorpe
In today’s world of football, many people complain about the protection — or overprotection — that goalkeepers receive from match officials in games yet this wasn’t always the way it was. Around this time in 1936, Sunderland AFC were riding a crest of a wave in the top tier of English football where they were […]
“You’ll Be Blown Away” — Malmö Coach On New Sunderland Goalkeeper
Matt, thanks for joining us. You’re a former pro goalkeeper, now coaching the U19 and U17 keepers at Malmö FF academy, plus providing goalkeeping analysis for The Athletic. Melker Ellborg is someone you know inside out from daily training — what’s his story at Malmö, and how did this rapid rise happen in the last […]
Fan Letters: No Goalkeeper Was Saving Talbi’s Strike!
Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views! [email protected] Dear Roker Report, Monday night…wow! I witnessed the goal of the season. My seat is in L6 of the Stadium of Light, right behind from where Chemsdine Talbi struck his wonder goal. The moment it left […]
Was It A Successful January Window For Sunderland?
Andrew Smithson says… I’d have to say that it was another good window for the club, all things considered. Few transfers seem to run smoothly but it appears as if a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes — both in terms of strengthening Règis Le Bris’ options and with regards helping […]
Lasses Spotlight: Emily Scarr — The Solution Up Front?
It would be an understatement to say that Sunderland Women have struggled this season, occasionally looking bereft of confidence and ideas, as well as struggling to find consistency each week. However, the team has adapted and evolved throughout the campaign, and with that evolution has come a natural and thoughtful debate about how best to […]
What Can The Lasses Expect from Caragh Hamilton?
Thanks for speaking with us, Holly! When Hamilton was in the starting eleven, what differences did you notice within Nottingham Forest’s defensive structure or organisation? When she played at right back, it was usually in a straight four — and I would say this was her best position when in a deeper defensive role. She […]
Haway The Podcast | ON THIS WEEK | 2-8 Feb | McColl Departs | Mr Smith Update | Bomb Scares at Oxford
Welcome to another episode of On This Week, where we take a look back at some of the key events to happen On This Week in the history of Sunderland AFC. Join Martin, Andrew and Kelvin as they look back on… A midweek FA Cup Replay versus Preston in 1955 – not much work was […]
Sunderland’s Mentality and Character: Built for Premier League Success
Monday’s convincing victory over Burnley has virtually guaranteed Sunderland’s Premier League status for next season, with more than a third of fixtures still to play. It was also the sixth occasion where the squad has responded to a defeat with a win — that speaks to the mentality of the group of players who have […]
Farewell to ‘Mr Sunderland’
It was announced on Tuesday of the sad death of ‘Mr Sunderland’, George Forster, who was chair of the Sunderland Supporters’ Association for 55 years from 1966–2021. George died in hospital after a short illness, surrounded by his friends and family, wearing his Sunderland cap and scarf and holding his clippings from the Stadium of […]
Fan Letters: Ticketing Queries And Dan Neil’s Departure
Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views! [email protected] Dear Roker Report, Not sure if you can help in order to look into the purchasing of tickets or the fact that I can’t buy tickets. My family have been to a few games this season […]
Talking Tactics: Sunderland Dominate Burnley – Comfortable 3-0 on Deadline Day
After a poor result last Saturday, Sunderland had to wait over a week to put things right as they took centre stage against Burnley for the Monday Night Football special on transfer deadline day. With the window shutting just an hour before kick-off, Sunderland were able to name a side without any transfer speculation following […]
Lasses Spotlight: Could It Be Cassap and McInnes’ Time To Shine?
There are moments when the answer to a lingering problem doesn’t lie in the transfer market — even if, in an ideal world, that’s precisely where Sunderland would be looking. The reality is that finances and resources often impose limitations — particularly in the January window — where shrewd signings become not only difficult but […]
On This Day (4 Feb 1904): A Record Fee And Rancour As McCombie Departs
It was Sunderland’s first full season at their new home of Roker Park when Andrew McCombie arrived from Inverness Thistle in December 1898. He was an imposing figure at right-back, but looks were deceptive as was his physique. This was a ball-playing defender who combined traditional defensive attributes with a subtle and intelligent ability to […]
Lasses News: Changes Are Coming To The Subway Cup!
Starting next season, the Subway Women’s Cup will undergo a major overhaul, with sweeping changes to its format, eligibility and structure. These adjustments are designed to streamline the competition, align it more closely with UEFA standards and elevate its competitive integrity. However, they also raise questions about inclusivity and opportunity — particularly for clubs outside […]
Haway The Podcast | MATCH REVIEW | We Catch Up With Phil Smith On The Lads Win Against Burnley!
Gav & Chris catch up with Phil Smith as we talk about Sunderland’s transfer window and run through Sunderland’s win over Burnley at the Stadium of Light! On today’s show: All of this and more – get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never have to miss another episode of our free daily SAFC […]
Matchday Musings: Sunderland Cruise Past Burnley — Back To Winning Ways!
A lot has unravelled since the players last laced up their boots for Premier League action: from some of the squad rendezvousing in Dubai and London, Lutsharel Geertruida turning on a sixpence (on the M6, not on the pitch) after a touted move to Liverpool, and a flurry of movement at the arrival gate and […]
Talking Points: Burnley Bopped As Sunderland Bounce Back
Sunderland show their resilience once again — and the fortress remains unbreached! After a fairly shambolic loss at the hands of West Ham last time out, Sunderland needed to use this home clash with the Hammers’ fellow relegation rivals as a chance to respond strongly and to show that we could cope in the absence […]
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