Roker Report
Sunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!
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Mundle On The Move? Assessing Romaine’s Future Prospects
John Wilson says… Every single member of our Championship playoff squad deserved the right to a chance at Premier League level. Unfortunately, football isn’t always as patient or linear as that — Anthony Patterson, for example, was immediately deemed not good enough. Dan Ballard took to it like a duck to water and Dan Neil […]
Getting The Small Details Right
Just over a week ago, I received the email to confirm that the stone our family bought in memory of our Gran had been laid in the “Shackleton” area of Legends’ Way. I’ve written previously about how Gran and the grandfather I never met did their courting at Roker Park between the First and Second […]
Match Preview: Sunderland v Leeds United — It’s Part Two Of The The US Party!
Friday 31st July 2026 Sunderland v Leeds United – Friendly Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey Kick-Off: 00:30 (BST) Tickets & Match Coverage TV/Stream: Full live match coverage is available via safc.com. Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online) Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of the game on the […]
On This Day (30 July 2003) Thornton At The Double To Provide Just A Little Bit Of Hope
This time 23 years ago, hope was a rare commodity at Sunderland. Relegated on 19 points after a dismal campaign under Howard Wilkinson, it had been the unenviable task of Mick McCarthy to watch over the dying embers and then begin the rebuild. Off the field, the club was trying to move players on to […]
Haway The Podcast | DAYANN METHALIE | Is Sunderland’s Potential New Signing Any Good?
Dayann Methalie – is he any good? We’ve got no idea, so we brought someone in who does… our old marra Baptiste Reynaud from Le Classique Podcast joins us for today’s show to chat about the France U21 left back who looks set to join up with Sunderland this summer! On today’s show… All this […]
Wearside Must Unite to Protect Its Remaining Community Clubs
With Silksworth CW becoming the latest club to fold, Wearside must rally behind its remaining community clubs before more are lost. The resignation of Silksworth CW from the Wearside League is both unfortunate and deeply saddening, marking another blow for grassroots football in Sunderland. Everyone connected with the club deserves recognition for their efforts over […]
Sunderland’s Membership Scheme: The Price To Pay For Success?
“Football is for the fans” is something everyone in the game should be fully aware of. The cost of following our teams is on the rise — whether that’s for match tickets, merchandise or the external cost of transport), and Sunderland’s new membership scheme is divisive to say the least, with non-season-ticket holders like myself […]
On This Day (29th July 1958): Inside Sunderland’s First Day Back After Relegation
It was the first day of pre-season training, and we were treated to a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes as Alan Brown set about the renaissance of the club. Relegated for the first time in their history the previous season, Sunderland commenced pre-season training for the 1958/59 campaign on this day, and the Journal’s Malcolm […]
Sunderland Must Keep The Threat Of Complacency At Bay
“Second-season syndrome”? Bah. Call it a coping mechanism or call it an aversion to the truth (“the truth”, in this case, is being peddled by the rent-a-soundbite doubters on radio and TV that seem to revel in the prospect of a red and white downfall), but I just don’t believe that a supernatural occurrence will […]
Hummel Deliver As Sunderland Honour The Spirit Of 1937
I’m a bona-fide, dyed-in-the-wool Sunderland AFC history fanatic. I’m utterly captivated by the rich and storied heritage of our club; editing and reading the always-fascinating “On This Day” articles written by my Roker Report colleague Andrew Smithson always gives me a great deal of pleasure, and I love to discover new stories and previously-unknown facts […]
Where Would Dayann Méthalie Fit Into Sunderland’s Squad?
Following several reports from reputable journalists – no Fabrizio Romano needed here – including Fabrice Hawkins and Sacha Tavolieri, all signs are pointing towards Sunderland making their second signing of the summer in a reported €30 million (£25.6 million) move to bring the young Frenchman to Wearside. Whilst clearly an exciting talent, this does pose […]
Haway The Podcast | ROOM 101 – Pt. 1 | What Gets On Your Nerves During Summer Holidays?
We’re back with another Room 101 as Andrew & Jonny once again try to convince Chris to get rid of their pet hates into Room 101! Today it’s the first round of three and we’re focusing on the things we hate about summer holidays! On today’s show: All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway […]
Exciting Times Lie Ahead For Sunderland
The game against York was a perfect start to the 2026/2027 season. Class weather, a regiment of the red and white army and a strong display on the pitch. As one of the many that travelled, it turned out to be a great day and really got me looking forward to the games to come. […]
Is No News Good News For Sunderland In The Transfer Market?
John Wilson says… Folks who are getting stressed or tetchy about an apparent lack of transfer activity, in my own humble opinion, just don’t get the positivity, the strong base and the long-term planning that our owner and directors have developed and put into place for this club — they deserve huge credit and support […]
Régis Le Bris’ Big Midfield Dilemma!
On the back of promising performances in pre-season friendlies against York City and Liverpool, Régis Le Bris is going to have a midfield selection dilemma ahead of the new season. Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki all showed their class at the World Cup, with Sadiki and Diarra standing out — Diarra bagging a […]
On This Day (28th July 2023): Eliezer Mayenda — From Prospect to Promotion Hero
On this day in 2023, Eliezer Mayenda completed his transfer to Sunderland from Sochaux for a fee believed to be just over €1 million. The French third-tier side retained a 25% sell-on clause. Mayenda had turned 18 in May and signed a five-year contract. He made his senior debut for Sochaux in a cup game, […]
Who is Dayann Méthalie? Sunderland’s Latest Left-Back Target
As the Black Cats look to bolster the squad and find that perfect balance of youthful exuberance and tactical flexibility, our scouting network has been working overtime. Today, we are casting our eyes across the English Channel to the south of France. Toulouse has become a breeding ground for elite young talent in recent years, […]
Haway The Podcast | Connor Bromley On Sunderland’s Lack Of Signings & His New Book
An old friend of the pod joins us for today’s show as YouTuber (and former RR podcast host!) Connor Bromley chats with Gav about the transfer window so far for Sunderland, and his new book – ‘Sunderland Are Back – The Story Of Sunderland’s Rise From League One To Europe’… Click here to pre-order Connor’s […]
Editorial: Don’t Panic – Sunderland’s Transfer Window Is Far From Over
Whilst, understandably, a lot of the club’s focus this week – on and off the pitch – has been on our tour of the United States and building up to the game against Liverpool in Nashville, much of the discourse online has centred around what people perceive to be a lack of transfer activity at […]
Chris Rigg Looks Ready to Dominate the Premier League
Twelve months ago, Chris Rigg was on the verge of becoming a Premier League player. Having been a fixture in the team that achieved promotion, it was always going to be a big test for an 18-year-old. In his early appearances, he looked a little lightweight and struggled to impact games. His withdrawal, when Reinildo […]
A Memorable Season Could Be Yours, Wilson!
“Oh no”, you might be thinking. “More pro-Wilson Isidor propaganda from that motormouth West? Can’t he find something else to write about?” OK. I admit it: I love the bones off the lad and I make no apologies for that, but humour me for as long as it takes you to read this article, because […]
On This Day (27th July 1993): Sunderland Bag Fergie And Chase Irish Defender!
Terry Butcher and the rest of the footballing world were seemingly in agreement on this day in 1993 – everyone was queueing up to tell Sunderland they had grabbed a bargain by signing Scotland midfielder Derek Ferguson. Manager Terry Butcher splashed out £460,000 in cash, plus £150,000-rated John Colquhoun, to land the former Rangers midfielder […]
Matchday Musings: Worthwhile Workout For Sunderland In Nashville
People who listen to our Podcast are probably fed up of me labouring this point, but pre-season friendlies and the performances you see don’t actually matter a great deal, and we shouldn’t try and read too much into them. For me, pre-season games are all about taking every positive that you can from them. And, […]
Talking Points: Plenty Of Positives As The Lads Begin US Tour
We all know deep down pre-season means very little in the grand scheme of things, but it’s always nice to see the players back in the red and white – or the pink, as it was on this occasion – and show some promise for the season ahead. Despite the score line, there was a […]
On This Day (26 July 1992): Child’s Play In Scotland As Crosby Tests System
Having made a shock appearance in the FA Cup final at the end of the 1991/1992 campaign, thoughts were turning to the new season at Sunderland – with a different trophy now up for grabs. The Lads began their 1992/1993 pre-season programme at Falkirk, whose kit was also provided by manufacturer hummel. The Danish brand […]
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