Fabulous photos as veteran players' dreams come true running out at Stadium of Light

During the close season, Sunderland AFC Washington Supporters Branch Veterans team played Whitnash Veterans from Leamington Spa.

The game finished 1-0 to the team from the Midlands, but getting to play at a Premier League ground and the home of SAFC was “a dream come true” for the players, particularly those who follow the Black Cats.

The match was organised by local headteacher Jonathan Blower, 53, who fell in love with all things SAFC after moving to the city to train to become a teacher in 1995.

Following the game, Jonathan said: “It was a dream come true for all the Sunderland lads, but it was also very special for the players from Whitnash. I don’t think those who played can quite believe it - it still hasn’t sunk in.”

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The two teams got to run out to Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights followed by Republica’s ‘Ready to Go’, before a pre-kick off rendition of Elvis Presley’s ‘Wise Men Say’.

After the game the players enjoyed a post-match meal in Quinn’s Bar.

Jonathan said: “It was absolutely awesome and it really did give you a feel of what it must be like to run out in front of 47,000 fans. I kept having to pinch myself to remind me I was playing at the Stadium of Light.”

Man of the math went to Sunderland AFC Washington Supporters Branch Veterans player Kelvin Briggs.