How the day unfolded as Sunderland fans made their return to the Stadium of Light
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and live on Freeview channel 276
The ground will welcome in 10,000 supporters to watch Sunderland AFC take on Lincoln City in the second leg of their play-off against Lincoln City.
We’re at Stadium Park to soak up the atmosphere in the build up to the crunch game and will also be on hand to find out how fans react to the outcome of the match.
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If you have any stories to share about today’s fixture or would like to send on photos from your watch party or being back in the stands for the first time in more than a year, get in touch via [email protected] or send us a message through our Facebook page.
Wearside welcomes back live sport as the Stadium of Light opens its gates to fans
Key Events
- Today, Saturday, May 22, will see 10,000 people take their seats in the ground
- Kick-off is 3.30pm and we’ll be there to follow the anticipation ahead of the game, as well as reaction to the result after the final whistle goes
- We’ll be bringing you the latest from around the ground, keeping an eye on the roads, weather and more
Fans enjoy the game
Kathryn Murphy has shared this photo of her and Christopher Murphy at the game.
It’s almost full-time
Here a small group try and get a look at the last moments of the game.
Fans start leaving Stadium of Light after disappointing result
It’s been a disappointing end to the day.
We’ve got to do what we’ve missed doing
Malcolm Yates, 74, from Peterlee, watched the game with his grandson Alex Clark, 22. Malcolm said: “I enjoyed the first half. We tried, didn’t we?”
Alex said: “Obviously the result wasn’t how I wanted it but it’s difficult to be fully mad at it because we’ve got to do what we’ve missed doing.
“It wasn’t to be our year this year but we’ll be back next year, we’ll be stronger next year. If being a Sunderland fan means anything it’s live on that elusive thing called hope.”
Not what fans wanted
Sunderland suffer yet more play-off heartbreak as Lincoln City edge through a dramatic second leg contest
Sunderland suffered yet more play-off heartbreak as Lincoln City fought back from a first-half siege to seal their place at Wembley.
Felt like I hadn’t left
Sean Carr, 31, from Middlesbrough said: “It was weird to be back, it felt like I hadn’t left. Felt nice to be back. Not my usual seat, but still.”
Speaking of the result, he said: “Its bitter sweet. For the first half it felt good and then, obviously, sadly we just gave up for 10 minutes. But if we keep the people we’ve got, the manager, we should get out of this league.”