"I didn't think I'd see this day" - SAFC fans and club legends can't wait for Europa League opening game

After a 53 year wait, Sunderland AFC fans and former players will get to see their team in European competition when Dutch side AZ Alkmaar arrive at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

Anyone under 60 won’t remember the last time the Black Cats played in Europe against Sporting CP in November 1973.

Fans Museum founder and Sunderland fan Michael Ganley was two at the time.

He said: “It’s still not really sunk in and probably won’t until the team runs out. It’s going to be absolutely amazing and drawing AC Milan will at last stop those chants from up the road about have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan?

“The performance of the team has a massive impact on positivity in the city and Wednesday will be one of the biggest nights in the club’s history. It’s an opportunity to make history.”

A Love Supreme Fanzine editor, Paul Dobson, went to the home games of the Cup Winners Cup campaign as a 17-year-old back in 1973, but feels the atmosphere this time is “on a different level”.

He said: “I remember the uptake of tickets back in 73 wasn’t great. This just feels different. When we were League One, I didn’t think I‘d ever see this. I’ve friends who didn't think they’d ever see us back in the Premier League.

“Ahead of the AZ Alkmaar game, there’s a massive feeling of excitement. Along with the kit deal with the Elvis Presley Estate, being in European competition will really raise the profile of the city.”

Club chaplain and SAFC fan Father Marc Lyden-Smith will be in Rome on the day of the game to handover a customised Black Cats shirt to Pope Leo XVI, where he will ask the pope to say a prayer for the team ahead of the Europa League campaign.

He said: “The club is such a big part of Sunderland and there’s a real buzz and feel good factor in the city.”

Club legends can’t wait for fantastic occasion

SAFC legend and former Black Cats skipper Gary Bennett said the opening game is “going to be a fantastic occasion”.

He added: “In League One we just hoped we’d get back into the Premier League, but I didn’t think I would see us qualify for Europe. Getting into the Premier League and the documentary ‘Sunderland T’il I Die really raised the profile of the city, and playing in Europe is going to take it to another level.

“You could see by the number of Sunderland players playing and scoring in the World Cup, just how far the club has come.”

Bobby Kerr captained SAFC the last time they played in Europe.

He said: “This brings back a lot of good memories. It’s magic to see the club back in Europe, and I hope we win.”

SAFC legend Jimmy Montgomery, who was also part of that team, said: “It’s a massive occasion, especially for the team to get where they have when a lot of people thought we’d get relegated.”

How far can Sunderland go?

Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “We saw what Aston Villa did. We need to make the Stadium of Light a fortress, but we’ve got a chance.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Paul Dobson who said: “Any Premier League team has a chance and there’s no reason we can’t replicate what Villa did last season.”

Gary added: “We are a good, well organised team, and you never know what can happen.”