Praise pours in for Sunderland AFC after Wembley win

Sunderland celebrities and politicians have been celebrating alongside other fans after SAFC claimed their first win at Wembley in almost 50 years.

Taking to Twitter, Julie Elliott was the first of Sunderland’s MPs to send her congratulations.

Sunderland claimed the Papa John's Trophy in their first Wembley win in almost 50 years.

placeholder image — Sunderland claimed the Papa John's Trophy in their first Wembley win in almost 50 years.

The Sunderland Central MP said: “What a great win - such a shame we couldn’t all be there to celebrate but I hope we get the chance to soon. Let’s hope this is the first of many!”

Architect and television presenter George Clarke tweeted: “YES YES YES YES YES!!!! The first time in my life I’ve seen us win at Wembley. I’m so proud of my club and the amazing supporters we have. I love you @sunderlandafcofficial.”

Journalist and broadcaster Kevin Maguire tweeted: “Gerrin 1-0 – Papa John's will sell lots of pizzas in Sunderland tonight and none in Newcastle.”

Sunderland City Council tweeted: “Fantastic win for @SunderlandAFC in the @PapaJohnsTrophy congratulations. However you’re celebrating, please do it sensibly at home."

St Michael’s Ward Conservative Councillor, Michael Dixon, who saw his first Sunderland game in 1959 and is a season ticker holder, added his congratulations.

“It was great to see us win at Wembley yesterday after so many disappointments. I was there in 1973 and although the memories of the game are still fresh, it really is from way back and we have all had a long wait for some very welcome silverware,” he said.

“Now a trophy has been won I think we can now all look forward to the future with optimism under Lee Johnson and his players, plus of course a new owner.

“At last we seem to have a united group of people moving the club in the right direction, while the message to the rest of the country is a positive one; namely that Sunderland Football Club is on its way back.”

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