Watch as SAFC skipper Luke O'Nien shares his 'love' for new Sunderland 'Til I Die clothing range and the secret behind shows success

Black Cats skipper Luke O'Nien said he "loves" the new Sunderland Til I Die clothing range and spoke of the secret behind the global success of the iconic series.

The most recent edition of the much loved show premiered last week at the Fire Station and this time it had a happy ending for Luke and SAFC fans as the club won at Wembley to secure a return to the Championship after a painful four year absence.

To celebrate the success of the fly-on-the-wall documentary, SAFC commissioned Sunderland artist Kathryn Robertson to capture the essence of the show in a striking design which which is emblazoned on the clothing range.

To coincide with the premiere, Luke joined Kathryn to model the garments, which includes T-shirts and hoodies, at a launch event at the Academy of Light in front of mural of the city which was also created by the local artist.

Luke said: "I love the design and I've just had the pleasure of modelling it with Kathryn, although I must say that she put me to shame.

"What's special is that she is a local artist and she also did the beautiful mural behind us.

"To have such a special show and to have the merchandise designed by an artist from the city just adds to the specialness of it all."

Kathryn and Fulwell 73 founders Leo Pearlman and Gabe Turner, who produced the documentary, wanted the design to capture the emotive intro sequence to the show.

Kathryn said: "The image of the Stadium of Light itself, the iconic Frank Styles mural in Hendon of Raich Carter, some of the beautiful lyrics from ‘Shipyards’ by The Lake Poets, the Colliery Tavern where people often stop for a pre match pint, and the Wearmouth Bridge - they're all there in the design." View a gallery of the full range here

The heritage and tradition represented by each iconic image undoubtedly stirs emotions in Black Cats supporters and fans of the show alike.

It's this raw emotion which Luke feels is behind the success of the show.

He said: "The show is just so pure and real and that's why so many people connect to it.

"Once you get here as a player you get a feel for the emotion at the club. A feel for that tackle or last minute goal.

"Whatever it is, you get that emotion which I think the show has portrayed many times.

"That's the reason why people keep coming back. It might not happen every time but I think everyone searches for that feeling because you can't compare it.

"It's like the drug which keeps people coming back for more.

"I think that is why so many people travel from across the world to support this club.

"They want to feel it in the flesh and this is why the series has been so successful."

The first series of Sunderland Til I Die followed the club during its calamitous relegation to League One while the second instalment ended with the heartbreak of play off defeat to Charlton as the Black Cats looked to bounce back at the first attempt.

Thankfully the most recent series chronicled Sunderland's return to the Championship, this time with a play off victory, bringing to an end four years in the football wilderness of League One.

Luke played in the 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

He said: "As I get older and the memories begin to fade I will probably appreciate the series even more as I can look back and see what we accomplished as a team.

"I'm looking forward to being able to relive it all again."

The clothing range features adults t-shirts costing £22, long-sleeved t-shirts retailing at £28, depending on colour, and hoodies for £50. Visit the club's online store to discover the full clothing range at safcstore.com.