Sunderland fan blog: Reflecting on an awful year at the Stadium of Light and ahead to a bright future

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2020 will forever be known for the coronavirus pandemic, which took control of the UK in March and still remains prominent in day-to-day life with normality seemingly some way in the future.

The COVID-19 health emergency was at the forefront of the minds of Sunderland fans when the UK was first hauled into a lockdown - would the takeover be affected? Would the players be furloughed? Would the 2019/20 League One season continue?

In truth, Sunderland received the worst hand of the EFL's decision to abandon the League One season, which was decided on a PPG system.

It was over a year ago since the tension began to build between fans and the ownership - with sections of different fan bases asking for Stewart Donald to sell the club.

He complied with their request, but as months grew on and the COVID-19 pandemic kicked into force in the UK, the takeover of the club was extended in time, and different backers were said to be dropping out of the race for the club.

Eventually, Christmas Eve sprang a surprise with the confirmation of the final stages of the Kyril Louis-Dreyfus deal, with the Frenchman expected to take control of the helm in the middle of January.

The end of Sunderland's turbulent year has been rounded off with a COVID-19 outbreak at the Academy of Light, which has left fans with more periods of time without no football.

Meanwhile, 2020 has meant that we all have become accustomed to this situation, and it is likely to not be the last, but hopefully 2021 will bring a new era at Sunderland AFC.

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