Veterans savour Stadium of Light run-out as Whitnash edge Sunderland supporters 1-0 | OneFootball

Veterans from Sunderland AFC Washington Supporters Branch fulfilled a long-held ambition at the Stadium of Light, though Whitnash Veterans edged it 1-0. As reported by Sunderland Echo, the close-season fixture gave local supporters the chance to play on SAFC’s pitch.

The Sunderland side faced Whitnash from Leamington Spa during the close season. Players ran out to Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights, then Republica’s ‘Ready to Go’, before a pre-kick-off rendition of Elvis Presley’s ‘Wise Men Say’.

After the final whistle, both teams shared a meal in Quinn’s Bar. Man of the match was awarded to Sunderland AFC Washington Supporters Branch Veterans player Kelvin Briggs.

The occasion was organised by local headteacher Jonathan Blower, 53, who moved to the city in 1995 to train as a teacher and fell in love with SAFC.

He said it felt like a dream for the Sunderland lads and was special for Whitnash too, with many still unable to believe it. He added the experience gave a sense of what it must be like to run out in front of 47,000 fans, and he kept pinching himself to remember he was playing at the Stadium of Light.

Source: Sunderland Echo