​For anyone who has caught our On This Week or Roker Rewind episodes, you’ll know how strongly we believe that the history of Sunderland Association Football Club matters. There have been countless individuals who have contributed to the club’s story, and those who have played a positive part deserve to be acknowledged and remembered.
For a long time, the club often seemed reluctant to outwardly celebrate its past too openly. While there were moments of recognition—such as the Stadium of Light opening highlighting past achievements, bars named after former greats, and the later installation of the Stokoe statue—there has generally been a hesitancy to broadcast the club’s history in a big, unabashed way. There are understandable reasons for this. In years past, the priority was rightly on keeping the lights on and ensuring the club’s immediate stability rather than shining a spotlight on events from decades ago. But now that the club is in a healthier position, the past is being embraced more openly, and that is something to be celebrated.
How much this shift can be attributed to David Bruce is uncertain, but it’s a reasonable inference that his influence helped spark a broader appreciation of history. His departure was unfortunate from that perspective—the kind of boardroom connection and insight that can link current operations with our club’s heritage is valuable, and it’s to be hoped that the thread does not fray now that he’s at Sheffield Wednesday.
That renewed connection to the past was evident in last week’s goalkeeper kit launches. The Montgomery Collection is a thoughtful, excellent homage, with each of the three kits commemorating our club’s record appearance holder. One strip nods to Monty’s Cup Final gear in a modern silhouette, another features a pixelated image of his famous save, and the third carries the number 627—the total number of games he played for Sunderland.
The launch follows the renaming of the West Stand in Monty’s honour, and it’s a fitting touch that Monty is set to be honored with a statue at the back of the Roker End, joining Bob Stokoe in standing as a beacon for the club’s legacy. These gestures feel significant, and I hope they’re just the beginning. Sunderland’s history is rich, and while 73 remains a monumental achievement that deserves recognition, there are many other players, teams, and moments from earlier eras that deserve to be remembered and celebrated as well.
As time moves on, memories of some names inevitably fade, yet the early managers, the league-winning squads, and the 1937 team deserve continued respect and acknowledgment. For example, another goalkeeper, Jimmy Thorpe, gave his life in service to the club and should be remembered with due reverence. Figures such as Raich Carter, Bobby Gurney, Tom Watson, Johnny Cochrane—the list goes on and on.
We don’t want to live solely in the past; there is plenty to be excited about with this team and the club’s future. Yet honoring the past is not a distraction from progress—it’s a foundation that can inspire today’s players and supporters. Embracing our history can help shape the club’s identity as we move forward, and it’s encouraging to see these steps being taken. Here’s to more celebrations of Sunderland’s heritage, to the recognition of those who built the club, and to a future that respects where we came from while continuing to strive for success.