Collymore stunned by Everton tribute to Bradley Lowery after Sunderland fixture reveal
Sunderland have been told their fixtures for the new Premier League season.
The Stadium of Light will see top-flight football for the first time in eight years, and excitement is growing with the release of the fixture list, starting with West Ham at home.
Sunderland will take on Everton for the first time in years, and Stan Collymore was left blown away after a tribute to Bradley Lowery already.
Lowery given ‘wonderful recognition’
The Black Cats will travel to Merseyside to face Everton at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on 17 May, the penultimate day of the Premier League season.
Sunderland fans will find this particular date special as it marks the birthday of Bradley Lowery.
Bradley passed away from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, in 2017 after capturing the hearts of football fans around the world.
Everton announced the fixture with a touching tribute to Bradley, acknowledging the date would be his 15th birthday.
Former England midfielder Collymore reacted to this post, calling it wonderful and describing the image of him on his birthday as “poignant”.
Bradley has been honoured by Everton before, appearing as mascot for the Toffees, and the Merseyside club donated £200,000 to his fundraising campaign.
A Sunderland fanatic, Bradley passed away when he was six years old, following a long and brave battle with cancer.
Jermain Defoe described him as his best mate as the two struck up a heartwarming friendship, even appearing as a mascot for England at Wembley when the striker scored against Lithuania in March 2017.
Fans on Wearside will always remember Bradley as an inspiring and courageous figure who had such an impact on not only the club but football around the world.
Sunderland’s fixture list revealed
Regis Le Bris’ side will be relatively happy after learning their opening set of Premier League games.
Sunderland welcome West Ham to The Stadium of Light on the opening day in what will be a highly anticipated clash.
An away trip to fellow promoted club Burnley and a home fixture against Brentford close out the opening month of August.
Sunderland will face old rivals Newcastle at home in December in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season.
The Black Cats close out the season with a tricky game against Chelsea, in what could be a crucial afternoon for their survival.
Sunderland fans are naturally excited and, above all, always thinking about Bradley, who will undoubtedly be on the minds of many this season as the Premier League returns.