Peter Reid sends message to Sunderland fans ahead of play-off final
Peter Reid has backed Sunderland to break their play-off curse and return to the Premier League.
The Black Cats head to Wembley on Saturday (24 May) to face Sheffield United, with promotion and an estimated £220million windfall on the line.
Reid, who managed the Black Cats for seven seasons and led them to promotion in 1999, knows all too well the heartbreak Wembley can bring.
In the 1997/98 campaign, his Sunderland side reached the play-off final against Charlton Athletic, only to suffer a dramatic defeat on penalties.
Reid believes Sunderland are due one at Wembley, giving their fans exactly what they deserve.
What did Reid say about Sunderland?
Having spent seven years at the Mackems, Reid forged a strong bond with Sunderland’s supporters and believes they belong back in the Premier League.
The 68-year-old spoke to the Sunderland Echo (May 19) about what it would mean to the supporters to be back in the Premier League, saying: “Those Sunderland supporters are more than worthy of their place in the Premier League.
“I loved meeting them at the game, and they always make my return to the Stadium of Light so very special.
“We have built a unique bond that seems to strengthen as the years pass. It was great to live it all with them on Tuesday. It’s hard to express the enormity of my gratitude to them.”
Reid’s experience in the 1998 play-off final has given him a true sense of the occasion’s magnitude, and the current squad are now just 90 minutes away from writing their piece of Sunderland history.
“Those around me in 1998 will know that absolutely anything can happen in finals at Wembley,” said the ex-Bolton player.
“We faced heartbreak against Charlton that day in the play-off final – 120 minutes and then the killer penalty shootout. So we all know that it’s very much a lottery. Anything can happen, and we just hope that this time our lads will get that touch of good fortune. We are due to be fair.”
Sunderland must repeat Coventry heroics to seal promotion
Sunderland impressed over two legs against Coventry, with a strong defensive performance paving the way for a dramatic last-minute winner from Dan Ballard to book their place at Wembley.
If they are to secure promotion on Saturday, they’ll need to show the same grit and determination against one of the Championship’s standout teams this season, with top-flight football – and the financial rewards it brings – hanging in the balance.
Sheffield United became only the second side in league history to finish with 90 or more points without gaining automatic promotion – a testament to the quality Régis Le Bris’s men will be up against.
However, Sunderland have proved throughout the campaign that they belong on this stage. One final performance of the same intensity could be all that stands between them and Premier League football.
The Blades may have been promoted twice in recent years to the Premier League, but they do not like the play-offs, and history will have to buckle for one of these huge clubs.