Sunderland fans’ love for Luke O’Nien only set to grow after unseen gesture at Legoland
Luke O’Nien’s antics off the pitch have contributed massively to his reputation on Wearside.
Having stood by Sunderland through every battle faced since their rise from League One, O’Nien is a hero at the Stadium of Light, and his legacy is woven into the famous red and white fabrics of the club.
Mr Sunderland, as many know him, has been at the heart of the success that the Black Cats have found in recent years – an impact which stretches far beyond his tackles on the pitch, and instead focuses on the unseen acts away from the game.
From saving a dog from drowning to stopping on a motorway to help a Mackem whose car had broken down, O’Nien really has done it all throughout his career, with some tales still not shared.
‘Meet me at the pirate ship’ – Luke O’Nien
For those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with O’Nien, you will be well aware of how down-to-earth he is – not just as a footballer, but also as a human being.
The way he has portrayed himself on and off the pitch throughout his time as a Sunderland player has been inspiring, and not once was it for the cameras.
Instead, it is out of the goodness of his heart, with Gordon Bartlett, the former manager of O’Nien from his time at Wealdstone, sharing some of the untold stories of the 31-year-old that Sunderland fans will love.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “Another thing typical of him, I took my granddaughter to Legoland, it might have been last year, might have been the year before, I’m not quite sure, bumped into another Wealdstone supporter.
“About 10 minutes later, I got a text message from Luke: ‘I hear you’re at Legoland’.
“I was thinking how the hell has he found out I’m at Legoland, he’s up in Sunderland. And anyway, five minutes later I got another text, I’ll meet you by the pirate ship, I’m here with my kids. I met up with him and had sort of 15-20 minutes with him, met his wife and that.
“We had our kitchen refitted about four years ago, and my wife was chatting to the plumber about grandchildren, and he said he’d got one, doesn’t seem much of him because he’s up in Sunderland.
“Oh yeah, my daughter’s husband is a Sunderland player. So my wife said oh, Gordon knows one of them. He said Luke O’Nien. He looked at me, it is Luke.
“And immediately he sent a text, and he said, make sure you give him mates rates.”
“I must confess that his mum and dad took my wife and me out for a meal as a little thank you. So what he’s achieved since then, yeah, I’m very proud, but it’s nothing at all to do with us.“
O’Nien was spot on with what he said when he signed for Sunderland
“It’s a huge honour because it’s such a big club,” O’Nien exclaimed upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light seven years ago.
“The direction of the club is only going to be up, and I’m going to do everything I can to help get the club back where it belongs.”
Since then, the Black Cats have been promoted twice and are on course to cement their status as a Premier League club.
Granit Xhaka and co are the ones who have taken the headlines at Sunderland this season, but it’s vital to remember where this journey started, and O’Nien was front and centre of it.
He won’t get the mention for whatever success comes Sunderland’s way this season, but not one supporter will forget the importance he held in their journey back to where they belong.
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