FIXTURE RELEASE DAY

With the World Cup well underway, you’d have been forgiven for not realising today was the day the fixtures got released for next season. The Foundation of Light hosted a breakfast event which we were kindly invited to and this from Ghisolfi being on top form to the reaction to the fixtures being announced this is how it went.

It was an early start with doors open from half 8, with the blow of such an early start softened by a free bacon or sausage sandwich. Jeff Brown hosted proceedings and alongside Director of Football Florentino Ghisolfi, Foundation of Light’s Chief Operating Officer Jamie Wright and former captain and club legend Kevin Ball.

Ghisolfi did apologise beforehand to the audience that his accent and English may make it hard to understand him. His English was perfect until asked about new signings where his reply was “my English is very bad” which had the whole room laughing.

Many topics were discussed with a lot of talk about last season’s success. Kevin Ball was full of praise for the work done in the last couple of years at the club and believes we are currently in a time where if things were to continue as it’s going, “the club could stay amongst the higher echelon of English Football”.

Our European qualification for the first time since 1973 was of course discussed heavily. Jeff Brown spoke of memories from that European campaign including asking if anybody went to the away trips as part of that run. Unsurprisingly nobody put their hand up for that one.

Ghisolfi spoke about how an older fan told him he wasn’t keen on Europe due to the distractions it would cause for the Premier League last season. Something I’ve heard a few times and never really understood and his answer to it was brilliant.

He simply said “just enjoy” and that’s it. Could our league form take a hit, maybe yes, but we’ve had seasons ruined by going too far in the EFL Trophy, if a good run in Europe means we finish a bit lower so be it. It’s all about making memories and finishing mid table every year isn’t exactly going to provide many.

He did say though that the club and fans will “have to be ready, it will be a challenge, but enjoy the moment”. One thing that we can hopefully all agree on is the man has the full trust of the supporters to have a squad prepared for what is going to be a busy season. 

Although he didn’t necessarily go into any sort of details regarding signings, Ghisolfi did talk about mentality when it comes to bringing players in. He admitted the club have turned down the chance to sign players due to that. “It’s the first pillar. I think it’s important to be a fit with the Sunderland way”. Gone are the days of the chancers stealing a wage, the scenes after the Chelsea game made that clear. This is a group of players that have fallen in love with the club and quite simply get it.

Then came 10am where the fixtures were revealed to everyone on the big screen. After getting over the excitement of playing Premier League sides again last year I must say it was rather anti climactic when it was revealed that we would play Ipswich and Fulham as our first two games. Infact the awkward silence as it popped up was rather humorous. 

Then came the Derby dates with many audibly disappointed that we have to wait till May for the home game which to be fair could add even more drama to an already huge fixture.

That was about it and it was very interesting to hear more from Ghisolfi who seems to be more in the forefront this summer having fully taken over from Kristian Speakman, who has been linked with Copenhagen in the last few days.

It is going to be an intriguing summer which I imagine will pick up some pace following the conclusion of the World Cup. A few things to come away with, we play everyone twice, my Bacon Sandwich was nice and Ghisolfi seems a bit of a character. Now start the random rumours.