OI BIG MAN

Yesterday brought the end of Eliezer Mayenda’s three-year stay on Wearside. It is rather incredible how football can make you genuinely gutted about a man you have never met, but thousands of Mackems will have that feeling currently.

If anybody had told me in 2024, while he was struggling to get a game for Hibs that he would play a crucial part in our promotion the following year, I would not have believed you, and I don’t think many others in the fanbase would have either. There is something quite ironic that with Hemir, Nazariy Rusyn and Mason Burstow as competition, it was Mayenda that we shipped out on loan that season given how the careers of the other three have gone in comparison.

Questions were asked when he was given the task of leading the line at the start of last season, but he answered them fairly quickly with that brace against Sheffield Wednesday. In came Wilson Isidor and Mayenda waited patiently in the wings for an opportunity as the Haiti international made it difficult for game time.

The Sheffield United game on New Years Day springs to mind as a moment where it seemed to properly click for the Spaniard, a goal and an assist as part of a front two with Isidor. A partnership that would be key in some big games that season. It didn’t work every week though and Le Bris returned to one up top which meant despite an assist in the following game against Pompey, he dropped back to the bench. He was recalled for the game against Derby where he scored but was again dropped the following week. Eliezer remained patient, didn’t kick up a fuss, and got on with it.

Until out of the blue, after a month out of the starting lineup, he was recalled to the side at Hillsborough. He continued his vendetta against the city of Sheffield by bagging a brace and scored in the following game at home to Cardiff. As the season fizzled out heading towards the play-offs, he still played with a point to prove, including a ridiculous solo goal away at Bristol City. He finished the campaign with eight goals and five assists at the age of 19, a solid return considering it was his first full season of regular first team football.

He was not done there though, his goal against Coventry sometimes gets forgotten about due to a certain centre-backs goal in the second leg, but his composure to round the keeper, given the criticism he had been given at times over the season for his decision making in one-on-ones was great and got us our first win at Coventry since 1985.

Then comes Wembley, Le Bris opts with the Big Man over Isidor, after a quiet first half and finding ourselves behind, many were ready for us to try something different. Changes were made but Mayenda stayed on, a decision that got us promoted back to the Premier League. Watson’s goal understandably gets all the glory but Mayenda’s goal was the moment we all started to believe the game had turned on its head. The touch, the finish, the noise, if only you could relive it for the first time all over again. The video the club posted on socials with Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ playing is one of the many videos the media team have produced in the last year that you can’t help but watch over and over.

Last season he didn’t get loads of opportunities, but he will forever be the man that scored our first goal back in the big time and he still showed glimpses of the quality he has to offer.

Before the final game of the season, Mayenda sent the kit man into the ALS shop to get a pair of FTM Sunglasses. to wear after the game. His connection with the fans has been great, from his chant to the ole’s with the sunglasses which pretty much became a tradition after a big win.

The statement he put out on Saturday night nailed that home and the quote “I arrived here as Eliezer. I leave as your Big Man” is top notch.

It is very rare at Sunderland a player leaves on such good terms with no bitterness either way. Mayenda has produced and been a part of some of the most memorable moments in our modern history and will always be fondly remembered. The game against Rennes in pre-season will give him a fitting send off with his chant I’m sure getting one last rendition.

To the big man, thank you.