It’s been one of the most peculiar months in the recent history of Sunderland AFC: sitting third in the league, double figure key players out with illness or injury and recent results have been there or thereabouts. Then away to an average team who were sitting 15th absolutely destroy the lads six nil. Captain, manager and key players apologised and we looked set to move on, dismissing it as a blip, crap day at the office and typical madness of League One.
A result actually likely to prompt fresh signings and a push for automatic promotion. But no, its impact was, that within 24 hours, the club announced that manager and assistant manager had left immediately. A decision still causing debate amongst fans and media alike and obviously a catalyst in the exit of and disquiet in some key players Johnson signed, maybe with an eye on a summer exit.
As that dust settled, we sign further new players, the very promising Jay Matete, swiftly followed by, the worst kept secret in transfer history, the return of the one and only Jermain Defoe, the messiah. All of this nicely distracting us from the hunt for our 13th or 14th manager in as many seasons.
What this phase of our history has permitted fans to do, is to revisit a key issue that has never really been explained. Why do we not take the knee pre kick-off?
Pre kick off is uncomfortable viewing, the opposition huddle, then take a knee, our lads shift from one foot to the other, some clap, some look at the ground. Most fans clap, some boo. This situation is odd, a percentage of our current squad is black and over the last 20-30 years, some of our biggest stars have been black. Some of our most popular players who pulled on the shirt and who put their bodies on the line for us and therefore we have taken to our hearts are black but should that even matter?
Taking the knee is a gesture, a massive positive gesture, I feel not taking the knee is a massive negative statement. Some say sport and politics should stay separate. In the North East, football is politics we have always taken our place and stood shoulder to shoulder to be Sunderland until we die. Part of this is backing our players and creating an inclusive environment, our role, our gestures are so much bigger than any FA on-trend policy.
I would argue that we should take a knee. Question how Defoe would feel about his favourite club failing to fully embrace this? We at Sunderland should really make a decisive step forward. All our lads should feel our undying support, our backing and our respect. This is how we battle against prejudice.
