Here's all you need to know about our pre-season fixtures, all in one convenient guide. Wondering if there's anywhere to quench your thirst near the ground? Interested to see how how we have fared in previous encounters with these sides? Or maybe you plan your away trips in the hope of there being statues of cartoons from the Dandy in close proximity to the ground and you need to know whether an away day excursion will be worthwhile? Whatever it is, this handy guide is indispensable.
DUNDEE UNITED 16/7/22
This summer’s Scottish adventure, without which no pre-season would be complete, takes us further north than the usual trips to Edinburgh – over the Tay bridge to the home of jam, jute, and journalism – with Desperate Dan’s statue to look forward to, so expect a big turnout from Wearside. It’s doable on the train, even if it means either a taxi or a swift jog back to the station, as it’s about a mile and a half and the buses are a bit - wandering. This will allow a decent walk, although the town isn’t bursting with decent pubs and there’s no indication as yet if any are home fans only. Don’t worry if you get to Dundee’s ground by mistake – Tannadice is just on the other side of the street. We’ve only met the Tangerine Terrors once, in 1967 - when we were masquerading as Vancouver Royals and they as Dallas Tornado in a precursor to the NASL, as there weren’t enough American teams to start a league. After Neil Martin gave us the lead at the Vancouver’s Empire Stadium, we were level at the break but won 4-1 thanks to a goal from Colin Suggett and two from George Mulhall. That day we lined up Forster, Irwin, Parke, Todd, Kinnell, Baxter, Suggett, O’Hare, Herd, Mulhall, and Martin with Hughes and Heslop coming off the bench. Jack Ross has recently been announced as their manager, and it'll be a nice reunion with the likes of Luke O'Nien who played under the Scotsman. Interesting, and while I don’t think anyone has played for both sides, Jeff Clarke (as yer dad) is currently their head academy physio and keeper Jack Newman was on our books but never got his gloves sweaty.
BRADFORD CITY 19/7/22
Another fairly easy journey, but its evening kick-off means the train can’t take the strain. Even so, Bradford is a happy hunting ground for us, with our eleven visits bringing eight wins and three defeats – who can forget Quinny scoring the game’s only goal in 1999, then replacing the injured Tommy One a couple of minutes later and keeping a clean sheet against Jamie Lawrence’s Bantams? Likewise, who can forget that FA Cup tie when we got the dusty, rarely used seats, and Jon Stead added to John O’Shea’s early OG to knock us out in 2015? That was George Honeyman’s debut – as a late sub for Ricky Alvarez – say no more, apart from naming their boss that day as Phil Parkinson. Perhaps the Home Fans Only rule will be relaxed for a friendly, but there are a load of options not too far from whatever Valley Parade is called these days – the Bradford Arms is closest and the town, where there are lots of options, not really that far.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 23/7/22
Quite why Accrington came up as pre-season opponents is a bit of a mystery. We didn’t play them until 2018 but have travelled there six times in under four years. Of course, the first was washed out, but we’ve won four and drawn one of the other five visits. The good folks of Stanley, fans and club alike, have provided a tremendous welcome each time, and we’ve responded by taking loads of hungry and thirsty Mackems – perhaps they chased us for a game as we’re good for their coffers. Whatever, we’ve enjoyed ourselves in the past and will do so again, as it can be done by train from Sunderland (four hours, mind) and the hostelries of Accy will welcome you with open arms. The ground itself has a well-provisioned outdoor refreshment area where we can bask in the summer sun as we await kick-off.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED 25/7/22
As a good proportion of our fans live closer to Pools than the SoL, there’s not much I can tell you that you don’t already know. Always a popular pre-season job for that very reason of proximity, this Monday night match will be no different. The ticket allocation will be announced nearer the date, but as it’s only a couple of stops down the track, a train ride from Sunderland is the easy option as the station is only a few minutes’ walk from the ground. Plenty of refreshment options lie close to the railway, and I can’t see much in the way of Home Fans Only applying. Our last visit, in 2018, ended 1-1 with a last minute bit of twazzly footwork from Kimpioka saving us from defeat by a side that included former Lads Liam Noble (once an unused sub) and Louis Lang (eight times a sub, but only once getting onto the pitch), while future signing Kenton Richardson (3 EFL Trophy games) also played. The year before that we’d won 2-1 thanks to Josh Maja penalty and a last minute strike from Jeremain Lens.
ALS are running buses to all pre season games. Book here
