The build-up to our first derby day in almost eight years was a nervy one. With a poor overall run of form and only one win on the road this season, it felt like a dicey game despite the chasm in quality between the two teams.
I barely managed to engage in pre-derby banter (the Black Cats bar mishap aside), instead choosing to pretend it wasn’t happening.
I had a sensible night in before the game, having learnt my lesson from going to Liverpool and Luton with a deadly hangover, but I still woke up feeling dizzy and sick – this time with nerves. I couldn’t stomach any food at home, so it’s a good job the club handed out food as we queued for the buses. Fair play for the free scarves too – they gave us some great visuals and added to the atmosphere.
We jumped on a rickety old bus bearing “Nottingham City Transport” on the seats; a sign of the effort the club had to go to in order to sort our travel. Apart from a stint on Scotswood Road while we waited for the other buses in our section of the convoy, the travel was faultless.
We landed at the stadium and were greeted by a number of Sunderland supporters chanting at us, a solid three hours before kick-off – they mustn’t have had anything better to do with their day.
I’d dreaded spending three hours in the stadium before kick-off, but I needn’t have worried; they flew by. After (surprisingly) zero bag or body searches, we got into the ground within minutes. The queues for the bars were already long even at 10am, so we stocked up. To my surprise and delight, the bars sold miniature bottles of spirit; except it was sold out of vodka before 10.30am. Like any sensible supporter, I bought four mini whiskeys and continued on with my day.
YANITED #nufc pic.twitter.com/6ZOH4NI5KK
— Natasha (@NatashaNUFC) January 6, 2024
It was pointed out that Matty Longstaff wasn’t too far away from us, so naturally I went to speak to him. I can’t speak highly enough of him – he talked freely to me about his current situation and ongoing injury recovery, Sean’s preparations for the game (he wasn’t nervous) and, when I told him how his Man U goal was one of my favourite football memories, he humbly replied “until today”.
We’d spotted the tin-foil flags well before kick-off, and what a baffling choice. I’d be mortified to walk out to St James to see silver and black flags in the seats. The “Wearside” display and its garbled font was laughable too – but on a serious note, Sunderland supporters have been fleeced by that display. The Spirit of 37 Twitter account deactivated as it was revealed some of the placards had been recycled from a Remembrance Day display. Watch this space.
Red and silver army 🥴 pic.twitter.com/lya78nVvP1
— Natasha (@NatashaNUFC) January 6, 2024
There’s been criticism of the atmosphere from both sets of supporters. I wouldn’t pay the home fans any mind; especially considering I heard them on a total of four separate occasions. There were patches where it was poor – like Trippier’s first free kick, which was watched in silence. But overall, we were in good voice and high spirits.
The goal celebrations were everything you’d expect. My friends and I crashed together so much that they miraculously kept me on my feet when we scored. But I still felt the pain the next day. Because we were in cruise control, the game flew by, but some personal highlights were:
- Trippier winding up the home supporters on corners and at 3-0
- Bruno’s very Bruno celebration to the away end after a tackle
- Alexander Isak’s ROAR
- Dan Ballard with his head in his hands
- A superb overall performance from Miggy
Post-match was just as good as you’d expect. As the seagulls descended into the stadium, the inflatables came out. Chants of “seagulls, seagulls, seagulls!” rang around an emptying stadium. Seeing the players pelt towards us to celebrate felt special. The team photo on the pitch was inspired; and FYI, Marco Gabbiadini, my main concern when we’ve just won a derby 3-0 isn’t being classy at full-time.
My only real complaint of the day was getting held back outside of the stadium after we’d already been held back for ages inside of it. But it’s safe to say that our local rivals really did roll out the red carpet for us; easy entry, fantastic bar options, free pints after the game and free WiFi.
If I hadn’t spent the week ill with nerves, I’d happily do it all again.
