Me And My Club - David Herron
The latest in our collection of Me and my Club features is focused around our partnership with EFL Championship side Sunderland AFC.
David Herron, Assistant Sales Manager at MINI Sunderland, is a fan of the club and shares the reasons why...
How long have you supported Sunderland?
31 years
Why do you support Sunderland?
My dad’s first words to me when I was born were “You’re gonna be a Sunderland supporter”. Most of my family are now Sunderland supporters. Thanks Dad!
When was your first game?
My first game was at Roker Park on the 5th September 1992 against Charlton Athletic. We lost the game 2-0
What is your most memorable moment?
Many Sunderland fans will say it’s the numerous wins against our bitter rivals, but for me it would be the winning the League One Play-off Final at Wembley in May 2022. We had a long unbeaten run at the end of the season, which ended with us beating Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley to go up to the Championship
What was your worst moment?
There have been many moments as a Sunderland fan, but being relegated from the Premier League in 1997. We played Wimbledon at Selhurst Park in the final game of the season, I was there and there was a slight chance we could go down if results went against us. We lost 1-0 to a late goal and Coventry beat Spurs 2-1, which meant we went down by a point
Who is your favourite player to have pulled on the shirt?
That’s a hard one, but I think it would have to be Niall Quinn
Who is the player, or which is the match, you wish you’d been able to see in person?
The 1973 FA Cup Final when Sunderland played Leeds United. At the time Sunderland were struggling in the second division and Leeds – the defending winners - were one of the best teams in England.
We won 1-0, although most people remember the game for a double save from Jimmy Montgomery. It may have been 50 years ago, but that game means so much to the city, and the players and manager are still classed as heroes
What is the best thing about supporting Sunderland?
We have had a horrific time lately, being relegated from the Premier League to League One in successive seasons and playing in the third tier of English football for four seasons at places like Accrington Stanley and Shrewsbury Town.
Despite having to endure a period of upheaval however, one thing that has always been a constant is the fans, and that undying backing for the club is the best thing about being a supporter.
Which rivalry do you enjoy the most?
I wouldn’t say I enjoy it, but the obvious one is them up the road (Ne*******). I feel ill for weeks beforehand with nerves and awful the day of the match. However, we haven’t lost against them since 2012, which includes a record-breaking run of six wins in a row
If you could only ever win one more competition, what would it be and why?
Although it has lost some of its sparkle over the last few years, I still love the FA Cup and look forward to the third round in January when the Championship and Premier League sides join. We reached the final in 1992, getting beaten 2-0 by Liverpool, and reached the semi-final in 2004.
How proud do you feel to have professional links to the team via Vertu Motors?
It’s great to see, it promotes the brand to a wide audience and gives exposure to the fantastic work we do #greatplacetowork