NetFlix

Those who liked the Disney+ Wrexham documentary will adore this. It is the ultimate football story.

So what is it about? It is the story of Sunderland AFC, a big club when they are going through a low ebb, and whilst you are watching, you are with them and feeling for the fans, the players, the manager, the staff and the owners, not so much, Elis Short, the first owner in series 1.

It is about the fans essentially and it is wonderful. There is not much money in Sunderland as a town and we see these people who are extremely proud of Sunderland and talk about the club and their lives.

Such intimacy with the club makes you become a fan of the club. For example, whenever a goal is scored, we see a reaction from the stands and focus on a small section of fans who you are familiar with rather than a whole stand as you get whilst you watch standard football. The same happens whenever a goal is scored against them. They articulate their thoughts and frustrations in a very knowledgeable way.

There is minimal commentary. It is a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary. It is left to the participants of the documentary to do the talking.

Of course, there are highlights of games and subtly added decent mood music, and it is good to add atmosphere to the short clips. Don’t worry the music doesn’t give the game away. When watching I found myself cheering on a club I had no emotional attachment to.

Many years ago, Sunderland was a proud shipbuilding town. It is no longer. The club is the only thing the town is known for. Watch all three series if you haven’t already seen them. If you have already watched them, then you will already know how good it is.

If you want a positive ending just watch series 3.