Is It The Right Call For Sunderland To Move On From David Bruce?

Lee Morrison says… Without much context, aside from the statement itself, it’s really disappointing news. We all know that one of Regis Le Bris’ favourite words is “synergy” and this is something that David Bruce has been able to provide between the football club and the fans. Prior to Bruce’s arrival, we really struggled as a club with a sense of disconnect, whether that be through generic kits or a lack of matchday experience.

However, with David Bruce, a local, Sunderland fan himself, we’ve seen some fantastic changes. In particular, the partnership with hummel has seen brilliant, bespoke kits being produced which pay homage to key parts of our city’s culture. Gone are the days where we have an Easter Egg via a hidden sponsor that can be revealed with an iron and / or a 40 degree wash… Instead, we’ve seen record demand and successful sales as a result of a meaningful partnership with the fans’ best interests at heart.

Likewise, the matchday experience has been transformed for the better. Yes, the move to the Premier League comes with increased revenue and capacity to make improvements, but I, for one, am proud to be in the stadium on a matchday. The displays and dedication to Sunderland icons, including Niall Quinn, is a really welcomed change.

Even small tweaks, like the Xhaka “This is home” video that plays before kick off, or the call to arms that is the bare of the lighthouse, are touches of genius that help inspire the crowd before the lads come out. This comes down to the decision making of Bruce himself and the involvement of supporters in these key decisions. Simply put, we have a lot of things to be thankful to Bruce for.