Government minister among Sunderland fans in Trafalgar Square ahead of play-off final
A senior government minister was spotted among Sunderland fans celebrating their side reaching Wembley on Friday night.
Thousands of mackems who made the journey south on Friday (May 23) gathered in Trafalgar Square last night.
Red smoke flares were set off under the watch of Nelson's column to chants of 'Que sera sera'.
Click here for live coverage ahead of Sunderland's play-off final against Sheffield United this afternoon
Among devoted fans donned in red and white one supporter turned up in his suit having made the slightly shorter trip along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.
The scene in Trafalgar Square on Friday (May 23) night. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, born in Houghton-le-Spring and a life-long Black Cats supporter, was spotted among the thousands of Wearsiders partying in the capital.
He snapped a selfie with Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson and SAFC Chief Business Officer David Bruce.
(Image: LEWIS ATKINSON)
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Mr Reynolds, part of Sir Keir Starmer's front-bench team, has often been spotted in the stands among fans, including earlier this month as his beloved side beat Coventry away in the first leg of the play-offs.
Sunderland face Sheffield United at 3.01pm today (May 24) in a bid to secure their Premier League return after eight years.
Regis le Bris has said he won't let the prospect of a top flight return distract his side as he attempts to guide them back into the big time.
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To download the correct spreadsheet, instructions can be found at (archived): In dataset select 'W1 work decisions', in time period select 'calendar year' and in variables select 'application substream', 'application criteria' and 'decision type') Canadian data provided to PA news agency (archived) Madeleine Sumption profile (archived)
