Sunderland fan's tribute ahead of Wembley Championship play-off final
A football fan who died after appearing in a documentary series following his club's highs and lows "will be looking proudly down" at Wembley, his friend says.Lifelong Sunderland supporter Ian Wake regularly appeared in Netflix's Sunderland 'Til I Die, along with best friend Michelle Barraclough.Mr Wake died at the age of 62 in March 2023, months before the third and final series of the documentary was released.The club face Sheffield United on Saturday in the Championship play-off final, with the winner being promoted to the Premier League.
"It's not the same going to an away game without him, and it'll be the first time going to Wembley without him," said Ms Barraclough, from Silksworth, Sunderland."But he would be absolutely delighted, and so, so proud of these young lads."
The pair became recognisable after the second series showed Ms Barraclough in tears following a defeat to Charlton, asking Mr Wake: "Why is it never us?" Throughout series two and three, their varying reactions to each game were filmed and aired."Hopefully on Saturday, it will be us - and Ian will be looking down, and hopefully we'll do it for him," she said.
The documentary series, which was produced by Fulwell73 between 2018 and 2024, has since been streamed globally.Peter Farrer appeared in all three series after being identified by the production crew at the Colliery Tavern, a pub near Sunderland's home, the Stadium of Light.Now retired, Mr Farrer ferried the production crew to various landmarks in the city, including Seaburn and Roker."It's been fantastic for the city, the people who have contacted me from all over the world regarding Sunderland 'Til I Die, it's worldwide," he said."They [visit] from all over the world... America, New Zealand, Australia... all the European countries, and Sunderland is famous now, just through that programme."
Ms Barraclough added the series had been a "massive, and wonderful tribute to Ian" and their friendship would live on forever, for the world to see.Leo Pearlman, who produced the documentary, said he felt the success of the show came from it being "incredibly reflective of how most people feel"."For 99% of sports fans 99% of the time, it's misery and heartache, it's pain and defeat, punctuated by the occasional moment of joy or success and that's certainly the case of a Sunderland fan."But I do feel very strongly that we're going to win on Saturday, and we'll be back in the Premier League next season."
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