Latest news with #Mackems
Spectator
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Spectator
Nissan's future looks bleak
Nissan has announced that hundreds of jobs will be cut at its Sunderland plant. The Japanese auto-maker said the lay-offs would be in the form of 'voluntary redundancies'. The move is part of the beleaguered corporate behemoth's plan to reduce its global workforce by 15 per cent following several disastrous years, not least because of slow demand for its fleet of electric cars. While the cuts only affect four per cent of the plant's 6,000 workers, the question now is whether this is just the start. So serious is the state of Nissan's finances – it announced losses of $4.5 billion (£3.3 billion) in 2024, with this year not expected to be any better – that it would be foolish to assume this is where it will end. The company has maintained that the Sunderland plant is at the heart of its corporate strategy and it justified the lay-offs as necessary to produce a 'leaner more flexible' operation. Football mad Mackems though might note that these comments sound uncomfortably like the endorsements football club chairmen give under-fire managers days before they, well, fire them. There are certainly reasons to be anxious: on the same day Nissan announced the Sunderland lay-offs it was reported that the company had asked some suppliers in the UK and EU to delay payments to free up short-term funds. The importance of Nissan to the Sunderland area is hard to overstate. Thousands of people are directly employed at the plant with an additional 4,000 jobs in the city reliant on the company in some way. By staying put in Sunderland, Nissan has bucked the trend in an area synonymous with declining industry. Its presence has acted as a symbol of hope and pride for almost 40 years now. Nissan has been a sponsor of Sunderland FC and runs the Nissan Academy offering engineering courses and apprenticeships for students amongst many other good works. But what happens if it shuts up shop? The prospects for Sunderland look bleak. Despite recent difficulties, the company is still officially bullish about its future in the region and has ambitious plans. These include the 'Arc' business strategy, which it claims will transform the process of electric car production and maximise efficiency and profits. To this end the company has invested a billion pounds in a nearby battery plant to supply its new range of EVs. The problem is that none of this will work if customers are not interested and Nissan has been haemorrhaging sales to the much 'leaner and more flexible' Chinese competitors for years. The company, which once looked like the future, has been characterised of late by strategic missteps, complacency, and missed opportunities. It has been a long time since Nissan's confident forward thinking corporate rhetoric has matched reality. Partly as a result of its tarnished reputation, the reaction to Nissan's plight here in Japan has been mixed. Emblematic companies are expected to do the country proud not embarrass it and Nissan has done rather too much of the latter in recent years. The Carlos Ghosn affair was especially wounding. Once seen as the company's likely saviour, his 'great escape' from police custody inside a musical instrument box in 2019 was as farcical as it was humiliating. There is a feeling here that the company is its own worst enemy and may be beyond saving. The Japanese government tried to intervene to salvage Nissan with support for a once unthinkable merger with Honda and the courting of Elon Musk as a potential saviour. Both schemes failed, possibly because the principles took a look at Nissan's books and drove off at speed. Some sympathy is due perhaps, at least for Nissan in the UK, where the huge difficulties resulting from the ever-changing diktats of climate-obsessed governments (Conservative and Labour) have put the industry under great strain. The wholly unnecessary set of circumstances that has led the UK to have among the highest industrial energy prices in the world makes plants like Sunderland vulnerable when its owners are struggling in a fiercely competitive market. It would be a massive reputational embarrassment for Nissan if it were to withdraw or dramatically scale back its operations in Sunderland, and no one is suggesting that such an eventuality is imminent. Still, it might be wise to think of this week's announcement as a warning and a clarion call for sensible policy making. One would hope that the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is listening carefully.
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Nectar Triantis in Australia withdrawal amid uncertainty
However, he has pulled out on the eve of that first game. With Greece, who he is also eligible for, reportedly interested in his services that created a potential talking point. But Australia manager Tony Popovic says the withdrawal is down to his current situation at club level. Triantis is still under contract at Sunderland but unlikely to get a first-team chance following their promotion to the Premier League. Hibs would love to have him back and have approached the Mackems about a permanent deal. There is further interest in his services from elsewhere though and so the 22-year-old has a big decision to make. Popovich hinted that is the reason behind his international no-show. Read more: Gray's judgment: Inside the big calls that defined Hibs' remarkable season 'A very good footballer': The inside track on how Alasana Manneh has adapted to Hibs He said: 'I'm not too sure where it exactly sits. But we had him in the squad for the camp, and on the day that he was supposed to travel, he informed us that he's not coming in. 'He just said he's got a lot of things on at the moment, a lot on his mind in terms of what he wants to do. We have to respect that, and we'll see what happens.' Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller will be part of the squad but fellow Hibee Jack Iredale misses out. The defender looked set to fulfil a dream when he was called up to a training camp but he has been left out of the squad for the competitive matches.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Trai Hume celebrate Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League by sinking a pint of Guinness
Trai Hume got the party started for Sunderland following their dramatic Championship Play-off final victory over Sheffield United on Saturday. Hume has played a key role in the Black Cats push for promotion to the Premier League with some stellar performances throughout the season. The Northern Ireland international produced another impressive display against the Blades at Wembley as late second half goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tom Watson secured their return to the top flight after eight years away. READ MORE: Rhys Marshall reflects on career highlights as he hangs up his boots READ MORE: Sound of the Shore: The 'hidden gem' music festival on a private Co Derry beach The Sunderland masses celebrated in the stadium before they gave their heroes the welcome they deserved when they returned to their London hotel. This video of Trai Hume necking a pint of Guinness after yesterday win might be the greatest thing you watch today!!! #SAFC — Marc - Fut Trader (@MarcFUTTrader) May 25, 2025 Hume was clearly revelling in the moment as he made his way through the adoring Mackems at King's Cross. The 23-year-old, who is a real fans' favourite at the Stadium of Light, was offered up a pint of Guinness which he duly downed much to the delight of the Sunderland support, who cheered him on. After enjoying the celebrations the former Linfield starlet will now link up with the Northern Ireland squad for June's friendlies against Denmark and Iceland ahead of making his bow in the Premier League. It's just reward for Hume, who was named the club's Player and Players' Player of the Year much to his delight. "I'm definitely delighted to get both awards," he said. 'The one voted by your teammates is probably the best individual award you can win. "You spend every day with your teammates, they see you every day, and to get that award from them, I'm just really proud of that. "Obviously the other ones voted by the supporters, it's like they can see that I always give 100 percent whenever I can, get stuck in whenever I can. "I think that's the most you can ask from a player is to work hard and give your all. I'm just delighted to get the award."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What it was like seeing Sunderland promoted to the Premier League from Wembley
After a stunning and electric victory at Wembley on May 24, the Black Cats are back in the Premier League. Echo reporter Kayleigh Fraser was in the stands as Sunderland secured their ticket to the top flight of English football - here's what it was like. Wandering up Wembley Way, you could have cut the tension with a knife. Two teams, 90 minutes, one spot in the Premier League. The stakes couldn't have been higher. "Are you going to predict the score?", I asked my dad, as we ventured up to the steps at Wembley - darting around fans soaking in the atmosphere, snapping pictures and selfies left and right. Echo reporter Kayleigh Fraser at Wembley. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) He responded with a curt "nope", too nervous to say, gazing at the stadium above us that was, at this point, surrounded in a sea of red and white. We couldn't even joke. We'd only travelled down the night before for the match. But really, this journey for Sunderland was eight years long. Two successive relegations left one of England's iconic clubs wondering how they'd come back. In 2017, the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League. Then in 2018, the team were relegated to League One where they spent four long years. Now, after a few more years in the Championship, Sunderland were once again gaining momentum. With a new manager at the helm, Regis Le Bris, could we be coming back again? It was too early to say. Sunderland fans holding their scarves. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) But on May 13 when Dan Ballard scored that unbelievable header in the 122nd minute in a nail-biting clash with Coventry, the city of Sunderland dared to dream again. Those dreams took us all, tens of thousands of us, to Wembley on Saturday (May 24) to cheer on the lads that had taken us to the most expensive game in football. After all we had been through, relegations to losses and uncertainty - you could tell how much the club and the fans wanted this. Filing into the Sunderland stands, already draped in red and white flags to wave for kick off, we were apprehensive. I don't mind admitting I was nervous too. I'd never been to Wembley for a football game - and to have my first being one of the biggest Sunderland had faced in a decade was nerve racking. We all knew Sheffield United were the favourites. Chris Wider's Blades had the better track record - and every single pundit video I watched pointed to a Sheffield victory. But as I was sitting in the stands belting out a rendition of Elvis' Can't Help Falling in Love with my fellow Mackems; for just a minute, it felt like it didn't matter. We were the underdogs - a team that had risen from the ashes to be just 90 minutes away from the Premier League. In a way, we had already made it. Getting to the top flight would have been the cherry on the cake. Kick off. Flags waved, chants on - we'd waited for this chance again. Unfortunately, as first halves go, my hope for a Sunderland win was not immediately backed up by our play. "This is embarrassing", a fan near me muttered. Many had their heads held in their hands, only moving their hands away for a second to stare blankly to the empty field as if a goal would appear out of nowhere during half time. Even my dad, who had a season ticket at the Stadium of Light for over a decade had agreed we were done. "That's it now", he shook his head and sat back as Sheffield fans celebrated Tyrese Campbell's 25th minute goal. In a weird way, rather than admitting defeat, I think that spurred us in the stands to ramp it up. Something shifted in the fans when they blew the whistle for that second half. All to play for - we still had a chance, and we had to give the players everything we had as fans. Til' the end. Sunderland fans wave their flags for kick off. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) 76th minute. Just under fifteen minutes left - and in comes Eliezer Mayenda to equalise. What a moment. Fans left their seats and ran up and down the stairs, shirts came off, flares were set alight and we all went wild. Strangers who had never met embraced in long hugs and continued to cheer. We were back in the game. The minutes that followed could only have been described as agony. My stand could only hold our breath any time the ball went out of sight across to Sheffield's end. I felt sick as I looked around. The cheers and chants continued, of course, but I had an awful pit in my stomach that it wasn't going to go my way. That was until Tommy Watson almost flew in to the 95th minute for a goal we'll never forget. I remember seeing the ball move almost in slow motion to the goal - thinking it was gone. I genuinely thought he'd hit the bar and we'd missed our last chance. But as it curved around and hit the back of the net, thousands of us rejoiced in unison. That was it - we'd done it. Fans were jumping around - screaming, crying, we were emphatic. Friends and families hugged one another - no words needed to be said. I had tears even in my own eyes seeing how much it means to this club, to this city, to win this game and secure promotion. If I'm honest, the minutes after that were a blur - when that final whistle blew the carnage just continued to a level I didn't think possible. Sunderland celebrate their victory. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Read more Sunderland fan collapsed at Wembley minutes after CPR demo during half time campaign We asked AI to predict where Sunderland will finish in the Premier League Sunderland co-owner has transfer dream after Premier League promotion Luke O'Nien on his Sunderland love, Wembley joy and pain & 'being in Fantasy Footy' To be there, surrounded by thousands of dreamers was something I will look back on with wonder - to have seen Sunderland's and my city's future change in the blink of an eye. Sunderland AFC has been re-born - this is only the beginning for a new era of the Black Cats. No matter whether we last a year in the Prem or five, we're back - and I know that we'll fight like mad, til' the end, to succeed.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sunderland fans pack trains ahead of Championship play-off final
Sunderland AFC fans are travelling to London ahead of crucial match at Wembley, with a place in the Premier League up for grabs. Trains travelling from Sunderland to the capital on Friday were almost entirely sold out, as fans head south to watch Sunderland and Sheffield United meet in the 2025 English Football League (EFL) Championship play-off final on eight years away, fans are eager to see the Black Cats return to football's top tier. More than 40,000 fans are expected to descend on the capital - many without a their two most recent meetings, each side won at home and lost away, but Sheffield United are favourites to win the Wembley clash, according to bookies. PJ Barbers, in Gladstone Street, Roker, opened its doors at 05:30 BST with barber Peter Jones telling BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's been rammed because everyone wants to be fresh for the match."He said his colleague, Jimmy, would be joining in the festive spirit wearing a "tomato ketchup" suit on Saturday, when the two teams are due to meet at Wembley."It's the same one he wore when Sheffield played us on new Year's Day," said Mr Jones. BBC reporter Andy Watson has visited Sunderland's Park Lane bus interchange, another transport hub awash with fans - or Mackems - swarming South. "Sunderland fans are already boarding the coaches down to Wembley."There's a buzz in the air... it seems like something special may happen," he said. Rail operator LNER said train services were expected to be "very busy this weekend".It advised passengers to arrive early at departure stations as queuing systems may be in operation ahead of boarding."Be mindful that not every customer will be travelling for the football and be considerate of everyone around you, and be kind to colleagues at stations and on board trains who are there to help you," an LNER spokeswoman said. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
