The Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association held their annual Player of the Year awards event at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.
The event represented a great chance for supporters, players and staff to come together and reflect on an action-packed campaign, although all will tell you, it’s not over yet.
Hosted by BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes, Jack Ross welcomed fans before the first-team players were introduced alongside their counterparts at SAFC Ladies.
The headline award was greeted with rapturous applause as Aiden McGeady was named as the Supporters’ Player of the Year, with a similar reception following as Luke O’Nien scooped the Young Player accolade.
Elsewhere, Keira Ramshaw was named SAFC Ladies’ Player of the Year and Mollie Lambert was crowned as the Lasses’ Young Player of the Year.
Speaking at the event, McGeady revealed his delight after an outstanding season in red and white.
“I am absolutely delighted to have won the Player of the Year award,” said the winger.
“It is humbling as there are a lot of good players here and a lot of them have played very well this season, so to have been chosen is a great honour.”
And, as he always is, O’Nien beamed with joy after collecting the Young Player accolade.
“It is nights like these that are special and hearing how much the football club means to people and being a part of it really is special,” explained the midfielder.
“I just want to thank all the fans for making my life here very enjoyable, as I have loved every minute of it.”
Meanwhile, Chris Waters, who works closely with the club’s vast network of supporters’ branches on a daily basis, paid tribute to the annual event which is still going strong despite running for almost 50 years.
“The Supporters Association Player of the Year Award has been a yearly event at the club since the 1970’s,” he explained.
“The Branch Liaison Council host the event and members of branches around the UK and overseas vote on the winners for the player awards.”
He continued: “Over 350 supporters attended the event in Quinn’s Sports Bar and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and speaking to the players.
“Furthermore, the money raised from the ticket sales and raffle will be donated to the Foundation of Light.”
