In May last year, between the two Play-Off semi-finals, I lost my dad. He was a lifelong Sunderland supporter - one of those fans for whom the Club isn’t just part of life, it was his life. Many will recognise that kind of devotion, the quiet rituals and unwavering belief that bind generations of families to this club. I’ve shared some of that story before, but in October last year, with the opening of the Keel Crossing, something stirred again. It felt like the right moment to pause, reflect, and mark both a personal loss and a landmark day for the city. In his memory, I wrote a poem - a sonnet - inspired by him, by Sunderland, and by everything they meant to each other. Below, you’ll find that poem, alongside a few photos of my dad, Roly Humphrey (1952–2025). They brought the steels from Belgium, up the coast To span the river’s breadth and to connect The north and south, to straddle and affect A change of shape. The parts we love the most, The stables, pier, and Spire, the s...