1 00:00:08,341 --> 00:00:09,801 [crowd chants faintly] 2 00:00:19,269 --> 00:00:20,311 [birds chirping] 3 00:00:20,395 --> 00:00:22,272 -[woman] Right, you come lay down. -[child] Mm... 4 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:23,231 [children mumble] 5 00:00:23,356 --> 00:00:25,483 [woman] There's some stuff to go in random boxes 6 00:00:25,567 --> 00:00:26,693 underneath the cupboards. 7 00:00:26,776 --> 00:00:28,987 [children yelling and laughing] 8 00:00:29,362 --> 00:00:30,697 Moving's been a bit stressful. 9 00:00:31,489 --> 00:00:33,700 Sometimes I look at the Instagrams of wives 10 00:00:33,783 --> 00:00:35,952 and footballers in the Premier League and think, 11 00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:37,120 "I wish I had their life." 12 00:00:37,203 --> 00:00:39,748 [chuckles] And someone will say to me, "But you've got their life." 13 00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:41,791 Well, it's very, very different. 14 00:00:41,916 --> 00:00:42,751 Very different. 15 00:00:42,834 --> 00:00:47,047 Like any career, any... player in the game, 16 00:00:47,130 --> 00:00:48,465 there's been ups and downs. 17 00:00:48,548 --> 00:00:50,592 There's been more downs than ups really, hasn't there? 18 00:00:50,675 --> 00:00:52,886 But this is the highlight of my career at the minute, 19 00:00:52,969 --> 00:00:54,512 a player for... for Sunderland. 20 00:00:55,513 --> 00:00:57,307 [wife] It's an adventure, isn't it, Alfie? 21 00:00:57,515 --> 00:00:59,684 That's what we always say, that we're on a new adventure. 22 00:01:00,685 --> 00:01:02,520 It was limbo-land all summer, wasn't it? 23 00:01:02,604 --> 00:01:04,522 -[kids murmur] -We didn't know if we'd be staying, 24 00:01:04,606 --> 00:01:07,609 didn't know if we'd be going. And there was a bit of interest 25 00:01:07,692 --> 00:01:08,526 from here and there. 26 00:01:08,818 --> 00:01:11,071 We would have been going through a couple of months, 27 00:01:11,154 --> 00:01:13,114 maybe, if Jack didn't sign a contract straightaway, 28 00:01:13,198 --> 00:01:16,785 where we had no money or wages, and not knowing where we was gonna end up. 29 00:01:17,243 --> 00:01:20,455 Unfortunately, when everything's happened, we still have bills to pay, so... 30 00:01:20,538 --> 00:01:22,207 -[murmuring continues] -It would've been... 31 00:01:22,290 --> 00:01:23,500 It would've been a lot harder. 32 00:01:23,583 --> 00:01:27,253 [laughs] And then I started to think, "We've got two kids and what if?" 33 00:01:27,629 --> 00:01:29,464 I think that's where a lot of stress is in football. 34 00:01:29,547 --> 00:01:31,216 You just don't know what's gonna happen next. 35 00:01:31,299 --> 00:01:33,426 -["Shipyards" by The Lake Poets plays] -♪ On the river ♪ 36 00:01:33,510 --> 00:01:36,262 ♪ Where they used to build the boats ♪ 37 00:01:38,181 --> 00:01:42,977 ♪ By the harbor wall The place you loved the most ♪ 38 00:01:44,896 --> 00:01:47,982 ♪ I can see you there alone ♪ 39 00:01:48,066 --> 00:01:50,151 ♪ But, oh, you know ♪ 40 00:01:51,820 --> 00:01:52,946 ♪ I'll be there ♪ 41 00:01:55,532 --> 00:01:56,658 ♪ Soon ♪ 42 00:01:59,035 --> 00:02:03,915 ♪ All your life You worked your fingers to the bone ♪ 43 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:10,505 ♪ You worked hard For every little thing you owned ♪ 44 00:02:12,507 --> 00:02:15,218 ♪ That you gave away for years ♪ 45 00:02:15,301 --> 00:02:17,428 ♪ As if you'd known ♪ 46 00:02:17,512 --> 00:02:19,264 [trains rumbling] 47 00:02:19,430 --> 00:02:24,269 ♪ They were calling out ♪ 48 00:02:25,854 --> 00:02:28,481 ♪ But if you could see me now ♪ 49 00:02:32,819 --> 00:02:36,239 ♪ And if you could see me now ♪ 50 00:02:38,658 --> 00:02:41,202 ♪ I hope that I'm making you proud ♪ 51 00:02:43,872 --> 00:02:49,919 ♪ I hope that I'm making you proud ♪ 52 00:02:53,631 --> 00:02:54,799 ♪ Proud ♪ 53 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,178 [crowd chanting] 54 00:03:01,556 --> 00:03:04,184 [crowd] ♪ And it's Sunderland ♪ 55 00:03:04,684 --> 00:03:07,604 ♪ Sunderland AFC ♪ 56 00:03:07,687 --> 00:03:10,231 -♪ We're by far the greatest team ♪ -[Jack yells indistinctly] 57 00:03:10,315 --> 00:03:12,233 ♪ The world has ever seen ♪ 58 00:03:12,317 --> 00:03:13,818 [players yell indistinctly] 59 00:03:16,404 --> 00:03:17,739 [crowd shouting] 60 00:03:19,449 --> 00:03:21,492 ♪ Sunderland AFC ♪ 61 00:03:21,951 --> 00:03:23,953 ♪ We're by far the greatest team... ♪ 62 00:03:24,162 --> 00:03:25,038 [crowd roars] 63 00:03:25,121 --> 00:03:26,831 [commentator 1] Maja in the bottom corner! 64 00:03:27,540 --> 00:03:29,667 -[crowd cheering] -And that deceptive finish 65 00:03:30,251 --> 00:03:31,628 from Josh Maja... 66 00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:33,713 [commentator 2] That's his trademark, isn't it? 67 00:03:33,963 --> 00:03:35,131 [commentator 1] Absolutely right. 68 00:03:35,215 --> 00:03:37,675 I mean, all his goals are these deceptive finishes. 69 00:03:37,759 --> 00:03:40,637 Just gets to his feet, quick turn, 70 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,889 and before you know it, it's in the bottom corner. 71 00:03:42,972 --> 00:03:43,806 [whistle blows] 72 00:03:44,724 --> 00:03:46,768 [commentator 1] As we're coming into the start of the season, 73 00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:48,478 there has been significant progress, 74 00:03:48,561 --> 00:03:50,939 re-energizing the supporters and getting them back 75 00:03:51,022 --> 00:03:53,149 -to the football club. -[crowd chanting] 76 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:56,069 [man] I mean, it looks like the team spirit 77 00:03:56,152 --> 00:03:57,737 -is alive and well. -[ball clanks] 78 00:03:57,820 --> 00:03:58,696 -[men ooh] -Good save. 79 00:03:59,155 --> 00:03:59,989 [man] It's mint. 80 00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:02,575 It's great to see that team spirit in there. 81 00:04:03,451 --> 00:04:05,745 [Barnes announcing] Corner from the right-hand side for Sunderland, 82 00:04:05,828 --> 00:04:06,829 at the Rainham End. 83 00:04:06,913 --> 00:04:09,207 -[crowd shouts] -It's whipped in. And... goal! 84 00:04:09,290 --> 00:04:10,583 -[crowd cheers] -It's in! 85 00:04:10,667 --> 00:04:11,960 It's been bundled in! 86 00:04:12,168 --> 00:04:14,128 It's dropped down for Maguire 87 00:04:14,212 --> 00:04:15,463 and he's forced it home. 88 00:04:15,546 --> 00:04:17,131 -[crowd cheers] -[woman] It's a long time 89 00:04:17,215 --> 00:04:19,634 since we've been like this, like happy and smiling. 90 00:04:21,678 --> 00:04:23,888 And all these young players that's come in, 91 00:04:24,555 --> 00:04:26,224 they love to be, they want to be here. 92 00:04:27,475 --> 00:04:29,143 They love Sunderland Football Club. 93 00:04:29,227 --> 00:04:32,397 [Barnes] Cook now, Eaves in the middle. Cook still going, he taps it to Hanlan, 94 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,733 -Hanlan's shot blocked by Baldwin. -[commentator 2] Fantastic block. 95 00:04:36,609 --> 00:04:38,820 [Barnes] Maguire to Power, back to Maguire. 96 00:04:38,903 --> 00:04:41,948 Down the left of the penalty area. Now the ball played in low, 97 00:04:42,031 --> 00:04:44,200 but it's cleared to Maja... Maja! 98 00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:47,036 -[commentator 2] Yeah! -[Barnes] Goal! 99 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,122 -[crowd cheers] -[commentator 2] We needed that one. 100 00:04:50,748 --> 00:04:52,917 [George] It's been the gaffer, it's been his staff. 101 00:04:53,167 --> 00:04:56,921 From day one, he came in and we knew our ambition was to win the league. 102 00:04:57,005 --> 00:04:58,965 When he puts that stamp down, you think, 103 00:04:59,340 --> 00:05:01,342 "Come on, we've got a good enough squad, 104 00:05:01,426 --> 00:05:04,137 this is what we're about, this is what we're gonna strive to achieve." 105 00:05:04,220 --> 00:05:06,097 [Barnes] Into the penalty area, here's the cross! 106 00:05:06,222 --> 00:05:08,808 Cattermole trying to get it... [screaming] He has! 107 00:05:08,891 --> 00:05:11,394 -Cattermole's equalized. -[commentator 2] It's Cattermole as well. 108 00:05:11,519 --> 00:05:13,104 [Jack] This is an opportunity for me 109 00:05:13,187 --> 00:05:14,772 to try and put my stamp on something. 110 00:05:15,231 --> 00:05:19,402 Also a chance to really build something... [stammers] ...that can be really powerful. 111 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,655 [Barnes] Maguire trying to get this on his right to cross in. 112 00:05:22,739 --> 00:05:25,325 Maja's let it drop and... [shouts] Cattermole! 113 00:05:25,408 --> 00:05:26,409 [crowd roars] 114 00:05:26,492 --> 00:05:27,368 It's Lee Cattermole! 115 00:05:27,452 --> 00:05:30,079 -[commentator 2] Goal! -[Barnes] It's a brace from Cattermole. 116 00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:32,832 -[commentator 2] What a finish. -[Barnes] Sunderland lead 2-1. 117 00:05:32,915 --> 00:05:34,625 -Come on! -[crowd applauds] 118 00:05:34,709 --> 00:05:36,336 [players yelling indistinctly] 119 00:05:38,046 --> 00:05:40,631 -[fans murmur] -[indistinct chatter over intercom] 120 00:05:43,968 --> 00:05:47,055 Grind it out, we'll take it. 2-1. Get in! Come on! 121 00:05:47,138 --> 00:05:48,306 [fans murmur] 122 00:05:49,807 --> 00:05:52,643 -[fans clapping] -[man] See you later, Sunderland. 123 00:05:54,979 --> 00:05:56,564 -Cheers, Josh. -[man 2] Josh! 124 00:05:56,647 --> 00:05:58,358 [fans murmuring and laughing] 125 00:05:58,524 --> 00:06:00,193 [man 3] I hope them GCSEs went well. 126 00:06:00,276 --> 00:06:02,445 -Did they go well? -Yeah, they did. 127 00:06:02,528 --> 00:06:04,322 -[man 3] Smash it? -Nine. Nine of them. 128 00:06:04,530 --> 00:06:06,616 -[man 3] Nine? Get in. -[man 4] Well done, son. 129 00:06:06,991 --> 00:06:09,744 [Charlie] The players and I and the staff have been down here all week. 130 00:06:10,119 --> 00:06:11,454 Gillingham and Wimbledon away. 131 00:06:11,537 --> 00:06:13,831 And if you look at that at the start of the season, you say, 132 00:06:14,290 --> 00:06:17,752 three points out of those two games is a decent result. 133 00:06:17,835 --> 00:06:20,004 Four points, chuffed to bits. Six points... 134 00:06:20,546 --> 00:06:22,840 Thank you very much. Stick it in the back pocket, 135 00:06:22,924 --> 00:06:24,092 off we go back up north. 136 00:06:26,052 --> 00:06:27,470 [birds cawing] 137 00:06:35,978 --> 00:06:37,271 [Stewart] Yes, we're doing well. 138 00:06:38,439 --> 00:06:41,943 But to get the club level and on an even keel, 139 00:06:42,026 --> 00:06:43,236 we have got to go through 140 00:06:43,319 --> 00:06:45,530 every single line of expenditure 141 00:06:45,905 --> 00:06:47,073 and understand it. 142 00:06:47,156 --> 00:06:48,282 Now, this budget... 143 00:06:48,950 --> 00:06:51,577 -is their final, final version... -[Richard] Yeah. 144 00:06:52,245 --> 00:06:53,204 ...of next year. 145 00:06:54,038 --> 00:06:56,249 [Richard] So, Neil, I'll just forward this to you. 146 00:06:56,332 --> 00:06:59,460 This is the copy that Brett has actually signed. Fine? 147 00:06:59,752 --> 00:07:01,421 [Neil] Yeah, send it to me, Richard. 148 00:07:03,423 --> 00:07:05,049 -[Stewart chuckles] -[Neil] Okay. 149 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:09,679 Okay, so the figures changed again. 150 00:07:09,762 --> 00:07:11,889 [mellow music playing] 151 00:07:11,973 --> 00:07:16,310 [Stewart] It is the biggest mess of a business that-- that I've ever seen. 152 00:07:17,478 --> 00:07:21,065 Last year, the football wage bill was 34 million, I think. 153 00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:23,484 The non-playing wage bill is 12 million. 154 00:07:25,820 --> 00:07:29,949 The income in the football club is projected to be 15.6 million. 155 00:07:30,158 --> 00:07:31,409 That's what we inherited 156 00:07:31,868 --> 00:07:32,869 for League One. 157 00:07:34,537 --> 00:07:37,790 So unless we deal with that fundamental... 158 00:07:38,624 --> 00:07:41,878 £35 million difference, 159 00:07:43,671 --> 00:07:45,590 the football club cannot sustain itself. 160 00:07:46,507 --> 00:07:47,758 [Neil] I mean, we've just saved 161 00:07:47,842 --> 00:07:53,055 over 60,000 on pitch maintenance costs at the academy and the stadium. 162 00:07:53,639 --> 00:07:55,892 [Stewart] So on the footballing side of things, 163 00:07:55,975 --> 00:07:57,101 the travel and accommodation 164 00:07:58,102 --> 00:08:01,355 for the first team has gone from £424,000 165 00:08:01,814 --> 00:08:03,357 to 109,000. 166 00:08:03,858 --> 00:08:06,944 And the sports therapy costs are 666,000 167 00:08:07,028 --> 00:08:08,529 -down to 297. -[Neil] Yeah. 168 00:08:08,613 --> 00:08:10,990 -And if we can lose the cryo chamber... -[Neil] Yeah. 169 00:08:15,411 --> 00:08:18,706 [Stewart] They invested, whatever it was, £100,000-plus 170 00:08:18,789 --> 00:08:21,459 on a cryo chamber... um, for recovery. 171 00:08:21,584 --> 00:08:23,544 So I speak to the head of medical, 172 00:08:23,836 --> 00:08:24,670 "Do you use it?" 173 00:08:25,505 --> 00:08:26,339 "No." 174 00:08:26,422 --> 00:08:27,256 "Who uses it?" 175 00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:30,384 Uh... And they said, "Well, Martin Bain goes in there for his back occasionally," 176 00:08:30,468 --> 00:08:33,638 was-- was the answer that came back. I said, "Yeah, but what players use it?" 177 00:08:33,763 --> 00:08:34,680 "Oh, no one uses it." 178 00:08:35,264 --> 00:08:39,560 Um, and there are hundreds and hundreds of examples, just spending money 179 00:08:40,102 --> 00:08:42,396 without asking a single question 180 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:43,689 as to why they're spending it. 181 00:08:44,065 --> 00:08:46,484 You know, we are Sunderland Football Club 182 00:08:46,567 --> 00:08:49,487 and we've got to work hard in every area 183 00:08:49,862 --> 00:08:51,697 because our fans... 184 00:08:52,073 --> 00:08:54,617 um... you know, I don't think it'd be controversial to say, 185 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:57,578 our fans don't come from the most affluent area in the country. 186 00:08:58,246 --> 00:08:59,705 They work hard for their money, 187 00:08:59,789 --> 00:09:01,040 like everybody does. 188 00:09:01,582 --> 00:09:03,960 But this is their money going into the football club, 189 00:09:04,043 --> 00:09:06,295 it's not just Ellis's or mine or anybody else's. 190 00:09:06,379 --> 00:09:07,255 This is their money. 191 00:09:09,632 --> 00:09:10,883 They trust us, 192 00:09:11,509 --> 00:09:14,053 or want to trust us to spend that money... 193 00:09:14,595 --> 00:09:15,555 um, correctly. 194 00:09:16,389 --> 00:09:18,099 [cars rush past in the distance] 195 00:09:21,435 --> 00:09:22,645 [mellow music fades] 196 00:09:24,355 --> 00:09:25,856 [fans chatter indistinctly] 197 00:09:25,982 --> 00:09:29,110 [Charlie] I think the people of Sunderland and the region, the fan base, 198 00:09:29,193 --> 00:09:31,529 have given Stewart and I the benefit of the doubt, 199 00:09:31,612 --> 00:09:33,197 but I think it's on a pretty short lease. 200 00:09:34,073 --> 00:09:37,285 I think that if we don't get things right, 201 00:09:37,577 --> 00:09:41,163 reasonably quickly, that benefit of the doubt 202 00:09:41,247 --> 00:09:43,958 will be withdrawn and be replaced by... 203 00:09:44,709 --> 00:09:47,086 very heavy scrutiny and a lot of pressure. 204 00:09:47,169 --> 00:09:48,754 [chatter continues] 205 00:09:49,005 --> 00:09:51,215 This is the most intense crowd in the whole country, 206 00:09:51,299 --> 00:09:53,551 the whole of England, the most intense crowd. 207 00:09:54,343 --> 00:09:55,720 [mellow music resumes] 208 00:09:58,723 --> 00:10:01,267 It's terrifying, there's no other way to describe it. 209 00:10:02,518 --> 00:10:03,894 [mellow music fades] 210 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:05,688 [emcee] First question, then. 211 00:10:06,564 --> 00:10:09,025 [supporter 1] What's your long-term plans? Are yous in it? 212 00:10:09,108 --> 00:10:11,068 Or are you trying to build it up to sell? 213 00:10:11,152 --> 00:10:12,570 What's your honest long-term plans, 214 00:10:12,653 --> 00:10:13,487 you and Stewart? 215 00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:17,366 [Charlie] In an ideal world, we'd be here for quite a while 216 00:10:17,450 --> 00:10:20,244 because we both adore football and we also both know 217 00:10:20,494 --> 00:10:24,123 that we will never again run a football club as big as this. 218 00:10:24,206 --> 00:10:28,210 A lot of fans don't realize how bad financially the situation had got to. 219 00:10:28,961 --> 00:10:31,631 The place was an absolute shit show. 220 00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:34,175 The staff didn't understand that, 221 00:10:34,842 --> 00:10:36,218 had no conception of it, 222 00:10:36,302 --> 00:10:37,970 which was really disturbing. 223 00:10:38,220 --> 00:10:39,096 Um... 224 00:10:39,513 --> 00:10:41,682 You know, up to and including the finance department, 225 00:10:41,766 --> 00:10:44,977 just didn't know where the money was-- 'cause the entire culture was, 226 00:10:45,061 --> 00:10:48,606 at the end of every month, what we do is we send a bill 227 00:10:48,856 --> 00:10:50,107 to a rich man in Florida 228 00:10:50,441 --> 00:10:52,568 and he signs a check, and that's it. 229 00:10:53,944 --> 00:10:55,404 We came here and we found 230 00:10:55,488 --> 00:10:58,115 deal after deal after deal after deal where Sunderland 231 00:10:58,199 --> 00:10:59,575 had been absolutely shafted. 232 00:10:59,784 --> 00:11:02,328 And as football fans, it made us quite angry. 233 00:11:02,912 --> 00:11:05,373 Our view is, really strong organizations 234 00:11:05,456 --> 00:11:07,500 and healthy and proud organizations can... 235 00:11:07,583 --> 00:11:10,920 [stammers] ...run well, end up funding themselves. 236 00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:13,172 And there's a moral point to it, which is, 237 00:11:13,547 --> 00:11:17,009 if it's run out of its own revenues, those revenues are your revenues. 238 00:11:17,635 --> 00:11:18,886 They're the fans' revenues. 239 00:11:19,553 --> 00:11:21,305 And that makes it the fans' club. 240 00:11:22,014 --> 00:11:26,185 Once it's being funded by a rich man, it's not your club, it's his club. 241 00:11:27,103 --> 00:11:28,854 And if you're worried about being irrelevant, 242 00:11:28,938 --> 00:11:30,731 you become irrelevant at that point. 243 00:11:30,981 --> 00:11:32,525 When you're a club as big as Sunderland... 244 00:11:32,608 --> 00:11:33,859 [mellow music resumes] 245 00:11:34,026 --> 00:11:37,113 ...with the potential that Sunderland has, with the history that Sunderland has, 246 00:11:37,196 --> 00:11:38,114 it's up to us 247 00:11:38,698 --> 00:11:42,118 to put in place the structures, the philosophy, the mechanisms 248 00:11:42,201 --> 00:11:43,869 that drives the revenues up 249 00:11:44,912 --> 00:11:47,581 and means we're actually-- properly sustainable. 250 00:11:47,915 --> 00:11:49,875 And then you'll be able to look at us and just say, 251 00:11:50,418 --> 00:11:52,461 "It's our club, we pay for it. 252 00:11:53,129 --> 00:11:55,047 You guys administer it, but it's our club." 253 00:11:57,174 --> 00:11:58,634 That's where we want to get to. 254 00:12:00,553 --> 00:12:01,887 [supporter 2] I think he gets it. 255 00:12:01,971 --> 00:12:03,973 I know he's from Oxfordshire, but he comes across 256 00:12:04,056 --> 00:12:05,558 as if he actually gets the North East. 257 00:12:05,891 --> 00:12:09,270 I know we're not the most cosmopolitan, people are colder up here, 258 00:12:09,478 --> 00:12:12,273 but he seems to be getting what Sunderland's all about. 259 00:12:12,648 --> 00:12:15,109 I was really surprised actually, pleasantly surprised to see 260 00:12:15,192 --> 00:12:16,610 how honest, how open he was. 261 00:12:16,694 --> 00:12:18,738 Um... I feel really encouraged. 262 00:12:18,904 --> 00:12:22,199 Really bad experience with the last owner, but I think this time round, 263 00:12:22,283 --> 00:12:24,869 it's very early days and ultimately judged on results, 264 00:12:24,952 --> 00:12:27,204 but very positive from what I've heard so far tonight. 265 00:12:27,288 --> 00:12:29,165 People think, "Have they got the money to do it? 266 00:12:29,248 --> 00:12:31,542 Are they a couple of wide boys trying to make a quick buck?" 267 00:12:31,625 --> 00:12:34,670 No, he's passionate about the club, he's delivering what he says he will. 268 00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:37,298 Sunderland fans are desperate for that, for that success, 269 00:12:37,381 --> 00:12:39,300 they're desperate for anything to hold onto, 270 00:12:39,383 --> 00:12:40,384 to take the club forward. 271 00:12:40,468 --> 00:12:43,888 We've had years and years, since Niall Quinn left, of absolute shite. 272 00:12:44,096 --> 00:12:45,931 So, we want something to hold on to. 273 00:12:46,015 --> 00:12:48,058 [crowd applauds] 274 00:12:53,230 --> 00:12:54,231 [mellow music fades] 275 00:13:01,155 --> 00:13:03,032 [birds chirping] 276 00:13:07,661 --> 00:13:09,622 -[Stewart murmurs] -[ball thuds] 277 00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:12,917 Like a McGeady free-kick. 278 00:13:13,417 --> 00:13:15,795 [Stewart] When I was younger, I loved playing football. 279 00:13:17,963 --> 00:13:20,049 Got an odd mom and dad, um, I was six years old 280 00:13:20,132 --> 00:13:22,176 and they enrolled me in the local under-nine team. 281 00:13:22,802 --> 00:13:25,679 I absolutely loved it. From then, I played football... 282 00:13:26,931 --> 00:13:27,848 every week. 283 00:13:27,932 --> 00:13:29,099 -[ball thuds] -Ooh... 284 00:13:30,309 --> 00:13:31,143 [Stewart laughs] 285 00:13:31,644 --> 00:13:34,772 Did I want to be a professional footballer? Did I want to-- 286 00:13:35,272 --> 00:13:37,149 Everybody wants to be a professional footballer. 287 00:13:37,233 --> 00:13:39,443 I was never going to be a professional footballer. 288 00:13:39,860 --> 00:13:40,736 [laughs] 289 00:13:42,196 --> 00:13:43,405 [crowd buzzes] 290 00:13:43,572 --> 00:13:45,741 Dad was a massive Oxford United fan. 291 00:13:46,033 --> 00:13:47,326 [announcer chatters indistinctly] 292 00:13:47,910 --> 00:13:50,621 Oxford United were in the top flight. 293 00:13:51,622 --> 00:13:54,583 It was fun to go. You know, we took a couple of thousand fans everywhere. 294 00:13:55,543 --> 00:13:58,379 -[announcer chatters indistinctly] -[crowd cheers] 295 00:13:58,796 --> 00:14:00,130 I loved that as a kid. 296 00:14:00,464 --> 00:14:02,091 Then I went onto the terraces. 297 00:14:02,633 --> 00:14:04,927 Like everybody else, you'd stand, you'd have the... 298 00:14:05,553 --> 00:14:07,555 smell of cigarettes, the burgers, 299 00:14:07,638 --> 00:14:08,889 the Tuesday night games. 300 00:14:09,306 --> 00:14:10,808 -[announcer] That's it! -[crowd roars] 301 00:14:11,392 --> 00:14:12,935 Oxford United have done it. 302 00:14:13,018 --> 00:14:14,645 [cheering continues] 303 00:14:15,145 --> 00:14:16,105 [Stewart] But... 304 00:14:16,188 --> 00:14:18,357 Oxford United became like... 305 00:14:19,775 --> 00:14:22,278 every other football club that I saw. 306 00:14:23,195 --> 00:14:25,281 It all became about the finances 307 00:14:25,990 --> 00:14:27,575 and it just lost 308 00:14:28,659 --> 00:14:32,580 that feeling that you had in the '80s and the '90s. 309 00:14:32,997 --> 00:14:35,207 -[ball thuds] -[man groans] Ooh... 310 00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:37,543 [Stewart] So getting involved in Sunderland 311 00:14:37,710 --> 00:14:39,295 gave me a chance to run a football club 312 00:14:39,378 --> 00:14:41,171 in what I perceived was an old-fashioned way, 313 00:14:41,922 --> 00:14:45,301 whereby everyone would feel that they own their football club again. 314 00:14:47,136 --> 00:14:50,097 And I want to enjoy the ride all the way through. 315 00:14:51,056 --> 00:14:54,560 And I want to do it right for me and for... for everybody else. 316 00:14:55,060 --> 00:15:01,859 Um... And I think this is my one shot to have a club like Sunderland. 317 00:15:01,942 --> 00:15:04,028 [dramatic music playing] 318 00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:15,039 -[ball thuds] -[players scream] 319 00:15:15,122 --> 00:15:16,916 Come on, lads! Let's go! 320 00:15:17,374 --> 00:15:20,336 [Jack] The reality is, for Sunderland, with its infrastructure, its fan base, 321 00:15:20,419 --> 00:15:21,962 everything that goes around it, 322 00:15:22,046 --> 00:15:24,173 it shouldn't be in League One, but it is. 323 00:15:24,256 --> 00:15:26,091 That's something I've stressed from day one, 324 00:15:26,550 --> 00:15:28,594 is there's no point in having delusions of grandeur 325 00:15:28,677 --> 00:15:29,929 about where the club should be. 326 00:15:30,012 --> 00:15:32,306 You have to deal with the here and now, and the here and now 327 00:15:32,431 --> 00:15:33,349 is we're in League One, 328 00:15:34,058 --> 00:15:36,727 in a league that is not easy to get out of. 329 00:15:36,810 --> 00:15:38,020 [players chatter] 330 00:15:38,979 --> 00:15:40,606 [ball thuds, clanks against post] 331 00:15:40,689 --> 00:15:42,733 [Josh] There's been a lot of changes in the club. 332 00:15:42,816 --> 00:15:44,360 There's obviously been new owners, 333 00:15:44,526 --> 00:15:47,112 new gaffer, so everything is different. 334 00:15:47,655 --> 00:15:49,698 There's a more happy feeling 335 00:15:49,782 --> 00:15:50,616 in the squad. 336 00:15:50,824 --> 00:15:52,910 [players murmur and laugh] 337 00:15:53,035 --> 00:15:54,912 That's the energy you want 338 00:15:54,995 --> 00:15:57,581 when you're trying to push for promotion as well. 339 00:15:57,665 --> 00:15:59,792 [players chatter indistinctly] 340 00:16:01,251 --> 00:16:03,379 [Jack] The hardest part of being a young footballer 341 00:16:03,462 --> 00:16:06,799 is getting that transition from being a really good academy player 342 00:16:06,882 --> 00:16:09,009 to being a consistently good first-team player. 343 00:16:10,052 --> 00:16:12,721 Working with younger players, trying to bring them through... 344 00:16:13,263 --> 00:16:16,183 And the circumstances the club now finds itself in, 345 00:16:16,266 --> 00:16:18,102 there's a bigger onus on me to do that. 346 00:16:18,185 --> 00:16:19,895 [players yelling indistinctly] 347 00:16:21,438 --> 00:16:24,650 [Josh] Jack Ross was... Even the first day I came back for preseason, 348 00:16:24,733 --> 00:16:28,445 we had a chat and he spoke about what I want to do 349 00:16:28,529 --> 00:16:32,282 and obviously the ambitions for this season. 350 00:16:32,408 --> 00:16:33,701 [Jack murmurs] 351 00:16:33,784 --> 00:16:37,079 For me, it was just a confidence boost because it showed that, 352 00:16:37,162 --> 00:16:39,373 yeah, he's gonna... he's gonna stick with me 353 00:16:39,456 --> 00:16:41,792 and show confidence in me, and that's what he's done. 354 00:16:41,875 --> 00:16:43,794 [mellow music playing] 355 00:17:00,060 --> 00:17:03,105 [Stewart] With the contract negotiations, the club are working hard now 356 00:17:03,188 --> 00:17:04,606 to tie the youngsters down. 357 00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:08,610 And because of the league we're in, and they're young men, 358 00:17:08,861 --> 00:17:11,572 it is possible that they could get their head turned. 359 00:17:16,785 --> 00:17:19,705 Dealing with agents is the worst part of football. 360 00:17:19,788 --> 00:17:22,666 But... they're our players. 361 00:17:22,750 --> 00:17:24,752 I'm not signing their agents, 362 00:17:25,127 --> 00:17:26,378 I'm signing the players. 363 00:17:28,714 --> 00:17:29,548 [Stewart] Right... 364 00:17:30,674 --> 00:17:33,343 Next job... the young players. 365 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,847 I've got Gooch, Hume, 366 00:17:36,930 --> 00:17:38,640 Kimpioka, Mumba, 367 00:17:39,016 --> 00:17:40,225 Stryjek, and Embleton. 368 00:17:41,143 --> 00:17:41,977 Mumba's done. 369 00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:43,020 [players murmur] 370 00:17:43,103 --> 00:17:43,937 [Neil] Yeah. 371 00:17:44,646 --> 00:17:47,357 Bali's done. As we know, he's signed his contract last week. 372 00:17:47,441 --> 00:17:48,484 -Yeah. -That's all gone out. 373 00:17:48,567 --> 00:17:50,736 [Stewart] Uh, Josh... Josh Maja. 374 00:17:50,986 --> 00:17:54,364 [Richard] The initial offer we made Josh, we've then increased it... 375 00:17:56,075 --> 00:17:57,117 considerably. 376 00:17:57,201 --> 00:17:58,744 [Stewart] Where are we with it though? 377 00:17:58,994 --> 00:18:01,497 [Richard] Well, the last time I spoke with Josh with the new offer, 378 00:18:01,830 --> 00:18:04,708 uh, he just said, "You need to speak to my agent." 379 00:18:04,792 --> 00:18:07,878 I've spoke to his agent, I've told him this is it, full and final, 380 00:18:07,961 --> 00:18:10,047 he's had it emailed. "I'll come back to you." 381 00:18:10,214 --> 00:18:11,590 Still hasn't come back to me. 382 00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:13,550 Is he talking to his mom and dad about it? 383 00:18:14,426 --> 00:18:17,429 [Richard] Yeah, he spoke to his parents. He told me he's spoke to his parents. 384 00:18:19,723 --> 00:18:22,601 [Stewart] The only thing that's an issue for the club is of course, 385 00:18:22,893 --> 00:18:25,020 these lads have been with us in Premier League days, 386 00:18:26,146 --> 00:18:28,107 listening to what players earned 387 00:18:28,607 --> 00:18:29,900 -at the time. -[players ooh] 388 00:18:30,025 --> 00:18:34,363 Of course, it's difficult, in some ways, for them to detach themselves 389 00:18:34,446 --> 00:18:37,324 from the numbers they heard to now recognizing 390 00:18:37,407 --> 00:18:39,159 the club are a League One team. 391 00:18:39,243 --> 00:18:40,953 You know, they're not negotiating contracts 392 00:18:41,036 --> 00:18:42,246 with a Premier League team. 393 00:18:42,329 --> 00:18:44,331 -[ball thudding] -[players murmur] 394 00:18:44,456 --> 00:18:47,251 They're all saying they love it here, they love working with Jack, 395 00:18:47,334 --> 00:18:49,461 we've just got to get the numbers sensible. 396 00:18:50,921 --> 00:18:53,632 Um... Josh has had a cracking offer. 397 00:18:54,591 --> 00:18:56,093 -[Richard] Uh... -He-- He'll sign that. 398 00:18:56,176 --> 00:18:59,555 We're hearing all sorts, but, I mean, Tottenham have been to watch him... 399 00:19:01,473 --> 00:19:03,475 six, seven, eight, nine times. 400 00:19:03,559 --> 00:19:05,936 -[Neil] There's interest in him elsewhere. -I was told... 401 00:19:06,019 --> 00:19:07,938 Were you told Portsmouth were interested in him? 402 00:19:11,608 --> 00:19:13,735 [crowd buzzes] 403 00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:21,034 [crowd cheers] 404 00:19:21,118 --> 00:19:24,413 [Barnes] Honeyman. Coyle going with him. Honeyman's cross first time. 405 00:19:24,496 --> 00:19:25,539 Maja gets his foot on it... 406 00:19:25,622 --> 00:19:27,583 -[commentator 2] Get in! -...and it's in! 407 00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:28,834 [crowd cheers] 408 00:19:29,293 --> 00:19:33,380 Maja, beyond the goalkeeper, equalizes for Sunderland. 409 00:19:33,797 --> 00:19:34,798 [cheering continues] 410 00:19:35,132 --> 00:19:37,843 Slides on his knees, and that's a lovely touch from Maja. 411 00:19:43,599 --> 00:19:45,017 Honeyman, lays it off again 412 00:19:45,100 --> 00:19:47,644 to McGeouch to try and get up to Maja. 413 00:19:49,563 --> 00:19:51,356 Controls it, swings in the cross. 414 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:53,483 -He's got to score. -[Barnes] Maja's header! 415 00:19:53,567 --> 00:19:54,902 -[crowd cheering] -What a goal. 416 00:19:55,360 --> 00:19:56,445 Sweetly taken. 417 00:19:56,862 --> 00:19:58,155 [fans yelling] 418 00:20:00,115 --> 00:20:02,367 Inside the penalty area. Maja, onto his left... 419 00:20:02,451 --> 00:20:04,203 -[commentator 2] Yes. -[Barnes] Scored again! 420 00:20:04,286 --> 00:20:05,245 [crowd roars] 421 00:20:08,373 --> 00:20:12,044 [man] I think, first and foremost, he's a fantastic young player. 422 00:20:12,127 --> 00:20:14,338 He's working his way up to being a legend already. 423 00:20:14,421 --> 00:20:17,216 If he could secure enough goals to help them get promotion 424 00:20:17,299 --> 00:20:19,635 back to the Championship, he'd be held in high esteem 425 00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:20,594 for a long, long time. 426 00:20:20,677 --> 00:20:22,221 So he's... he's massive for them. 427 00:20:22,304 --> 00:20:23,889 [techno music plays] 428 00:20:28,227 --> 00:20:29,353 [crowd shouting] 429 00:20:31,688 --> 00:20:32,564 [crowd cheers] 430 00:20:37,903 --> 00:20:41,156 -[techno music fades] -[podcast host 1] I like his arrogance. 431 00:20:42,032 --> 00:20:44,993 His confidence is just like, radiating off him. 432 00:20:45,077 --> 00:20:46,828 [indistinct intercom chatter] 433 00:20:47,871 --> 00:20:49,831 [EFL host] It was Josh Maja that scored the winner, 434 00:20:49,915 --> 00:20:52,542 a young player that's having a tremendous season, isn't he, George? 435 00:20:52,918 --> 00:20:53,919 Yeah, it's interesting. 436 00:20:54,002 --> 00:20:56,004 Some of the data guys said if he was to continue 437 00:20:56,088 --> 00:20:58,507 his current finishing rate, he'd be the best finisher ever. 438 00:20:58,924 --> 00:21:00,217 He's fearless and he's young, 439 00:21:00,300 --> 00:21:02,761 he's raw, and he just looks like the real deal. 440 00:21:02,844 --> 00:21:03,971 [techno music resumes] 441 00:21:04,846 --> 00:21:06,848 [Jack] He's a very polite, humble young man who... 442 00:21:07,224 --> 00:21:08,642 has built a good relationship 443 00:21:08,725 --> 00:21:10,769 with me and my staff in a short period of time. 444 00:21:10,852 --> 00:21:14,147 I know that Josh will be a player with me till minimum January. 445 00:21:14,523 --> 00:21:16,358 I think he trusts that he will get better here, 446 00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:20,195 under our management, which I hope will encourage him to sign. 447 00:21:22,239 --> 00:21:23,282 [techno music fades] 448 00:21:29,121 --> 00:21:32,082 [host] Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Roker Report podcast. 449 00:21:32,165 --> 00:21:34,251 We are joined today by Stewart Donald. 450 00:21:34,334 --> 00:21:36,712 Let's jump to contracts and agents 451 00:21:36,795 --> 00:21:37,629 and transfers, 452 00:21:37,713 --> 00:21:39,631 -which is all the juicy stuff... -Lovely. [laughs] 453 00:21:39,715 --> 00:21:41,717 ...that I'm sure everyone's listening to this for. 454 00:21:41,842 --> 00:21:45,220 So we'll start with Josh Maja so everyone knows contract offers. 455 00:21:45,595 --> 00:21:47,347 [Stewart] If I'm honest, the... 456 00:21:48,056 --> 00:21:52,060 the contracts that we've inherited for them are... ridiculous, 457 00:21:52,144 --> 00:21:53,603 from the football club's perspective. 458 00:21:54,604 --> 00:21:57,983 When these lads come into our academy, they're signing two or three-year deals. 459 00:21:58,358 --> 00:21:59,735 So common sense tells you that, 460 00:21:59,818 --> 00:22:02,946 in the last year of his contract, he's got a chance of breaking through. 461 00:22:04,489 --> 00:22:08,493 So, surely when we negotiate the contracts in the first place, 462 00:22:08,910 --> 00:22:11,830 we should protect ourselves by putting extensions in that say, 463 00:22:12,039 --> 00:22:14,291 "If Josh makes some five first-team games, 464 00:22:14,666 --> 00:22:17,169 then we automatically get an extra year on his contract." 465 00:22:18,337 --> 00:22:20,839 What we've done is put it completely the wrong way round 466 00:22:21,256 --> 00:22:22,132 so that, actually, 467 00:22:22,215 --> 00:22:24,343 Josh gets in the first team, in earnest, 468 00:22:24,426 --> 00:22:25,761 playing week in, week out, 469 00:22:26,094 --> 00:22:28,472 and their agents then see a value to them. 470 00:22:30,140 --> 00:22:34,144 So we're now forced to negotiate... with the agent thinking, 471 00:22:34,227 --> 00:22:37,189 "I can make more money if he moves away than he can at Sunderland, 472 00:22:37,272 --> 00:22:39,649 so as an agent, I'm gonna try and make more money by getting him a move." 473 00:22:39,733 --> 00:22:41,735 -[mellow music playing] -[birds chirping] 474 00:22:49,534 --> 00:22:50,744 [mellow music fades] 475 00:22:52,996 --> 00:22:54,206 [Luke] Talking about contracts, 476 00:22:54,289 --> 00:22:56,166 you have hundreds of people 477 00:22:56,249 --> 00:22:58,085 telling you what to do and what not to do. 478 00:22:58,794 --> 00:22:59,878 [grunts] 479 00:23:00,962 --> 00:23:02,297 Footballers, non-footballers, 480 00:23:02,422 --> 00:23:03,799 your parents, your friends, 481 00:23:03,965 --> 00:23:05,217 people you've never met before. 482 00:23:05,384 --> 00:23:08,261 They all give you their opinion, even if you don't ask for it. 483 00:23:10,764 --> 00:23:13,100 You know, with Maj, with a million-and-one things 484 00:23:13,183 --> 00:23:14,184 getting told to him, 485 00:23:15,352 --> 00:23:17,521 I think it's nice to speak to someone about it because, 486 00:23:17,813 --> 00:23:20,107 like I said about emotions, you shouldn't bottle them up. 487 00:23:20,190 --> 00:23:21,942 [Jack murmurs indistinctly] 488 00:23:22,943 --> 00:23:24,152 [Luke] First game of the season, 489 00:23:24,820 --> 00:23:25,737 I held my hands up. 490 00:23:25,821 --> 00:23:27,864 I was nowhere near the performance I wanted. 491 00:23:28,490 --> 00:23:30,575 But the gaffer spoke to me and he said, 492 00:23:30,700 --> 00:23:31,910 "Luke, you're trying too hard." 493 00:23:32,661 --> 00:23:36,957 And it was funny that such simple words made so much sense. 494 00:23:37,624 --> 00:23:41,586 He told me to remember the strengths of what got me to where I am today. 495 00:23:41,711 --> 00:23:44,256 "Remember the player that you are, the strengths that you have, 496 00:23:44,381 --> 00:23:46,133 because that's what we're looking for." 497 00:23:46,216 --> 00:23:49,928 -[crowd chants] -[players yell indistinctly] 498 00:23:50,011 --> 00:23:51,430 [mellow music resumes] 499 00:23:52,931 --> 00:23:54,850 -[chanting continues] -[whistle blows] 500 00:23:58,145 --> 00:23:59,146 [mellow music fades] 501 00:24:02,315 --> 00:24:04,609 [Barnes] Emmanuel down the right, trying to find Holloway. 502 00:24:05,402 --> 00:24:07,571 James is on his shoulder, he tries to cut inside. 503 00:24:07,654 --> 00:24:08,822 Blocked by O'Nien. 504 00:24:16,788 --> 00:24:17,706 [crowd shouting] 505 00:24:17,789 --> 00:24:19,916 Gooch now, just outside the penalty area. 506 00:24:20,041 --> 00:24:22,085 -Trying to find O'Nien. O'Nien's shot... -[crowd oohs] 507 00:24:22,169 --> 00:24:24,171 -[commentator 2] Oh! -[Barnes] He's made it 2-nil! 508 00:24:24,254 --> 00:24:26,673 -[crowd cheers] -And surely he's sealed the three points. 509 00:24:27,090 --> 00:24:29,259 Luke O'Nien, a lovely finish. 510 00:24:29,342 --> 00:24:31,595 Just span and smashed it under the keeper. 511 00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:36,433 [Luke chatters indistinctly] 512 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,060 [man] I told ya! [laughs] 513 00:24:40,854 --> 00:24:42,355 [crowd chants] 514 00:24:43,398 --> 00:24:47,402 [Luke] Just pure joy. I, uh... I just ran for my celebration and, uh... 515 00:24:47,736 --> 00:24:49,571 it was a special moment, a very special moment. 516 00:24:50,989 --> 00:24:51,865 Get in there! 517 00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:57,120 Very happy. Um... Nice to get my first goal for Sunderland 518 00:24:57,204 --> 00:25:00,749 and, uh... to get the three points as well was special, 519 00:25:00,874 --> 00:25:02,209 so, uh... a very good day. 520 00:25:02,292 --> 00:25:03,835 [crowd buzzes] 521 00:25:05,962 --> 00:25:07,005 [crowd shouting] 522 00:25:09,925 --> 00:25:11,343 [crowd applauds] 523 00:25:14,429 --> 00:25:15,555 [crowd cheers] 524 00:25:16,723 --> 00:25:17,933 [Barnes] Maja at the near post! 525 00:25:18,016 --> 00:25:20,852 -[commentator 2] He's done it again. -[Barnes] Header, bottom corner. 526 00:25:20,936 --> 00:25:22,354 [crowd cheers] 527 00:25:23,688 --> 00:25:24,940 Come on! 528 00:25:25,023 --> 00:25:26,983 [fans screaming] 529 00:25:30,737 --> 00:25:33,156 [Barnes] Three minutes of added time. 530 00:25:35,617 --> 00:25:38,078 O'Nien now, out to the left-hand side here, 531 00:25:38,161 --> 00:25:41,748 and a break forwards by Oviedo. He's got Connelly in the middle. 532 00:25:41,831 --> 00:25:44,084 Oviedo's ball into the box, drops for Maja... 533 00:25:44,167 --> 00:25:46,503 -Maja wins it! -[commentator 2] Ooh... What a goal. 534 00:25:46,586 --> 00:25:48,129 [Barnes] Maja with his right foot, 535 00:25:48,213 --> 00:25:50,215 -drives it beyond Halstead. -[commentator 2 laughs] 536 00:25:50,298 --> 00:25:52,467 [Barnes] And in the first minute of added time, 537 00:25:52,551 --> 00:25:55,345 Josh Maja has surely won the tie, 538 00:25:55,428 --> 00:25:57,347 for his tenth goal of the season. 539 00:25:57,430 --> 00:25:59,182 [crowd applauds] 540 00:26:02,269 --> 00:26:04,229 -You got your number ten! -[Josh] Eh? 541 00:26:04,312 --> 00:26:05,897 Number ten, mate. Number ten. 542 00:26:05,981 --> 00:26:07,399 That's ten for the season. 543 00:26:13,530 --> 00:26:14,781 [players murmur] 544 00:26:21,663 --> 00:26:22,706 [dishes clatter] 545 00:26:23,540 --> 00:26:24,833 [mellow music playing] 546 00:26:25,834 --> 00:26:27,919 [Stewart] So tell me about that text from Maja's agent. 547 00:26:29,796 --> 00:26:31,464 [Richard] I've gone back with a third offer. 548 00:26:31,548 --> 00:26:32,507 Um... 549 00:26:33,174 --> 00:26:36,720 I think we're now getting... We're at our limit, for me. 550 00:26:37,554 --> 00:26:42,350 And... the agent's come back saying that he'll discuss it with Josh 551 00:26:42,434 --> 00:26:45,103 and come back to me as soon as possible. 552 00:26:47,439 --> 00:26:49,357 I'd give him a week to accept the offer, 553 00:26:49,482 --> 00:26:51,443 otherwise, we'll test the market in January. 554 00:26:53,695 --> 00:26:55,697 [stammers] The thing that bothers me 555 00:26:55,780 --> 00:26:58,116 in all of this, the agent has experience 556 00:26:58,199 --> 00:26:59,659 of moving players abroad. 557 00:27:00,785 --> 00:27:02,537 If he goes overseas... 558 00:27:03,622 --> 00:27:07,584 he... the agent will get... will ask and probably get 559 00:27:07,667 --> 00:27:12,088 in the region-- in the region of a million, agent's fee. 560 00:27:12,172 --> 00:27:13,965 He and his family trust his agent. 561 00:27:14,174 --> 00:27:15,717 -Yeah. -So, like... 562 00:27:16,217 --> 00:27:17,177 [stammers] Yeah, what-- 563 00:27:18,470 --> 00:27:20,555 He knows in the summer he's going to get a payday. 564 00:27:21,514 --> 00:27:24,225 [Richard] This, for me, isn't about Josh Maja. 565 00:27:26,853 --> 00:27:28,688 100% about his agent. 566 00:27:29,022 --> 00:27:29,856 End of. 567 00:27:30,357 --> 00:27:31,900 -[Neil] And how much. -Exactly. 568 00:27:31,983 --> 00:27:33,401 -[Neil laughs] And how much. -Exactly. 569 00:27:33,485 --> 00:27:36,071 [Stewart] But why would you want to leave Sunderland Football Club? 570 00:27:36,279 --> 00:27:39,240 -Where does it get better for Josh Maja? -[Stewart] 4,000 mad Sunderland fans 571 00:27:39,324 --> 00:27:42,077 singing your name-- [stammers] Do you remember when you were a kid? 572 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:45,205 -It was all you ever wanted, wasn't it? -[Richard] Yeah, but football's changed. 573 00:27:45,288 --> 00:27:48,291 [Stewart] Their agents are out of control. They can take them across the border 574 00:27:48,375 --> 00:27:50,669 for a tenth of their value and we're shafted. 575 00:27:50,752 --> 00:27:52,295 [stammers] What's the football club get? 576 00:27:52,420 --> 00:27:54,255 Now we're negotiating like bloody idiots. 577 00:27:54,339 --> 00:27:55,340 [Neil] But it-- 578 00:27:55,799 --> 00:27:58,301 -But that's what you've inherited. -[Stewart] Yeah, but it-- Yes, 579 00:27:58,385 --> 00:27:59,844 but it is absolute shit. 580 00:28:01,721 --> 00:28:03,223 If Josh Maja leaves us, 581 00:28:03,306 --> 00:28:05,016 we're going to look like a bunch of numpties. 582 00:28:06,226 --> 00:28:07,727 [Neil] Without a doubt. [chuckles] 583 00:28:09,979 --> 00:28:14,150 I genuinely think that they've already got their strategy set out. 584 00:28:17,445 --> 00:28:18,279 [mellow music fades] 585 00:28:18,738 --> 00:28:20,824 [interviewer] So there's a bit of transfer speculation. 586 00:28:21,324 --> 00:28:23,159 -Transfer speculation? -Yeah. 587 00:28:23,785 --> 00:28:25,495 -About who? -About you. 588 00:28:25,620 --> 00:28:26,621 -About me? -Yeah. 589 00:28:26,996 --> 00:28:28,164 Did you not even see that? 590 00:28:28,748 --> 00:28:30,750 Don't really read newspapers like that. 591 00:28:31,251 --> 00:28:32,085 No. 592 00:28:33,420 --> 00:28:35,004 There was? Hmm. 593 00:28:35,922 --> 00:28:36,965 That's interesting. 594 00:28:38,258 --> 00:28:40,218 -Interesting. -Yeah, just saying a few clubs 595 00:28:40,301 --> 00:28:43,555 were interested in-- Have you got a new contract yet for... 596 00:28:43,722 --> 00:28:45,724 Hasn't been sorted yet, no, but... 597 00:28:46,433 --> 00:28:50,687 I think it's... it's in the... It's getting sorted, basically. 598 00:28:51,312 --> 00:28:54,107 -You don't worry so much about that stuff? -No, I just let my agent 599 00:28:54,190 --> 00:28:57,652 deal with all that stuff, I just-- My head's just focused on football, 600 00:28:57,736 --> 00:28:59,195 playing football, that's it. 601 00:28:59,279 --> 00:29:00,613 [dramatic music playing] 602 00:29:07,078 --> 00:29:09,372 [hums] I'm here right now. 603 00:29:10,290 --> 00:29:12,000 So... that's it. 604 00:29:13,334 --> 00:29:15,003 That's football for you. 605 00:29:15,587 --> 00:29:17,130 That's me. [chuckles] 606 00:29:20,300 --> 00:29:21,926 [dramatic music fades] 607 00:29:24,304 --> 00:29:27,432 [tense music playing]