[Lee Jong-gil's Movie Reading] Grades May Betray, but Support Never Does

Netflix Documentary 'Jugeodo Sunderland' Season 2

"Players in the English Premier League (1st division) earn an average of ?64,000 per week (about 97.94 million KRW), the Championship (2nd division) ?14,000 (about 21.42 million KRW), and League One (3rd division) ?2,000 (about 3.07 million KRW)."

This subtitle appears at the beginning of episode 2, season 2 of the Netflix documentary 'Dying to Sunderland.' Sunderland AFC competed in the Premier League for ten consecutive seasons until the 2016-2017 season. However, due to poor performance, they played in the Championship in the 2017-2018 season and in League One in the 2018-2019 season.

Sunderland AFC is a prestigious club that has won the top division six times. The local residents show considerable interest and support. Despite relegation to the Championship, an average of 31,706 fans visited the Stadium of Light (home ground), a figure comparable to a top 10 Premier League club.

Originally, the production team of 'Dying to Sunderland' intended to capture the team’s resurgence fueled by passionate support. However, in season 1, Sunderland AFC was relegated to League One after repeated defeats. The performance did not improve in season 2 either. With setbacks such as the departure of star striker Josh Maja, the dream of promotion was shattered.

The Sunderland locals, the club’s hometown supporters, fell into deep sadness. Yet, they never stopped cheering despite the ongoing slump. They huddled together in the stands, singing chants at the top of their lungs. "Sunderland AFC. Undoubtedly the greatest team in the world."

To them, Sunderland AFC is a source of pride and identity. Through their support, they strengthen community spirit and bonds. The Boxing Day match (December 26) against Bradford City is a prime example. At the Stadium of Light, the sixth largest stadium in the UK (capacity 48,707), an impressive 46,039 fans gathered. Throughout the match, applause and cheers boosted the players’ morale.

Why do the approximately 180,000 residents of this industrial city passionately support football? David Goldblatt’s book, 'The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football,' traces back to the late Victorian era (1837?1901) and explains as follows:

"At that time in Britain, among various forms of working-class urban culture, only football could bring together diverse groups divided by social status, local community, industrial occupation, employers, and trade union membership, as well as differences in origin, identity, and purpose. Football alone enabled them to unite around a larger, more inclusive geographical background and identity."

Football helped incorporate working-class regionalism into a national framework and organization. The working class and their representative bodies were making their voices heard in political and economic forums. They opened broader horizons and asserted their rightful status. Supporting their local football teams in national leagues and cup competitions was the most accurate and straightforward way to express this.

British journalist and novelist Charles Edwards described the fervor of the time in his 1896 essay 'The New Football Mania' as follows:

"During the past season, the author witnessed three matches played in fierce snowstorms. On one occasion, the snow and sleet on the pitch reached ankle height, and the snow piled up to an inch on the fans’ shoulders and hats. Yet they were packed so tightly that they could not move to shake off the snow. Perhaps they believed they had some magic remedy to prevent illnesses that might arise from simple colds. Of course, they did not. Probably one or more of them had already been laid to rest in the grave before the next Saturday’s match began."

The passionate support in 'Dying to Sunderland' manifests as a will to persevere without losing hope. Sunderland was once famous for its shipbuilding industry. However, all shipyards closed in 1988 after losing out to overseas cities. Two other major sources of income, mining and glassmaking, ended in 1994 and 2007, respectively. Although the city later transformed into an automobile manufacturing base, its former glory is nowhere to be found.

'Dying to Sunderland' takes a largely observational view of the deteriorating living conditions. The perspective on Sunderland AFC is no different. The documentary reveals the limitations of a small-town football club, its haphazard management, and lack of leadership through the efforts of the players and front office. A prime example is club owner Stewart Donald struggling in the January transfer market. With no acquisitions made as the deadline approached, the local radio station delivered a sharp critique.

"I can’t recall a time when the deadline was this close. It was like, 'Damn, if we don’t sign someone right now, it’s a huge problem.' I don’t know how to fix it. Other than saying, 'Here, we’ll pay whatever it takes for that player.' Stewart Donald might be too naive and ignorant to run one of the best clubs in the UK."

Unable to withstand the pressure, Donald made a reckless move. He signed Wigan Athletic FC striker Will Grigg for a League One record transfer fee of ?3 million. Grigg scored only four goals in League One wearing the Sunderland AFC jersey. In the 2019-2020 season, he managed just one goal.

Many British clubs are limited liability companies with individual shareholders such as workers. As seen at Sunderland AFC, shareholders tend to hold only sentimental shares in small amounts. They do not actively exercise their potential voting rights. They simply trust and follow decisions made by major shareholders like Donald.

In this system, financial gain cannot be their main reward. Today, British football is a large-scale industry beyond mere entertainment. The days when shareholders occupied meaningless positions just to gain local fame and status are over.

It is no exaggeration to say Sunderland AFC has fallen behind by failing to keep pace with these changes. Now, even shareholders must lead social phenomena with radical and creative thinking. Just as they have left undeniable marks on football culture and demographics over the past century.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.