Wise Men Say

Think Terry Butcher.Blood and bandages, Italia 90, Glasgow Rangers and their English invasion, Bobby Robson's Ipswich. He also played for and managed the lads - and, in 2019, he spoke to us as part of our Meet the Managers series. 

We've delved back into the archives to bring you the second in the Meet the Manager series - today, it's Malcolm Crosby's turn.Malcolm speaks to us about his early career, how he ended up at his home town team and all about that fantastic 1992 FA Cup run.This podcast was first released in 2018. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've delved into the archives to bring you the first in the Meet the Manager series where we speak to Denis Smith.Denis talks us through his early years, how he came to be Sunderland manager, how he got Sunderland on the up again after relegation to the third tier for the first time in the club's history, that famous Newcastle Play-Off victory, our season in the top flight and that incredible day against Man City at Maine Road.This podcast was first released in 2018. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen, Gareth and Andy Dawson look back at the generational impact that Peter Reid made to the club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Goldsmith, Gareth Barker and Richard Easterbrook talk about the positions Sunderland will need to strengthen as they look forward to their return to the Premier League! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth bring you the Monday Pod on a Tuesday. Lots of Wembley hysteria is still ongoing but here's some actual crack about the match. WMS alumni Frankie Francis returns. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wise Men Say team recorded their thoughts across a memorable weekend for Sunderland AFC, from setting off to London, heading to Trafalgar Square, pre-match feelings from the supporters we bumped into - and all of the celebrations across the capital afterwards.Almost every current WMS member - plus some familiar faces - contributed to this in some way - probably the first time we've all been on a podcast together at the same time! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!Eleanor McCabe presents from WMS' spiritual home in the capital, the Marquis Cornwallis, as Sunderland secured their return to the top flight after an eight-year absence with a barely-believable last-minute victory against Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium.Eleanor is joined by Richard Easterbrook, Jonny Lambert and lots of others as we celebrate a momentous occasion. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Eleanor McCabe, Jimmy Reay and special guest Matthew Keeling as excitement continues to build for Sunderland's Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Tonight, the team talk about Regis Le Bris' selection decisions and what threat Sheffield United pose on Saturday. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth are joined by Andy Dawson to bring you the first of two pods where the WMS gang talk about Saturday. Oh and Rick pops his head in too. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Goldsmith is joined by Richard Easterbrook and special guest, Sunderland AFC match announcer - and former Wise Men Say presenter - Rory Fallow. The lads look back on the Coventry match in a little bit more detail while Rory answers your listener questions. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor and Mick bring you their reaction on one of the greatest nights the Stadium of Light has ever seen as Sunderland score in the last minute of extra-time to seal an aggregate victory over Coventry City - and with it their passage to the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are your nerves? Sunderland proved lots of people wrong in the first leg but this tie is nowhere near done yet. Stephen, Gareth and Eleanor discuss the massive game on Tuesday.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Mick react to the win over Coventry. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen, Gareth and Mick preview the 1st leg of our play-off tie against Coventry. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We got views and perspectives from the rest of the sides in this season's play-offs. We spoke to David from Forever Bristol City, Chad from The Red Half of Sheffield, and Simon from That Cov Pod. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Goldsmith and Richard Easterbrook were live at The Fire Station after the QPR defeat and were joined by Sunderland legend Julio Arca! The lads discuss the final-day defeat to the Rs, look back at the season just concluded and share their play-off thoughts. There's also a good chat with Julio about his playing days at the Stadium of Light. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Okay, so we've actually spoken to him before but it was yonks ago. With it being play-off season (again) why not speak to a prevalent character from the 1990 semi-final against them lot? Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Eleanor McCabe as they look ahead to Sunderland's final game of the regular season against QPR. They also look at the permutations around the final two play-off places beneath the Black Cats and reminisce about some previous end-of-season encounters. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth are joined by We Are Sunderland's James Hunter to discuss our fourth defeat on the bounce. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Michael Lough and Jimmy Reay as the lads look ahead to Sunderland's first trip to Oxford in three years. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe is joined by WMS contributor Jon Lambert and The Sunderland Echo's Phil Smith to discuss the Easter fixtures and look ahead to the Oxford trip. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Jimmy Reay and We Are Sunderland's James Hunter ahead of Sunderland's Easter weekend fixtures, firstly at Bristol City on Good Friday and back home against Blackburn Rovers on Monday. There's also Bristol City insight from Bristol Live's Dan Carter. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth are joined by Phil Smith from the Sunderland Echo. They discuss the defeat to Swansea and the overall scenario Sunderland find themselves in.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe is joined by Michael Lough and Richard Easterbrook as Sunderland fall to a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea City. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Gareth Barker and Michael Lough as the lads react to Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Norwich, while previewing the visit of Swansea City! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Eleanor are joined by WMS alumni, Chris Weatherspoon, now at The Athletic. They look back at the 1-0 win at The Hawthorns and ahead to a trip to Norwich. Norwich perspective from Jack Wright from My Football Writer.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gareth and Eleanor react to the news of Tommy Watson departing this summer and preview the trip to The Hawthorns. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Rick look back at the win against Millwall. They also discuss the age-old Sunderland tradition of playing central midfielders at right back. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe and Michael Lough bring you the reaction as Sunderland beat Millwall 1-0 at the Stadium of Light! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an arse-kicking at Coventry, The Lads face Millwall at home to try and get things back on track. Stephen is joined by Mick and Jim to go over it all. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gareth Barker and Mick Lough discuss Sunderland's defeat at Coventry. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook and Jimmy Reay look back over Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Preston North End, while they preview the Black Cats' trip to Coventry City. Stephen Goldsmith catches up with Simon from That Cov Pod for the Sky Blues' perspective. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth are joined by former Sunderland Striker/Defender Lee Howey to discuss the Cardiff win and preview the visit of Preston. We also hear more on Preston from Lancashire Post reporter George Hodgson. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe is joined by Richard Easterbrook to look back over Sunderland's 2-1 win over Cardiff City at the Stadium of Light Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Michael Lough and Jimmy Reay as the lads look ahead to Sunderland's match against Cardiff City at the Stadium of Light. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth discuss the 2-1 win at Hillsborough. Friday Night delights. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Jimmy Reay to look ahead to Sunderland's trip down to Sheffield Wednesday. Stephen speaks to Ash from The Wednesday Week for their perspective, while there's a load of listener questions for Richard and Jimmy to plough through. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth further discuss the defeat at the hands of Hull City. What comes next for this young and tired team? Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunderland Story returns to the Sunderland Empire in May after a hugely-successful first run in 2023. We sat down with writer Nicky Allt, Sunderland AFC Chief Business Officer David Bruce and cast member James Hedley to talk about the play, the impact it had first time round and what we can expect from this year's production.The Sunderland Story, comes exclusively to Sunderland Empire from Thursday 15 – Saturday 31 May 2025. Tickets, priced from £15, are available at atgtickets.com/sunderland Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That was annoying wasn't it? A comical goal conceded and just not enough going forward.Eleanor and Mick react from the pub.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bits and Bobs. Stephen calls into his local, The Fleece, to talk to Gav from Invigor8 who is undergoing an exciting project to regenerate Sunderland AFC's first ever ground. There's also some iconic artwork on the side of the pub that's discussed.There's also a quick catch up with Nathan, who's family run the very same pub, he's currently smashing it on prime time Saturday Night TV show, The Gladiators. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen, Gareth and Richard discuss the defeat at Leeds and preview the visit of Hull City. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Michael Lough to preview Sunderland's trip to Leeds United on Monday, while they look back on the Black Cats' 2-0 win over Luton Town on Wednesday evening. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Gareth reflect on the Watford draw and look ahead to the visit of Luton Town on Wednesday. We also hear from Andy Dawson and Frankie Francis on their new cultural venture (as well as talking about The Lads of course).  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe and Michael Lough discuss another two points dropped in the race for promotion as Sunderland were held at home to Watford. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well finally Sunderland go to Boro and win. Stephen and Micky discuss it, fresh from making the trip down the A19. We also hear from The Anfield Wrap on new loan signing Jayden Danns. Then there's the Watford game to look forward to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen and Mick Lough are in the pub to chat about the upcoming match at Boro. Hear from Scott Wilson who gives an opposition perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gareth and Richard discuss the home draw with Plymouth Argyle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor McCabe is joined by Michael Lough and Richard Easterbrook as Sunderland are held to a 2-2 draw by Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Easterbrook is joined by Jimmy Reay to look ahead to Sunderland's home game against Plymouth Argyle, while the lads react to the 1-0 victory at Derby County, with thoughts from Micky Lough at Pride Park. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.