‘It’s one thing I want had by no means occurred, I realise you can’t chew the hand that feeds, and I understood the ramifications of what I did’ Lee Clark on the profession remorse that also haunts him

It was the pre-camera cellphone period, however Lee Clark was nonetheless caught out. Maybe, as a contracted Sunderland participant, he shouldn’t have travelled to London to assist Newcastle United within the 1999 FA Cup closing.

However the die-hard Toon fan, who grew up within the East Finish of Newcastle, couldn’t resist the chance to observe the membership he supported (and had performed for less than two years prior) doubtlessly win a cup for the primary time in 30 years.

Pre-match spirits (metaphorical and maybe literal) have been flowing and Clark was offered with a white t-shirt that had the letters SMB emblazoned on it. Everybody within the pub, and Clark himself, know precisely what they stood for.

‘Unhappy Mackem B*stards’.

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Within the face of peer strain, Clark adorned the t-shirt and, unbeknownst to him, {a photograph} was snapped. He by no means performed for Sunderland once more.

“I added objectives to my sport there and acquired known as up by England, so the swap [from Newcastle to Sunderland] actually paid off career-wise. It was at all times going to trigger debate due to my black and white roots however I by no means regretted the transfer.

“Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell have been big components in my resolution – and, in fact, it made sense from a geographical perspective. I performed with some nice gamers at Sunderland. Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips was one other unbelievable partnership. I didn’t realise simply how good Quinny was till I performed with him.”

Talking 25 years on from the incident to FourFourTwo, and the remorse remains to be there. “It’s one thing I want had by no means occurred. Throughout 16 years, I solely performed for 3 golf equipment and I take nice delight in what I did for all of them. I’ve been welcomed again with open arms at two of them, and it’s unhappy that wasn’t at all times the case at Sunderland.

“After all, I realise you can’t chew the hand that feeds, and I understood the ramifications of what I did. I wish to suppose nowadays I’ve made my peace with Sunderland followers after discussing the episode on the Roker Report podcast, placing it on the market how a lot I regretted what I did and issuing a heartfelt apology.”

Sadly for Clark, soccer followers have lengthy reminiscences.

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