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Sunderland last won at Wembley in the 2021/22 League One play-off final and will be hoping to continue the streak against Sheffield United on Saturday.
Sunderland are set to take on Sheffield United under the Wembley arches with a season-defining fixture in the Championship play-off final.
The Blades swept past Bristol City with ease in their semi-final double header, and boss Chris Wilder will want to protect his impressive play-off record this weekend.
Dan Ballard’s dramatic last-gasp header against Coventry City sent the Stadium of Light stands into utter delirium after booking their final spot a second before penalties.
Sunderland’s record in the play-offs is worrying, with their only win at the home of football coming in the 2021/22 League One play-off final, and it was on this historic day in Black Cats history that one club icon summed up the feeling of winning at Wembley perfectly.
Peter Reid’s one-word reaction the last time Sunderland won at Wembley
Sunderland legend Peter Reid was in the Wembley stands to see Alex Neil mastermind the Black Cats’ second tier return only three years ago.
Six Sunderland players remain at the club who won that trophy, and a handful of those are set to start for Le Bris on Saturday. They will be hoping to taste victory once more with the former Black Cats boss watching on proudly in the stands.
The Black Cats’ latest Wembley win was captured by the Netflix cameras for the ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ documentary, and caught Reid’s fitting one-word reaction at full-time.
After a 2-0 victory over Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers – thanks to goals from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart – the 45,000 red and white faithful sang in unison their trademark Wise Men Say anthem, which saw Reid simply react with “Wow”.
Reid oversaw Sunderland’s defeat in the 1997/98 play-off final, which is described as the best play-off final in history, and has shared some wise words for his Black Cats predecessor ahead of the Blades showpiece so Le Bris can avoid the “painful” fate he suffered.
Peter Reid knows Sunderland must harness the 12th man in play-off final
Reid has seen firsthand how impressive the Sunderland supporter base can be and the raucous atmosphere they intend to provide could make the difference on Saturday afternoon.
Via the Sunderland Echo, the 284-game Sunderland manager has said: “I am so wishing Regis Le Bris and the lads the very best for a return to the top flight – the fans in the city are well worthy of their place at that level.
“You need that bit of luck in what can sometimes turn into a lottery – trust me, I will be shouting the lads on every step of the way.
“Those fans can be like an extra man to the team with their huge passion, and I know they will give the players everything during the games.”
Sunderland won the last-minute lottery thanks to Ballard’s late header, which spawned scenes of carnage in the Stadium of Light stands.
Reid will be hoping to see similar tears of joy from the League One play-off final at full-time on Saturday as Sunderland take on Sheffield United for Premier League promotion.