Connect with us

English Premier League

Emotional Luke O’Nien gives inspiring speech reflecting after Sunderland qualify for Europe

An emotional Luke O’Nien gives an inspiring speech reflecting after Sunderland qualify for Europe on the final day of the season.

From non league to qualifying for Europe. Luke O’Nien opened up on his dreams as a kid, trying to keep his career alive, fighting through all the setbacks, the doubt, rejection.

The footballing story he’s gone on to create for himself, he could never have imagined. He is part of the team to have helped Sunderland seal a place in the Europa League next season with a 7th place finish in their first season back in the top flight since 2017.

The Black Cats will now get set for their first European adventure in 53 years, which was when they qualified for the 1973-74 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

O’Nien took to social media – EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.

Not because I didn’t want it.

Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.

What kid would?

Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.

What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?

I was heartbroken.

My dad looked at me and said:

“What are we doing tomorrow?”

To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:

“We’re training, Dad.”

So we trained.

Every single day.

My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.

One club replied.

One.

That was all I needed.

An opportunity.

@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial, I’ll always be indebted to you.

Then came the move to@SunderlandAFC.

A massive club.

A massive opportunity.

And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.

But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.

“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”

Then came the Championship.

“He’s not good enough for this level.”

Then the Premier League.

“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”

I understood the doubt.

I’ve faced it my whole career.

And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.

But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:

Outwork your doubt.

You don’t always need to see the full journey.

You just need to take the next step.

Then the next one.

And then another.

Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.

Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.

Keep working.

Keep learning.

Keep showing up.

Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.

To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.

You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.

And to the boys… thank you.

You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.

What a team.

What a club.

What a fanbase.

Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍

And in the words of Granit Xhaka:

“This is just the beginning.”

Luke O’Nien said to the club’s media: “I don’t know what you want me to say to that. I’m just looking at that graphic up there. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. And I just said to the boys after I thanked them all for building what we built here. And I’m not sure if I ever dare to dream that big of going to Europe. And these guys have shown us what’s possible. And I’m unbelievably grateful for every single person in that changing room and everybody here.”

He continued: “And we just keep finding ways. I was looking at the playoff final yesterday and I had so much emotion just pumped through me just sitting there watching the two teams go at it and we’ve had some special times and I think there’s still a few more to go but it’s I’m looking at Kev now because Kev as I came out the tunnel he said to me I think it was about 3 four years ago when we finished maybe 16th in League One before we came out I just cried in the tunnel because it just wasn’t good enough on my part, on everyone’s part and he said remember that as I walked out he goes it’s going to be a special day and we just had a cuddle at the end because it was and you use moments like that. It’s funny you use actually the moments where things don’t go well to actually spur you on. So yeah, it’s been an incredible day.

“I was a little bit nervous in the last 10 minutes. I came over for a drink and one one person told me we’re in Europe at the minute, didn’t need to hear that. It made me more nervous. And I thought the boys were excellent today. I thought they were really really good. The boys that came on and honestly I can’t tell you like the start of the season, the boys were fantastic. And going from, you know, coming up and then turning into a great team, you know, we were a good team at the start of the season, but the last six weeks when we knew Europe was on the line, these boys, honestly, they turned into a great team, the standards, the way they trained, the pressure turned up and these boys just delivered. And honestly, the last six weeks, the way they just stepped up, it was incredible and they deserved it. We had a team meeting about what was possible and ever since we had that meeting in the room of what we wanted to achieve, they just turned it up and up and up and up. So to be here today to see that graphic um seeing the boys turn into a great Premier League team, I can’t believe it.”

He spoke to those in the dressing room: “It’s the first time in my career I’m actually speechless.

“I joined here eight years ago and I dreamed of getting to the Premier League. I don’t think I dare to dream of getting to Europe.

“So, a big thank you for everybody that came here, trusted in what we were doing here and delivering this.

“You guys were fantastic all season and the last six weeks when we knew that Europe was on the way you guys turned up the level, honestly, it was top drawer and you’ve earned everything.

“Big thank you to you guys for everything you guys did.”

O’Nien also said to BBC Radio Newcastle: “What these boys have achieved, I am unbelievably proud.

“Six weeks or so ago, we had a chat among us. We knew we were safe but we wanted more. We had an internal chat. We are quietly confident lads and we were looking at Europe. We put our neck on the line and said that out loud in the group to have our standards higher.

“We are a good team, but the way we turned in to a top team was from the standards and training intensity. We set ourselves a goal and we trained like we were in Europe.

“Am I surprised at where we are? Yes – but also no because of the level the boys showed all season, especially in the past six weeks when we knew what was at stake.”

Here’s how fans reacted as an emotional Luke O’Nien gives an inspiring speech reflecting after Sunderland qualify for Europe…

@ben_mummery:
I doubted you I’m not even gonna lie.
You made a clown out of me.
And I hope you keep doing it!!!
Club legend status confirmed.

@mattyayre91: It was the spraying 50 yard balls out to the right wing with the left peg for me 😍. Sunderland legend through and through

@DeanoCummings85: Luke man!!!!! Gonna hold me hands up, ive doubted you, more than once throughout your time here. Youve made me look utterly ridiculous at times, none morseo than this seaon. Ive put about six stone on due to eating humble pie. Owa the moon to be wrong!! Get ya passport riddy

@James_Ashton22: Love you @LukeONien! You are a huge part of our success, so don’t play yourself down for one second! Haway the lads! ❤️ 🤍

@CrosbyNicky: His is so much more than just a great footballing story… it’s a polite reminder to us all not to give up on ourselves. Can’t wait to read the book one day

@easygoingmaloy: Luke, you keep talking about how the lads did this, they did that, but you’ve played your part MASSIVELY. You’ve been imperious the last couple of games. The ball into Brobbey for our second yesterday. You read the game like it’s a book at times. Include yourself in the credit

@_toosb: You deserve all you’ve achieved Luke. You’ve worked very hard and it’s been great to watch your career develop and your game improve. You’re very much a Premier League player now. One of our greatest ever signings.

@MarkWhitehead79: You are a clever footballer you learn from your disappointments, mistakes and move on getting better every time Your drive and determination has got to inspire the club. Keep going and never change, you show everyone one what can be achieved with determination and hard work.

@Kevjarm: Well said, yes people did say that, and it might be one step too far, you might have doubted yourself too at the end of each season this could be it you could be moved on, you’re on human and it’s natural to think like that but every time you’ve gone and made that step, thankyou.

@Fantanafest73: Luke, you are a true professional. And an asset to this club. You have shown everyone that it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up. You are a role model to all the kids who want to succeed and will go down as a true #safc legend #HWTL 💪🏻

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in English Premier League