For the 35,000-plus Sunderland supporters who made the long journey to Wembley, full of hope, on Sunday 2nd March 2014, the Capital One Cup final against a star-studded Manchester City was a day of extraordinary highs and crushing lows.

From playing in front of “a man and his dog” at Murton to representing Sunderland in the 1985 Milk Cup Final at Wembley, promotion and Manchester United, Chris Turner looks back on his unforgettable Sunderland journey.

Sunderland’s international contingent was heavily involved across the opening days of the September international break, with nine Black Cats featuring for their respective nations on Thursday and Friday.

When Régis Le Bris walked into the Etihad Stadium for his 100th game as Sunderland Head Coach, there was something almost poetic about the setting. The number on the programme represented far more than a personal milestone. It told the story of a remarkable transformation that had taken place on Wearside in little more than two years.

Sunderland's Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in November have been rescheduled following the Club’s participation in the Europa League. Chelsea's visit to the Stadium of Light will now take place on Sunday 8th November, with a 2pm kick-off.

Sunderland conceded five goals and left the Etihad empty-handed. However, that scoreline does not tell the full story of a remarkable afternoon in Manchester, where Sunderland went toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in the Premier League and, for long spells, looked the better side.