While Newcastle United have remained in the Premier League, north east rivals Sunderland have slipped down to League One.
Chris Waddle has urged his former Newcastle United side to take a leaf out of Sunderland’s book by replicating the success of their famous Netflix documentary, speaking to the Chronicle.
The Black Cats have gone from the top flight to League One in the space of just two years, suffering a second successive relegation last season when they finished bottom of the Championship, much to the enjoyment of supporters down the road at Tyneside.
But the Black Cats have earned plenty of credit for their revealing documentary ‘Sunderland ‘Till I Die’, offering fans a peek behind the curtain, into the inner-workings of a football club and all the challenges therein.
Speaking to the Chronicle, Waddle has admitted that he would like to see Newcastle follow suit at a time when there is more division than ever between the supporters and the ownership.
“I would love to see Newcastle do something similar to Sunderland’s documentary series on Netflix,” said former England winger Waddle, who played for the Magpies between 1980 and 1985.
“I think it would be great viewing and I know fans would love to get a closer insight to what happens behind doors at the club with players, transfers and so on.
“I really liked watching the Sunderland documentary, but Mike Ashley might see that and he’ll be grateful to avoid the drama. There’s no chance that Mike Ashley would allow cameras behind closed doors at Newcastle.”
Waddle is probably right. Newcastle’s oft-criticised owner is rarely one to give exclusive interviews or soundbites, let alone allow a camera crew to follow his every step for the next nine months or so.
But, if there is any club who wants to reconnect with their fan base, following in Sunderland’s footsteps would not be a bad place to start.
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