The Netflix documentary series Sunderland ‘Til I Die has been credited with helping the club to climb up the English Football League. The series, which was released in December 2018, follows the fortunes of the club during the 2017-18 season, when they were relegated from the Championship to League One.
The series was praised for its honest and unflinching portrayal of the club’s struggles, and it quickly became a hit with fans and viewers alike. It was also credited with bringing a new wave of support to the club, as well as helping to raise awareness of their plight.
Since the series was released, Sunderland have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes. They won promotion back to the Championship in 2019, and are now on course to reach the Premier League.
The success of the documentary has been attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, it gave fans an insight into the inner workings of the club, and allowed them to connect with the players and staff on a personal level. Secondly, it highlighted the passion and determination of the club’s supporters, and showed how they had stuck by the team through thick and thin. Finally, it demonstrated how the club had responded to adversity, and how they had used it as a springboard for success.
The success of Sunderland ‘Til I Die has also been credited with inspiring other clubs to produce similar documentaries. In 2020, Leeds United released Take Us Home, which followed their promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
Sunderland ‘Til I Die has been a huge success for both the club and Netflix. It has helped to raise awareness of the club’s plight, and has inspired a new wave of support for them. It has also shown that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
