Newtonian Luke’s Debut Playing for Sunderland
On Sunday, 6th May, at twelve thirty, local lad, Luke Molyneux made his debut for the Sunderland first team in their last game of the season against top of the league Wolves. Luke was amongst the subs warming up on the pitch before the game when he was pulled to one side after LuaLua had got injured in the warm up. Luke was told to get ready for action just a few minutes before the game was due to start and he couldn’t wait to get involved. Luke played the full 90 minutes and was instrumental in setting up the first goal.
Sunderland beat Wolves 3-0 and Luke said: “We are the only team that hasn’t been beaten by Wolves.” Luke played on the wing for this game and didn’t show any sign of nerves. Luke felt that he had had a good season and even though he was out for 3 months with a knee injury he came back stronger and scored 5 goals whilst playing for the Under 23s.
Luke’s family and friends cheered him on from behind the dugout but his Grandad (Peter Molyneux) a life long Sunderland supporter and season ticket holder, preferred to be in his own seat for the last game of the season. He didn’t even know that Luke was on the pitch until the players’ names were announced and shown on the large screen. Seeing his grandson on the pitch with the first team was something he had waited for, for a very long time for.
Luke said: “It was a dream come true for me really. Ever since I was a kid I have been brought up to be a Sunderland supporter so to get the chance to play at the Stadium of Light was incredible. My grandad has been a season ticket holder for years and it makes him very proud to see me out there on the pitch.”
Luke started playing football at about the age of 4 for Aycliffe Sports Club in the TJFA League until he was 11 when he started playing for St. Mary’s, Bishop Auckland. Luke attended St. John’s School, Bishop Auckland, and couldn’t wait to play for the school team and the Bishop Auckland District team. Whilst Luke was at St. John’s he went on to play for Fulwell in the Russel Foster League. Luke was signed by Sunderland AFC for 2 years after a 6 weeks trial at the age of 13. At the end of the 2 years, Luke was offered a 2 year scholarship and on completion of this scholarship he was offered a 2 year professional contract. During this time Luke has played for the Under 18s and the Under 23s.
All Luke’s family and friends are very proud of his achievements and wish him well for the future.
