Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die delivered a touching tribute to club legend Louise Wanless who passed away in 2021.
Netflix released the third season of Sunderland ‘Til I Die on Tuesday. The documentary takes a deeper look into the Black Cats. The first two seasons cover their relegation to League One and their playoff final defeat to Charlton.
The new series has a happier ending, as it covers Sunderland’s promotion back to the Championship across three episodes.
Throughout the show, the series has helped shine a light on multiple interesting topics at the club, including the potential return of Roy Keane to Sunderland.
With the documentary mainly covering the players and former manager Alex Neil, the Netflix series offered a touching tribute to the former head of communications at SAFC, Louise Wanless.
Louise Wanless “a huge part” of Sunderland
Wanless spent 16 years at the club and was held in incredibly high regard. In 2019, she was honoured with a special award by the North East Football Writers Association thanks to all the work she had done for the Black Cats. However, in 2021, she sadly passed following a battle against a long-term illness.
In the third episode of Sunderland ‘Til I Die, the documentary sends a touching tribute to Wanless. Multiple players and staff speak fondly of her in the segment.
Luke O’Nien was just one player who said: “She was a huge part of the club. Her energy around the place was infectious. People say I’ve got energy, she was just the loveliest energy you could ever come across.”
Ahead of their playoff final at Wembley, Wanless also became a good luck charm as the club brought a shirt with her name on the back.
Kitman Stephen Aziz added: “She was just so bubbly, really warming and a massive part and character at this club.
“The game just after Lou [Wanless] passed, I might have mentioned it to one of the girls. Why don’t we do a ‘Wanless’ name on the back of the shirt and we will hang it in the dressing room with the lads? I just wanted her to be remembered.
“We had it for that one game and I was like ‘I will tell you what we will do, we will take Lou to Wembly with us’. We know that she will be there and watching us so let’s take the shirt with us and we will hang it up.
“I found myself saying, Lou, I know you are here, just make sure we get over the line”.
Louise Wanless is forever a Sunderland legend
After joining the club from Middlesbrough in 2003, Wanless gave 16 years to the club with unparalleled dedication and work ethic.
While the players and staff normally get the praise on the pitch, people like Wanless are the unsung heroes at the club who help make Sunderland tick.
There is no doubt that her passing has left a massive hole in the club. Thankfully, the players ensured that the 20221/22 season ended as a memorable one as they beat Wycombe 2-0 in the playoff final.