As late Tuesday night rolls into the early hours of Wednesday morning, an enormous roar goes up in a Sunderland city centre bar, as the DJ plays ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ by D:Ream.

Plenty of pints are spilled as everyone bounces around shouting ‘now I found, you, you, you…Sunderland!’ at the top of their lungs.

Seemingly every time I turned around, there was a new person to embrace and shout incoherent nonsense about Wembley plans, and how much of a ‘mint jump around’ Ballard’s goal was.

It was one of those nights where it felt as though everyone I’ve ever been on the same away day bus or train as was inside the venue, some I knew well, some were simply familiar faces from the Stadium of Light, but we were all bound by the glue that is Sunderland AFC.

Some people I spoke to had wisely booked the following day off work, some were attempting to formulate plausible excuses for their imminent no-show at their job, more still just accepted that they were simply going to have to show up no matter what state they were in.

But without exception nobody cared – this was a night for celebration and it was yet another evening in our proud history where the distinction between football club and city was barely detectable.

Everything about the day brought into sharp focus the potential and enormity of Sunderland AFC.

From the fans lining the streets to give the players a heroes reception prior to kick off, to the stadium being packed and bouncing well before the start of the match to the scenes of sheer jubilation that followed Ballard’s winner made it a night that will be talked about for generations to come.

The way the game was marketed by the club, the return of iconic SAFC players past, the unveiling of the Jimmy Montgomery Stand, and the atmosphere throughout the game all provided moments that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Of course, every football supporter quite rightly thinks their team is unique and special. To varying degrees all clubs are a representation of regional identity, class, and in some cases even religion and politics, but in my eyes nights like Tuesday night prove why this football club matters so much, to so many.

Niall Quinn once said: “I learned my trade at Arsenal, I became a footballer at Manchester City, but Sunderland got under my skin.”

To this day I think this is the best articulation of everything that is great about this mental football club of ours.

For the club to have such a big impact on Quinn is not a surprise, after all he was a revered figure that formed half of the formidable strike partnership that ushered in the best years of the post-war Sunderland era.

He not only loved the club, but felt compelled to come to our rescue when we’d hit rock bottom, to temporarily appoint himself as manager, to form a consortium and together with Roy Keane, make the club box office again after four or so years in the doldrums. That is the very definition of a football club and a region getting under your skin.

During our recent talk at the Fire Station, Julio Arca spoke at length about his love and devotion for not only the football club, but the city, the area and the people.

I mean going from being a young lad from Argentina who couldn’t speak a word of English to playing for the Willow Pond FC and singing ‘Shearer is a wanker’ at Newcastle away is the very definition of an adopted Mackem, isn’t it?

Before the game, Amad Diallo, Jordan Pickford and Jermain Defoe were also among the ex-players in attendance as the Jimmy Montgomery Stand was proudly unveiled.

But it’s not just the icons and the cult heroes who have been consumed by Sunderland, just one look at social media on Tuesday night would give you an insight into the infectious impact of this football club.

David Connolly tweeted to express his delight at our win and pride in opening his son’s passport and seeing his place of birth as the City of Sunderland.

Jozy Altidore wished us luck in the build up and in the aftermath described our fanbase as ‘one of the best in the world.

This is the same Jozy Altidore who scored one goal for us in 42 league games, it would be easy to look back on his time here with bitterness, but he has nothing but love.

Aiden O’Brien, who was a squad player during our time in League One also tweeted a message of congratulations.

It’s one thing for the legends and stars to hold the club in such reverence but it’s another thing entirely to see the impact it has had on players who could easily see the club as a mere footnote on their career.

Off the back of the last gasp winner and full time scenes, we will have a new generation of ex-players in 20 years time who will never forget their time at Sunderland.

Whatever Jobe Bellingham does in his career, he will never forget that night, Simon Moore was almost moved to tears on the bench when we scored, Dennis Cirkin sprinted from the sidelines to do a spot of crowd surfing and Wilson Isidor also was right in among the celebrations.

When there is a disconnect between the club and the fans, I have no doubt that it will be a difficult place to play football, but when it really mattered, when they really needed us we delivered and they gave us a moment to remember.

Since 2000 alone, Sunderland have suffered two record low points totals in the Premier League, back to back relegations, four seasons in the third tier of English football, nearly gone 365 days without a home win on two occasions, and had a whole calendar year where we held the lead at home for less than 20 minutes combined.

I know I have probably missed a whole host of badges of dishonour but that’s enough rumination for now.

And yet, we never averaged below 30,000 fans in League One, almost every away game is a sell-out despite our geographical isolation, when we got to the Checkatrade Trophy Final in 2019, our players were serenaded at Kings Cross as though they were The Beatles.

In short, if you give this city anything at all to cling onto it will be repaid in full and then some.

When I refer to ‘the city’, I of course mean, every pit village, everywhere in the surrounding areas and anyone who has an affinity to Sunderland.

We’ve been through a lot together over the years, and we will no doubt endure more hard times to come, but that is why moments like this must be cherished.

From the delirious commentary by Frankie Francis, to the different angles of the goals, to the players stood with their arms around each other belting out ‘Que Sera’, and ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, to the scenes that followed into the early hours, it was a timely reminder that at its best this football club is an absolutely magical thing to be part of.

Sunderland gets under your skin. I love Sunderland.