EXCLUSIVE: 'Football is more than a passion at Sunderland - I loved it there'

Sunderland is a club with such passionate supporters it's impossible to describe, according to 1990s hero Don Goodman.

Don Goodman says he 'loved' his time at Sunderland, although he does wish he was able to play in a better team on Wearside.

Goodman was Sunderland's record signing in 1991 when Dennis Smith signed him for £900,000 to replace Marco Gabbiadini. 

Goodman went on to score 47 goals in 137 games for Sunderland before leaving for Wolves three years later. 

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He is now a regular visitor back to Sunderland in his role as an EFL commentator for Sky Sports, and he says it's a club that will always be close to his heart. 

He also says it's a club that is impossible to explain to those who have never experienced it because the word 'passion' is wholly insufficient to describe the supporters. 

"I loved it," Goodman told Sunderland Nation via casinoalpha.com when asked about his time at Sunderland. "Three brilliant years of my life. I'll never forget it. 

"Do you know what? I describe it like Las Vegas. How do you put it into words?

"When you go to Vegas and someone says 'right, what was it like?' It's hard to describe, isn't it?

"Well, Sunderland, when I got there, I couldn't believe the passion. It's more than a passion, though. It's like a religion. I couldn't believe it. 

"And, you know, I loved I loved the three years. My only regret. is that we didn't have a better team when I was there, you know?"

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