Sunderland have revealed a new addition to the Stadium of Light, but the reaction from supporters has been far from unanimous.
The club have installed a large “WELCOME TO SUNDERLAND” sign on the exterior of the Roker End.
The feature is designed to greet fans as they make their way from the city centre towards the stadium.
Club officials approved the installation as part of efforts to enhance the matchday experience and strengthen the connection with supporters.
However, it did not take long for fans to notice something unusual. Shortly after the club shared images of the sign on X, several supporters pointed out a detail that quickly sparked debate.
The “M” in “WELCOME” appears to be a rotated version of the letter “W.” That observation spread rapidly across social media.
One fan responded: “Why have you used an upside down W for the M? Looks s****.”
Another added: “As if we’ve got an upside down W instead of an M.”
A third wrote: “Is it just me that thinks this looks dink and low rate?”
While criticism grew, others offered a different perspective. Some supporters highlighted that the design closely mirrors a similar sign that stood at Sunderland’s former home, Roker Park.
The original version also featured the same lettering style, including the rotated “W.” That detail suggests the club made a deliberate choice rather than a mistake.
The intention appears to be rooted in tradition. By replicating elements from Roker Park, Sunderland are aiming to honour their history while updating their current stadium.
On the pitch, Sunderland continue to hold a solid position in the Premier League. They currently sit 11th in the table with five matches remaining.
That leaves them comfortably clear of relegation and, notably, ahead of their North East rivals Newcastle.
Original was the same pic.twitter.com/rEzzGt7Su9
— Niall Quinns’ Guinness hat (@EddyGray19) April 22, 2026
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