James Copley
@jamescopley.bsky.social
✍🏻 Digital Journalist at National World
⚽️ Cover #SAFC for The Echo
❤️ Boyhood Sunderland supporter
💪🏼 All views are very much my own
⚽️ Cover #SAFC for The Echo
❤️ Boyhood Sunderland supporter
💪🏼 All views are very much my own
Pinned
James Copley
@jamescopley.bsky.social
· May 28
James Copley: How Luke O’Nien became anti-Jack Rodwell and a modern-day club icon
Luke O’Nien’s journey from potential Sunderland flop to club legend and double promotion winner is a real life Roy of the Rovers story
www.sunderlandecho.com
Felt compelled to write something about Luke O'Nien and his journey at Sunderland.
He has become the perfect antidote to the Rodwell, Gibson and Ndong era that preceded him and is now a club legend in my eyes.
Any shares appreciated ❤️
#SAFC
He has become the perfect antidote to the Rodwell, Gibson and Ndong era that preceded him and is now a club legend in my eyes.
Any shares appreciated ❤️
#SAFC
James Copley's Sunderland U21s ratings vs Dortmund II – including Cirkin, Rigg, O'Nien and Geertruida grades
#SAFC
#SAFC
Cirkin, Rigg, O'Nien and Geertruida ratings vs Dortmund II in Europe
How Luke O’Nien, Chris Rigg, Dennis Cirkin and Lutsharel Geertruida fared for Sunderland U21s at the Stadium of Light
www.sunderlandecho.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:55 PM
James Copley's Sunderland U21s ratings vs Dortmund II – including Cirkin, Rigg, O'Nien and Geertruida grades
#SAFC
#SAFC
🚩 When Sunderland players get linked with big clubs, it’s no longer a red flag...
📈 It shows the team is functioning
✅ Scouting dept producing real value
🧠 Long contracts, control, no panic
💪 This time, it’s progress – not peril
#SAFC
📈 It shows the team is functioning
✅ Scouting dept producing real value
🧠 Long contracts, control, no panic
💪 This time, it’s progress – not peril
#SAFC
Why Sunderland have stopped fearing transfer interest – and started welcoming it
Once a source of anxiety, transfer speculation now reflects a club rebuilt on control, planning and long-term thinking
www.sunderlandecho.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:12 PM
🚩 When Sunderland players get linked with big clubs, it’s no longer a red flag...
📈 It shows the team is functioning
✅ Scouting dept producing real value
🧠 Long contracts, control, no panic
💪 This time, it’s progress – not peril
#SAFC
📈 It shows the team is functioning
✅ Scouting dept producing real value
🧠 Long contracts, control, no panic
💪 This time, it’s progress – not peril
#SAFC
🧤 Robin Roefs. What a pleasure to watch!
🔥 Outperforming PL’s biggest names
📊 Statistically, the best U23 keeper in Europe
🧠 Calm, composed, authoritative
💷 From £9m gamble to recruitment win
💪🏻 Savour him. He is THAT good. More here...
#SAFC
🔥 Outperforming PL’s biggest names
📊 Statistically, the best U23 keeper in Europe
🧠 Calm, composed, authoritative
💷 From £9m gamble to recruitment win
💪🏻 Savour him. He is THAT good. More here...
#SAFC
Sunderland’s £9m transfer call under Speakman could turn into a £40m+ windfall
Sunderland’s recruitment of Robin Roefs is beginning to look like one of the smartest deals of the Premier League season
www.sunderlandecho.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 PM
🧤 Robin Roefs. What a pleasure to watch!
🔥 Outperforming PL’s biggest names
📊 Statistically, the best U23 keeper in Europe
🧠 Calm, composed, authoritative
💷 From £9m gamble to recruitment win
💪🏻 Savour him. He is THAT good. More here...
#SAFC
🔥 Outperforming PL’s biggest names
📊 Statistically, the best U23 keeper in Europe
🧠 Calm, composed, authoritative
💷 From £9m gamble to recruitment win
💪🏻 Savour him. He is THAT good. More here...
#SAFC
Reposted by James Copley
Always read @jamescopley.bsky.social. This is a fantastic article and I think more than anything captures how Dan Neil has been instrumental in reconnecting the club to its supporters. #SAFC
📝 | NEW: It feels like the end of the road is approaching for Dan Neil at Sunderland.
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
James Copley: Sunderland man's looming exit captures football’s brutal modern reality
Sunderland’s rapid progress has left one of its academy success stories facing a bittersweet exit...
www.sunderlandecho.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Always read @jamescopley.bsky.social. This is a fantastic article and I think more than anything captures how Dan Neil has been instrumental in reconnecting the club to its supporters. #SAFC
📝 | NEW: It feels like the end of the road is approaching for Dan Neil at Sunderland.
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
James Copley: Sunderland man's looming exit captures football’s brutal modern reality
Sunderland’s rapid progress has left one of its academy success stories facing a bittersweet exit...
www.sunderlandecho.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:45 PM
📝 | NEW: It feels like the end of the road is approaching for Dan Neil at Sunderland.
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
😢 It’s a sad one, but the logic behind his absence is hard to argue against. He deserves nothing but thanks for what he’s given this club. Full piece here.
#SAFC
📝 | NEW: Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards have finally caught up – Granit Xhaka is a Sunderland phenomenon
#SAFC
#SAFC
Rooney and Richards have finally caught up – Granit Xhaka is a Sunderland phenomenon
The national praise has arrived – but on Wearside, Granit Xhaka’s influence has been obvious from since the West Ham game
www.sunderlandecho.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
📝 | NEW: Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards have finally caught up – Granit Xhaka is a Sunderland phenomenon
#SAFC
#SAFC
Reposted by James Copley
Excellent piece by @jamescopley.bsky.social in the Echo today! Think the part about Mayenda, Neil, Patto, Riggy and Moore leading the celebrations is particularly insightful into the unity of the whole squad. Great times on Wearside! #SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
Louis-Dreyfus sends message to Newcastle United with Sunderland approach
Sunderland’s derby victory reflected the rapid cultural shift under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus – and sent a clear message to Newcastle United
www.sunderlandecho.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Excellent piece by @jamescopley.bsky.social in the Echo today! Think the part about Mayenda, Neil, Patto, Riggy and Moore leading the celebrations is particularly insightful into the unity of the whole squad. Great times on Wearside! #SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
🧤 Talking to Jordan Pickford on Monday night felt surreal. Here’s what he was like, how it felt – and a little look behind the curtain...
#SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
#SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
The behind-the-scenes Pickford moments after Sunderland-Everton that warmed my heart
Jordan Pickford’s heartfelt return to Wearside brought several moments behind-the-scenes that struck a chord with me
www.sunderlandecho.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
🧤 Talking to Jordan Pickford on Monday night felt surreal. Here’s what he was like, how it felt – and a little look behind the curtain...
#SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
#SAFC
www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...
August 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
August 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Exclusive: Sunderland fan favourite rejects transfer approaches from multiple La Liga clubs – sources
#SAFC
#SAFC
Sunderland fan favourite rejects transfer approaches from multiple La Liga clubs
Patrick Roberts has attracted interest from La Liga clubs – but the Sunderland star isn’t pushing to leave
www.sunderlandecho.com
August 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Exclusive: Sunderland fan favourite rejects transfer approaches from multiple La Liga clubs – sources
#SAFC
#SAFC
August 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
August 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
James Copley: Why Sunderland are spending £11.5m on Robin Roefs – and what it means for Anthony Patterson
#SAFC
#SAFC
Why Sunderland are spending £11.5m on Robin Roefs – and what it means for Patterson
Data shows why Sunderland moved for Robin Roefs – and what it could mean for Anthony Patterson this season
www.sunderlandecho.com
July 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
James Copley: Why Sunderland are spending £11.5m on Robin Roefs – and what it means for Anthony Patterson
#SAFC
#SAFC
Exclusive: Anthony Patterson's Sunderland transfer stance revealed amid £11.5m goalkeeper arrival – per sources
#SAFC
#SAFC
Patterson's transfer stance revealed amid £11.5m goalkeeper arrival – per sources
Sunderland agree £11.5m deal for Dutch stopper Robin Roefs, who signs five-year Premier League deal
www.sunderlandecho.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Exclusive: Anthony Patterson's Sunderland transfer stance revealed amid £11.5m goalkeeper arrival – per sources
#SAFC
#SAFC
July 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM
July 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
July 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Sunderland looked really poor today against Hearts, who have played four competitive games already. Their campaign has already started.
No need for panic stations imo. Four friendlies to get up to speed, and hopefully some new signings soon.
Wasn't great, though!
#SAFC
No need for panic stations imo. Four friendlies to get up to speed, and hopefully some new signings soon.
Wasn't great, though!
#SAFC
July 26, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Sunderland looked really poor today against Hearts, who have played four competitive games already. Their campaign has already started.
No need for panic stations imo. Four friendlies to get up to speed, and hopefully some new signings soon.
Wasn't great, though!
#SAFC
No need for panic stations imo. Four friendlies to get up to speed, and hopefully some new signings soon.
Wasn't great, though!
#SAFC
Sunderland's starting XI to face Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon...
July 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sunderland's starting XI to face Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon...
📹 Granit Xhaka to Sunderland? The transfer that could change everything – and why fans are SO excited!
#SAFC
youtu.be/Y6rbKnc75xw
#SAFC
youtu.be/Y6rbKnc75xw
Granit Xhaka to Sunderland? The transfer that could change everything – and why fans are SO excited!
YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC
youtu.be
July 24, 2025 at 7:40 AM
📹 Granit Xhaka to Sunderland? The transfer that could change everything – and why fans are SO excited!
#SAFC
youtu.be/Y6rbKnc75xw
#SAFC
youtu.be/Y6rbKnc75xw