‘HE FELL OVER!’
What was going on here at Stadium of Light on Saturday?
A father and son have entertained thousands of Sunderland AFC fans and become internet sensations after being the first to take part in new half-time entertainment at the Stadium of Light.
Dad Ralphy Lane, 63, and son Iain, 33, were the first pair to take part in a new fan challenge during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town.
Ralphy was tasked with running around the perimeter of the pitch before having to run onto the pitch and score in the North Stand goal.
All that had to happen while he was being chased by his son Iain.
And the new competition brought hilarious results, with dad Ralphy slipping on the turf at last moment, producing large cheers from the crowd of 37,000.
A video taken by Sunderland Echo sports writer Richard Mennear of the moment has now been watched more 2.5million times.
Iain, from The Broadway, said he loved every minute of the experience and has been delighted by the positive reaction they have had from fans.
He said: “I know one of the organisers of the halftime thing and I have been asking to do the Crossbar Challenge for a while as I have always fancied it.
“The club contacted me on Saturday morning and asked if I would like to take part in the new challenge and asking if my dad would be up for it.
“We both said yes and I was OK up to the point where I had to go on to the pitch when I suddenly thought ‘a lot of people are watching so if I fall or get beat I’ll never live it down!’”
With 30 years between the pair, dad Ralphy, from St Michael’s Court, was given a short head start before his son gave chase.
Praising his dad’s fitness in running round the pitch, Iain said: “It’s commendable that he was able to run like that after four pints before!
“If it was not for his fall I don’t think I would have caught him!”
The pair who work together at electrical firm Buffalo Power Services in Washington, said they can be quite competitive.
Iain added: “I didn’t realise until I got home on the night when my phone as going into meltdown with loads of comments.
“I wasn’t expecting to get that reaction and had got sent a lot of messages from people say that they thought it was brilliant.
“It is something that I always thought abut as a kid, scoring a goal at the Stadium of Light, so it was a moment that I’ll never forget.”
“If not for his fall I don’t think I would have caught him” IAIN LANE