University staff member helps unravel the French connection to Sunderland

Published on 20, August, 2025

Stephen Goldsmith, Events and Applicant Experience Officer who has worked at the University for over nine years, co-hosts in his spare time Wise Men Say, the longest-running Sunderland AFC Podcast.

Keen to explore the growing French-speaking contingent of players and club officials in Sunderland, French Journalist Juliette Demas, UK correspondent for the French newspaper Libération, interviewed Stephen to dig deeper into this unique cross-channel friendship.

Stephen said: “We started the podcast over 13 years ago now. At the time, we felt like unless you were listening to something that was locally created, you weren’t going to get meaningful exposure or analysis that traditional media wasn’t doing.

“Since then, the podcast has gone from strength to strength. From something that started out as just a hobby, it has become the longest-running Sunderland AFC podcast.”

The connection between France and Sunderland came into focus after Swiss-French businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus became Chairman of SAFC and French football manager Regis Le Bris became head coach, helping lead the club to Premier League promotion.

Juliette Demas said: “I think the interest started with the Netflix series, where lots of people watched it even in France. That’s when they realised Sunderland AFC had a French owner who’s quite well known because of his family.

“Also, having both a French Manager and quite a famous French player too, Enzo Le Fée, has stirred interest at a time when the club is doing really well.

“I’ve met with a few fans who have been extremely welcoming. I hope Sunderland will get lots of French visitors coming to see the matches.”

With the first match of this Premier League season resulted in success for the Black Cats after beating West Ham 3-0, the city is set to become even more recognisable on the world stage.

Stephen added: “I think the city would be an entirely different place without football, it’s something that most people enjoy and are connected by.

“The football club is helping put Sunderland in the consciousness of people worldwide. The Premier League is known across the world, so it’s great to already see this interest already making its way to the city.”

You can read the Libération article that Stephen featured in here.

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