Sunderland 'Til I Die was without doubt one of the most interesting sports documentaries that was produced in recent years.
While the club may have allowed the Netflix cameras through their its doors thinking they were about to capture the highs and lows of their glorious return to the Premier League, the reality was far different.
Instead, it featured footage of their second consecutive relegation as they dropped into League One. The second season had more success on the pitch, although it would still end with play-off final defeat at Wembley Stadium.
It also introduced us to some incredible characters along the way.
There isn't a single bit of this Sunderland 'Til I Die s2 clip that isn't *chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/2SxSqCeHsf
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) April 1, 2020
The show certainly brought more attention to Sunderland, especially from overseas. However, not everyone would have agreed to the project.
Speaking to The Mirror, former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn (who himself was part of a documentary on Sunderland back in 90s) said he never would have allowed the show to be filmed while he was at the club even if it become a success in the end.
As brave as the Netflix documentary was for exposing the club to a global audience and showing exactly what the club means to Sunderland, it's a double-edged sword.
For those who were making mistakes during that period, it was very polarised and very public. I would have hated to have cameras anywhere near me because I made lots of mistakes in the same role.
I know how tough that must have been to see it played before the world's eyes, after the event. I was part of one (documentary) many, many years ago called Premier Passions. Sometimes nowadays at 4am it comes on weird channels!
It was up close and personal and I think after every game we played Peter Reid (manager) and Bobby Saxton (assistant) made up new swear words to call us! It became infamous.
I never wanted to be involved in a situation with film crews like that again. When I was Sunderland chairman I would have probably have been in a position to turn it down (Netflix series). Obviously it didn't come our way, it came afterwards of course.
But they decided to go for it and it was brilliant marketing-wise. My pals in America talk about and want to know if another one is coming out.
The watching public are certainly glad the show go the go ahead.
If it hadn't, how would we ever have been blessed with perhaps the greatest moment in television history?
Chris Coleman’s response to being called a prick by a Sunderland fan remains one of the funniest bits of TV I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/6GHDGBEtbs
— Nozza_ (@Nozza_) April 1, 2020
Iconic.
SEE ALSO: The Best Moments Of Charlie Methven, The Unrivalled Star Of Sunderland 'Til I Die
