The North-East hasn't exactly been overwhelmed with success when it comes to football silverware.

It is a decade since Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough became the last of the region's clubs to win a major domestic trophy by lifting the Carling Cup.

This weekend, the North-East's hopes lie with Sunderland as the Black Cats prepare for Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Manchester City.

Even the most ardent Sunderland fans know it is unlikely that their team will return home with the trophy. Manchester City have the advantage of a star-studded team built on fabulous wealth and they are rightly odds-on favourites.

But history shows that cup finals can produce huge upsets. Bob Stokoe's Sunderland conquered mighty Leeds United in 1973 in arguably the most famous of all FA Cup finals. And Wigan surprised us all by beating a complacent Manchester City in last year's FA Cup final.

It has happened before - and Sunderland fans are heading south believing it can happen again.

This is a region of great football divides. But the sport is important in this part of the world and a Sunderland victory would be good not just for Wearside but the whole of the North-East.

Believe it or not, I've even heard born and bred Newcastle United fans saying they hope their great rivals win.

Here at The Northern Echo, we wish Sunderland well and hope all their fans have a day to remember.

* The illustration, by our artist and Sunderland season ticket-holder David Wright, will appear on the front of tomorrow's paper which features a souvenir pull-out on the Black Cats' big day.