I was extremely fortunate to be a guest of Sunderland Football Club at the Arsenal game yesterday.

Sunderland deserved their victory, outfighting Arsenal.

I was so impressed with Niall Quinn behind the scenes in the boardroom. He's fantastic with the young mascots, taking time with them, signing autographs and having pictures taken. A truly lovely fella.

It was also nice to catch up with former chairman Bob Murray, who was over from Jersey.

I've always had a lot of time for Bob - a thoroughly decent man - and he was in good form.

There was real optimism in the boardroom that Sunderland is going to be successful in its bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup.

The decisions are announced in mid-December. Fingers crossed.