Sunderland's FA Cup semi-final draw against either Millwall or Tranmere will give them a great opportunity to make the final.

I've grown up as a Sunderland fan and it's great to see them doing so well. They have obviously had a few tough times in recent years which saw them fall out of the Premiership and Mick McCarthy has said in the newspapers that it's nice to come back after a bad run with a good spell in the cup - even though his main focus will still be in the league.

When you are on a bad run - and I'm learning about that at the moment - it's a great test of character but it's pleasing when you stick to your principles, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you know you will come out of it in time.

It's well documented that this year could be a bit special for Sunderland and after Bob Stokoe, who managed the 1973 FA Cup-winning team that beat Leeds, unfortunately died this year, it would be fitting for them to get to the final in his memory.

That final was a bit before my time but it's something that has always been brought up through the years whenever there has been a cup draw.

I was at the 1992 final when they lost 2-0 and unfortunately they didn't really perform against Liverpool. I was also at the 1985 Milk Cup final when they lost 1-0 to Norwich.

You can really feel the disappointment as a fan, so it would be nice to see them get to the final again and even go on to win it.

The emphasis for many top-flight clubs now is staying in the Premier League as that is where the money is.

The bigger clubs have also got things like the European competitions as the main thing to aim towards. That can shadow their efforts in domestic competitions a bit and maybe make it a little bit easier for League clubs to come through.

For Nationwide clubs there is the money as an added incentive but at the end of the day it is every child's dream to play in the FA Cup final and that's what it's all about.

There is a gap between Division One and Division Three teams but Chesterfield got to the semi-final two years ago so there is always that possibility.

It's a cup competition so anything can happen. If you can perform on your day and then you get to have a little bit of luck... who knows?

It's fairytale stuff for a Third Division club to get to the cup final and that's why you always have the passion and the romance of the cup.

If Sunderland make it to the final, I will try to make it as a fan. As for the semi-final, we will have to see where we are at in terms of York City but I wish Sunderland well.

I'm pleased for Mick because they have worked extremely hard to get this far although I am sure he will still be keeping all the players grounded and concentrating on the League and getting that prize of promotion back to the Premiership.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, March 11, 2004