Sunderland back in Europe - 'It's been a journey'

Sunderland return to European football for the first time in over 50 years on Wednesday evening in a 'pinch me' moment for supporters. Regis le Bris' side take on AZ Alkmaar in their opening fixture and Sunderland legend Gary Bennett - the club's fifth all-time appearance maker - says the ride to get there has been "unbelievable". "It's been a journey, especially from where Sunderland have come from," Bennett told BBC Radio Newcastle. "From Division One days where we'd been playing at places like Morecombe and Akrington Stanley, we're actually playing in Europe now. "I don't think a lot of supporters have seen a European game, I'm one of them as well, and we're pinching ourselves. Our target was to get back into the Premier League and if you start talking about Europe you're thinking 'well it's not going to happen in the present moment'. "But the club over the past four years, what they've achieved and what the players have achieved has been unbelievable." Sunderland historian Rob Mason explained to BBC Radio Newcastle how the club and its supporters have been waiting for this moment since the Stadium of Light was built in 1997. The Black Cats came close to qualifying in the following years of their new home being built, with two seventh-place finishes and an FA Cup semi-final in the early 2000's. Mason said: "We've had several near-misses, but this year is not a near-miss. This year it's really come to fruition that we are in Europe and guaranteed a minimum eight games. "We've been eagerly looking forward to it since 24 May when we beat Chelsea to qualify for Europe and it's finally here. It's a big game against an in-form Dutch side and we'll make the most of it." Listen to the full clip from Bennett by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here And hear more from Mason below or on BBC Sounds here