Die-hard Sunderland fans boarded coaches outside the Stadium of Light in their hundreds as they travelled to London for the club’s biggest fixture in a generation.
Among those making the early-morning get-up for tomorrow’s Capital One Cup final was season ticket holder Bob Colling, 49, and his family.
Travelling with his father-in-law Ronald Snape, 83, wife Fiona, 47, and three children, Ellen, 19, Ewan, 15, and Fraser, 13, Bob said: “It’s 20 years since we last had this chance.
“You’ve got to be hopeful. It all comes down to this one game and I know we can do it.”
More than 31,000 Sunderland supporters will paint London red and white ahead of tomorrow’s Cup Final clash with Manchester City.
The last time Sunderland won silverware was in 1973 when hero manager Bob Stokoe led the Second Division club to the FA Cup final to topple Leeds United.
Businesses and homes have been decorated in the Sunderland colours for days as supporters look to get behind Gus Poyet and his squad.
Jane Hanson, 56, from Cleadon, South Tyneside, travelled to London with her husband, Dave, 55, a rig worker, and two children Laura, 28, a student, and Reece, 20, also a student.
Dave said: “We’re nervous, excited and hopeful. It’s going to take something special but I know we can do it. I’ll take a one goal win but I just hope it doesn’t go to penalties, I couldn’t stand that.”
Little Lucas Taylor was the youngest of three generations of his family hoping to see Sunderland - who knocked out Man Utd in the semi-finals - put one over Man City.
The six-year-old, a pupil at St Mary’s Primary School in Sunderland, was with his dad, Ian, a fashion buyer, and grandad, Bill 69, a retired engineer.
Draped in Sunderland colours he said: “I want anybody to score but I love Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson.” Dad Ian said: “We’ve always got a chance.
“We've got a great record against then. The nerves were jangling during the Man Utd game when it went to penalties - one minute it was one and then we missed and our trip to London was off.”
George Davies, 59, who has held a season ticket for the past 25 years, made his way to London from his Wingate home in the hope Sunderland could replicate their 1973 win over Leeds in the FA Cup final.
He said: “We’re on our way down on the bus with a DVD of the 1973 cup final playing in the background. We are all fired up.
“The lads can’t wait. We took a bar stole to Manchester to the semi final. It’s our lucky charm. It got us to the finals so we have brought it with us today. Come on.”