How do we pick a team?
Yesterday at 01:00 AM
What it's like supporting Sunderland from outside the North East – where loyalty transcends distance and adversity.
That might sound like an odd title if you were born in Sunderland, with Sunderland-supporting parents, friends, and even grandparents. But what about the thousands of fans worldwide who also "support" Sunderland? Let me start by getting pedantic about the term 'supporter.' A supporter, by definition, is someone who backs a team financially and usually attends at least some matches when they're able. Someone who 'likes' a team but never actually sees them play live would be considered a 'fan' rather than a supporter, at least by the dictionary. Of course, these definitions are too simplistic, given how many personal situations vary, but they're a starting point.
Since becoming an 'exile' in 2002, when I moved to Worcestershire, my match-day experience has changed somewhat, and it's allowed me to meet other Sunderland fans in the same position. I usually leave home around 7:30 am on a Saturday, and once I hit the M1, I often stop halfway at Woodhall Services. Not living in Sunderland means that spotting another supporter wearing SAFC colours is like a magnet, drawing us together in an instant. Normally, I'd never think to approach a stranger with my coffee, but if they're in Sunderland colours, a conversation sparks up easily and comfortably. I've come across some fascinating backstories this way.
Many tales come from fans based around London, just because of my route. If you think I drive far to get to home games, hats off to these folks who are season card holders travelling from London for every home game. Many lived in the North East once but moved south for work, as I did. One fan I met was London-born, but his mother was from Fulwell, and after hearing her tales of home, it was natural for him to support her team. Stories like this come from all over, and it's fascinating to hear why so many become Black Cats fans or supporters.
When I met my wife, her son was four years old and didn't show much interest in football. Of course, my mission was to gently steer him toward Sunderland! Other fathers advised me: "Take him to a match – then he'll catch the bug." His first game was at Molineux in 2016, and indeed, he caught the bug! Living in a rugby-dominated area, though, he was far from other Sunderland fans. In fact, he was surrounded by friends who 'support' Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, and Man City. One friend even asked, "Who are Sunderland?" when he saw my stepson's Sunderland kit bag.
Naturally, I armed him with all the responses he'd need to fend off such questions. For example, "At least I support my team – when did you last see Liverpool play?" Or "My stepfather supports Sunderland, so now I do – why do you follow Man Utd?" And even, "You mean you're a fan of Chelsea – you don't actually support them." Oh yes, he's not just a new Sunderland fan, but also a budding pedant! And then there's this one: "You say you like football, but as a lifelong Arsenal fan, you may hardly ever go to a live game!"
It's brought some amusing exchanges as his friends try to explain their loyalties. One friend now claims he supports Man Utd because "he has an uncle who supports them!" Others have softened; one Liverpool fan has started going to Cheltenham Town matches – good lad. By now, all his friends, if not his whole school, certainly know who Sunderland are!
Of course, there are some downsides to encouraging him to support Sunderland. When we were in League One, Sunderland played Cheltenham away. What a treat to only travel half an hour to the Jonny Rocks Stadium on a miserable Tuesday night. We lost 2-1, and as we left, he had tears in his eyes. I thought to myself, "What have you done to this poor lad?" But the answer lies in the joy of moments like our play-off win at Wembley, the recent Oxford match, and sitting top of the league! You can't buy those pleasures, and I can honestly say that seeing my stepson's happiness would make promotion even sweeter for me.
Some glory hunters do eventually see the light and start to support a local club, but I bet most of us have grown-up friends who support Man Utd or Liverpool simply because "they've always supported them." They'll never experience the joy of match day or the feeling of belonging. I can't understand fans like that.
Back when I taught in North Shields, I got used to seeing a lot of Newcastle shirts during PE lessons. Fair enough. I'd take students on day trips to Roker Park's education department and then to the Stadium of Light, where they could try on different SAFC shirts from years past—a perfect photo op, which always went on the school sports board!
It was a delight to move and teach in a Wolverhampton suburb, seeing nearly the whole class wear their gold Wolves kits. I couldn't convert them, but I know many of their families adopted Sunderland as their second club.
Once the bug of supporting a team gets into your blood, it's there for life. Being an exile has given me an even stronger sense of belonging, feeling part of a family. Sunderland 'til I die.
