Back in the days of the old 606 bbc forum, I had a little altercation or should I say a disagreement with a certain poster who seemed to come up with the idea that because they were born and bred in Sunderland meant they were more of a supporter than those who's loaction were from well outside the area. As for me I was originally from the midlands area and chose to follow Sunderland. I would always go into the pubs that catered for our fans on away days, and never once did I have a problem with anyone just because I came from a different area of the UK. Other than the obvious question of why Sunderland and being considered mad to drive a 500 mile round trip just to see 90 mins of football, on home days. Now whether I just caught the poster on that particular day on an 'ego' trip or whatever. To get to the point do those who live in the (Sunderland) area or close surrounding's assume they are better? Or is this a general thing across the board with all team's and their supporter's.
It is a fact that there are more SAFC supporters outside of Sunderland than there are in the city itself. Im from a surrounding area but don't feel more of a fan than anyone else...
Well, i've been in Marbella a month, and anyone that tells me that i am somehow diluted as a fan, they can eat my ****. I still renewed and will continue to do so, anyone who suggests you can't passionately support a club from out of area is a very narrow minded individual. Let's not forget, a lot of people, myself included, leave the north east due to limited opportunities, and looking to take a step forward in their lives. I love the north east, i love Sunderland the place, and i love Sunderland football club, that would apply if i lived on the moon.
You can live up the jungle in Nigeria and still be a supporter. It's who you support, not where you live
trouble_n_stripes I know fellow supporters (notice I call them "fellow supporters") from Liverpool and Cheshire. I would contend they are better supporters than me, a Sunderland born fan. I, to a certain extent, have been brainwashed into supporting the lads, they have CHOSEN to be fans when I'm sure there were more attractive clubs to support. I would cite all the "plastic Mags" who jumped on the bandwaggon during the Keegan era for starters.
It doesn't matter where you come from. Because of TV coverage Premiership teams now have fans all over the world and many will never get to visit the ground of the team they support or even the UK. We all the know the guy you are talking about and his opinions were extreme to say the least!
I can use me dad as an example here. Born in Sunderland like me Grandad, he was taken to SAFC in his younger years and started following the lads. He moved down south in his 20's to a place called Farnborough while he served in the RAF. He always tells me that London (and surrounding areas) had a massive SAFC following and it could often prove difficult to get hold of a ticket for some of the away matches but that didn't stop him trying to get to as many games as possible. I've heard a few stories along the way of dodgy situations with away supporters, places you didn't really want to be at that moment in time and how in general, football supporters have a very different experience to 'back in the day (as he likes to say)'. By the time I was born he'd moved back up north (I was born in Gateshead for my sins!), and started taking me to Roker Park when I was 8 or 9. Bar 3 or 4 years along the way we've always had seasons tickets and I absolutely ****ing love the whole match day experience (it can either make or break your weekend as far as I'm concerned!). Now at the age of 62 he's due to move back down south to Peterborough where my sister lives to spend more time with the grand kids. After that ramble my point is that although he's now going to be out of the area, probably for the rest of his life, doesn't make him any less of a supporter than anybody else. This goes the same for people who have travelled further afield to different countries. If it's in your blood, it's in your blood! Be proud to follow SAFC!
I was born in Sunderland, though I moved down here to Jersey when I was about 15 months old. TBH I despised football untill the 2006 World Cup, after the brilliant semi-final (Italy Vs. Germany) I was hooked. Sunderland's the family team, so the beginning of that season I started watching our games avidly, went to my first game in 2008 v Pompey away, and I've been to 2 other games since then.
I remember the day we went up, everybody in the house was screaming their heads off! I don't remember many games before the 09 season, my head's a bit like a sieve!
Bloody hell mate, contact channel 4, they'll probably make a documentary. 'the boy whose swede was a seive...' They love owt like that.
Absolutely not! It's sounds to me that you have just been unfortunate enough to come across an isolated dickhead..As far as I'm concerned we are all one big red and white family regardles of colour, creed, culture or location..
I would guess that it was MichaelFlashMichaelChrisBigChrisBiggerChrisWankyArseholeCuntKnob that you are refering to. He used to come out with that sort of thing all the time. Anyhow, Syd ****ed him off but I reckon he keeps coming back in various guises. Would bet my mortgage that GobshiteSAFC4EVA was him. And no, it makes no difference, as has already been said, more of us come from outside the city limits than those that do so I wouldn't worry about it.
I wonder how many Sunderland fans were born in Newcastle. It says Wallsend as my place of birth on my birth certificate, simply because my parents lived in Whitley Bay when they had me and my mum was at a friends in Wallsend when I came along. Her mums side of the family are all from Sunderland, in fact they used to live on one of the roads where a lot of people now park for matches. It is spitting distance from the SOL. We moved away from the North East when I was 5. I live in the midlands now. I had a season ticket for years and did the regular 400 mile journey. I have also converted the Mrs and she comes to most of the games with me and had a season ticket too. If anyone tells me I am not as much of a supporter because I don't live in Sunderland well they should try doing 400 miles round trip for every home game and paying for fuel, hotels and food. Its not cheap at all sadly I can no longer afford the time or the money. I've been lucky enough to go all round the world with my job and there are Sunderland supporters everywhere. They love the club just like we all do and are no more and no less a supporter than anyone else.
Well ive grown up in the heart of enemy territory and taken a few kickings when i was at school from a few brutes. "Theres that Mackem" they would say and there would always be a few willing to give them a hand as well. So if anyone tries to tell me im not a proper fan because i dont live in the area i would not respond too kindly. At the end of the day if i was a sheep id support Newcastle but for some reason and i honestly dont know why it was i chose Sunderland (Maybe fate or the lord almighty i dont know) My parents arent mackems my dads from Nottingham so supports notts county and my mams well not a football fan really.
Congratulations marra.....I do believe that could be the first time you have ever posted without writing something that might upset someome or other..
I'm Fulwell born and bred, and family worked at roker park, but spent half of my life away from the area, and i defy any ****er to tell me i am any less of a supporter of the club i love, than they are. When i venture to the uk, i endeavour to see a game or two, but i also have the privelledge of watching all our games lives, over and over, and try my best to analysis? them. So on your subject i defy anyone to say they are more loyal to the club than anyone else, just because of where they live at this present moment in time.
Trouble - whoever it was is a numpty mate. SAFC have a long and proud tradition of attracting supporters from around the globe. I have family from all over, from the UK to Australia and they are as passionate and committed as me. I am born and bred in Chester le Street and love SAFC with every part of my being. I love the fact we are not an isolated club and think the mags are much more insular in their acceptance of fans from outside the NE1 area. Some of my mag mates often receive dogs abuse because they have a Durham accent, even though they are die hard mags. I think SAFC has always been a regional club rather than just a Sunderland club first and then we embrace all creeds and regions with open arms thereafter.
I don't think you are a better supporter if you come from the are, BUT it astounds me that someone who has a free choice actually considers us as supportable! I think it makes fans from outside the area eithe better, or even more daft, than the rest of us. Don't give him anything sharp, lads............... x
