I actually used to drink in Durham with a lad who was a turncoat from Skunks to us believe it or not. His son decided to follow Sunderland at a young age, and he had to take him to matches and he eventually became a Sunderland fan. True story.
Well, the Vikings were pretty big travellers, so I guess it could be possible some ended up around the Horn of Africa 1000 years or so ago and did a bit of their customary rape and pillage, ultimately begetting him. Pretty big long shot, though. Maybe we should get him onto "Who Do You Think You Are?" to find out?
Never a Sunderland supporter then. I could understand it if it was the other way around, due to them being easily led and susceptible to suggestion. But never ever from Sunderland to Newcastle.