Red and White Family Celebration!

Table of Contents

A Family Reunion Rooted in Passion for Sunderland AFC

Growing up in a family of ten siblings — five brothers and five sisters — it's no surprise that gathering all of us is a challenge. We're spread across the country, with one brother living in Canada. Despite this, our family has always found ways to come together, often centered around shared passions. For my Canadian brother, his visits have historically been the catalyst for these reunions, and last week was no different.

He planned his visit to coincide with a Sunderland game, joking with the family before he left that if we didn’t beat Wolves, it would ruin the trip. This wasn't just any match; it marked the first time in 25 years that he had returned to the North East for a home game. The last time he was at the Stadium of Light was in 2000, when he came over because our dad was very ill. We visited him at the hospital before the game, and after a difficult match against Middlesbrough, we managed to win 1-0 thanks to a goal from Michael Gray. Tragically, our dad passed away the next morning.

Since then, the only other time he'd made it back was for another funeral, which didn't align with a home match. So, this visit was a long-awaited return to the stadium and the city that holds so many memories.

Although we had hoped to have all five brothers at the game, some couldn't get tickets. Still, having two of them with me made the experience special. We planned to walk across the Keel Crossing before the game, but my brother’s fascination with the surrounding area — from the Beacon of Light to my oldest brother’s brick in the stadium wall, the statues, and even the club shop — kept us busy. He ended up buying sixteen scarves to take back with him! By the time we were done, we missed the city side of the bridge and instead welcomed fans as they crossed it.

A brief detour turned into an unexpected highlight. As we stood at the end of the crossing, we watched pipers pass in front of us, followed by a brass band and a surprise group of dignitaries, including Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Ball, Kevin Phillips, and Jimmy Montgomery. It was a memorable moment, and my brother witnessed his second home win in 25 years — a great start to his visit.

The week was filled with family gatherings and parties, where old photos and stories resurfaced. One display featured hundreds of images from the past, highlighting the deep connection between the club and my family. There were pictures of me wearing Sunderland sweatshirts I had forgotten about, as well as photos of my brothers and me playing football. There were also copies of letters I used to send annually, outlining dates and venues for family reunions — always at the Lakes. One letter read, “I hope you can all be there, as I’m missing the Spurs game for this.” Another said, “I’m missing the Liverpool game for you lot, so make sure you’re there!” It was clear that the club and family were intertwined.

My Canadian brother had made three visits in 25 years, two of which were for funerals. Yet, despite the challenges, the story of Sunderland AFC continues. We're all now of pensionable age, not the young ones we once were, but the club remains strong. We may be entering one of the most promising eras for fans of all ages.

As family members come and go, there are moments of joy and sorrow, but Sunderland AFC remains a constant. For the club, this is a time of hope and excitement, with dreams and expectations running high. While we each have our own blood ties, a love for Sunderland binds us together as part of a larger community.