Sunderland Fan Code Conduct
So, you’ve caught the bug. The red and white stripes are calling your name, the roar of the Stadium of Light is in your dreams, and you’re ready to commit to the greatest passion in the North East: supporting Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC). But being a true Black Cat is about more than just turning up. It’s about understanding a rich heritage, respecting a unique community, and upholding the values that make this club special.
This isn't about a list of rules from a faceless authority. Think of it as a friendly guide from a fellow fan—a practical checklist to help you navigate the joys, the heartaches, and the unique culture of supporting The Lads. Whether you're a new supporter or a seasoned ST holder looking for a refresher, this how-to will help you wear the stripes with pride and respect.
What You'll Achieve
By the end of this guide, you'll know how to:
Represent SAFC with pride at home in the SOL and on away fixtures.
Understand and respect the club's history and its significance to the city.
Engage positively with fellow fans and the wider football community.
Navigate the unique rituals and rivalries, like the Wear-Tyne derby.
Prerequisites / What You Need
Before you dive in, make sure you've got the basics covered:
The Kit: Ideally, the famous red and white stripes. If not, any red and white will do. Avoid wearing the strip of any other club on a matchday—it’s just not done.
An Open Mind: SAFC’s history is a rollercoaster of incredible highs, like the 1973 FA Cup win, and challenging lows, like recent spells in EFL League One. Embrace it all.
A Sense of Community: This isn't a solitary pursuit. You’re joining the Sunderland AFC Heritage.
Basic Knowledge: Familiarise yourself with key names. The current chairman is Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (KLD), we have a proud history at our former home Roker Park, and our future is being built at the Academy of Light.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Being a Top SAFC Fan
1. Know Your History, Wear It With Pride
You can’t truly understand the present without knowing the past. Sunderland’s story is the bedrock of your support.
The Glory: Commit the 1973 FA Cup triumph to memory. Ian Porterfield’s goal and Jim Montgomery’s double save are folklore. This is our benchmark for glory.
The Grounds: Feel a connection to Roker Park, our spiritual home for 99 years, and understand the move to the modern Stadium of Light in 1997. It’s more than a stadium; it’s a symbol of ambition.
The Rollercoaster: Appreciate the full journey. From top-flight mainstays to the painful but character-building years in League 1, including the EFL Trophy win in 2021 under Jack Ross. Each era, like the recent one guided by Tony Mowbray, adds a layer to our identity.
2. Matchday Conduct: Home & Away
This is where you live your support. The energy you bring matters.
At the Stadium of Light: Get there early. Soak in the atmosphere. Join in with the songs—"Proclaimers" and "Dance of the Cab Driver" are essentials. Respect the stadium, it’s our fortress. Direct your passion towards encouraging The Lads, not abusing individuals.
On Away Trips: You are an ambassador. Away matches are a pilgrimage. Travel with fellow fans, sing louder than the home support, but always represent the club with dignity. Win, lose, or draw, your conduct reflects on all of us.
3. Navigate Rivalries With Passion & Respect
Passion is fierce, but respect is non-negotiable.
The Wear-Tyne Derby: The Sunderland-Newcastle derby is one of football’s fiercest. Feel the electricity, sing with every fibre of your being, and crave that bragging rights victory. However, keep the rivalry on the pitch and in the stands. It’s about footballing pride, not hatred.
Other Fixtures: Every game matters. Whether it’s a local tussle or a cup run in the EFL Trophy, bring the same commitment. Rivalries are born from history and competition, not manufactured dislike.
4. Engage With the Fan Community
You’re not a fan; you’re part of a family.
Online: Follow trusted sources like the Sunderland Echo for news. Engage in fan forums and social media with positivity. Debate is healthy, but constant negativity helps no one, especially not the players coming through the SAFC academy.
In Person: Talk to fans old and young. The older generation have stories of Roker Park; the younger ones have tales of Wembley trips in the third tier. Share your experiences. This shared narrative is what binds us.
5. Support the Club Through Thick and Thin
This is the ultimate test. Fair-weather support doesn’t exist here.
Back the Team, Not Just Results: Applaud a battling 0-0 draw as loudly as a 3-0 win. Support the young talent from the Academy of Light as they develop. The journey under owners like Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is a long-term project.
Buy Your Season Ticket: If you can, there’s no better way to show commitment. Being a season ticket holder cements your place in the weekly story.
Respect the Legacy: From past heroes to former managers like Tony Mowbray who steered us through important chapters, understand that everyone contributes to the SAFC story. The past informs our future.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tips:
Learn the Anthems: "Sunderland ‘Til I Die" isn’t just a song, it’s a vow. Learn the words and sing it with conviction.
Visit the Memorials: Pay your respects at the Roker Park memorial and the Bob Stokoe statue at the SOL. It connects you to the soul of the club.
Trust the Process: Football has cycles. Enjoy the good times, endure the tough ones. The long-term vision from the chairman and the training facility is key.
Common Mistakes:
Boasting Without Knowledge: Don’t just shout about the history; understand it. Knowing we’ve won six league titles means more when you know the stories behind them.
Singing Inappropriate Songs: Some historic chants belong in the past. Focus on songs that unite and inspire, not those that divide or offend.
Turning on Our Own: Scapegoating a young player or constantly berating a manager (like some unfairly did during the Jack Ross era) creates a toxic environment. Constructive criticism is fine; abuse is not.
Defining Yourself by Rivalry: Don’t let your support be solely about disliking Newcastle. It’s about loving Sunderland. The Tyne-Wear derby is a part of that, but not the whole story.
Your SAFC Fan Code Checklist Summary
Tick these off to know you’re on the right path:
[ ] Educate Yourself on the club’s history, especially the 1973 FA Cup Final and the move from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light.
[ ] Prepare Your Matchday Ritual, whether at home in the SOL or travelling to away matches.
[ ] Engage in Rivalries Passionately but Respectfully, keeping the focus on football during the North East derby.
[ ] Become Part of the Community, both online (following the Sunderland Echo) and in person.
[ ] Commit for the Long Haul, supporting through EFL League One challenges and cup runs in the EFL Trophy alike.
[ ] Back the Whole Club, from the chairman, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and the Academy of Light, to the manager and every player wearing the red and white stripes.
[ ] Sing, Travel, Believe. Your voice, your presence, and your faith are what make this club unique.
Welcome to the family. Now get behind The Lads, and remember: once you’re in, you’re Sunderland ‘Til I Die.
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