The Black Cats haven’t paid us a visit since 1999 so it’s about time we had a catch-up
Tuesday 9 September 2025
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Sunderland supporters, and anyone else fromThe Football Family* joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.*
Sobs, part of the team at the award-winning fanzineA Love Supreme**, joins us today with Sunderland enjoying life back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence.
Today’s edition is sponsored by*Impact Pro Clean. A big thank you toNigel. If you need any exterior cleaning services, you’ll get a 15% discount by quoting “County”. Call 07709 883239 or email**impactprocleanltd@gmail.com**.*
Thanks also toChris Cummings Art* for sponsoring our Sunderland content on the website.*
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charityMentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target,please click here**.
Total distance so far: 253.75 miles
Total steps so far: 418,084
Total raised so far: £2,312
Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)
Further information on the walk can be found byclicking here**.
Des Junior
Sunderland’s final away game of the 1998-99 season was a promotion party at Edgeley Park having already been crowned Division One champions (Photo credit: Sobs)
Sunderland currently play in the Premier League, which is the top tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?
It’s what we Sunderland fans have been watching onMatch of the Day as something alien to us for the last eight years. It’s become the world’s top league, the one every player aspires to be in, and it’s pure showbiz and huge wages.
Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Sunderland.
I live out of town, so I arrive about 1 and pick the team in The Ship Isis pub beforehand over a couple of pints with mates, then get the actual team news before heading across the bridge to catch up atALS HQ. Then the match itself – I like to get in before “Dance of the Knights” so that I can belt out “Wise Men Say”. Afterwards it’s writing the match report atALS HQ before a quick bevvy at the Fans' Museum and the bus home.
Photo credit: A Love Supreme
Who are your club’s biggest rivals?
Them up the road.
What’s your best memory following Sunderland?
So many, but my first visit to Wembley (1973) and the last two (2022 and this year) have been spectacular. I’ll pick 2022 as it marked a turning point and my son was with me after witnessing three miserable Wembley defeats.
What’s your worst memory following Sunderland?
That Gillingham game in 1987. Relegated thanks to a miserable season and a mad interpretation of the away goals rule.
If Sunderland was a TV show, which one would it be?
Sharpe’s Rifles.
What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?
The Stadium of Light, which sounds a bit corny and derivative of the Portuguese original, but we mostly call it the SoL, the stadium, or (still!) the new ground. It’s not like most flat-pack new stadiums that have appeared in the last 30+ years in that you enter 15 rows above pitch level, then have another 21 rows above that. It’s a bowl, with no open corners, and one end and one side with an upper tier.
Photo credit: Sunderland FC
What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?
I’ve been watching from afar as Jack Diamond now plays for them – as I do with any former player. Well, most.
Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?
Just the once in May 1999 when we were already promoted as champions, and a County fan in the chippy beforehand said: “Please be gentle with us.” Kevin Phillips scored his 24th goal of the season in a 1-0 win.
Sobs and his son Ian at Edgeley Park in May 1999 (the label on Sobs’ shirt was a protest at the Swallow Hotel group who were in the process of closing the Vaux brewery in Sunderland)
What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Sunderland have had?
Red and white stripes, black shorts, red and white socks. To me, as long as it’s proper stripes, and not that butcher’s pinny of a few seasons ago or the pyjama top of the early 80s (although it’s now a "retro classic") it’s fine, but I do like the 1980s one with the "old" ship badge. Hence the tattoo.
If Sunderland were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?
Steve Cram for sure, plus Jill Scott. So many former players were at Wembley this May that they’d probably fill a whole section themselves.
What’s the most interesting fact about Sunderland FC we might not know?
When we replaced Stoke in 1890, we were the first team since the original 12 founding clubs to join the Football League.
Who’s your all time Sunderland hero?
Gary Rowell. Local lad, same age as me, scored a hat-trick at St James Park – what’s not to like?
What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Sunderland’s fanbase?
It was over 40,000 last season, and this year it will be pretty much a 45 or 46 sell-out each game. Our fans are fiercely loyal, but take most things with humility and don’t get too far ahead of ourselves, unlike them up the road. Also, we’re not afraid to have a laugh at ourselves. Oh, and noisy.
What’s your manager like?
Tactically, he seems very sound, and unlike many, doesn’t start interviews with excuses – if it’s our fault, it’s our fault.
What’s your owner like?
Very young, very rich, and completed his five-year plan in four. In short, highly satisfactory.
What’s it like for a night out in Sunderland?
Pretty bouncing these days. As well as the city centre, which has been regenerated, much like the club, there’s Roker and Seaburn by the sea, plus the new Sheepfolds complex near the ground.
Once home to working horses for the Monkwearmouth Junction Line, Sheepfolds Stables is now a lively destination for food, drink and events, open seven days a week (Photo credit: Sheepfolds Stables)
What’s the best thing about being a Sunderland fan?
Being a Sunderland fan. Seriously, it’s like I have a Sunderland family with all the folks I sit with, travel with, and meet at away games.
What’s the worst thing about being a Sunderland fan?
Being unable to let go when things are going badly. It’s the hope I can’t stand, although that’s not been much of a problem recently, so actually, there’s nowt bad about being one of us.
What are your hopes for this season?
In June, it was merely survival. However, since our raft of signings, and early promise on the field, it has to be mid-table. Shoot for the stars and you might hit the moon.
➡️***Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.***
Get your house looking good for our Indian Summer!
Apparently, we’re set for another heatwave in September. If you’re thinking of popping a BBQ or two into the diary, you might want to spruce up your house before having everyone over. Impact Pro Clean offers a complete exterior cleaning service, including the following:
Gutter Cleaning
Driveway Cleaning
Roof Cleaning
Render Cleaning
Upvc Cleaning
Graffiti Removal
Brickwork Cleaning
Moss & Algae Removal
And, if you quote “County” when booking a job, you’ll get a 15% discount!
➡️Call 07709 883239 or emailimpactprocleanltd@gmail.com.
Photo of the day
Roker Park, Sunderland
In 1980-81, First Division Sunderland were our opponents in the second round of the League Cup. Pleased with a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home - Dave Sunley on target - County travelled up to the North East to pull off an astonishing 2-1 victory. Sunley levelled the tie on the night before Tommy Sword stunned Roker Park with the winner from the penalty spot. Sunderland had already won 4-0 at Manchester City and drawn 1-1 at Old Trafford that season.
5 questions with artist and Sunderland fan Chris Cummings
What’s been the best moment with your business so far?
Probably establishing myself in the Sunderland / North East art scene over the last five or six years.
What’s your plans for the business in the future?
Simply to continue evolving my artworks and build on what I’ve achieved so far. I never take what I do day to day for granted and I’m extremely grateful that this is what I do for a living.
What would you like to promote to The Scarf My Father Wore readers?
I’ll be promoting a new series of projects soon including new art galleries in Sunderland. I also have plans for exhibitions both locally and elsewhere in the UK.
What’s your favourite memory as a Sunderland fan?
The scenes and celebrations at Old Trafford in the 2013-14 League Cup semi-final. Incredible night in the away end!
What’s the best thing about working in Sunderland?
The sheer amount of regeneration and change throughout the city. It’s a very exciting place to be. The art scene is also looking very positive.
➡️***To view all of his stunning designs, visit chriscummingsart.bigcartel.com.***
Today in SK
🍻Food and drink
The Nelson Commercial (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.
Bitter £2.30 a pint all day atThe Cross Keys(SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers till 6pm.
If you’re heading out for a few beers today, pop into one of our featured venues such asThe Crown ( SK2 ), The Dog & Partridge ( SK2 ), The Crown Inn(SK6),The Steelworks (SK6) orThe Three Tunnes ( SK7 ).
A huge thank you to the following businesses supporting The Scarf My Father Wore in September
🪟Blinds & Shutters:Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters
📚Bookkeeping:Eleven Accounts Services
🧱Builder:CE Building Services
🏠Carpets:Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈Cat Flaps:That Cat Flap Company Ltd
🚙Coatings:Colourtone Ltd
🏠Estate Agent:The Agency UK
**🫧 Exterior Cleaning:**Impact Pro Clean
🏡Fencing:Riks Fencing and Landscaping
💷Financial Services:The Mortgage Mill
💐Florist:The Flower House
💻IT Services:Bridge Computer Services
🪚Joinery:SAW Contracts Ltd
🔌Kitchen Appliances:SW Appliances
🌹Landscape Design:Nicola Jayne Landscape Design
📮Leaflet Distribution:Wolf Distribution
🔑Locksmith:APL Locksmiths Ltd
💪Male Weight Loss:MAN v FAT
🖌Painter & Decorator:BGM Decorators
📸Photographer:Adam Edwards Photography
🥧Pies:Eric Twigg Foods
🧱Plastering:DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
👨💼Solicitors:B.J. McKenna & Co /Parkers Solicitors Ltd
🍹Spirits:Guerrilla Chicken Spirits
🪨Stonemason:LM Stone Creative
🚕Taxi Hire:Lynx Taxis
🧰Vehicle Repairs:C J Motors Stockport