IFD 2026 | Sunderland Fans Worldwide On Why They Love The Lads!

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Hello, everyone, and welcome to a very special episode of Highway the Podcast.

It's Gav, I mean, the Funds Museum.

Tonight it is the International Funds Day Funds Party,

which takes place every single year.

Funds jetting in from all over the world to come in chat-shite with other sun and

funds.

And of course, we are here.

It's our annual rotor report meetup as well.

So we use this as an excuse to have a few beers.

I'm joined by Johnny.

Hello, miss.

All right, mate.

Yes, it's more than good enough excuse for a few beers for me,

like I'm happy to partake.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

I mean, we do this every year.

I've already been speaking to a couple of people who are here.

Close my mind, the length that some people will go to to come and watch the team.

Makes me feel very, very fortunate that I'm able to just roll out a bed

into the stadium all the time.

There's a home game, but it's, I think it's a reminder that you're

how special the club is.

We've got funds everywhere.

I mean, some of these people started supporting the team when we were in league one,

which is close my mind.

When you've actually got a choice to support anybody,

you've actually, suddenly in my team, the shit now want to be a fan of them,

you know what I mean?

But also a lot of people here have supported the club for an awful long time.

We're going to through tonight as we, as we think a few paint

and probably get a little bit more slurry than we are right now.

We're going to chat towards many people as we can, get their stories.

Look forward to it, are you?

Oh, absolutely buzzing, yeah, I love it.

It's great, isn't it?

It's, I think you're right, actually.

You've hit on something quite important there, really, is that the fact that

because me and Sam and Dan Harrison would just talk about this before,

the idea that somebody, when we're in league one, when all of us are

sun and fans who've been afflicted with it for a lifetime,

we're all desperate not to watch them in every week,

sort of watching between our fingers and that.

And then these people have chosen to jump on board at that moment.

I think it does, in a way, it makes you feel quite looking

to just be a part of this club as we are.

And it does, I think, and make you appreciate

not just, obviously, like you say, being able to roll out the bed and gant the game,

but the fact that we are, it's so much easier for us to meet up with sun and

fans and watch the match with like-minded people and have a couple of bays,

you know, watching the lads on the telly and the poor ball,

whether it's round you, you may it's living room,

watching it on the telly or going to the game or whatever.

It's a lot easier for us to feel physically part of this club than it is for

international fans, obviously.

I think it's something that's worth remembering how lucky we all are

to be in the position we're in.

Absolutely, absolutely.

Well, throughout this episode, you will hear various conversations

between us and people who are here for the event.

So we're going to try and grab as many of these interests

as people as we can.

First up, we're going to have a chat with Alex, who's over from Pennsylvania.

First trip to Sunland and has a great story about why he's a sun and

fans. So, stop in, enjoy the show.

And like I say, by the end of it, we're probably going to be a little bit

merry, but hopefully you'll enjoy everything to see soon.

Right, our first victim of the night is Alex, who's over from Pennsylvania

of all places. How you doing, man?

I'm doing really well.

I'm absolutely blessed to be here, honestly.

I'm where I start.

It's been a dream come true.

It's the first day here.

And yeah, just really looking forward to the whole weekend.

What brought you over, then, obviously,

IFT is a big thing, brings international fans together,

but was it always just I'm going to be at the next one?

Yeah, honestly, what brought me over is my love for this team, of course,

but in 2024, I really want to come over, finances weren't so great, though.

I told myself, 2020 is no matter what.

If we're in league one, if we're in the Premier League, I don't care.

I'm making it.

I'm going to be here, and here I am.

So, how long have you been here for them?

Been a sun and a fan for about six years and found them,

you know, the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team,

just because they have a very similar vibe at that time, at least,

where they just weren't at their best form, honestly,

but they had a lot of young players, very fun to watch,

and the community is really wrapped around them.

And I really want to find a football team like that,

and Sunlim is it.

So, and I mean, because every time we do these events with the IFT events,

I'm amazed by how people have just drawn to Sunlim,

because honestly, if I had the choice, I think I would really struggle to pick Sunlim.

So, I always say to you guys, I hat off for deciding Sunlim or Bay team.

It would be so easy to support anyone else, but you know,

you must have in the last six years learned everything about being a sun and a fan,

because you've seen the club at its lowest.

Air been league one, you know, the craziness of the championship,

the way we got promoted, the Premier League this year.

I mean, you couldn't invest for a bit,

a time really to start following the club.

Absolutely, honestly, when I started supporting Sunlim,

I told myself, I'm like, I don't care if we go down in the national league,

I don't care if we're even lower than that.

I will always follow this club, at the very least, follow them.

Like, I might not be able to make it over matches always,

but I'm going to be following them.

They're just so much from the watch.

They have this just great hard-working environment here at the club,

and it's, I think that Regis Lebris has really helped to push that even more,

but even in the days of Lee Johnson and Michael Biel and Tony Moverick,

you can really see that there was some hard work going on behind the scenes,

and that there was also really some like positivity with this club,

and there was some sort of traction.

It was just more of a whenever we're getting to the Prem,

rather than, we'll get to the Prem, and yeah, here we are now.

It's been brilliant getting to watch the club in the Premier League now.

I will say, Mr. Championship a little bit,

but at the same time, I don't think the Prem for granted.

Getting six points to get to Newcastle is an absolute dream come true.

I've got to tell you, when did you arrive in the UK then?

Arriving in the UK, literally just going last night and not going to lie,

I was so tired that as soon as I got to my place, just crashed.

But this morning, I took a walk down to ALS,

saw a little supreme brilliant place.

Dana Martin shot out those lads.

Those guys are fantastic.

From there, walked around the stadium in the light,

in which like genuinely, I thought I was in a fever dream,

because I'm like, wow, I'm actually here right now.

It's unreal.

A bunch of proper pies.

How do you do?

Actually, fantastic pie.

Unreal.

And yeah, now I'm here.

It's been an absolutely fantastic 24 hours in London,

and I wouldn't trade it for the world to be honest.

When did you go back?

I go back here in two weeks.

So I'm lucky enough to go eight, two weeks.

Lucky enough to go to the villa away match.

Sadly, I got to sit in hospitality and wear fancy clothes,

because they hate me or something like that,

but just messing up.

Obviously, the black cat points, which is what it is.

But yeah, it's super stoked, just to be over here.

I've been a huge train fan on my life.

In British Real, it's always been something that's

interested, or like an interest to me.

So just being able to be over here for that has been awesome.

But then to also be here for a sunman.

I'd seem that I've loved for a quarter of my life.

Like I said, I wouldn't not trade this opportunity for the world.

Well, Alex, it's great.

It's a speedy year and hopefully next year,

we'll be back again in more fun and games, hopefully.

Yeah, thanks, mate.

Right, we're joined by a stalwart of the IFT weekend.

It's Martin Bates, who's over from Toronto.

Can I have a minute?

Hello, Paula, where are you?

I'm pretty good again.

Yeah, yeah, you love these weekends, don't you?

I revolved my vacation time around this.

I was lucky enough to be here in 2020 when it first started.

And I made sure I made a vow that I'm never going to miss one of these.

And my understanding is there's only four of us that have been to

all, including this one that have been to all five.

There's only four of us.

Wow, so commitment, man.

I mean, it's a, I think it's become a real highlight of the Colnifer,

not just the fans, but the club, everybody around it.

It's so special, isn't it, they say it's,

I think it's one of the things that makes this club great,

because look, every single football club in the pyramid

has fans who live abroad, like every single club has fans who live abroad.

But for a lot of the people who come to these events,

and the people I speak to, you know, you're,

you're, you're linked to tight to the, to the area,

you're, you know, your family are from Sunland,

but I mean, I've just been speaking with a guy there

who just decided to be a Sunland fan when we were in league one.

These, these events just blow my mind.

The, the lengths people will go to be Sunland fans.

And you, you get to meet all these people every year,

different folk, every single year, and, and, you know,

chat about your stories and stuff.

I mean, you must love it as much as I do.

100% like, even this afternoon,

you know, I've come out from Toronto,

but today I met guys from Tulsa, Oklahoma,

from Chicago, but Houston, they've been here before,

but I got to meet other North Americans that have made the trip

over here now and to show them what's going on

and, and see them this.

They're, they're so excited and they're just,

can't believe what's going on here.

And I told them, I said,

we haven't seen anything yet.

This is a fans party.

We took tomorrow on the tours and stuff and in the game.

But, you know, it's great to even, for me to meet them.

And this is a chance for you to catch back up with family, right?

I mean, people can't see this,

but we're joined by your lovely cousin,

he always over from Norway.

And what's your name again, sorry?

Christina Bates, who has died?

It's a Christina's, yeah, your family.

And you were sent to me before Martin

that this is what the third, fourth time you've,

you've been on the catch up?

Pretty much, yeah.

Yeah, there was 2016, I think was the last time I saw you here,

in Sonland with, with Oliver when he was three or four,

three or four.

And he's here today.

Wow, wow.

Christina, this is new to you, right?

I mean, but it's very welcoming for any,

because I live as storms throw away from this place, right?

So, for me, walking to the ground,

coming to games is just something I do.

I don't even think twice about it.

But, I mean, I've just been taught a guy there

who came up from Pittsburgh on his own.

Yet he feels so, yeah, he feels so welcomed, right?

And this is your home, you know, you were born here,

but you don't live here anymore.

So, coming back, it must still feel a bit like home, though, right?

It does feel like home, and my son says the same,

and he's not even born here.

But we just feel like, we just love this city,

and just have the best time.

Yeah, yeah.

And for you, then, this has been a chance

to catch back with Martin, but, you know,

it's in our blood, right?

You guys are, you don't live in Sonland,

but it's in your blood.

You come back, you come back for a reason,

it's a football club, it's the area, it's your family.

Yeah, we used to come across with my dad.

He used to take me and my son over twice a year to matches.

So, now I'm just trying to do the same for my son,

my dad passed away a few years ago.

So, now we just try to do the same for my son.

Yeah, and then, I guess for your son,

it must be, you know, we're back back home,

like, about all of his friends at school,

they support Manchester United, Liverpool, Man City.

He walks in and at Sonland top, I think he feels proud.

He is proud, and he calls everybody else glory hunters.

He has been through all the struggles,

and he is just really proud.

And he calls himself 75% mac him.

For some reason, I don't know this.

Yeah, okay, yeah, I got it, so I only five percent back with him.

I got it.

Yeah, but, hey, I tell you what,

some commitment to support a team who,

look, when you turn on the big TV,

coverage back home, I'm sure they're not talking about Sonland.

They'll be talking about Manchester City, obviously,

with Harlan and, you know, Manu, Liverpool, etc.

So, it's such a big thing for anybody who isn't in the North,

so isn't in the thick of it,

to still have that bold commitment to the football club.

And I just think this is such an important week,

and I really hope that people are listening,

who was taught right now, who maybe were thinking,

I wouldn't mind doing that,

or I wouldn't mind coming across for this event.

Like, I would love to think, Martin,

that people are listening to this,

listen to what you've got to say about this,

because you like to say, you pan your whole,

your leave around coming to Sonland to do this event, right?

I mean, what would you say to anybody

listening back home, wherever it is in the world,

who might be thinking, that sounds quite good,

that I would like to come next year.

It's my suggestion is, you have to do it.

If you come over here on International Fans Day

and you don't have the most amazing time in the world,

maybe someone's not for you, because I find that

you will be hooked immensely.

I want to say, Christina told me you were talking about

turning on the TV and watching men see,

or some of that.

Christina told me the story about her routine

that they do in their house in Norway on matchdays.

I would love her to share that with the viewers.

So my boyfriend's dad had this lamb,

the same as the one that's outside the station,

but he has a small one.

So we have to light this every single match.

And we have a playlist with songs.

We play for 30 minutes before the match.

And we have all the songs, fire starter, lake poets,

all the songs.

We need to play these before every game to bring lunch.

Brilliant.

Well, I suppose it kind of helps you

feel like you're part of what's going on, right?

Yeah, I think that's brilliant.

I think that's absolutely brilliant.

Look, for me, being a son and a fan

is more than just turning up the games.

I say this all the time, I preach this all the time

that you've got to get behind the team.

You've got to support the club unconditionally.

Sometimes they let you down.

Sometimes they give us, I mean, the ride we've been on this year

has been unbelievable, Martin.

But it's not about just the good times.

It's about following the club through thick and thin.

And a lot of the people back home listening to this

around the world, it's not the same as turning up to the ground.

I get it.

But it's still year routine.

It's like, I wait a little bit.

Daff the clock at night just to watch Sunland play.

It's a big commitment still to follow this football team.

And I just think that I think this year has really taught us

to love this club and appreciate it,

because we've been on such a ride this year.

Oh, it's been unbelievable.

Since the Cup Final last year, where we've gone

and what we've done, this is just a dream come true.

And it's almost like, if I'm dreaming, don't wait me.

Just let it keep going, let it keep going.

We've got seven games left in the season.

Works.

We've surpassed every expectation

of any realistic fan in my opinion.

And we'll see what's going to happen in the next seven games.

And I hope that we push on and try to just do as best

as we can in these last seven games.

See where we are, and let the chips fall where we're in May.

Yes, we're going to lose some players in the summer.

But yes, we're going to reinvest that money in my opinion,

because the aim now is not just survival anymore.

We bypassed that step.

In my opinion, I was talking to this Christian

and some of my other friends over here,

thinking that when we won in May last year,

we were thinking, let's just survive.

Do what we got to do.

Do not get relegated and then move on there after that

and go for the top 10.

Well, in my opinion, we bypassed it entirely, bypassed that.

And just now we're in the top 10 stage.

And now we've got to say, that year's gone.

We're a year ahead of schedule in my opinion.

Let's take advantage of that.

Let's do what we've got to do in order to push on now.

All this relegation, stuff and things,

should be behind us in my opinion.

And now we should be a team that's constantly looking.

We're going to be top 10.

We're going to be top 10 going forward in my opinion.

Well, some of the most optimistic sun and fans

that I know are our international fans.

So this is great.

Coming in here, it's infectious.

The amount of enthusiasm for the football club.

I hope that on there, obviously we're recording this

on Friday night.

I hope on Sunday that the stadium's absolutely buzzing.

And I hope that you guys really enjoy your trip across.

But it's been an absolute pleasure.

Christine, I'll meet you here in Martin.

Once again, mate, I'll see you in the rabbit.

I'm sure later on.

I'll see you in the rabbit.

Do you remember seeing me in the rabbit?

That's the question I'm going to ask.

I may have been up since 5 this morning.

Obviously, don't worry about it.

I won't hold you to it.

I won't hold you to it.

Well, I love it.

I love it.

Right, I've been accosted by some spaniards.

We are in the corridor, right?

We've got a number of people around us here.

So I'm going to go around you.

And everyone's going to see the name.

We'll go left or right.

Go.

I'm Dave.

I'm Borja.

I'm Bidur.

I'm Shabby.

I'm Pablo.

And you guys are over from where?

From Spain.

Santander in Spain.

Santander, of course.

And last year, we had a good chat, didn't we?

No, we did.

We did.

So you wowed people with your accent.

Did I?

Yeah.

Because you don't sound Spanish.

But you said no.

Well, I know you're not.

But you know, I mean, it is crazy our accent.

I'm so not over it, if I'm honest.

I thought we had the same accent.

Do we not sound the same?

You've never lived a day in the Northeast, have you?

Just every summer since I was two.

That's a holiday, though.

It's a holiday, don't get it.

Fair enough, fair enough.

So how many recruits have you got with us this year?

So this year, we're up a scale a bit.

So we had six last year, what's the six?

Six.

So this year, it's eight of us.

So we miss Carlos, which is like fucking goat.

So he's not here this year.

We're missing Juanco, that loads of work.

And we miss Shavi who missed the last second

because work happens.

But we've got Borja, who's an artist from Madrid.

Open coming.

Open coming, don't remember that.

We've got Pablo, he just said, hello, I'm Pablo.

We've got Shavi, who's studying Manchester, you said?

Study Manchester.

We've got Peru, not Peter, Peru.

And the speaking in between them, we've got Inigo and Ignacio.

One from the Canary Islands.

And they are which Canary Islands?

It's Gran Canaria.

Are you being to Gran Canaria?

Of course, I am.

Gran Canaria's party island.

And then there's an honorary Spanish citizen,

which is directly speaking with us.

Hello, Derek, how are you doing?

I'm coming in.

Thanks very much.

Are you from?

I'm from Throckley.

Throckley.

Yeah, Marga, yeah.

Oh, it's not, no.

Right.

Hey, so I'll quickly bit there.

So I've been going around talking to people

about this trip, right?

This trip is the big day, big weekend of the year

for all the international supporters, right?

You must feel so welcome when you come here.

It's very, very important, I think.

I was just talking to Martin Yorkuzin, right?

Martin Yorkuzin.

It's mad, by the way.

He's got family everywhere, obviously.

Christina Yorkuzin from Norway.

Then there's Martin and Toronto.

I remember the family who had just gone home.

I mean, the whole family amazes me.

You're all over the place.

But the point is, is you all come back

suddenly for a reason.

Yeah, yeah.

And it's because it's home, really.

It's in the heart.

It's home, it's family.

It's just what we are, really.

So if we come over here, so I'm just going to talk before,

like the rest of my dad's something,

but we come over here, we feel some welcome.

And we feel so down to earth, you come here,

you enjoy, you remember.

And then you get to share with other people.

It's just, I mean, you interview in us.

And in other places, this wouldn't happen.

No, no, no.

And I don't want to, like, I don't want to

don't play other places, but it's just,

it's so welcoming when you come here

and people want to hear your story.

And you want to hear other people's stories.

So it's just sharing community, it's just amazing.

What's your name again, sorry?

Warja.

So what is it about son that you love?

Why are you here?

What is it about son that brings you here?

Obviously, the weather.

He got it, he got it.

Oh, no.

Of course.

Hey, it was nice yesterday, eh?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And tomorrow, hopefully tomorrow too.

But no, basically, as David was saying, like,

basically, this is about gathering our family

for me, also, like, gathering with friends,

gathered with Dave's family, and also with Derek,

our adaptive child.

Dave's family as well.

Ha, ha, ha.

No, it's about it, it's about it, yeah.

Because the football club, obviously,

in the last 12 months has been on such a high.

I mean, I'm 34-year-old.

This is the best year I've ever had to support the club.

So many high support in Sonland.

And what a time to come and watch the team, right?

I mean, people are going to listen to this

after the fact that they will know the result.

But tomorrow, sorry, not tomorrow,

Sunday, we put it in HotSpurt in the Premier League.

But a lot of the people in this room

supported Sonland when we were playing Man's Field,

Sheltonham, Don Caster, Lincoln.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So it's about more than the football.

Because it wasn't Kalamick Fadzean and Tom Flanagan

making you a Sonland fan, right?

It was something else.

No, it's not.

I always found Tom Flanagan to be quite elegant.

No, no, no, no.

No, no, seriously, sir.

It's about more than just football, isn't it?

Yeah, for sure.

Also, it's like a, like, the, like, zone parallel

is same with our hometown.

Because our, we are from Santander.

And it's like, we have also, like, a really, like,

small, uh, football club, like, Ruffian.

They got relegated at the same time as Sanduán,

also, like, to the third division in Spain.

And I mean, when, when Sanduán was fighting for promotion,

also was wrestling.

So it was like a, like, a really nice person there.

I'm also because it's like, they've signed with the team.

So I don't think any of you guys had a choice, really.

Come on in.

This guy made sure you were all Sonland fans, right?

It's a great deal.

I watched on him again, sorry.

My, my name is Peru, which is bitter in English.

Wow.

And I'm from rebound, yeah.

So, Sonland to you, Sonland to you.

For me, to Sanduán means, like, quite similar to Bilbao's team.

I'd like to give you Bilbao, which is a very local team.

Very, the fans are quite, uh, very, very crowded.

People, they love the city.

They love the team.

They are very devoted.

And I think there's quite similar here in Sanduán.

They are, they love the team.

And that's the central part of the life.

Yeah.

And obviously, you got to go to the game on Sunday.

So, you're here for a couple of days, making,

making the most of everything, right?

I, getting really, it's like a holiday.

I mean, it's, it is, it is, it's not the best weather

at the minute, but it's sort of hot.

Well, we don't need very good weather.

I think that probably most of us, we'll say that it is there.

All of the year, we have like two, three, four different dates.

And this one is one of them, yeah.

Yeah.

And you're looking forward to just seeing the team in action.

And have you been with Sonland again before, by the way?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And we are the ones that we think that it's, it's better to be here

in championship and in, in lower categories than in premised

but well, but we are in premier now and it's fine, yeah?

It's different.

Yeah, it's different, but it's so Sonland.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

And I get, you know, I've said, I mean, we have, we have a good bit

partner with David, but I guess David's been quite influential

in teaching you all about the football world.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We came for you, for some point, in my, in my, in my part,

I'm from, from North Spain, and we played quite similar football

like here, very direct, football, very English football,

because with Val team, it was, it came from, from here,

from England.

So we could, we could see some similarities.

So we like a lot there.

Yeah.

I'm watching him again, sorry.

I'm Pablo.

Pablo.

So you were just agreeing there about David's influence

on you as a Sonland fan, right?

Who did you grew up supporting?

I mean, roughly in the sand down there.

It's my hometown area, but I put you became a Sonland fan

because, yeah, because David, our friend, I mean, he has family

here, and he was always supporting Sonland from a distance,

you know, and we found the similarities between the two clubs

because, I mean, we went down the same year, and then we went

down again, and it's the same kind of struggles.

And when, once he proposed coming here to the International

Fan Day, we were watching the games abroad in Spain.

And, you know, being part of this kind of community,

we are following from a distance.

We are supporting from a distance.

And now, this week, specifically, we can be part of it.

It's quite huge.

And, you know, this kind of a smaller town team,

supporting team and the community and the vibes of the city

behind the team, you know, pushing.

I think it's a great thing to see, first person, you know.

I think we need a Spanish play on it, right?

Yeah, we need a couple of Spanish players.

I mean, Ferran Torres was links.

Yeah, that would be a pipe dream, but why not?

Yeah, if Sonland gets a Europe, why not?

We have my gender right now, don't forget.

Of course, yeah, totally forgot about my inner.

Is he your favourite?

Yeah, yeah, I mean, he wasn't related to him, you know,

because of this.

I mean, we have many favourites, but he's definitely one of them.

Yeah, yeah.

For me, being a son and a fan that I had no choice, right?

You guys had a choice, really.

So you'd come across here, and I would imagine that,

a lot of people may be in your city or area,

they'd decide to be Manchester United fans,

Manchester City fans, Liverpool Arsenal, Tottenham, whoever, you know.

But they don't get this experience, right?

You're writing amongst it, you're with Sonland supporters,

you're in the heart of the city.

Where we stand right now, there is the stadium of light there,

okay, you can see the stadium of light.

It's a very different club.

I think it feels very downward and very humble and family oriented.

Yeah, yeah, so, so close.

I mean, having this level of access is something we were discussing,

like, in Spain is something you don't have to your local club,

even.

So having this is amazing to see, being so close,

having this level of access, going tomorrow to the stadium,

the academy of light, you know, it's kind of things.

So, so amazing and eager to go tomorrow, so yeah.

Well, thank you very, very much for joining us.

And last but not least, what's your name, sorry?

Shabby, Shabby, what's it like being in Sonland?

Well, I'm going to be honest.

I'm not a Sunderland fans.

I just can't...

No, no, no, you are not.

You've got to be, yeah.

Yeah, I might be tomorrow.

I might be tomorrow to be fair.

I mean, to be fair, I just came for the booth on the party,

said that is my first time in Sunderland.

I think it's a lovely city, lovely pubs,

lovely atmosphere.

And I think it's great because, I mean,

I'm athletic with all fun.

There is some sort of connection.

Well, we were red and white.

Yeah, yeah, we played red and white because of Sunderland.

I mean, so yeah, I think it's great

because the city is so close to the team.

There is a very lovely community around the football team.

You can see this in the pubs.

You can see this in this museum.

Yeah, I think it's a great story and a great football atmosphere.

So, I definitely hope you beat Tottenham and Sunday.

When you say you, by Sunday, you will be saying we,

we will be Tottenham.

Yeah, I guarantee you,

these guys are not going to let you leave this area

without becoming, before you, be first,

the manager of you that you become a Sunderland fan.

For enough, for enough, yeah, yeah.

So, I changed my words.

We'd definitely beat in four songs on Sunday.

Hey, David, David is now a Sunderland fan.

He was decided.

You know, like 10 minutes ago, he was a new castle fan.

What?

Well, that doesn't.

Whoa, whoa.

Well, he's just said, we are going to beat Spurs on Sunday.

So, I thought that was like a given.

Nobody said we instead of you.

Oh, you said we are.

Yeah.

So, I think in this sort of 11 minutes or so,

we've been talking.

We've managed to indoctrinate another spaniard

and it'd be coming to Sunderland.

And then you keep asking, why do we come back?

It's a beer, though.

I mean, he's drinking, he's drinking double maxim.

So, he's definitely a macron.

Exactly, exactly.

Well, thank you very much, guys.

Thank you.

Let's go to Washington to keep us in the lead.

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I am joined by Ian, who is from the German black cuts

is under what's your official title of your brand?

The German black cuts strategy.

I was bang on first silent.

Are you going to write?

I mean, people might be listening and go,

well, he's not German.

So where do you live in Germany?

I live in Wupital, which is in between Dusseldorf and Dortmund.

It has a unique former transport.

If you google Schweberbahn or flying train,

you'll see it.

It's literally a train that flies.

I'm very proud of it.

Oh, I don't know.

Oh, it's Nancy.

Nancy, how are you doing?

We've got the Strupuffle.

It's our time here again, Nancy.

How are you?

Good, how are you doing?

You've got to have one appearance on the pot, haven't you?

I do have to have a look.

Thank you very much for the Strupuffle.

Thank you very much.

Well, Nancy, not me.

So, well, I mean, last year I had Strupuffle this year.

I'm having Strupuffle again.

Any news?

Sure.

I mean, I'll hear it.

It's caramel and biscuit.

Oh, yeah, I've just realised that.

It's nearly, you know.

But yeah, as I said,

I've been over there for 38 years now.

I moved over when I was 36.

My wife's German.

That's a reason I moved there.

And I was, I worked for the Army.

I put it in the Army at the time.

By the way, you've never lost your accent.

Well, that was born in Seymour.

You can tear it, but I don't want to see it,

but you can't tear it anymore.

But, you know, as I say,

I started working for the British Army in Germany.

At the time, the Berlin Wall was still up in 80 years.

And it was easy for me to get a job there.

It was just a job score.

And my German wasn't all that great at the time.

And I just stayed there.

I worked 25 years for them in Toronto to 2013

when the conservative government decided to pull all the British,

all the Brits out in Germany.

I was made redundant, went on the job for two years,

and then I retired.

And I've been living the life a variety of it since.

I love coming back here.

It's great, but I can't envisage me living here.

I mean, I will ask when you're lowered.

Anyway, I wouldn't never let this.

Even if something happens between us,

I can't say it happened in our,

well, my life, I've been in Germany over half of my life.

And I can't see me coming back, honestly.

But you come back for IFD, which is a big event

in the country for funds abroad.

Oh, definitely.

It's brilliant here, because I do normally do that.

With that top hooker over there, Lee Thurk,

he does the Black Cat's podcast every week,

which Mayor Will have heard of.

But obviously, he's always in the same world as you are.

And I've been on there quite a few times.

And over the years, I've got to know an awful lot of people

but I've never met him.

This is a perfect opportunity to make his money

apart from passing water.

Just great.

Just lots from America.

Our other place in here.

We're going to have a great night and hopefully more

than tomorrow, when people are still arriving.

Everybody's not here yet.

The wrecking is going to be about over 200 of us

in tour at the end of the day.

And that's going to be interesting when we're doing stadium tour.

What it is though, and I've said there's a few times

on the pod tonight.

So let's now, sorry, but I am repeating myself here.

But I'm a stone's throw away, I live in Bolton.

I have my whole life.

So I kind of probably take this for granted.

The fact that I am so close to stadium light.

So when you get to come back,

at least then you could never envision yourself living here again.

It's still home in here.

It's still back.

I mean, I'm not trying to denigrate the town.

It's just that my life is over there now.

I mean, I'm Friday night, sorry, I'm Sunday night.

I'll be out on the lush when the world meets.

And it'll be great.

But at the end of the night,

we'll have talked about everything we have to talk about.

Their lives have gone somewhere else for the last 38 years.

Mine was gone somewhere else.

It's great to see us again.

That what we meet is like we're out on Friday night.

And today is Sunday.

You know, it's brilliant.

The connection is always there.

You know, always will be there.

But I'm not sure whether that would work

or year, or year round.

I normally get back four or five times a year

to either see you much or also a school reunion.

Stop not.

We normally do that in September or October.

And it's brilliant to come back.

I will always love coming back here.

But I can't envisage me living here.

We see in Germany,

which I don't know if anybody will understand it.

Mine is here.

Mine is the house that is touched on.

That means I'm trying to explain it.

My form is here.

It's where I was born.

Where I live is Germany.

And I don't think I'll ever change.

I want to see.

All right.

It's simply because as I said earlier,

I will ask when you're allowed.

Tell us a little bit about your group, your branch.

How many members have you got?

How many of them are coming across this weekend?

And etc.

Well, we were over here four weeks ago for the Brighton game.

And there was 18 of us.

All right.

We started off in,

kind of square around here.

A bloody cold night.

Sorry, a deer.

In the third division against Blackpool in 2019,

we drew ones a piece.

I think it was December the 5th.

I have never, ever been so cold in the stadium in my life.

And it was the 3rd division.

And we weren't going anywhere for Brighton.

It was a money jam.

How the hell he's doing there at Rexham is beyond me.

But it was just awful.

And I thought, what the hell am I doing here?

But it's Sunday.

You know?

I mean, I went with you first.

Through thick and thinners.

Yeah.

I went with you first.

My first one was 5.

You're already in 1957.

I hope it's there.

That was rock apart.

And night much.

It just got any better.

Through the lights.

And missed on it on the pitch.

Or the pitch was wet anywhere.

It was the greenest green I've ever seen.

The smell of the old clock stand.

It was just, that was me hooked.

And it was 5-year-old.

I've no idea who I played.

I've no idea what the result was.

I just knew I wanted to go back.

And I'll continue to pull back ever since.

But going back to our first visit.

It was only 3 of us here.

And to go from Matt in 7 years to 18 of us this year.

And we're talking about next year.

I mean, obviously, the fact that we've been promoted

to the Premier has brought in a few new folks anywhere.

But even last year was 9 of us here.

So we're talking about next year.

It's just getting too much.

We can't do it all in one go.

In the past, as a club, as a fan club,

we've avoided the international fans here.

Because we always wanted to come across

and dollar our own thing.

But I think in future, the ones who come across here

in the past.

And thanks to Chris Wat is our country as a nobody.

We got a stadium to where we've got

and made people like Rob Mears and talks to the players.

Obviously, that's not not possible anymore in the Premier.

But we've got down pitch side for us on pitch side.

And I mean, they really pushed the board out for us.

And we are forever grateful for that.

We're really forever grateful for that.

But in the future, I think we're going to split it up.

The new members will come across with either myself.

Martin Stefner, our chairman, or possibly broth of us

to do a stadium to them, which we've done,

to visit pitch side, which we've done.

Do stuff that we've done, yeah?

But the ones that have been here in the past and aren't particularly bothered

about repainting, they will come over to something like this

to the international fans here.

Because it's a different experience for them.

It's something they've never seen.

Toned other deaf focus from around the world.

Who supports someone?

I mean, Nile Quinn's court is still the best.

Someone gets a new spin.

I mean, I didn't know it.

It's because I didn't know anything else.

Nile Quinn came in when he was all enough to realize

what the hell was going on.

I was hiding at this very early age

but I've never regretted it.

Just brilliant.

But the we're forward for us in future.

Something I've got to mention.

Something is twinned.

It's a twintown with the city of Essen.

I've been put...

I'm in very close contact with the sports minister

for the town of Essen.

There's a handicapped Nile's growth,

which is a full set.

These studies law in Australia,

so he's very thrown in English.

And he's totally on board.

Rortweiss Essen, who are the moment

going for promotion from the third to the second division of Germany,

are also on board with Anttrain Orange,

a friendly between Sunderland and Rortweiss Essen.

Simply because it's only half an hour up the road from me.

I can't get a bus.

Great.

If it happens, in the meantime,

the thing that really started me on this

was starting to make gun me here in the Hunts Museum.

And he runs his handicapped team,

football team.

And he asked me,

if I could possibly arrange a friendly in Germany

with handicapped team over there.

So it would bring the lights across.

I'm in the process of that.

We've had video conferences and what have you.

Ralth, again, obviously being handicapped himself,

Noah's handicapped football over there.

And he says it would be no problem.

We're just waiting for a date on that sometimes in summer

and we'll be able to go for it.

And that will give Mike the start.

We'll start the time or a date to wait for when he can start

to raise funds for that.

He's getting 25 paper over the channel.

Isn't an easy task and it's not cheap.

On top of that,

as I say, we had a video conference with Alex Scott

from the girls from the Lussys,

SFC ladies.

And they are very keen to play a crazy friendly

with SGSS and the ladies team of S&B

and the first division in Germany.

And that looks like it's going to go ahead sometimes in August.

We're just waiting for the eyes to be dotted

and it's going to be crossed on that one.

So things are moving forward.

I just want Sunland over there.

Who do you talk to?

Now that Alex Ding,

Alex Ding is now gone.

Oh, we'll be at the end this season.

You know, what the fall of the night?

David Bruce.

David Bruce here.

No, Alex Bruce.

Alex Bruce is somebody else.

David Bruce.

Now that he's gone,

it's a point of contact that's lost.

And the question is,

will the new guy who comes in be in us

in something like this?

You know?

It seems to be an uphill battle on the men's side,

anywhere.

There is talk about getting the legends over,

for a friendly.

SFC legends versus the S&B legends.

Anything that gets a foot in the door,

the Lussys would be great,

because that would go in the foot in the door.

But then again,

the goal course had moved again with the Lussys.

The first time they'd taken over by beer,

corporation, or what a little boy.

They had some beer somewhere,

or that guy.

So it's all in a state of flux,

and it's sometimes a bit frustrating,

trying to get things sorted out,

knowing the right people to talk to.

You know, but hopefully some of them

will be witnessing this today,

or whenever it's broadcast,

and they'll do something about it.

Let's wait and see.

Sounds like you do a lot of really good stuff though,

and hopefully next year,

when we come for IFT,

the fun party,

there's a big gang from your end over here,

and we can all get involved,

and we can have a few conversations.

Yeah, definitely.

As I say,

if our enormous team keep growing,

like I have done in the past,

we've got the splitters.

We can't...

Have you ever tried to hurt chickens?

Have you ever tried a juggled jellyfish?

That was four weeks ago.

We're pretty good.

Trying to keep the book is only one clears at the same time.

It's just not on.

So we've got the splitters.

We have to.

And it's a way of forward,

but more power to it.

I mean, the more than Maria,

I mean, as I said,

I was plowing your lower furrow of furrow

for years and years and years,

obviously, been in the army.

I met a few of some of the supporters,

but within three years,

they were crossed somewhere else,

but you couldn't build up any sort of good relationship.

And then all of a sudden,

Martin Steffner,

I would share,

and did an interview with yourselves,

which was printed.

That's what got me in it was,

about the German black cats,

the German fun club,

which was looking at set...

I got in touch with them,

put with the lads,

put in touch with them,

and that was the start.

We met up in 2000,

and they're aiming Cologne in an Irish bar,

that we've had Sky TV,

and we watched this,

loose 2-1 documentary.

I didn't know this bit to do with this.

I'll say no more.

And that was the start of it.

We've always been very loose in our organisation.

This year is the first year,

we've actually taken subscription.

Yeah.

Simply because we want to go a little bit more professional,

our scams with our names on badges,

possibly I've seen tonight,

the Bulgarian lads, for example,

are walking around in polo shirts

with their badge on the shirt.

Same with the Nasser lads,

the Nasser lads,

who've got an enormous amount of merchandise.

And it makes you a little bit jealous.

We want to get into lads.

We want to get...

I mean, okay, the Nasser lads,

I think they've got about 120 or 150 members,

or as a big crew member.

You know, but then again,

Germany, they say it,

a million of us are over there.

The Caribbean,

two large science supporters there.

So, okay, listen to this,

get in touch with the South of Martin,

German black cuts on Facebook.

Brilliant.

Well, thank you very much for chatting, mate.

I really appreciate it,

and...

I've no book.

...melted current, mate.

Mine's been pinched off the table by the barmage.

I'll leave it to it.

Thank you very much, mate.

If people want to get in touch,

it's German black cuts on Facebook.

I presume, yes.

Yeah, yeah, and...

Yeah.

Get in touch.

Make sure you join the branch,

something to do great things.

Right, and with some guys from the Netherlands,

we've got...

Thanks.

Luke, you're on.

And you're from...

Almere, Netherlands.

Yes.

Okay, so, Brian Brobe,

Lucie, I'll get you a try there.

I must give you pride,

seeing them put in the sun.

Yeah, yeah, of course,

because he came from Ajax, of course,

which is quite a popular club in Netherlands.

My dad is also from Ajax,

four Ajax, of course.

Oh, yeah, no.

Seeing him play and scoring in the Derby,

of course, was really nice.

It's a unit, a beast of a guy.

The thing with Brian Brobe is,

I think when you look across football,

there are not many strikers like him anywhere.

No, I think he's made for English football.

He is quite big.

He just goes and goes and goes.

Goes through everything.

And, no, I think he is quite good for the English football.

You guys are laughing.

I'm going to rope you in now.

So, what's your name, sorry?

Luke.

Luke and...

You're on.

You're on.

So, you're wearing a sunken top,

so you're obviously a massive lads fan.

Absolutely, yeah.

Did you have any choice?

I did not have a choice.

When I was a little boy, my dad raised me

to love only one club,

and that was supposed to be sunken.

And so, that's why I'm here.

What was that like going to school?

I mean, everybody else was like,

I asked by Lord Manchester United Liverpool,

etc, etc.

And you're walking in the sunken.

Yeah, it was a little bit different,

but inside, they probably knew it's a bigger club, right?

I mean, it's English football,

so it's at the base, it's already better than Dutch football,

mostly, so, yeah.

Does it feel...

What does it feel like when you come home,

when you come here,

and you come like,

so you're here this weekend,

the games on Sunday,

everybody's pumped for the game.

How does that feel?

Well, what I kind of feel like,

especially this weekend,

is like international fan weekend, right?

So, last year, I was here as well,

and it kind of feels like a big family,

especially at this club,

and you feel the passion around Sunderland

and the city, especially when there is a game.

And now, we've taught them playing

terrible football this year,

and Sunderland playing really well,

and Dutch players coming in as well

in Sunderland right now,

so that makes it extra special, I believe.

And I think we're going to take

the three points on Sunday,

and that's going to be, yeah, a party, of course.

I mean, there are some good Dutch players

playing for Spurs, right?

We've got van de van,

shuggy CM1s,

and...

Am I missing one?

I feel like there's more.

I don't know.

Yeah, but anyways,

do you feel a little conflicted,

because you obviously are likely couldn't be enough?

No, no, no.

I don't feel conflicted.

And...

No, you know, in the dark effect?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Would ever lower some than legal.

So, I mean, by the time people hear this,

they will know the result.

But for you guys coming across here, right?

I mean...

I mean, you know,

Sunder and traditionally are not on the World Stage

and not a big club.

So, what is it about Sunder and that?

You know, why are you here?

What makes you passionate about this?

It's my first time,

so I need to find out.

I'm with him.

I feel mostly,

and what's really about football, football is life, right?

For most people, football is life.

And especially in Sunder, you feel that.

You feel that in the city,

you feel that in everybody,

everyone you speak here in the city,

it's all about football.

And that makes it so beautiful.

And that makes Sunder and such a wonderful club.

And I don't think there are many other clubs in the world

that represent that feeling.

Like Sunder and does it.

And of course, Sunder until I died,

the documentary that launched on Netflix as well,

people got hooked.

And now the success story with Wembley

and I would tell me it wasn't scored the goal.

And now they're in the Premier League again

after so many years where they're supposed to be.

That makes it good.

And now it's on you guys

to spread the message back home.

Exactly.

And I think everyone knows Sunder and there's a big club

and they're supposed to be in the Premier League.

And this year they show why.

And that makes it really nice to be here again.

Well, I hope you have a great weekend, guys.

Thank you very much for joining us.

Let's keep our fingers crossed

that we might get into Europe this season.

Hopefully, yeah.

I know you might be playing teams in the Netherlands.

That would be really nice.

Yeah.

If you meet Azet or whatever in the conference week,

then we can watch some of that home.

So, yeah, why not?

Absolutely.

Thank you very much.

Well, it's the end of the night, Johnny.

I've sported among five people,

but we've had a lot of BRR, haven't we?

Well, we've had a bit.

We've had a few patents listeners.

We're enjoying ourselves.

We're also joined by bomber.

Hello, mate.

Hello, mate.

How long do you treat you?

We got you out of here.

It was a four and a half hour drive for me today.

And it's straight to the golf course.

And I arrived 15 minutes before.

And I was very, very stiff and played really awfully.

And the one year excuses for why you were shite.

Well, you'll get them.

But you're here for the football bomber.

That's a big thing.

Oh, the football is a priority, mate.

We got a little bit more golf tomorrow,

which will be Saturday.

And then it's just full focus on the football.

Are you going to win them all?

Probably not.

If today's anything to go by, no, probably not.

Well, unfortunately, guys, it's time to end this podcast.

I don't think I've put a good enough shift in if I'm honest, Johnny.

What do you agree?

Well, to be honest, I think the fact that golf came to me

asked me to help do the intro.

Let's do the intro.

And then fucked off and interviewed everyone all night.

And then only came back to me when everything was done.

That tells you everything you're dating about.

How professional I am as a podcast host as well.

So, yeah, well, yeah.

Hi.

This is James Nichols with us.

Hello, James Nichols.

Hello, Gavin Henderson.

Have you had a good night?

Have I had an outstanding night?

Yeah.

Well, we're just signing off now.

So, you up and go away.

Johnny, Johnny, what we've got to say at the list

last before we go.

Well, one thing we've got to say is fuck the mags.

Obviously.

That is...

Hey!

That is fuck the visitors.

Sorry.

Yeah.

Don't, man.

You're fucking days again.

Anyway, fuck the mags.

That's obviously the most important.

After that, the next most important thing is to say is

we've got a butter spurs...

Oh, fuck.

65 nails.

I'm just saying.

This is going out after spurs.

So...

This is going out after spurs.

So, you know, right now we lose 2 nails.

It's your fault.

So, I'm very confident.

I'm saying we're going to beat them.

And when you listen into this, after we have batted them,

65 nails.

And they're still in the relegation zone

and we're looking up towards Europe.

You can all say it.

Thank you very much, Johnny Hawley, for your optimism.

That's all I'll say.

Well, spurs are going to bat you for that.

Spurs are going to bat you and clip that talk for good.

Why did he say you?

And, Arley, I know you're Johnny Bussard.

Anyways, great.

Same to go.

Thank you very much, everyone.

We'll see you on the next one.

And I bet.

Thank you very much.