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Sunderland AFC official charity, Foundation of Light, has released a new video to celebrate the community and what makes Sunderland AFC fans so special.

Filmed at numerous local landmarks and at the game itself, the video explores what it means to be a football fan and a Mackem, showing beyond doubt that it is the fans that truly make the beautiful game.

The promotional video features lifelong Sunderland AFC fan Martyn McFadden, editor of fanzine ‘A Love Supreme’.

This die-hard fan has shared his love for Sunderland AFC with four generations of his family, including his sister who runs the Roker café on matchdays.

In the film, McFadden points out that Sunderland is a unique footballing town; “in the rest of the country they talk about the weather, in Sunderland they talk about football”, he says.

The video was released by Foundation of Light to draw attention to the important work they do in the community. They work with a range of community initiatives focusing on raising people’s aspirations and quality of life, including improving health and wellbeing and building stronger more cohesive communities.

Foundation of Light Chief Executive, Lesley Spuhler OBE said: “Passion, pride and togetherness take centre stage when Saturday comes, but that drive fuels our club 24/7, with life-changing work undertaken on a daily basis by Foundation of Light.

A successful football club is not just one that achieves great things on the pitch, but one that through their actions off the pitch makes people feel proud to be part of it and feel a sense of belonging within it.

Using the power of sport and our football club, we are improving the lives of tens of thousands of people each year; people of all ages and backgrounds, including some of the most disadvantaged in the north east.

“From helping people into work, supporting their education to improving their physical and mental health, together we are making a real difference to our communities.”

Martyn McFadden, Editor of A Love Supreme and life-long Sunderland AFC fan said: “Sunderland football club is the heartbeat of the city and it brings everyone together.

“While being a Sunderland fan can be hard going sometimes, it’s a lifetime commitment and you stick with the team through thick and thin.

“Supporting Sunderland is like a family tradition. At one stage my grandfather, my dad, myself and my son would all go the match together. I’m just waiting for my son to have some children so we can get back to four generations!”

Written By CHRIS FRYATT

31 October 2019