About SAFC Lancashire Supporters Branch
Sunderland AFC Lancashire Supporters Branch brings together SAFC fans living across the Lancashire area.
Whether you have followed the club for decades or are newer to the Red & White Army, this branch is all about creating a local connection. Being based away from Sunderland does not mean supporting the club has to be a solo experience.
How the Branch Started
The Sunderland AFC Lancashire Supporters Branch was originally set up in 2016 by Rick Parker.
Rick’s connection to Sunderland goes back through family. His Gran was from Castletown in Sunderland, a proud mining community, and his Grandfather worked at Monkwearmouth Colliery. Sunderland support runs even deeper, with his great grandfather also following the club.
Although Rick was born in Norwich due to his father serving in the RAF, Sunderland AFC has always been part of the family. With his mum, dad, brother, and niece all loyal supporters, it was something that stayed with him, no matter where they were based.
Growing up meant moving around the UK with RAF postings. As a result, supporting Sunderland has often meant travelling to matches when possible or following games from a distance on TV.
Bringing Fans Together in Lancashire
The idea behind the branch came from a simple place, bringing Sunderland supporters together locally.
After spending around 15 years living in Manchester, Rick had been part of the Sunderland AFC Manchester Branch. That experience showed how good it is to travel to games with other fans and be part of something local, even when you are not based in Sunderland.
However, after moving to Lancaster, that connection was missing.
At the time, Rick did not drive, so getting to matches meant relying on trains, or watching games at home or in the pub. That led to the idea of creating a way for Sunderland fans in Lancashire to connect, travel together, and share the experience.
A Pause and a Return
In 2019, following a bereavement, Rick found it difficult to cope with running the branch and was not able to keep things going.
However, thanks to the support of fellow Sunderland supporters Beth Moody and Ian Tomlinson, the Facebook page continued, helping to keep that connection between fans in Lancashire.
Roll on to 2026, and interest in a Lancashire branch began to grow again. Having just returned from living in Malaysia, Rick was back in Lancaster, settled, and ready to get things up and running once more.
So, here we go again.
Starting Again in 2026
With renewed interest from local Sunderland supporters, the branch is now being rebuilt.
The aim remains the same as it was from the start, to create a way for fans across Lancashire to connect, whether that is travelling to matches, meeting up locally, or simply being part of a shared community.
This time, the focus is on building something steady and sustainable, with supporters at the heart of it.
How the Branch Works
The branch is not set up to run coaches or organise match tickets.
Instead, the focus is on connecting supporters. From travelling by train, to informal lift sharing, to meeting up locally for live matches, everything is driven by the community itself.
This approach keeps things simple and flexible, while still helping fans feel part of a wider Sunderland network.
More Than Matchdays
While matchdays are a big part of supporting Sunderland AFC, the branch is also about more than just the 90 minutes.
There will be opportunities to meet up socially, whether that is watching games together, arranging local events, or simply having a chat with fellow supporters who understand what the club means.
Get Involved
If you want to be part of Sunderland AFC Lancashire supporters branch matchdays, becoming a member is the best way to get involved.
Once you join, you will be invited into the WhatsApp community and can start connecting with other fans straight away.