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Any Sunderland strongholds left ?


PTID said:
That's a fair assessment I would think. That's not to say those from Blackhall/Horden are in anyway treacherous, but inland villages mentioned probably a bit more solid Sunderland. Reasons for this could be older coal mines back in the day, Blackhall/Horden/Easington newer villages, more people possibly moved there from former Mag strongholds in NW Durham for instance. Another reason could be public transport. Select coaches used to run a bus to both the Mags and Sunderland in the late 70s/early 80s and there were direct buses to Newcastle from the coast, at a push, there was always the train from Hartlepool as well, not sure getting to Newcastle was that easy from Wingate/Trimdon etc so more difficult to get to. But generally, think there have always been Mags around, I mean back in the 1950s/60s some fans would often watch both clubs on alternating Saturdays.
I suppose in a way. 73 to Sunderland was like 92 to the Mags. As a kid all the graffiti on the walls where I grew up was Everton, Man City, Leeds, Man U. hardly and NUFC or SAFC painted on the walls. It was the late 60s/early 70s and both clubs weren't pulling up trees.
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You're spot on with the buses, mate. There were always buses on 'round here both home and away, so for the lads who didn't necessarily have families who followed football, the obvious team to go and watch was SAFC because it was easy to get there. There was a service bus that used to go straight through to Newcastle in the late '80s/early '90s but I think you'd have to go to Peterlee or Sunderland now and then change.

To be honest, I reckon if they put a bus on to Newcastle 'round here they'd attract young lads whose families aren't from this area or have families who don't follow football. Newcastle is the more glamorous club and always has been.

As I say, society has changed and there a lot of people living in the mining villages now who aren't from the area. My great grandad used to walk to Sunderland and back to watch them, that would have been just after the first world war. All of my family followed Sunderland, even an aunty and a female cousin used to go in the late '70s/early '80s when not many women went to football. So, it was passed down to the likes of me but that wouldn't apply to as many people these days.

When you think about it, we're about 15 miles from Sunderland and 20 miles from Newcastle and so 5 miles is neither here nor there when there is no reason to feel a connection with either of the two clubs, and these days there isn't really unless it's passed down to you.

Having said all of that, I was out the house at 6ish going across to Weardale with my camera on Saturday morning and there were about 15 lads waiting to be picked up to go to Swansea at the bus stop.
 
Like many have said Seaham is 98% in favour of us, even the mags I know of don’t support them any more than the top they bought 3 year agan.
 
I only moved to houghton last year (November) .

I was stunned when A lad wearing a mag top walked past me.

Stunned .

Then when I was in Hetton I saw the odd one walking about .

Could t believe it the complete twats.


Surely they aren’t in easington lane ??!!!!!!
 
NorthCountryBoy said:
I still don’t find Washington (Gateshead end of it) that Mackem mind. Boldon to Seaburn I can tell more, on a stretch you can walk in 15 mins
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It’s a proper mix. As it’s still mainly a New Town, you’ve had people move in from Sunderland and Newcastle/Gateshead. Since I moved back from London I’ve noticed a lot more mackem twangs in the Galleries!
Ava Ava Ava said:
Didn't say no-one goes, just that lots of the ones around here must be on your 20000 waiting list because they never go to a game.
Why did you never take your mam?
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😀 good question, I went with my dad till I was about 14 and then my mates for 40 years since then. I’ve never really thought about it, just wasn’t the thing to do. She’s not mobile enough now.
 
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It’s great how posters claim a certain area of the north east is, for example, 70/30 mags.

Just a thought - a lot of grown ups don’t feel the need to wear a football strip when they leave the house.

I suspect these figures are just a total fabrication. We have got amazing support and our attendances are brilliant. We have a good young squad that is improving.

It’s all good.
 
See the odd weirdo in mag gear in Wingate, but very few and far between and probably just as many man city tops.

The Wingate SAFC branch is one of the biggest in the country and its been great to see a load more young kids and families on the branch bus this year.
 
chunksafc said:
See the odd weirdo in mag gear in Wingate, but very few and far between and probably just as many man city tops.

The Wingate SAFC branch is one of the biggest in the country and its been great to see a load more young kids and families on the branch bus this year.
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Gerrin, Wingate will never fall.
Cummy and the lads will stand
 
Raker said:
Like many have said Seaham is 98% in favour of us, even the mags I know of don’t support them any more than the top they bought 3 year agan.
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Have a look at Seaham train station around 11am on a Saturday on a mag matchday and you'll be surprised/disgusted. It's absolutely crawling with them these days. I live just up the road in Ryhope and from seeing virtually none of them the previous 10 years or so their increased presence has definitely become noticeable this past year.
 
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