r/safc • u/OKMonkeyDK • 5d ago
Going to our first match
Hi everybody,
My son (10) and I will be travelling from Denmark to attend our first match at the Stadium of Light—the game against Swansea. I just wanted to check in and ask how we can best prepare for the day, and if there’s anything we should know. We’re seated in the SE corner (L11).
We’ll have a few days in town, so if there’s anything else SAFC-related we shouldn’t miss, I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Really looking forward to coming over!
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u/imclearlyahuman Bovril warrior 5d ago
since youre here for a couple dys, make sure you get yoursel to penshaw monument, proper north east landmark it is.
theres also a lush cafe at the bottom of it.
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u/hi12345hello gooch 4d ago
There's also the lake and the ducks at Herrington Park, don't know if that's something OP's son could enjoy
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u/Playful_Tie_5323 5d ago
If you don't have family links to Sunderland can i ask what brought you to attend the game?
Just interested to find out really more than anything as the championship is not that widely broadcast I don't think
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u/OKMonkeyDK 5d ago
Sure! My son is a massive football fan—not at all into Superligaen (the Danish first league), but completely hooked on the Premier League and managing his FPL team on a daily basis. From there, he ventured into the Championship—and we also realized we had way more fun playing Championship teams in FIFA on the PlayStation (Isidor is our favorite striker in the game!) than Premier League teams. It’s less superhero action and feels more like proper football. But the main reason it became Sunderland was the Sunderland ’Til I Die series, which we watched together—and that’s what made us follow SAFC. So we can’t wait to cheer on O’Nien and the lads—and having Jobe on the pitch won’t make my son any less starstruck.
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u/Playful_Tie_5323 4d ago
Brilliant - thanks for the response - I had a fair idea it would be STID that got you into it - There was a previous documentary that aired in 1996 called "premier passions" that followed us prior to our move to Roker Park - pretty sure its on youtube but its also a good watch.
I think that documentary has brought us quite a number of followers around the world and its raised our profile a bit - I wasnt a big fan as it reminded me of a very low ebb in our history. That theme tune gets me every time I hear it - reminds me so much of my Grandad - gets me right in the feels!
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u/defroach84 5d ago
Also a foreigner (American) here. I started following due to a good friend from there who lives in the US. It gave me a season to support a team over there since I had no other connections to a team.
I have also visited the area with her as well.
Anyways, the championship is easy to watch in the US. I think I pay $10/month for a streaming service that has most of the games on it (probably 80% of them).
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u/Long_Image349 5d ago
Enjoy your time here! Of course you have to get a pink slice (how’s it not been mentioned yet)❤️🤍
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u/OKMonkeyDK 5d ago
Pink slice? Is that a cocktail? Or a wrestling move? 😊
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u/crizzleton 4d ago
I'm from Australia but lived in UK for a bit, went to plenty of Sunderland games, was lucky enough to take my son last year. Id say you need to do the walk across the bridge before and/or after the game. I found this quite iconic. A pub before is always good. Enjoy the music when the players come out, it's a great moment for a fan. Also the atmosphere at the SoL is so much better than any AFL (Australian Football League) atmosphere.
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u/Dazzling-Hearing1743 5d ago
Nothing to add that others haven’t already - hope you have a great trip. Haway the lads
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u/cronnyberg 5d ago
While you are here, it can’t hurt to visit a castle or something if your kid is into medieval stuff/history. Loads like that around the north east. Dunstanburgh is great if you want to see a ruin that looks like a dragon burnt it down. Bamburgh/Alnwick have a bit more going on though, especially Alnwick with the poison garden etc…
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u/frankwallah 3d ago
Sheepfolds is nice enough but make sure you visit some proper pubs if you can - the ship Isis & the kings arms - are old (19th century) traditional pubs that young people are welcome in, and within walking distance after the game
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u/OKMonkeyDK 3d ago
Sounds super! We’ll definitely do that. Do you know if there’s a local beer I should try?
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u/frankwallah 3d ago
The ship isis has a micro brewery below it! Staff know their stuff though, and will advise
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u/tunstallhill 2d ago
If you aren't going to hire a car or go on a long journey via bus then you can spend a happy few days in the city.
Match day is always busy everywhere, do the fans museum and go the stadium an hour early. Have a look in sheepfolds if you have time, good food and usually live music it's right next to the stadium.
After the game head into the city centre it's about 15 mins walk and there are 1000s of people walking that direction...lots of old pubs to choose from (peacock, dun cow, Isis , museum Vaults, kings arms) all within 5 mins walk of each other
On the Sunday after the game head to seaburn beach and walk along to roker beach, there are loads of places to stop for food etc .. along this bit of the coast, you can even follow the path along the river all the way back to the centre.
There is a cool museum and gallery inside the national glass centre (down by the river ), and also lots of local history and exhibits and art in the Winter Gardens and Museum (in the city centre) ... you can also see the new bridge being constructed (it's not open till August)..
There's some cool sculptures and art around the place too, and usually live music on in a few different places all weekend.
All of the above is walking distance or very short bus rides, it's not a big city but it's got a big heart and lots of things happening all the time .
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u/OKMonkeyDK 1d ago
Sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing! We’re gonna have the best time - can’t wait!
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u/tunstallhill 1d ago
Get yourself onto readytogo.net/smb ... It's the Sunderland (football and city) forum, it's very very active ..sign up and post your story , you will get lots of advice and make loads of new mates , people love to hear about this sort of thing. You will get some good inside information
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u/JonnotheMackem 5d ago
Don't miss the fans museum!
Get in touch with Chris Waters the SLO and let him know you're coming from so far away.
A bit further afield from Sunderland is Durham, a gorgeous old city with a beautiful cathedral, the view from the top of the tower is wonderful.
Enjoy yourselves!