10,716 miles. 36 hours. Three flights. The extreme lengths that Sunderland fans will go to in their unwavering desire to back the Lads. Whether you are on the other side of the globe or a five minute walk from the Stadium of Light, there is a common denominator that is binding. Being a Sunderland supporter.
This recent outrageous feat of travel was achieved by a family who came to Wearside all the way from Tasmania. As part of the Club’s celebration of their overseas supporters, the recent home game against Bristol City at the beginning of April marked International Fans’ Day. An open invitation to those who can bringing their undying love to the hallowed turf of the SoL.
Invitation: Accepted. Step forward (or rather fly forward), Cassy Laverick-Harris and her son Heath who made the longest journey possible to see the Lads in action.
“I’ve always loved Sunderland” said Cassy. “I will always take the opportunity to come and watch them if we can. It’s a big reason we come back from Tasmania so while we are in the UK, we try to go to as many games as we can.”
Cassy and Heath made the most of their trip by spending a fortnight on Wearside which saw them catch back-to-back home games live. Usually, that would have been a struggle back in Tasmania even via the power of technology. “Games are at 2am so kick-off times are always a nightmare” Cassy added. “Sometimes we make it and sometimes we don’t but we always give it a good shot to try and stay up!”
However, it was the build-up to International Fans’ Day which provided the anticipation for a weekend of network building and community strengthening. Overseas supporters were taken on a tour of the Club’s Wearside-based training ground the Academy of Light. Along with that, numerous supporter-based events were held whilst they were also given the chance to visit the Beacon of Light, home to the Club’s charity the Foundation of Light.
Some nations included United States, Canada, Spain, Bulgaria and Germany with almost every continent touched. But it’s the homebird in Cassy that allowed her to reconnect with Wearside once again.
She added: “Everyone is so friendly and you just feel like you are at home. Walking around the stadium, you really feel like you are part of something special.
“My dad and my grandad were Sunderland fans but I remember when I was seven, I was watching the Milk Cup Final in 1985 and we were losing. I was watching with my great-aunts and after watching that, I decided I was going to be a Sunderland fan.
“We lost that game so that has stood me in good stead for the future.”
As the international supporters took their seats to watch Mike Dodds’ side in action, they bared witness to hard-fought contest against the Robins with chances few and far between. In the end, neither side could break the others’ resolve and the game finished goalless.
At the end of the game, Luke O’Nien came pitchside to see the group to pose for photos and have chats with the overseas supporters in a show of appreciation. It will come as little surprise that the man dubbed as Mr Sunderland is Cassy’s favourite amongst the squad.
“It’s not that he is the best player but I just really appreciate the fact that he gives 100% every time he puts a Sunderland shirt on” she explained. As for her son Heath… “Anthony Patterson is my favourite. I love goalkeeping, not that I could do it myself!”
While the family didn’t head back on their 10,000 mile jaunt back to Tasmania celebrating a victory, there were smiles on their faces having enjoyed a successful trip along with many others who made similar commitments of travel. So for now, it’s until next year’s International Fans’ Day.
“It’s the second time that we have been back but my son was only four. He didn’t really remember it so hopefully these games will be fresh in the memory for him” she added.
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