Sunderland supporter Bill McCabe had a Good Friday to remember courtesy of Foundation of Light’s Coals to Goals programme.
As part of the Foundation’s dedicated matchday on 7 April, where our Small Change Big Difference campaign took centre stage, younger and older supporters alike took to the Stadium of Light pitch for a Coals to Goals Miners Banner Parade.
With a primary focus on bringing the red and white army and the local coal mining communities together, Coals to Goals caters for a wide range of ages.
While children learn more about the history of the city, older people at risk of loneliness and those living with dementia also benefit.
The parade resurrected for the first time since 2019, with banners residing from Wearmouth, Dawdon, Herrington and Hylton proudly displayed to the home faithful pre-match, with each flag forming a connection to different participants on the project.
Bill, a former miner, who recently endured surgery, made sure he completed his rehab in time to be fit enough to be involved in Foundation Matchday. After defying the odds and parading around the stadium, a proud Bill said: “I found it a great honour.
“I’ve been a Sunderland supporter since I was a schoolboy, the fact that I’m able to be here and walk with our future supporters, it’s a great feeling. Telling the boys and girls what life was like in the pits over 50 and 60 years ago, I think it’s a great thing in trying to keep the memory of where we come from alive.
“I’m the wrong side of 86 now, it’s just a nice outlet to come down and talk to the kids and have a day out. It was so encouraging to see so many people.”
Project Coordinator, Aly Dixon, was delighted to see Bill participate. She said: “Seeing Bill involved in the parade was the highlight of my day.
“Bill is so passionate about his coal mining heritage and his other passion in life is SAFC. When I saw him walking around the pitch with a huge smile on his face, thanking me for making it happen, I knew all the hard work had been worth it.”
Reflecting on the importance of the Coals to Goals programme to the people of Sunderland, Dixon added: “As we move through the generations, the memories of coal mining and other traditional industries of Sunderland are getting lost.
“Teaching schoolchildren about their local heritage, how important the industries were and how they formed what Sunderland is today is vital.
“Many Sunderland supporters come from a coal mining heritage and many of the supporter branches across the country were formed by miners who moved away for work when the local pits closed.
“With the Stadium being built on the site of the former Wearmouth Colliery, it keeps the football club in the beating heart of the community and the connection should never be forgotten. Little things like the banner parade are one way of keeping that connection alive."
* Bill McCabe (middle) spending time with his family at the Sunderland AFC Fan Zone.
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.