SAFCSA London Branch Committee
Get To Know Us
The Wear Down South committee is a group of volunteers who ensure that the branch runs smoothly and in line with the branch rules.
If you are interested in joining the committee, get in touch!
Matthew Foreman
Branch Chair
Growing up in Doxford Park, supporting Sunderland was never a choice. Matty first moved to London and joined the branch in 2018, becoming part of the unofficial ‘Youth Branch’ and playing football at Clapham Junction. Since then, Matty has enjoyed getting to know many of you at away days and branch events.
Elected Chair since September 2024.
Ian Todd
Branch Founder
Originally from Easington Village, Ian moved to London for work in 1986. He established the branch in 1967 and acted as chair until 1984, remaining on the Committee ever since. He also currently liaises with the club on all matters relating to SAFC Ladies. Since 1975 Ian has attended national supporter organisation meetings and until 2019 was a member of the National Council of the Football Supporters’ Federation.
Ian also holds the very special accolade of having been present at Wembley to see England win the World Cup final in 1966, Sunderland win the FA Cup in 1973, Sunderland win the League One play off in 2022 and England Women win the UEFA Women's Euro Final, also in 2022.
Richie Cockton
Branch Secretary
Richie was born in East Boldon, Tyne and Wear in 1953. He moved to Seaburn in 1968, and lived there until he moved to London in 1974 after leaving college, where he has been ever since. His first match was in 1960 and his favourite match has to be the 1973 FA Cup Final, especially as one of his best friends in college was a Leeds fan.
Ben Littledyke
Branch Sports Secretary
Ben is originally from Chester-le-Street, moving to London in 2017. He loves travelling around the country and beyond supporting Sunderland, and has been as far afield as the USA to watch the team. He writes a regular blog chronicling the highs and lows (mostly lows) of following the Lads.
Andy McIntosh
Branch Ticket/Travel Officer
Andy has lived in London since 2009 after being at University in Leeds and then working in York for four years. He is originally from Cramlington in south-east Northumberland.
He started going to matches with his Dad when he was 4 years old, and his favourite SAFC memory is the 1992 FA Cup Semi-Final.
Andy Jordan
Branch Treasurer
Andy is originally from Durham and has lived in London since 2015. He goes to matches with his girlfriend's little brother and the boys from school. Andy's best SAFC memory is the 2-1 home win over Newcastle in October 2013 - Poyet's first home game, and won by what Andy describes as a "Borini pinger".
Nick Swanson
Branch Merchandise Officer
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Sam Andrews
Branch Website Administrator & Data Protection Officer
Sam moved to London in 2016, and is originally from Brighton (via Durham).
Jacob Kirkbride
Branch Social Media Officer
Jacob was born and raised in north London by his Easington County Durham born Sunderland fan father and former Roker resident mother who both passed down the love for safc onto their son at an early age steering him away from other cockney options like Arsenal or spurs. He travels up and down the country following the lads and has his name carved into a brick on panel 17 at the stadium of light. His favourite SAFC goal live was Jermain Defoe’s late winner against Chelsea in 2016 to move us one step closer to survival and send the mags down.
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Bernie Hutchinson
Membership Secretary
Bernie is originally from Leeds and SAFC are actually his second team! (after LUFC of course). He has lived in London since 1983 and became interested in SAFC through friends Dennis and Norman Fairbrass, who are long-time Sunderland fans. His first SAFC match was the infamous beach ball goal game against Liverpool at the SoL back in October 2009.
Eileen Sproates
Branch Newsletter Officer
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