Committee

We have a number of open positions on the committee. If members are interested in joining the committee please drop the chair an email. We’re always happy for fresh ideas!

Matthew Woolston – Chair -matthewwoolston@hotmail.com

Matthew is currently acting chair whilst Helen Wright is taking a break from the committee.

Helen Wright – Previous Chair – [email protected]

Helen joined the branch in 2007 when she moved from New York to London. Before that, Helen was a member of the Alec Hall Branch, Scotland, so she’s no stranger to supporting Sunderland around the globe and travelling miles to see them get beat. Helen’s first match was against Charlton in 1992 when she jumped on the Cup Final Bandwagon and has been suffering ever since. She’s married to a Coventry fan, and doesn’t talk about Jimmy Hill in the house. Helen is currently taking a break from the committee and Matthew Woolston is acting chair.

Ian Todd – Branch Founder

[email protected]

In 1967 Ian raided the membership list (no Data Protection legislation then!) at the Sunderland Supporters’ Association office and wrote to all those with Home Counties addresses inviting them to a meeting in a Church Hall near West Ham’s ground before an away game there. The meeting was attended by a football club Director who asked Ian to form the London Branch. The rest, they say, is history!. Ian chaired the Branch until 1984 but has remained on the Committee ever since and currently liaises with the club on SAFC Ladies matters.

Since 1975 Ian has represented the Association at national supporter organisation meetings and until 2019 was a member of the National Council of the Football Supporters’ Federation. Though he has no proof (or memory of the game!) he believes his first visit to Roker Park was on 24th May 1947 and has recently completed his hat-trick of 0-8 defeats.