Honoring Our Own
We come together to remember the players, supporters, and loved ones who are no longer with us. Every tribute we create is shaped by the belief that no one connected to Sunderland AFC should ever be forgotten.
Tributes
At The Heaven Branch, we regularly come together to remember the players, supporters, and loved ones who are no longer with us. Every tribute we create is shaped by the belief that no one connected to Sunderland AFC should ever be forgotten.
We’ve learned that these moments of remembrance offer real comfort. They give people a space to gather, to share stories, to cry, to smile, and to feel held by others who understand. Grief is heavy, and losing someone you love is one of the hardest things a family can face — and that’s exactly what we are—one big Sunderland family.
Through our events, rituals, and acts of honour, we keep their names, their laughter, and their legacy alive. Together, we make sure their light continues to shine across our community.
Memorial Game – 1 January 2026
Number One …. Is Gary Rowell
On January 5, we gathered at Sunderland Minster to remember Gary Rowell.
Former colleagues and friends of Gary, Simon Crabtree and Barry Dunn and Club Historian Rob Mason spoke at a service led by Father Mark Layden Smith.
Video courtesy of Sunderland Living Histories.
Letters from Heaven
Our Christmas Minster Service
Each Christmas, we come together in the heart of our city to support one another through what can be a difficult time of year. With every passing year, more families join us — gathering to remember, to find comfort, and to share a moment of togetherness with a true Sunderland touch, honouring the love their loved ones had for their team.
Video courtesy of RJX Media