Name: Will Heaston
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
When did you first start supporting Sunderland AFC and why?
This is a question I get asked all the time, especially now that I live in England. Whenever I’m at a pub watching games, people always seem a bit shocked to see a guy wearing Sunderland colours and shouting at the TV in an American accent!
I started supporting the club during the early stages of the 2006/07 League Championship season. At the time, I was getting more involved in football, watching it whenever I could and playing many days each week for a local club team. I decided I needed a team to support, and I immediately turned to Sunderland because my dad has supported them for many years. (He is also from the Midwestern United States, and he was introduced to the club by a friend who was born and raised in Sunderland).
Things were looking quite bleak at the time. We had just been relegated from the Premier League, we were sitting bottom of the Championship, and we had just lost to League Two side Bury in the Carling Cup. However, I was intrigued by the hiring of Roy Keane as manager, and as the season progressed I really enjoyed his no-nonsense approach and personality. Keane oversaw a complete turnaround, in which we climbed from the bottom of the league to the top. That season was a thrilling ride from start to finish, and it definitely cemented my allegiance to Sunderland AFC for life.
How do you prepare for a Sunderland match in your home country?
I don’t really do anything special to prepare for games. Usually weekend matches start between 6am-11am local time, so I try and eat a quick breakfast before sitting down at the TV or computer with my dad to watch the game or listen to online radio commentary.
What was the first Sunderland match you saw/been to?
The first match I attended was at Southampton in March. Even though we conceded a heart-breaking last-second goal to draw 1-1, I really enjoyed the experience. The passion of the supporters was more incredible than I had imagined; we completely drowned out the Southampton fans despite being heavily outnumbered. I also got to meet several of the players at the team bus following the game. Overall, it was certainly the experience of a lifetime.
Who is your favourite all-time/current Sunderland player?
It is difficult for me to pick one favourite player, but there are a few who have stood out for me in the past decade or so. As a goalkeeper and goalkeeper coach, I have to mention Darren Ward for his consistent performances that helped us win promotion; Craig Gordon for his tenacity and the world-class save he made against Bolton; and Simon Mignolet and Vito Mannone for the countless times they saved us from relegation over the past few seasons. In terms of former field players, I was a big fan of Carlos Edwards for his long-range strikes. My favourite current players are Seb Larsson and Jermain Defoe.
What is your favourite all-time Sunderland goal?
I am a big fan of dramatic late goals, and there are two in particular that I really enjoyed. Michael Chopra’s last-second goal against Tottenham to win our first game back in the Premier League (2007/08) gave me a massive adrenaline rush. It was a 6am kick-off for me, and I think I yelled so loud that I woke everyone in the house up! Another memorable goal was Ji Dong-Won’s late winner against Manchester City. City were all over us the entire game, so snatching all three points at the death and against the run of play was especially satisfying.
What has been your favourite Sunderland match?
That’s easy. The one and only time that I have attended a game at the Stadium of Light—against West Brom in April. I got to meet club legends Kevin Ball and Gary Bennett as well as witness a dominant performance. Although I was gutted we didn’t score, experiencing the incredible atmosphere at the SOL helped me return home at least somewhat satisfied.
Of course, our recent demolitions of Newcastle all deserve honourable mentions as well!
Do you have any future activities planned?
I am currently completing my postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex, and I plan on returning to the U.S. this summer for law school. Before I leave, though, I plan on doing some more traveling around the UK and Europe. Regardless of where life takes me in the future, I am proud to call myself a Sunderland supporter, and I look forward to cheering the team on week in and week out for many years to come.