Jody Linskill is travelling all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah, to see Sunderland face Charlton Athletic in the League One Play-Off final and we thought we would get in touch to see what it is like to be a Sunderland fan in America.
Hi Jody, thanks for joining us. Easy question first, how and why are you a Sunderland fan?
I was always going to be a Sunderland fan; my big bro wouldn’t have allowed anything else!
My Grandpa was born in 1901 and went to both the 1937 and 73 cup finals (along with my dad in 73). They, alongside my brother Damian had season tickets at Roker park for decades. I unfortunately was born in Newcastle (the source of much ridicule from my Mackem and Geordie mates alike) and Damian made sure I could never be swayed by from an early age buying me kits, footballs etc. I moved down to Bournemouth when I was five and he continued to buy me Sunderland everything and started taking me to matches when I was old enough.
What as the first game you attended as a fan?
I actually can’t quite remember which match it was (is that weird?) I think I was eight or nine and it was against Bournemouth. We played them in the league and cup in 89/90, but I’ve only got vague memories of it.
I remember my first game at Roker though…….it was Vs Tranmere rovers in April 1994. I was 13 at the time and although I’d seen the ground (I’d gone up with my dad before to see Oxford at Roker Park, but it got called off due to rain), I’d never been inside. I was brought up on stories of that place and I remember walking up the steps of the Fulwell end, seeing the pitch and just bursting into tears of happiness that I’d finally got to see it! Phil Gray scored after one minute, Craig Russell after three and Gray added a third after 22 mins! I just couldn’t believe the noise and the massive surge forward when we scored! We then almost went full Sunderland and conceded two goals in 10 mins. I remember my last match at Roker beating Chelsea 3-0. I was in the Clock Stand Paddocks in line with the penalty spot that day and I vividly remember Kevin Ball (my favourite ever Sunderland player) launching himself at the ball directly in line with my eyes for a diving header. God, I loved that ground!
You are attending the game this weekend, how hard a decision was that to make considering the travel, costs and time off work etc?
I was heartbroken to miss the Checkatrade final, but it was the weekend I started my new job over here in the states so there was no way I could make it. The massive pangs of jealousy seeing my bro and all my mates in Trafalgar square was almost harder to take than the defeat! I said after that, if we got to the playoff final there is no way, I’m missing it. Going to the matches with my brother is one of the things I miss the most while living over here. The flights were crazy expensive as its Memorial Day weekend, but my father in law coming helped “sell” it to the missus!
Work were pretty good because I only had to take one day off fortunately. You don’t get much holiday time off in the States and I’m maxed out going home for this coming Christmas. They think I’m completely mental, but even after two months they know how much Sunderland AFC means to me.
What is it like being a massive Sunderland fan in America?
Obviously as I mentioned, not being able to go to the match is massive. I thought before I got here, being so far away from it all the disconnect would be equally massive but it’s been okay.
Two things have helped beyond measure - first is SAFsee. Being able to watch the matches every Saturday has been brilliant, the time difference means that mid-week games are when I at work, but having that Saturday morning ritual of getting up grabbing coffee and watching the match with my recently indoctrinated father in law (obviously both decked out in Sunderland tops, scarfs and hats) is brilliant.
Secondly the SAFC NASA has been brilliant for me. There’s not many of us here in Utah, but there’s thousands of members across the states and just having people to chat to (on similar time zones) and who have the same pinning for matchday has been fantastic, the previous chairman Deggsy asked me to be the Utah rep before I even got here and all the reps are on a group chat that’s pretty active. I haven’t been as involved as I’d like, but next year I’m going to step it up a gear and organise some events (hopefully there more people attending then just me and my father in law!).
Also, when I do go to a match (this is the first since I moved over in February). It makes it expensive, but equally extra special. I even get asked to do cool things like this interview and I will be documenting my trip to Wembley this weekend. Finally, fingers crossed my new buddy Connor can help me to meet some of the players or even the god that walks amongst us (Kevin Ball) his weekend!
How important is the game to you this weekend?
This is the culmination of a year’s work, stress and emotion for us and the team… The turn around brought on by the new owners, players and manager is astounding and I can’t thank them all enough for giving us our club back and restoring our faith in the game. However not going up will be a considered a failure in my eyes, so it is vital to win, do or die!
Finally, what is your score prediction for the game?
I never make a prediction or bet on a Sunderland game. I’m crazy superstitious when it comes to us!
Don’t forget, if you are a Sunderland fan living abroad, you can join our International Membership scheme here.
And you can join our NASA here.
