TAIWAN SUPPORTERS CLUB BRANCH
Contact: Stephen Coates
Tel: +886 975 326764
Email: taiwanmackems@gmail.com
Twitter: @taiwanmackems
To find out more about the Taiwan branch check out the Q&A below.
Q: What inspired you to support Sunderland?
A: My dads side of the family always supported the lads, and my first real recollection of Sunderland was the 1973 cup run and obviously the win over Leeds!
Q: Have you watched Sunderland ‘til I die on Netflix and what did you think of it?
A: I’ve watched it twice and I think they’ve done a marvelous job of capturing the essence of SAFC, and what it’s like to be a supporter through thick and through thin.
Q: What time are the Sunderland matches on in Taiwan and do you watch them with any other supporters?
A: My wife and I both stay up, or get up to watch the games. During the winter we’re 8 hours ahead, and in summer 7, so that makes 3.00pm kick offs 10pm, or 11pm for us, and night games we have to get up early hours of the morning! I start work at 5.00am most days and so midweek games are brutal!
Q: What was the first Sunderland match you ever watched? Can you remember the score?
A: Bolton Wanderers at home in 1973/74. Tuesday November 13th and we won 3-0. I’ve still got the match day programme. It was a night game and back then we had a black and white TV, so seeing a match under the floodlights was amazing, and in colour!
Q: How long have you been supporting Sunderland for?
A: My Dad will probably say since I was 6, so that would be 48 years, although 46 years as far back as I remember.
Q: Roughly, how many Sunderland fans are there in Taiwan now that you know of?
A: I know of another couple of fans in Taiwan aside of my wife and I, but we’re hoping to push on and gather up some momentum. I also plan to try and connect all the branches in and around Asia, so watch this space over the summer!
Q: What are your plans for the Taiwan branch?
A: Firstly the aim is to establish a base of fans who will get together for some good banter, be it to talk wins and loses, or just life as a Mackem overseas! Then kick on from there by connecting up with the other Asia Branches. I travel a lot around Asia for work, so being able to meet up with fans for example in China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore or Thailand would be amazing!