The Fans Museum celebrate two years of Fans Hub by playing at the Stadium of Light
Two years on from using jumpers for goalposts during their first football session at Thompson Park in Southwick, an initiative from The Fans Museum has soared in popularity, resulting in local people having the chance to play at the Stadium of Light during the summer of 2025.
Former Sunderland AFC player Keiron Brady took the first session back in July 2023, which saw fewer than 20 people arrive following an open invitation to people across social media.
Fast-forward to 2025, and over 40 people from across Sunderland took part in a game at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland AFC Chief Business Officer, David Bruce, supported the Fans Hub to help them celebrate the milestone.
The Fans Hub football sessions were created with the help of NHS funding supporting the original pilot scheme.
The Fans Hub football sessions were created to use the power of sport to connect communities, to improve mental and physical health and encourage people to speak about their health issues.
The initiative has since expanded into a structured weekly programme, providing engaging football sessions for all ages and fitness abilities.
More so, it has become a safe space where members can improve their mental wellbeing, access professional help, build new friendships and gain ongoing support through shared experience.
Steve Cassidy, 40, was the first member to arrive at the football sessions back in 2023. Steve became instrumental in running the logistics of the group – collecting subscriptions, organising sessions and becoming a mentor to new people joining the action.
Due to the extra time and effort Steve donated to the group, he was chosen to lead a team, including his dad and son, out at the Stadium of Light as captain.
Steve Cassidy said:
“It was a surreal moment to lead my family out at the Stadium of Light. I still get emotional thinking about the day and how much the entire group has progressed since those early days.
“The Fans Hub football sessions have been a huge outlet for me and my family. I’ve struggled with anxiety and continue to battle with my own mental health, but these sessions have been extremely important for me and the wider group.
“Thanks to The Fans Hub football sessions, my dad lost seven stone and instilled confidence in my son to be part of a team – he now plays for a local team and is loving his football. This wouldn’t be possible without Michael Ganley and all of the team at The Fans Museum and the lads who turned up weekly.
“I can’t speak highly enough of our group – we have created an inclusive space where there is so much encouragement and positivity on the pitch. We truly welcome all people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities and levels of fitness to come play, get some exercise and make new friends.”
Kieron Brady, who coached the first sessions, explained how the project has grown into something much greater than he initially imagined.
“Working with Michael, the team at The Fans Museum and the guys who came to our sessions has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve seen a huge improvement in physical health, and also watched our members build new friendships with one another. To see the guys playing at the Stadium of Light is a testament to Michael and his team at The Fans Museum.”
Michael Ganley, Founder of The Fans Museum, said:
“Creating The Fans Hub has allowed us to bring the magic, experience and purpose of The Fans Museum to our local communities.
“The football sessions have not only helped people improve their physical health, but it has also enabled our attendees to grow their social lives by creating new friendships and connections through a shared love of sport and Sunderland AFC.
“The guys walking out onto the Stadium of Light pitch is something that will live long in the memory. Their excitement and thrill of playing on the same turf as their heroes is something they will cherish forever. I’m so pleased that The Fans Museum was able to give them that moment through The Fans Hub.”
The Fans Hub sessions were kicked off with NHS funding from Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group, which has since been replaced by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB).
David Gallagher, the ICB’s Chief Contracting and Procurement Officer, said:
“We were pleased to help the Fans Hub get started because it’s so well placed to bring all sorts of people together through a shared interest in football.
“But this was always about more than football: bringing people together like this makes such a difference to people’s mental health and physical wellbeing. Most importantly, it gives people their sense of belonging back.
“It can be difficult to ask for help with your mental health, particularly for men, but the Fans Hub makes it so much easier. Listening to people who play at the hub, it’s clear just how much they value it as a positive part of their lives.”
David Bruce, Chief Business Officer at Sunderland AFC, said:
“We’re proud to support The Fans Museum and the incredible work they are doing through The Fans Hub football sessions.
To see local people, families and friends enjoying the Stadium of Light in such a positive way is something truly special, and we’re delighted the Club could play a part in celebrating this milestone.”
