We Are Sunderland has teamed up with Michael Ganley and his brilliant team at the Fans Museum Sunderland.

Throughout the course of our partnership, we'll be hosting events at the venue and be giving you an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes.

The unique museum has a huge collection of football memorabilia for Sunderland supporters from across the globe to see and even try on. They support all aspects of disabilities young and old, raising money for Alzheimer’s and Dementia charities, Veterans and so much more. 

"We’ve been here five years, now," Ganley told We Are Sunderland. "I’ve been a collector for 30-plus years and while I’ve been a collector the collections were getting bigger and bigger and I needed somewhere to house it really.

"So, I did a lot of external work and outreach projects and I was eventually offered this building and thought ‘why not take it?’

"It is different, simply because it’s the oldest, yet newest, thing on the block. We’ve got the only museum of its kind in the world, which is a powerful statement but there’s nowhere else in the world where you can come and wear match-worn items, lift up trophies and medals and see relics of old grounds and engage that way. And it’s run by true, passionate people."

Former players and staff are regulars at the venue before games, enjoying a trip down memory lane, with fans also indulging in a pre-match pint or two. 

Ganley said: "The club will always be at the forefront and the players you meet through business and different friendships and you evolve. But the collection hasn’t just stemmed from the last few years, I’ve been collecting for 35 years.

"I can remember getting my first autograph – it was John Cooke in 1980. We played West Ham and we beat them and he turned into the kitman years after. So it’s Cookey’s fault."

Ganley believes We Are Sunderland is the perfect opportunity to work alongside an exciting up and coming project.

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"I’m a believer in supporting the media," Ganley said. "I’m very tactile. I’ve got a collection of old Football Echo’s going back from 1900 to when it closed in 2014.

"I just love the idea of working with reputable organisations who cover stories and who are passionate amongst themselves.

"You meet some amazing people and why not share positivity. The world is full of darkness and football can be the bright light, really. That’s what we’re about."