Campaign for commemorative plaque on former centre circle of Roker Park goes viral as thousands back idea

A campaign to install a commemorative Sunderland AFC plaque on the roundabout which marks what was once the centre circle at Roker Park has gone viral with thousands of people already backing the idea.

Roker Park was the iconic home of the Black Cats from 1898 to 1997 before the club moved to its new home at the Stadium of Light.

While the stadium built on what was Wearmouth Colliery is in the process of creating its own historical legacy, to many older Black Cats fans, Roker Park and the Roker Roar will always represent the club’s spiritual home.

Whilst Gav Blakey, 41, was only a schoolboy when Roker Park closed, it has made a lasting impression which he wants to see recognised and passed on to younger generations.

Gav and fellow campaign founder Ged Mullen-Buick have explained why the appeal means so much to them.

Gav, from Houghton-le-Spring, said: “My mam and dad actually met at Roker Park and I had a season ticket in the Fulwell End from the age of two.

“The biggest memory I have is of the 1992 FA Cup quarter final when Gordon Armstrong scored the winner with a header. I was only seven-years-old, but I just remember the noise and being lifted off my feet.

“I know some of the streets are named after old stands, but standing here today, if you have never been to Roker Park, you wouldn’t know it was ever here.”

Ged, 41, also from Houghton-le-Spring, added: “I was 12 when Roker Park closed. But my older brother is a massive SAFC fan and the importance of Roker Park has always been passed on to me, yet there’s no football or club related plaque to mark its significance.”

The duo were inspired to launch the campaign after seeing similar plaques marking what was the centre circle at the sites of other former iconic grounds.

Ged said: “There’s one in Manchester, on what was the centre circle at Maine Road, where Highbury once stood there is a plaque in the middle of the green, and there’s also one in Southampton at what was The Dell.

“The club are doing a lot at the moment in terms of nostalgia, with the retro shirts and installation of the Welcome to Sunderland sign, and building on that, we feel its important recognise the site of what was such a big part of the club’s history.”

Gav added: “The Stadium of Light is still building its history, with moments like Dan Ballard’s goal in the play-offs against Coventry, but the bulk of the club’s history remains at Roker Park - even league title wins.

“Standing here now, I can picture the different ends of Roker Park. Having the plaque on what was the centre circle would allow people to come down here with their kids and have a reference point to talk about what it was like.”

After designing the campaign support page over the weekend, graphic designer Ged launched it on Monday and they have been “amazed” by the response.

Ged said: “We’ve already got nearly 2,300 signatures and the page has been shared by all the fans’ groups and the Fans’ Museum. All the comments have been really positive.”

The duo now plan to take the signatures to both the club and the City Council to “try and make it happen”.

Gav said: “Next year will mark 30 years since Roker Park closed and it would be fantastic to think we could install the plaque to help mark the anniversary.”

You can register your support via the webpage at https://rokerplaque.com/ where your name will be placed on a digital brick alongside other signatures.