Fans Museum to host wrestling event to help disadvantaged adults achieve football dream
“Every ticket purchased will directly support The Fans Hub and help our members move one step closer to achieving their dream of representing Sunderland in Germany”
The Fans Museum is hosting a professional wrestling event to raise money to help take a group of disadvantaged adults to play against a team from Essen in Germany, Sunderland’s twin city.
The Museum is looking to launch the Fans Inclusion Cup which will “celebrate the enduring partnership between the two cities while forging new friendships and cultural connections”.
The team will be made up of the Fans Hub, the museum’s outreach service to support men facing challenges including unemployment, social isolation, mental health barriers, and neurodiversity-related difficulties.
To fund the cost of trip, the museum needs to raise £18,000. As well as launching their own Crowdfunding appeal, the museum’s founder, Michael Ganley, has teamed up with North East based Colliery Community Wrestling (CCW) to put on professional wrestling bouts as part of a family fundraising day.
As well as witnessing the thrilling in-ring action, fans will have the opportunity to meet the stars of CCW Wrestling, collect autographs and pose for photographs.
There will also be plenty of interactive experiences, including the chance to “step up to the microphone”, and for those who’ve always dreamed of becoming a wrestling superstar, you'll have the opportunity to experience your very own ring entrance to your own choice of music.
Visitors can also enter a tombola and raffles for an array of prizes, and the bar will be open for beverages with Northern Crust providing a choice of food.
Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been given this opportunity to partner with CCW Wrestling for what promises to be a fantastic family day, they are going above and beyond to help us achieve our goal. Every ticket purchased will directly support The Fans Hub and help our members move one step closer to achieving their dream of representing Sunderland in Germany.
“This is much more than a fundraising event - it's about bringing the community together, promoting inclusion and creating life-changing opportunities for the people we support.
“For several participants, this will be their first experience of travelling beyond the North East. The opportunity to travel internationally represents a truly life-changing experience, broadening horizons, building confidence, and creating lasting memories.”
The Inclusion Cup is being backed by Sunderland AFC’s FA Cup winning captain Bobby Kerr, who will also be going on the trip.
In May (2026) Bobby joined Michael at the Fans Museum for the official opening of the Bobby Kerr Dementia Centre to support those afflicted by dementia across the city, including Bobby.
Michael added: “As the only living Sunderland captain to have lifted the FA Cup, Bobby’s involvement adds more significance to the trip. Despite living with dementia, Bobby continues to inspire others through his commitment to The Fans Museum and The Fans Hub. His participation reflects the project's core values of inclusion, community, friendship and creating meaningful memories through football.”
The CCW Wrestling Family Fundraising Day will take place on Saturday August 15th with doors opening at 11am. The main wrestling event will start at 5pm with the bouts concluding by 8pm.
The event is also being advertised on the CCW Facebook page. A spokesperson said: “Let’s fill the museum, create some amazing memories and raise as much money as possible for a truly fantastic cause. Football. Wrestling. Family. Community. One incredible day.”
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children and senior citizens and can be purchased via the link on the Fans Museum’s website.