Sunderland honour supporters' chief George Forster for life-long commitment to club

The 89-year old star of the 2016-17 season card campaign, which has seen prices throughout the Stadium of Light reduced to the cheapest in more than a decade, has been given a free ticket for life by the club as a thank you for his many, many years of support.

George attended his first game at the club’s former home of Roker Park as a small child with his father in the 1930s and has followed the Black Cats home and away for decades.

As he approaches his milestone 90th birthday, George still runs the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association from his shop within sight of the Stadium of Light, where he is a familiar sight to fans on matchdays.

He is also an active and valued member of the club’s supporter liaison groups.

George was presented with his season card by manager Sam Allardyce at the club’s Academy of Light training headquarters yesterday, where the two shared a cup of tea and talked all things Sunderland.

Speaking about the spritely veteran, Sam said: “George is a familiar face to everyone associated with Sunderland and his dedication to the club epitomises everything that is great about our supporters.

"The level of commitment that he has shown, both to the team and the Supporters' Association, is truly humbling, and it was an absolute privilege for me to present him with a lifetime season card.

“Talking to him was fascinating. He really knows his football, like every Sunderland fan I have met, and we shared many stories about the old days of Roker Park.”