Sunderland seagull soars over SAFC pitches through the years in new book

After the popularity of her first children’s book, called Stanley the Seagull, Sunderland author Pauline Waters has released her second book about a bird which is synonymous with Sunderland.

This time around, the eponymous gull is travelling around the city to fly over SAFC football grounds past and present, The Blue House, The Cedars, The Grove, Dolly Field, Abbs Field, Newcastle Road, Roker Park and the Stadium of Light.

Along the way, he makes a pit stop at many Sunderland landmarks, such as Crozier’s for fish and chips, Wearmouth Bridge and The Fans’ Museum before returning to his home at the Cat and Dog Steps.

"I had a really good reaction to the first book. It sold around 300 copies and many went all over the world to ex-pats who liked all the local references. I even had orders from as far afield as Singapore and New Zealand,” explained Pauline, who lives off Chester Road.

The great-grandma was inspired by drawings her great grand children, Joshua, Lexie, Erin, Kieran, Emilie and Johnny, would make for her of the local seabirds.

The former Farringdon Infant School teacher enlisted the help of illustrator Graeme Wilkinson who uses the children’s original drawings as a basis for Stanley.

For the second instalment in Stanley’s story, Pauline also worked with Michael Ganley from the Fans Museum in Monkwearmouth.

Pauline said: “The children loved the first book and it inspired them to do some more drawings. They also have an interest in SAFC, so for this book Stanley follows the blue plaque trail of the old grounds.

"Michael from the Fans Museum has been so supportive.”

All proceeds from the book will be donated to St Benedict’s Hospice in Ryhope.

*Stanley the Seagull loves SAFC is priced £7.99 and is available to buy from Sunderland Museum, the Carnival Kitchen in Southwick, Gary’s Kiosk at the Cat and Dog Steps, Sue’s Cafe in Roker and Fulwell Post Office in Sea Road.

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