The Black Cats: Meet the Author Teaching Young Mackems SAFC Folklore
Written by Gabrielle Wilkinson on 31st October 2025
The Black Cats, a new children’s book by Victoria Downes exploring SAFC folklore, hit bookstore shelves October 3 2025.
Illustrated by Lorraine Hall, with a foreword by club historian Rob Mason, the book explores the history behind the famous Black Cat nickname associated with Sunderland AFC, including how a cat snuck into Wembley to help SAFC win the FA Cup!
Speaking to Spark Sunderland, Downes said: “I think there is a real need for younger generations to have resources that can inform them about the history and heritage of the culture that surrounds them.”
Available at independent fan shop A Love Supreme, from the 5 November, ALS told Spark Sunderland: “We stock various books from local authors and when Victoria got in touch, we were more than happy to give her a platform to sell this book.”
Sunderland AFC has been known as The Black Cats since a fan vote in 2000 saw the name beat The Mackem’s by 11%, to become the clubs official nickname. Accumulating 48% of the vote, the feline was awarded a formal affiliation with Sunderland AFC. However, the feline has been pawing its way into SAFC history for much further back than the turn of the century. The 1937 FA Cup final between Sunderland AFC and Preston North End saw a young fan sneak a black cat into the iconic stadium; proving to be a good luck charm, SAFC went on to win 3-1.
“SAFC is the beating heart of the city”, Downes told Spark Sunderland.
ALS said: “I think with the clubs Til the End campaign, The Black Cats has taken on a different meaning recently.” Unveiled before the playoff semi final against Coventry on May 13, 2025, a large black cat TIFO accompanied the slogan ‘Til the End’. Serving as a good omen, SAFC progressed into the famous final that promoted them to the Premier League, in the very last second (121:59) after a wonder header from defender Dan Ballard.
To order the book, visit: ALS or Waterstones
