RAYMOND F. ISAAC

About this brick

Born in Burma 1929, Raymond came to the northeast in the 50s. He lived in South Shields where his landlord introduced him to Sunderland. He took him to his first Sunderland game and also his first ever football match. From what Raymond describes, I believe his first game was in 1957 against Newcastle United, a two nil win (not a bad first game). Raymond loved Sunderland and especially Roker Park. He loved the big crowds, the big sways in the stands and of the course the Roker Roar. He would get the bus to the ground and said the streets were packed and at times, he couldn't move. His favourite player was Charlie Hurley and still to this day chants his name in the care home he lives in now. Raymond worked away at sea so there were times when he couldn't make the football but once he retired, he bought himself a season ticket. Fellow daughters, grandchildren and his wife Vera would follow in Raymond's steps and support Sunderland. As a kid Raymond would take me to the Stadium of Light, most of the time we weren't even playing. We enjoyed walking around the ground, going to the club shop and visit the Bob Stokoe statue. For years we did our best to find his brick but we couldn't find it. Until one day we found his certificate in his room, as soon as we found the certificate, we got on the metro and found his brick. Raymond is an inspirational Sunderland fan. Due to the colour of his skin, he would have to deal with racist comments in the stands when racism was at its peak. However, Raymond loves socialising and would chat to his fellow supporters despite what they thought of him. In fact, most people loved him! Raymond is now settled in a care home and still to this day, his memory of Sunderland is excellent and we always talk about Sunderland together. Despite not being able to go to the games now, he still very keen to know how we are doing. As a tribute to my Granda Raymond alongside my Granny Vera, I have purchased one of the flagstones on Legends Way as he will always be part of Sunderland AFC. The question I would love to know, is Raymond one of the first people if not the first person to come from Asia and support Sunderland?