What do Sunderland fans get called?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Supporters of Sunderland Association Football Club are universally and proudly known as Mackems, a term that also applies to anyone born and raised in the city of Sunderland. The origin of the word is traditionally linked to local shipbuilding history, where workers would boast that they "make 'em and take 'em" regarding ships built on the River Wear. Additionally, throughout the club's long history, fans have been referred to as Rokerites—a nostalgic nod to their legendary former home ground, Roker Park, before the club relocated to the Stadium of Light in 1997. Furthermore, since the early 2000s following an official public vote, the team and its followers have embraced the nickname The Black Cats, cementing an identity tied closely to historical club imagery, fierce local loyalty, and a passionate footballing community that travels in massive numbers across the United Kingdom.

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