SAFC legend Bobby Kerr and the Fans Museum look to launch Inclusion Cup with Sunderland's twin city
“Bobby continues to inspire others through his commitment to The Fans Museum and The Fans Hub”
Sunderland AFC’s 1973 FA Cup winning captain, Bobby Kerr, is teaming up with the Fans Museum to launch the The Fans Inclusion Cup, which will provide an opportunity for disadvantaged adults in the city to take on a team in Essen, Germany, Sunderland’s twin city since 1949.
And to help make it happen, Black Cats legend Bobby and Fans Museum founder, Michael Ganley, are calling on local businesses and people in the local community to help raise the £18,000 to fund the initiative.
The team will be made up of the Fans Hub, the museum’s outreach service to support men facing challenges including unemployment, social isolation, mental health barriers, and neurodiversity-related difficulties.
Michael said: “For several participants, this will be their first experience of travelling beyond the North East. The opportunity to travel internationally represents a truly life-changing experience, broadening horizons, building confidence, and creating lasting memories.
“The opportunity to represent Sunderland on an international stage, experience a different culture and build relationships through football will provide invaluable benefits in confidence, self-esteem and personal development.
“The trip marks an opportunity to strengthen a relationship that has existed for more than 75 years. The Fans Hub team will become the first football side to represent Sunderland in a fixture in Essen, celebrating the enduring partnership between the two cities while forging new friendships and cultural connections.”
Also joining Michael and the team of 20 players on the trip will be FA Cup winning captain and Black Cats legend, Bobby Kerr.
In May (2026) Bobby joined Michael at the Fans Museum for the official opening of the Bobby Kerr Dementia Centre to support those afflicted by dementia across the city, including Bobby.
Michael said: “As the only living Sunderland captain to have lifted the FA Cup, Bobby’s involvement adds more significance to the trip. Despite living with dementia, Bobby continues to inspire others through his commitment to The Fans Museum and The Fans Hub. His participation reflects the project's core values of inclusion, community, friendship and creating meaningful memories through football.
“The trip will also coincide with the third anniversary of The Fans Hub. In the same way that Sunderland AFC proudly represents the city around the world, The Fans Hub will carry Sunderland's identity, heritage and community spirit to Germany.
“We hope this fixture will become the foundation of a long-term sporting relationship between Sunderland and Essen, with aspirations to establish an annual home-and-away competition that strengthens cultural, sporting and community ties between the two cities.”
To help raise the £18,000 to make the trip happen, Michael has set-up a Crowdfunding appeal, but has also called on local businesses to donate prizes for an upcoming fundraising raffle.
Michael said: “The Fans Museum is inviting individuals, businesses and organisations to become custodians of this vision by supporting the fundraising campaign and helping establish a dedicated trophy that will serve as a lasting symbol of the Sunderland-Essen connection.
“If your business or organisation would be interested in supporting us by sponsoring or hosting a raffle card, we would love to hear from you. You can also donate to our Crowdfunder. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help make this life-changing opportunity possible for our participants.”