Sunderland reveal the ‘deadly serious’ meaning behind their decision to revert back to ‘iconic’ and much loved club crest.
The Championship outfit are participating in Green Football Weekend, a campaign raising awareness about climate change, by modifying their iconic coastal crest to show potential impacts of rising sea levels.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts like Green Football’s Great Save, which encourages football communities to reduce waste and combat climate change through actions like reusing old kits.
Some areas of Sunderland, particularly low-lying coastal spots like Roker Beach, could face flooding risks if sea levels rise significantly, as noted in projections about UK regions vulnerable to climate change.
An iconic crest returns – with a twist – for #GreenFootballWeekend, highlighting the potential impact of rising sea levels 🚢🌊 pic.twitter.com/EsapMa989i
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 14, 2025
This weekend, we will proudly display a unique crest as the Club highlights the devastating effects of climate change.
To mark #GreenFootballWeekend, our iconic coastal crest will be altered to demonstrate the potential impact of rising sea levels 💚⤵️
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 14, 2025
⛈️ Climate change is already hitting close to home…
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 14, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Sunderland AFC’s playing wear will proudly display a unique crest this weekend, as the Club utilises its platform to highlight the devastating effects of climate change.
To mark the global spotlight on Green Football’s Great Save initiative, the first-of-its-kind activation will see Sunderland’s iconic coastal crest altered to demonstrate the potential impact of rising sea levels.
Since 1880, global average sea levels have risen 21–24 centimetres and predictions estimate that parts of the English coastline could be submerged by 2050, including the iconic Roker Pier and Sunderland Marina.
The highest temperature in any year since 1850 was recorded in 2024 (Met Office) and the speed at which the temperature is increasing is having devastating impacts on our planet, including heatwaves, flooding, droughts, wildfires, rising sea levels, and health risks.
Those increasingly volatile weather conditions are also impacting the here and now in the North East, with 2023’s Storm Babet leading to significant structural damage to Roker Pier, which remains closed.
120,000 football matches, including fixtures on Wearside, are cancelled each year due to flooding, and in 25 years, it’s predicted that a quarter of Club stadiums will flood annually.
This latest Club initiative forms part of its Ready Eco sustainability strategy, which underlines our aspiration to become energy-sufficient from renewable sources by 2028 and achieving net zero by 2040.
The strategy is underpinned by a proposed solar development at the Club’s training ground, one of the largest in the UK, which would produce an estimated yield of 26,192.4MWh and could offset the equivalent annual energy needs of 9,421 homes within the region, whilst contributing to local and national carbon reduction targets.’
Saturday’s player-issued match-worn shirts will also be auctioned off to raise valuable funds for the EFL’s Green Football Initiative and the Foundation of Light’s sustainability projects.
FoL’s Kicks and study programmes educate young people by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to understand and address environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Through interactive lessons, real-world case studies, and hands-on projects, learners explore how to reduce carbon footprints, promote circular economies, and implement sustainable solutions in various industries.
To celebrate the introduction of our former crest and to champion the Green Football initiative, Fanatics are offering an exclusive discount to those who visit in-store and donate an item of old kit, including boots.
Available on adult and kids away kits until Friday 28 March, fans can pick up an adult away shirt for £28 and junior sizes for £23 following their donation.
Supporters can also play their part at home by following the steps below:
Instead of throwing kit away, pass your kit on to someone who needs it or extend your kit’s life by reusing, repairing or upcycling, keeping it in use for longer. The Foundation of Light is taking donations of kits to be redistributed to those in need.
Low-impact solutions include upgrading to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, running clothes on cold washes and hanging them to dry.
Making sure to recycle both at home and at work can also stop waste going to landfill.
More moderate solutions can involve choosing a hybrid vehicle, cutting out red meat or even going fully plant based.
Finally, to take huge leaps, you could switch to a 100% renewable energy supplier or install green energy solutions. You could also factor climate into more of your travel decisions, including where to holiday and how to get there.
Whatever you do, make sure to record your Great Save by visiting greenfootball.org to win prizes that reward your positive actions.
Twitter users reacted as Sunderland reveal ‘deadly serious’ meaning behind the decision to revert back to the ‘iconic’ club crest…
@christo93262782: Release that kit please
@keiran_ferry: If Hummel think they’ve got another cash grab on their hands by selling a limited number of these they’d be absolutely fucking right
@KieranHartley8: This needs releasing tho
@_JamesChallinor: Release this kit now and donate the profits 😍 #safc
@DomKnight__: Lovely stuff, i’m sure this will cause a sensible reaction on here
@SAFCTC: Amazing how raising awareness for rising sea levels, especially as a coastal city, has caused an uproar
@_RGRZ: I know it’s for a different cause but fuck me that old badge on the home kit 😍
@smnoble12: Looks great, but disappointing how many people seemingly don’t believe in climate change 🙈
@wilton: Howling at the fucking eejits screaming about “keep politics out of football” in the replies man, these lot are off the deep end
@_harrymcbeth: This is very cool. Club have had a lot of very good initiatives this year surrounding the shirt are probably only possible because of the strong deal they’ve now got with Hummel. Have to commend them on that.
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