A SUNDERLAND supporter has gone above and beyond to make sure he’s at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (May 21) for the club’s playoff final after travelling more than 9000 miles from Australia to cheer on his beloved team.

When the Black Cats face Wycombe Wanderers at 3pm in the League One Playoff Final – thousands of fans will pack in Wembley down in London, including devout Sunderland fan Antony Seymour.

Despite living in Perth, Australia, for the last 15 years, Mr Seymour travelled home to Coxhoe in Durham on Thursday evening – and will stay until Sunday, hoping to see Sunderland roar to victory.

Read more: LIVE: Sunderland vs Wycombe (Build-up to League One play-off final)

Supporting the North East football team his whole life, the 46-year-old will join his four brothers John, Brad, Joseph and Toby, and other family members Matthew, Lennon and Charlotte to travel down on the train. All the family are also Sunderland mad, having season tickets at the Stadium of Light.

While making the 18,000 mile journey on its own would be overwhelming, Antony has made the journey over to the North East while his partner is pregnant back in Australia.

The Northern Echo: Antony Seymour in London yesterday ahead of the playoff final. Picture; ANTONY SEYMOUR.Antony Seymour in London yesterday ahead of the playoff final. Picture; ANTONY SEYMOUR.

Now that Antony is back in the UK, we caught up with his mum, Rita Seymour, who believes her son is “utterly crazy” for his football commitment but says that the family are excited to have him back.

She told The Northern Echo: “Antony and his brothers have been Sunderland man all their lives – they take after their dad, Dougie, who is 73 and has followed the club always.

The Northern Echo: The scene in London last night as Sunderland fans arrive in the capital for the crunch match. Picture: ANTONY SEYMOUR.The scene in London last night as Sunderland fans arrive in the capital for the crunch match. Picture: ANTONY SEYMOUR.

“He might be a little crazy – but he’s positive and not nervous about the playoff final. Fingers crossed they’ll come back celebrating and not disappointed.

“All of them are season ticket holders, and I want Sunderland to do well.

“This is the first time that he’s done something like this, and hopefully it will be worthwhile for him.”  

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