Sunderland AFC club chaplain Father Marc Lynden Smith has published a new book titled Faith and Football, exploring the profound links between sport and spirituality. The book, officially released this week and retailing at £7.95, draws from his 14 years of service to the Black Cats and his lifelong passion for the club.
Father Marc, a parish priest born in Hebburn, became a prominent figure through the Netflix documentary Sunderland Til’ I Die. His publisher initially requested a book about saints, but the project evolved into a literary analysis of football's spiritual dimensions. "It’s a common saying in the North East that football is like a religion and and for many fans, going to a Sunderland match has many similarities to going to church, with the Stadium of Light very much a cathedral of sport," Father Marc said. He spoke about the book at a signing event with the Sunderland AFC Senior Supporters Association at the stadium on Monday, September 7.
The book contains chapters examining the test of faith for players and coaches, the unique passion surrounding Sunderland AFC, and the intense rivalry with Newcastle United. It also identifies saints with connections to sport. Father Marc looks at Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of sport, and Saint Luigi Scrosoppi, who became the patron saint of football. He also notes Saint Rita and mentions that Saint John Paul II was a massive football fan who played as a goalkeeper.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, a noted Liverpool supporter, contributed the foreword. Father Marc believes the book's themes of community and shared experience will appeal to people who aren't necessarily football fans. Over 2,000 copies have already been sold, with the book proving particularly popular in Glasgow. It is available for purchase from Amazon and a range of bookstores.
Father Marc connects the club's recent trials directly to themes of faith and perseverance. He referenced the four years Sunderland spent in League One over the past decade, a period he described as testing the faith of the supporters. That faith, he suggests, has been rewarded with the club's current Premier League status. Sunderland currently sit 12th in the table with 4 points from their first three matches, following a draw, a win, and a loss. They have scored 3 goals and conceded 3, leaving them with a zero goal difference and 5 points behind early leaders Manchester City.
Many local priests are dedicated football followers, with Father Marc noting that several he knows hold season tickets for Sunderland, Newcastle, and even some non-league clubs. This blend of local identity, sporting passion, and community spirit forms the core of his writing.
The book launch comes as the team prepares for a significant challenge in their fixtures. Their next match is a home game against Arsenal, who are 2nd in the table, on September 12. The squad will be without Habib Diarra, who is currently sidelined. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings as the season develops. Father Marc Lynden Smith's Faith and Football offers a reflective pause amid the ongoing campaign, framing the eternal hopes of supporters within a broader spiritual context. The club's next Premier League fixture is at the Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026.
