In memoriam on the passing of 84-year-old Sunderland AFC crippled champion Freda Oyston

“Two real Sunderland supporters who will be sorely missed”

Freda Oyston, a devoted Sunderland supporter who assisted the team’s disabled fans for many years, has received tributes.

On April 11, Freda Oyston, previously Murray, died in the University Hospital of North Durham at the age of 84, after a brief illness.

She served as secretary of the Sunderland Disabled and Escorts Supporters Branch from the middle of the 1990s to the last few years.

For more than 25 years, she and her late husband Eddie Oyston—who passed away in 2021—helped thousands of people—both able-bodied and disabled—get tickets, transportation, and parking for Sunderland AFC’s home and away games.

She was committed to this, and occasionally Freda and Eddie would perform these tasks without charging for them.

In the early 1980s, she got to know Eddie and together they operated the Durham Supporters Branch bus to away games. They used their own car to bring a variety of disabled supporters to home games.

Over the years, the pair grew close to numerous SAFC officials, coaches, and players.

During the construction of the Stadium of Light and Wembley Stadium, Freda provided feedback on disabled access and facilities to Sir Bob Murray, the former chairman and owner of Sunderland AFC.

Karl Guy, Freda’s grandson, wrote the following for the SAFC fanzine A Love Supreme: “We would like to arrange a round of applause for Freda and Eddie, as they were married in 2003, for the home game vs Millwall on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the third minute.

“I think they should be remembered together as two true Sunderland supporting legends that will be missed by many.”

Longtime friend Roy Mills stated: “My family and I have viewed Freda and Eddie as great friends and we were always willing to help in any way since our first meeting at Bradford in 1987.”

“We are certain that many of their supporters will also feel a huge sense of loss for them both.

“I appreciate the time we had together and say goodbye to my old friend. RIP.”

Freda’s funeral is scheduled on Friday, May 10 at 1.30 p.m. at St Aidan’s Church, Front Street, Framwellgate Moor. Kindly refrain from wearing football jerseys; scarves are acceptable. family exclusively for the subsequent cremation.