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Hundreds have paid tribute to a lifelong football fan who was "the supporter of the century" at a memorial service.
Chairman of the Sunderland Supporters' Association George Forster died in February at the age of 99, eight months away from his 100th birthday.
The SAFC fan had supported the Black Cats since 1934 and attended a home game with Crystal Palace just two weeks before his death.
Founder of Sunderland's Heaven Branch Joanne Youngson said Forster, from Seaham, was "the king of merchandise", selling scarves outside the grounds before it had become standard in football.
"There's not many generations of fans that don't know George," she told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"He knew everybody and everybody loved him."
Sunderland club historian Rob Mason said players "adored" Forster and he was often invited to have tea with the managers.
He joined the Supporters' Association shortly after it was formed in 1965 and was a sales manager within a year.
"No trip to an away game was complete without George persuading you that you desperately needed to buy a new scarf or hat," Mason said.
Forster and the supporter's organisation also had a "tiny little shop" at Roker Park where they would sell rosettes and scarves, Youngson said.
"He was the king of merchandise before merchandise really became a thing in football," she said.
"Even when England played at Roker Park with Germany, he made a lot of stuff to sell to the Germans.
"He was always selling something."
'Red and white to the core'
Forster retired as chairman of the association at the end of 2021.
Mason said "no one was happier than George" to see the team's success in the 2025-2026 season.
"He was red and white to the core and a supporter for a century," he said.
"Indeed, George was the supporter of the century just as his hero Charlie Hurley was the player of the century."
Forster was laid to rest in Sunderland on Monday following a procession which took him past the Stadium of Light one last time.
Hundreds of people were at the memorial service at Sunderland Minster, including former players. Kevin Ball was among those who carried Forster's coffin.
Youngson added fans had travelled from as far as Northern Ireland and Iceland to pay their respects.
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