The Sunderland Stories to chronicle Black Cats' adventures, powered by CounterPress

A new independent media title, dedicated to the past, present and future of Sunderland, is to make the CounterPress network its home this summer.

The Sunderland Stories will deliver insight, analysis and engaging features, focusing on the club's rich history, as well as current fortunes on Wearside.

The site will be led by lifelong supporter Keith Chapman, who has followed Sunderland home and away for more than 40 years. A contributor to Sunderland's multi-award-winning official matchday programme for over two decades, he has since edited the official programmes of Premier League and EFL clubs Burnley and Stockport County, earning numerous industry awards along the way.

Members of The Sunderland Stories can expect independent news, analysis, interviews and features delivered with the passion of a lifelong supporter and the rigour of an experienced sports journalist.

This will include news, views, analysis, interviews and features – an outlet which gets right under the skin of Sunderland, and will provide the sort of in-depth coverage unavailable in the mainstream media, who have abandoned proper coverage of all but the Big Six elite.

Keith said: "I'm hugely excited to launch this new service for Sunderland supporters.

"The Sunderland Stories is here to tell stories past, present and future with depth and an enthusiasm that can only be provided by a lifelong supporter who has followed the club through thick and thin – from relegation to Division Three/League One to seeing the Lads getting into Europe against the odds on the final day of the Premier League season and plenty more.

"It will be produced with a genuine love for the club and I'm really looking forward to this exciting opportunity to cover our wonderful club.”

The Sunderland Stories’ early interest waiting list is now open, ahead of a full launch after the World Cup.

Black Cats supporters keen to explore the platform can secure an exclusive discount on membership by adding their details to the mailing list today.

The site is the latest in a succession of outlets covering the Premier League, EFL and National League to make CounterPress their home.

It joins the likes of The Moonraker (Swindon Town), From Bromley With Love (Bromley), For Fox Sake (Leicester City), The Brighton Base (Brighton & Hove Albion), The Quartermen (Wycombe Wanderers), Leyton Orientear (Leyton Orient), The Monkey’s Uncle (Hartlepool United), The Biscuit (Reading), The Phoenix (Coventry City), Full Throstle (West Bromwich Albion), Saturday White Fever (Fulham), The 1878 (Manchester United), and The Wanderers Post (Wolves).

CounterPress offers the technical infrastructure and industry knowledge and support that journalists and creators need to build their own media brand.

Co-founder Sam Morshead said: “Keith has a rich personal association with Sunderland, and that love for and knowledge of his club is bound to shine through in the coverage his site will generate.”

“At a time when regional newspaper coverage of sport across the country is in a fragile place, new independent media offers a bright future – and I’m delighted Keith has chosen CounterPress to go on the journey with him.”