Editorial Team
Senior Leadership
Danny Wright
Danny has been with Breaking Media for almost a decade, rising to become the company's Head of Editorial. Danny is an expert editor, with a specialist eye on SEO, planning, growth areas, and staff development. Danny graduated from Staffordshire University in 2016, and has previous experience writing for the Birmingham Mail and Macclesfield Town FC. Based in Staffordshire, Danny has been key in getting Mackem News off the ground, providing a one-stop shop for supporters to get all of their Sunderland news. Danny has covered all of the big stories on Mackem News since its launch in 2024, including the appointment and rise of Regis Le Bris, the famous Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United in 2025, and impressive return to the Premier League.
Josh Edwards
Josh is a massive Sunderland supporter from Durham and has history of writing (and podcasting!) about the Black Cats prior to earning a Sports Journalism degree in 2024. He's contributed to work for the Sunderland Echo, ALS Fanzine and several other outlets throughout the highs and lows on Wearside. From the depths of League One to the highs of the Premier League, he has experienced it all, while remaining a season ticket holder throughout. Josh joined Breaking Media in October 2024.
Mark Smith
Mark is the second-longest serving member of the Breaking Media team, rising through the ranks from writer to deputy editor. Mark is a highly skilled editor, with a particular expertise in headline writing, and finger on the pulse for trending content that fans love to read about. Mark graduated from Leeds Trinity University in 2018, and is based in Wakefield. He has covered Mackem News since it was launched, delivering in-depth analysis, and covering in detail the famous Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United in May 2025.
Pete Hanson
Pete moved to Breaking Media in 2023, initially as an assistant editor before being promoted to the Head of Editorial Standards. Pete has over a decade of experience in the industry, having previously worked for the Press Association and Stats Perform, covering all manner of major events live on the ground including the Tokyo Olympics and several Open Championships. He has degrees from both Leicester University and Sheffield Hallam, and is based in Sheffield. Pete's speciality is in talent development, and strategy planning, as well as looking at new content strands for Mackem News.
Daniel Lewis
Daniel joined Breaking Media in 2023, initially as a writer, but was promoted to deputy editor within a matter of months. After graduating from the University of South Wales, Daniel has previous experience working at Sports Mole and Stats Perform, covering major events such as Champions League finals and the World Cup. As well as being a hugely accomplished editor, Daniel is an expert is statistical analysis and trending topics. He has covered deep-dive analysis on Sunderland since the inception of Mackem News, highlighting the biggest topics at the club in that time – including the memorable Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United in May 2025.
Experts
Mackem News Speaking to Derek Ferguson
Mackem News is delighted to welcome former Sunderland star Derek Ferguson as one of it's exclusive pundits. Ferguson played for the Black Cats between 1993 and 1995, making 64 league appearances for the club. He's well known for playing for Rangers and Hearts as well as appearing nowadays on BBC Radio Scotland.
Keith Hackett
We are delighted to welcome Keith Hackett, one of the top 100 referees of all time, as our new columnist. Keith's refereeing career spanned over 19 years as he officiated in the Football League and Premier League and was FIFA listed for 10 years. From FA Cup finals to the European Championships and the from the PGMOL to writing books, it's harder to find anyone who knows more about refereeing than Keith.
Senior Contributors
Aheed Abrar
Aheed has been a senior writer at Breaking Media since 2024, joining the company after gaining his Masters in sports journalism from Sheffield Hallam University. With previous roles at Milkiyat, Youth Ki Awaaz, and FFO Sports publishing, Aheed has already accrued extensive experience in the industry. Based in Sheffield, Aheed is a transfer expert who has covered all the major signings and exits at Sunderland since the creation of Mackem News.
Richie Mills
Richie joined the Breaking Media team in January 2026, after building up an extensive catalogue in the journalism industry with likes of Goal and Wardle Whittell Agency. Based in London, Richie gained his sports journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon before starting his career in news and moving across to sports journalism. Richie is an expert in fan-engagement content, and also provides deep-dive features on Mackem News.
Contributors
Declan Carr
Declan joined the Breaking Media team as a writer in November 2024, after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with a Masters degree. Based in Liverpool, he has gained experience working at Sports Mole and Vavel, and is now an expert in breaking news and long-form opinion content. Declan has played a prominent role in exploring the viewpoints of Sunderland supporters in relation to their Premier League performances and the decisions made by majority stakeholder Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
Alex Oakhill
Alex is a long-time contributor to Mackem News, who specialises in long-form and deep-dive articles, as well as breaking news content.
Cameron Smith
Cameron joined the Breaking Media writing team in February 2026. He graduated from Birmingham City University in the summer of 2025, and has built up industry experience with Football League World, Bulinews.com and Vavel, as well as having work published by the Express&Star. Based in Staffordshire, Cameron is an expert on statistical analysis and data deep dives, providing extensive coverage of Sunderland's style of play.
Connor Bromley
Connor is a sports journalist, author and broadcaster who has worked for Roker Report, Sunderland AFC and the Daily Mirror. Covering Sunderland AFC since 2017, Connor has interviewed leading figures at the club from former owners and managers, to legendary players of the past like Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn and Kevin Ball. Connor joined Breaking Media in August 2025 and is currently working on their video content. He also has his own Sunderland YouTube channel dedicated to the club.
Jacob Raw
Jacob was appointed as a writer at Breaking Media in September 2025 after graduating from Teesside University. He built up his portfolio of work with the likes of the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club. Based in the north east, Jacob has a penchant for long-form opinion, and deep-dive content, helping to provide expert analysis of all the goings on at the Stadium of Light.
James Barker
James joined the Breaking Media writing team in December 2025, having graduated from the University of Sunderland 18 months prior, and gaining experience working at Football League World – where he had editing responsibility. Based in Durham, James specialises in writing long-form opinion and statistical pieces on Sunderland, diving deep into what supporters want to read about.
Max Wilkins
Max is a senior writer at Breaking Media after joining the company in the summer of 2024. He graduated from the University of Derby, and would go on to accrue experience in the industry at GRV Media and Vavel. Max works closely with former Premier League scout Bryan King, and is an expert in gaining exclusive content, as well as deep-dive statistical analysis. He has been influential in the company's coverage of Sunderland's highs and lows since joining the company, including coverage of the Championship play-off final triumph in the 2024-25 season.
Samuel Fabre
Samuel was hired to the writing team at Breaking Media in August 2025, having graduated Bournemouth University earlier that summer. During his studies, Samuel gained work experience with Get Football Group and Trill Magazine. Based in Oxford, Sam has covered Sunderland extensively since joining the company, with a laser focus on preview and matchday build-up content.
Scott Mason
Scott was hired as a football writer by Breaking Media in January 2026, after previously working at GamingINTEL and GRV Media. Based in Dublin, Scott gained his degree in sports journalism from the University of Wolverhampton in 2022. Scott provides expert news coverage of all the goings on at the Stadium of Light, as well as longer-form opinion content.