It's The Hope I Can't Stand: SAFC’s regime say they’re keen to improve but I remain sceptical

It was the last straw, the release of the candy-cane strip that makes a mockery of the players more than they are ever able to do so themselves. It’s not even consistent. The red back makes it look even more rubbish. Are Adidas having a laugh?

The strip that the club wore in the 1981-83 seasons was just as hated, though the recent retro release of the Le Coq Sportif effort papers over those cracks. The fact that Gary Rowell et al managed to make a decent fist of the top flight under Alan Durban helped; a combo of Pickering, Bracewell (mark 1), Procter and Leighton James is possibly the best midfield I have seen watching Sunderland.

This all made the fans a little more forgiving to the pinstriped effort of 35 years ago, but the current effort just shows how great the disconnect between the club and fans has grown.

Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

The appointment of De Fanti, signing all of that rubbish for Di Canio to try to do something with. The appointment of Byrne, with her vast knowledge of football. What was the point of Hutchinson? Except to bring rock concerts to the Stadium of Light and therefore not have the football team play at home on the first or last day of the season for five years.

What a fiasco the Johnson affair was. He was suspended, then reinstated, despite the fact that everyone who knew anything about the situation knew the player was as guilty as hell and had no remorse.

Despite the biggest TV deal in the history of football, Sunderland contrived to get themselves relegated, with each manager repeatedly being denied the funds he was promised. Allardyce was going to resign before England came calling.

Until Bain arrived, every executive appointment has been absolute garbage, with little or no regard for the fans.

All that the supporters want is a bit of success. No, not even that - merely a bit of effort. Someone to give a damn. Not just on the pitch, but off it as well. To haul this great club off its uppers and to get it fighting again.

It’s good that the Roker Report top brass have had assurances from the club that they want to include the fans in more decision making, but we have nothing attributable to names and I will remain a sceptic until I see some viable action.

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