Fan Letters: ‘Dad, this is terrible, can we go now?’ - a young Sunderland fan’s words after Saturday

Dear Roker Report,

I have been a Sunderland fan for all of my adult life (42 years) and naturally that passion has been passed down to my son (aged 6). Over the last two years I’ve been taking him to 5 or 6 games a season so he does not become too disenchanted, and I’ve got to admit he genuinely loves it. However, after 84 minutes on Saturday he turned around and said ‘Dad, this is terrible, can we go now?’.

Walking away from the ground he told me he’d lost a little bit of support for them and that if we don’t play better against Boro he doesn’t want to go back.

He says he will always love and support Sunderland but doesn’t want to go and watch them play terribly anymore. I’ve read about the supporters of 40+ years turning their backs and I truly understand their decision, I’ve seen enough shite over the last 30 years of attending to occasionally feel the same. But if the current standard set by the club continues, and more little ones ( like mine), decide enough is enough where is the future fan base going to come from?

Dale High

Ed’s note: I’ve spoken about this loads of times this season, and I think that it’s perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing this football club. I was brought up watching decent teams, and when I really started to understand and love football I had the brilliant Peter Reid side of 97-01 to enjoy. Kids these days don’t have anything worth turning up for, and I fear that the current product will just turn them off it altogether.

Learning to accept disappointment is part and parcel of supporting a team like Sunderland, but our demise has gone on too long. I just hope that we can give them something worth turning up for before the end of the season, because gaining their undying support is crucial for the future of this club.

Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

We all know what Ellis Short is waiting for - we have four or five players out on loan.

That’s a possible £30 million to come back into the club in the summer - he’s not going anywhere until he gets that money in his pocket.

People say the club is up for sale - IS IT?

Tim Quinn

Ed’s note: I think that the club is up for sale, but only if Ellis Short manages to find an offer that turns his head. Otherwise, he’ll hang on to us until nature takes its course and we somehow improve, and then become a more attractive opportunity for a potential buyer.

In my opinion, of course. Who knows - he could be speaking to people right now.