Fan Letters: Positivity is needed if Sunderland fans plan to demonstrate against Ellis Short!

Dear Roker Report,

My father took me to watch Sunderland when I was 4/5 years old and I’ve been hooked ever since. My dad was a boy when we won the FA Cup, and in the days that followed he saw the boys play Cardiff away, which he attended with my Auntie, and the rest is history.

He’s been a Sunderland fan for over forty years. I’ve been a following them for twenty five years, and my son - who was the mascot for the game against Ipswich - no doubt has a lifetime of it in store as well.

Along the way we have met many Welsh-based Sunderland fans, some close who we class as friends and some further spread across the country.

A few of us were talking at Cardiff away (it was better than the game) about setting up a Wales supporters club as between us few we know of many local lads fans.

I’ve emailed the club about setting something up and would love to be put in contact with as many Welsh-based Sunderland supporters as possible in order to see if we can get something going that will enable us to share travel and obtain tickets together rather than doing it alone.

If you are or know of any Sunderland fans that are based in and around Wales then I would love to hear from them so we can try and sort something.

My email address is billypritchard1989@yahoo.co.uk and my mobile is 07956981890.

Bill Pritchard

Ed’s note: If anyone is interested in sorting something out, be sure to connect with Bill via the methods of contact above or, of course, you can get in touch with us here at Roker Report and we’ll be happy to put everyone in touch.

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

Although I fully support the calls for getting Shorty out of our club, I really don’t think that anyone else will be encouraged to invest if we continue to portray the negativity which is dragging our club down.

It’s not good for investors, it doesn’t attract players, and it clearly affects our performances.

I know it’s a big ask, but we need to start talking ourselves up. Instead of organising a protest, let’s organise a party in the stands every home game, turn the noise up, and start to generate some positive energy around the place. Oh yes, and please please please go back to our famous (and properly sized) red and white stripes, not the pyjamas we currently play in.

It’s often said that the crowd are the 12th man, and we’ve all seen how much that can affect and motivate the team, so it’s down to us to play our part. Haway the Lads.

Steve Dryden

Ed’s note: To an extent I agree, and these are the points that I’ve made on the subject both on Twitter and on this week’s Roker Rapport Podcast. Protest doesn’t HAVE to be negative. We can demonstrate and show our frustrations in a way that doesn’t effect the team on the pitch, and that is important.

I encourage anyone reading this to send us along their letters around the subject of protest, and what they believe would be an effective way of showing how Sunderland supporters feel about the prospect of it. It’s good that fans are discussing ways that we can come together and share our frustrations on the absolutely abhorrent way that Ellis Short has ran this football club ever since he walked through the doors.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

To suggest that Amanda Staveley and her backers buy Sunderland instead of Newcastle is a non-starter and against sound business decisions.

Newcastle United is situated in the City and is far more valuable than Sunderland in terms of real Estate and future development.

Just think how much could be realised in terms of property redevelopment of St James Park as opposed to the SoL as a future Car Park!

Trev Clarke

Ed’s note: Trev laaaaaaaaaaaaaad!