Fan Letters: “It’s time to move on and remember what it means to be a Sunderland SUPPORTER!”

Dear Roker Report,

Some people are naturally cynical.

This is not necessarily a bad trait, it has its benefits socially. Sunderland fans have had an especially dramatic experience the last few years, and so even with the new hope that has been injected from the new owners there has been some understandable cynicism. This outlook will take time to change, and it will take time for trust to be rebuilt.

Yet, on the other hand, some of the fans that experienced the farce that was Sunderland’s later years in the Premier League, marked by wasteful spending and imprudence, that expect the new owners to splash the cash (i.e., waste millions on overpriced individuals) and seem to find frugality silly, I find worrying.

Taking a hyperbolic example, Manchester City - who have seriously spent money and have achieved major successes - have in many ways just become a heartless behemoth. Their only homegrown player was headhunted from the Ukraine.

I am not criticising having young talent from X,Y, or Z, I am simply pointing out that the quintessential example of big spending in England is not a club, but a billion dollar company that used to be a club.

This is not meant as an indictment of money in football, big spending, or anything else, it is merely a letter meant to encourage appreciation for what Sunderland has, rather than what it does not have.

Sunderland is a club. Not the only club, but it is a club. We have seen it as a club, run very poorly as a business. Let us not forget the recent past, for a dream, that may not be exactly what some of us expect or desire.

Colter Lasley

Ed’s Note [Gav]: I sympathise with people who are hurting still after the way the club has been ran prior to this season. It’ll probably take a few years of positive success on the pitch to sort that out, and naturally some people are sceptical over whether or not the club is actually in good hands.

Personally, I think it’s time to move on.

Very little of the past remains and we have to remember what it means to be supporters again. There can be no doubting that the players on the pitch, whether you feel they're all good enough or not, are primed to get this club back to where it needs to be. The core of the side is made up from local and academy lads, we’ve signed players who recognise the opportunity that has been afforded to them, and even when we’ve played badly this season the effort has been there.

I certainly can’t say the same about some of the players we’ve had in recent seasons, who both physically and mentally gave up on Sunderland but remained content with picked up an inflated wage packet.

Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Dear Roker Report,

There are three things that make our blood boil.

One - booing the team, which has happened a few times this season.

Two - people picking out players and hurling abuse at them.

Three - people going out the ground a good ten minutes before full time. Is beating the traffic that important? I live near Barnsley now and the 5 of us never, never leave before full time. Home or away, we stay until the full time whistle, and we make the trip up for every home game and away games. We believe in cheering the lads until the end.

Jamie, Liam, Luke, Jock and little Jock

Ed’s Note [Gav]: As I’ve said in the response to the letter above yours, I think it’s time the fanbase as a collective tried to leave the past in the past.

I too am sick of hearing baseless negativity around me at home games, though I have to say that those voices are becoming more of a minority. Here’s hoping that a cup final win and promotion can help the folk who still aren’t convinced to understand that this club is back in the hands of people who have our best interests at heart, both on and off the pitch.