Fan Letters: It’s time to build and not destroy, says Sunderland fan

---

---

Dear Roker Report,

As a life time supporter for now 70 years. With so many great memories, please, please try and get it right this year. Make sure we really do have the best manager available. That we build and don’t destroy. That youth really is given a chance.

Then we might get out of this mess.

Dale Fowler

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks writing in Dale. I definitely agree that it’s time to give youth a chance. We had the oldest squad in the division last season and it showed at times. There’s talent waiting to bust onto the scene, and I hope that players like Paterson, Younger, Diamond, Embleton, Neil, and Hawkes are given a chance to prove their worth in the first eleven.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

---

Dear Roker Report,

Some years ago I went to a match against Tranmere at Prenton Park stadium. We arrived just before K.O so went through the first turnstile available. My mate first then I followed. The turnstile was one of those with bars from head to foot, on entering I commented that the mechanism was very stiff and hard to push. A man followed me and when he pushed, the thing moved and seized up leaving him stuck without room to get out.

He started to panic, much to the amusement of several spectators who also took the mickey. He was not very happy. Eventually he was freed after 15 minutes, we could see both the game and the turnstile from our vantage point.

The game was p*** poor, I remember they won 1-0 with a goal from Kenny Irons. The turnstile incident was far more exciting than the game itself. A sad reflection on the sort of team we had then, a bit like the current side I have to say.

Let's hope next season the team aren’t as stiff as Tranmere turnstiles and we have a side good enough to get us out of this dreadful league.

Haway the lads

Pete Little

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks for your letter, Pete, that’s a funny tale - I think it was the Boxing Day game where Kenny Irons got their winner. That was Denis Smith’s penultimate match in charge, but that Sunderland side did go on to reach the FA Cup Final. It show’s there’s always hope. Keep the Faith!

Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images

---

---