Fan Letters: ‘Why on earth can’t I get tickets five or six weeks in advance?’

Dear Roker Report,

It’s a good time to be a Sunderland fan. But I was just reading John Ogden’s email. Like John I want to go to the Charlton game on the 23rd.

I’m coming from a bit further West than John. I’m in Wexford Ireland. I’ve booked flights and accommodation for the weekend but I can’t yet buy tickets. So I’ve put out quite a bit of money and taken a financial risk with no actual guarantee of getting tickets. Why on earth can’t I get tickets five or six weeks in advance? Do I have to wait until a week before the game? It’s a crazy system.

Yours in red and white stripes,

Paul Tobin

Ed’s Note [Martin]: It’s a bizarre situation and it needs remedying soon, Paul. In any other industry, a business that makes it as difficult to buy from as SAFC are doing right now would be in severe trouble. Hopefully, the club sorts it out soon. While I wouldn’t envisage any issues getting a ticket for the Charlton game, come the end of the season it might be a different story if things continue going as well as they have so far.

Photo by Will Matthews/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

The virtual suspension of club football during the times of International games is one of my groans. It disrupts the flow of the domestic games at a time when excitement is building and no doubt has an adverse effect on the performance of some clubs.

Now we are seeing a proposal from FIFA, the organization known for its corruption, to play the World Cup every two years. There is consultation ongoing with UEFA over the proposal, but as expected there are no signs of any consultation with the fans.

My view is clear the FA and UK clubs should tell FIFA to go and do the impossible to themselves, and that players will not be released for the tournaments.

Mordey St

Ed’s Note [Martin]: Thanks for the email Mordey St – I don’t usually mind international breaks too much, they can come as a nice opportunity to take stock, but the early September one is one that seriously does disrupt the flow of the season. Regarding the World Cup, it’ll be interesting to see what happens – if it’s in place of the Euros I could see it happening, if not then it’s not going to work. The clubs hold so much power it’s unlikely it’d happen as an additional tournament.

Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

I’ve been critical in the past of your player ratings, however yesterday I was at the match and I think you got them spot on. The Chronicle handed Hoffmann a 4 which in my opinion was too harsh, but I was pleased to see you give him a 6 which I reckon is a more fair assessment of his performance. Things are looking good right now at the SoL and long may it continue.

Joseph Barron

Ed’s Note [Martin]: Cheers Joseph – I was surprised at the Chronicle ratings too, they didn’t reflect the game I watched at all and seemed ridiculously harsh on Hoffmann and Embleton in particular. Andy’s taken on the ratings for this season and is doing a great job with them – nice and balanced. Thank goodness we’ve got good performances to review, too!

Photo by Will Matthews/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

Re: your piece on John ‘Ralphy’ Goodchild

That’s a question that puzzled many people. I asked two regular members of that team in the last few years and they knew of no reason. A shrug of the shoulders and “that was the Bomber for you.” Ian Porterfield was heading the same way until he was recalled by Billy Elliott when Brown was sacked in 1972.

Brian Thurlbeck

Ed’s Note [Martin]: Thanks for the email Brian – seems as if it could have been oh so different. If anyone hasn’t read Kelvin’s piece, click on the link above – it’s gold. And, of course, if anyone has any other recollections of John ‘Ralphy’ Goodchild we’d love to hear them.