Fan Letters: "Sunderland's current away ticketing system is the fairest"

03/27/2025 02:00 AM

RR reader Louis Dinsdale feels that no changes need to be made to the method by which away tickets are allocated. Got something to say? Email us: RokerReport@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Roker Report,

The current away ticketing system is the fairest, and a fair away points system does the following:

• Rewards fans who go to the most games with priority to high demand fixtures.
• Allows people to move up the ladder and to avoid a catch twenty two situation.

After reading your letters this week, I did some analysis and I've concluded that the system, in my opinion, is fair.

Of course, those who go most weeks are rewarded with priority. On my second point, a season ticket holder starting this season with zero points was eligible to have bought tickets for the following away games:

Cardiff, Preston North End (league cup), Plymouth Argyle, Preston (league), Millwall, Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Derby County. That's nine possible points.

Additionally,Stoke City (FA Cup) Sheffield United and Sunderland Women's fixture against Newcastle all conferred a loyalty point for a home game — a further three points meaning you could accumulate up to twelve from a standing start this season.

Furthermore, these points are wiped after three seasons, meaning there'll be a drop in the number of people on high points once they stop going regularly. To me, that demonstrates that it's fair.

Is it perfect? No.

There does seem to be a trend of tickets appearing online from those intent on keeping their points high whilst not attending the game. However, as I've pointed out, there's a way to build up points for yourself, so more fool anyone who regularly buys tickets this way instead of building up their own points.

It's not perfect, but nothing is. The question is around fairness and I agree that it isn't good to see fans turn on each other regarding this issue.

However, I can't help but feel a bit cynical that these issues always seem to appear on your page as soon as there's a run of bigger away games — especially those in the north — that sell out quickly.

I can understand why people who make the long trips feel annoyed that people suddenly want the system changed when these northern games sell out quickly. The proposed ideas I've seen this week would almost certainly see someone who made numerous long away trips miss out to someone that doesn't venture further south than Sheffield.

I also understand that it's not so easy for people go to nine away games a year all over the country in order to build up the points.

However, as long as there are fans willing to do these long trips and as long as away allocations in the north remain in the 2000-3000 bracket (Preston and Blackburn aside), it's only fair that the current system remains.

Louis Dinsdale

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Louis. Thank you for your letter and for offering such a rational view of this particular issue.

I think you've hit the nail on the head regarding the distribution of tickets and the legwork that's required in order to build up loyalty points.

Sunderland's away followings this season have been superb and it's easy to see why those who spend the most time, effort and money following the Lads around the UK would want the current system preserved.

Regarding the timing of the publication of these letters, perhaps the airing of so many different opinions has been triggered by the opening of the season ticket renewal window (always a hot topic in itself) and given that Sunderland fans are spread all over the country, it's right that everyone gets a chance to have their say — whether they're in favour of the current system or advocating for change — and that's what we'll continue to do at Roker Report.

Dear Roker Report,

It's gone well past nauseating and frustrating to see daily online forums and headlines blaring out 'West Ham after Rigg' or 'Jobe for Tottenham', etc. If it isn't Jobe or Rigg, it's Dan Ballard, Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume or even young Tommy Watson.

It never ends and the headlines are never any different — apart from swapping clubs — so why do we continually get soaked by it? It genuinely drives people up the wall and it's as if there's actually a concerted effort to sell these players and to create a feeling of unrest among them.

Look, we all get it.

We all know the offers are coming in eventually, but to see it screaming at us daily from 'sources' is just so tiresome. I have friends who support other clubs and even they say we Sunderland supporters are saturated with this 'non-news' coverage, so please, let's just concentrate on this season.

Printing these reports on a daily basis isn't helping our promotion bid in any way, shape or form, and we're not being told anything we don't already know.

We fully get that West Ham, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and the local pub team down the road from me want to bid for a number of our players, so why on Earth are we indoctrinated by the same news day after day after day?

Peter Milton

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for getting in touch.

Although I agree that the speculation surrounding the futures of Sunderland's leading players isn't helpful and is often timed to cause maximum disruption, it's just a byproduct of the modern, media-obsessed world of football.

Journalists and their publications are desperate for clicks and they know full well that a provocative headline is guaranteed to grab people's attention and more than likely encourage them to click on the link to the article — even if the story itself is completely fabricated.

On the other hand, I suppose it's quite flattering that so many of our young players are being linked with moves to top flight clubs, as it shows that we're helping them to develop in the right way.

Whether we can keep hold of them beyond the summer will be a different issue entirely, and an intriguing few months lie ahead, I feel.

Dear Roker Report,

Regarding the new prices for season tickets, why have the club dismissed the under-sixteen ticket?

My daughter is fourteen and her ticket has doubled in price from last year because there is no U16 card anymore. The club are out pricing the next generation of fans and next year it'll be the same for my twin boys.

Well done Sunderland, for doing all they can to lose fans. Keep up the good work.

Craig Walton

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Craig. Thank you for your letter.

It's really unfortunate to hear that you've been hit with a substantial price increase for your daughter's season card. Personally, I did expect the prices to rise — increased costs were bound to factor into that — but it does seem grossly unfair that younger Sunderland fans are now going to have to pay a steeper price in order to watch the Lads play.

As you say, it's vitally important that the club ensures the next generation of fans aren't excluded as a result of price increases. We've always been a club with a strong sense of community spirit and I hope that's something we don't lose in the years to come.