WHAT'S NEW?

Updated 28 April

TRAVEL NEWS - KINGS X STATION ALTERATIONS

Members may have noted the recent media publicity about the latest stage in the development of Kings Cross station.  This has implications for Branch travel to home games in that our normal congregation point outside WH Smith is now part of an Arrivals-only concourse.

Entry for Departures is now to the west side of the station in Pancras Road and the new concourse there is so vast that, at least for first time travellers, spotting a group who are obviously fellow Sunderland supporters may prove difficult.  It is therefore suggested that, at least initially (i.e. for the QPR game and until further notice) we meet around the pillar near the entrance and the foot of the escalators to and from the mezzanine level.

CRICKET NEWS:

 Your Branch cricket team needs YOU! Click HERE to find out more...

SPORTS:

We have up-coming Quiz and Darts matches if you want to get involved..... Go on, you know you want to..... ***Check out our new GET INVOLVED page in our sports section.***

Darts: Hello all,  Congratulations on our 9-2 win over Sheff Wed - especially as it was achieved with only 5 players - well done to Richie, Aidan, Gordon, Andy G and Gavin, (especially Gordon - big scoring and 3 finishes).  The cup semi-final will be played at The Horseshoe on Monday 14 May - so far we have Richie, Gordon, Gavin, Andy G, Aidan,(probably) and myself available - any and all of our other players will be welcome to  come along to help our chances.

Other than (hopefully!) the cup final, our only remaining game is against Exeter,probably at The Horseshoe, date to be decided. It may be necessary to play other than on a Monday,but we'll see what they suggest - the last day for completion of fixtures is 07 June

Regards, Keith

TRAVEL & TICKETS

Updated 30 April

Travel news: next travel 

Sunderland v Man U (H): For our final home game of the season on Sunday 13th May (and possible Championship decider) against Manchester United, we shall, subject to demand, run both an overnight and day trip.

The overnight trip will leave Kings Cross at 11.20 on the Saturday.  The day trip will leave at 09.38 on the Sunday (please note this is earlier than the normal Sunday departure time) due to arrive in Sunderland at 13.28, still time enough for the 3.00 p.m. kick-off.  Both trips will return on the 18.12 from Sunderland due to into London at 21.45.

An early indication of your intentions, so that we can make the necessary seat reservations with Grand Central, would be appreciated by an email to travel@weardownsouth.com followed by a cheque or EFT confirmation to : 

SAFCSA Travel
42 Norfolk Road
Buntingford
SG9 9AN

Thank you for your support during the season.
---------------------------------------------------------
London Branch Travel & Information Service

ENDS.

Ticket News:

 Fulham v. Sunderland: Sunday 6th May 2012; kick-off 14.00 hours (Please note revised date and time)  Season card holders have until 5.00 pm on Thursday 19th April 2012 to apply. General sale will commence from 10.00am Thursday 26th April 2012 – subject to availability. Prices: Adults:  £35;  Over 65s and Under 21s: £25; Under 16s : £15

Applications for tickets can be made by using the online system at www.safc.com/page/tickets or by contacting the club on 0191-551 5161.  Visa, Mastercard, Delta and Switch cards are accepted.  Alternatively, tickets can be obtained from the Stadium of Light ticket office, by fax on 0191 551 5150 or in writing to ‘Sales, PO BOX 165, Sunderland SR5 1WF’.

 Non season ticket holders wishing to apply for tickets through the Branch for this game should do so no later than Tuesday 17th April.   A  cheque payable to SAFCSA (London Branch) and stamped addressed envelope should be sent to : Mrs. T.A. Hawkins, 42 Norfolk Road, BUNTINGFORD, Herts. SG9  9AN.  The envelope will be used to return the match ticket/s if successful or the cheque if not.

ON THE BOX

TBC

GET YOUR FOOTBALL ECHO DELIVERED

Sunderland is now almost alone in England in still producing a Saturday evening paper dedicated to football and we must hope the Echo continues to thrive. It may be of particular interest to those who only occasionally get to see games as its full match reports, player interviews and a thriving letters column keep readers well informed about goings-on at the club and also in local senior and junior sport.

A season-long subscription, starting on 6th August until the final week-end in May 2012, costs £50. For a further £15 subscribers will also receive midweek editions of the Sunderland Echo which contain match reports of games played at other times than on a Saturday.

Payment can be by cheque to Northeast Press Ltd. or by credit card to :

Subscriptions
Northeast Press Ltd.
Echo House
Pennywell
Sunderland
SR4 9ER

or phone Rachel on 0191-501 7270.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011

Read Committee Members reports HERE

FAN CHANTS:

We have received the following which may be of interest to members:

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 LONDON BRANCH POLL

Time to focus on the league again then...

 News from SAFC Foundation:

 SAFC Foundation are launching a D2S Cycle Challenge starting in Dublin on 17 July and finishing at the SoL on 22 July.

The challenge will cover 280 miles taking in the Irish Coast and Scotland en route.

The Foundation are looking for 40 - 50 cyclists to take part.

What's included:

• Flight to Dublin
• Cycle transported via ferry
• Five nights accommodation
• Three meals a day
• Red and white cycle shirt
• Celebration event at the SoL on completion

For further information or to booky our place please contact Lynsey Thompson on 0191 551 5311 or lynsey.thompson@safc.com

 NEWS FROM THE CLUB

Sunderland AFC has announced that the Stadium of Light's Sports Bar is to be renamed in honour of Niall Quinn. The popular bar will now be known as 'Quinn's' as a tribute to the former player and chairman, who stepped down from his role at the club last month.

As well as the name change, bespoke graphics and memorabilia commemorating Niall's playing career and time at the club will adorn the bar, which is a hugely popular venue, on both matchdays and non-matchdays.

Chairman Ellis Short said: "Niall is and always will be a Sunderland legend and he has a special and unique place in the club's history. "We wanted to ensure that his name lived on not only in the hearts of every Sunderland fan but in a tangible way too and whilst Niall has gone on record to say that he didn't want a stand named after him, what could be more apt than to rename our most popular supporters' bar after him."

Chief executive Margaret Byrne said: "Niall is held in the highest regard not only by our supporters and everyone at the club, but by the wider football world. There has been a huge response from fans wishing to see his time at Sunderland commemorated and naturally everyone at the club wholeheartedly supported this. Of course Niall is a very unassuming man and the idea of statues and stands in his honour really didn't sit comfortably with him, but we all know how much he likes a pint or two so we think we've come up with the perfect tribute!"

The tribute came as a complete surprise to the former chairman, who was visiting Sunderland to launch SAFC Foundation's annual 'Niall's Mile' fundraising walk. He paid a visit to 'Quinn's' for farewell drinks with clubs' Board,  staff and players, enjoying the first pint of Guinness to be pulled in the bar since after its re-launch.

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