WHAT'S NEW?

Updated 30 January

*** CUP REPLAY***

Please note that, although tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 7th February at 7.45 p.m., our replay against M'boro' may be selected for TV coverage and moved to the following night so keep your eyes skinned for media confirmation.

Because of the short time scale, season card holders have only until 5.00 p.m. tomorrow, 31st January to apply for a ticket. General sale arrangements will be announced later if applicable.  Prices are : Adults £20 ; Over 65s and Under 16s £10.  Applications should be made via www.safc.com/tickets,

Free supporters' buses will be provided for fans, leaving the Stadium of Light promptly at 5.30 p.m. Those wishing to use this facility simply need to turn up on the day by 5.00 p.m. at the latest and show their valid match ticket.

 Whilst writing, although our away game against Manchester City on 31st March was not chosen in the latest batch of TV games, it does immediately follow the Quarter Finals of the Europa League scheduled for Thursday 29th March.  Should Man. City progress to that stage our game would automatically be moved to Sunday 1st April.

***IMPORTANT TRAVEL NEWS***

Would all members please note that with effect from Thursday 24th November my address will be : 

Mrs. T. A. Hawkins

42 Norfolk Road

Buntingford

SG9  9AN

Although a redirection service will be in operation by Royal Mail, this can cause delays so it's better if members use the new address immediately.  This also affects applications for tickets for the Gary Bennett evening as the form you were sent gives the old address.  

My house move also means that, for a while at least, we shall be unable to provide the Traveline service.  Information about future travel will be circulated by email.  Confirmation that bookings have been made will be accepted by an email to travel@weardownsouth.com but this does not alter the requirement that postal booking, including a cheque or EFT confirmation, should still be sent to me prior to the trip.

Whilst writing, will travellers please note that in future it may be necessary for those seeking the concessionary fare for senior members to show their Senior Railcard to the Grand Central ticket collector.  Cards should therefore be carried on all trips.

Members may have read recently that Grand Central has been bought out by Arriva Trains.  We have received assurances that there will be no immediate change to our group travel concession but, as has happened with Railcards, there may be some administrative tweaks.

Tracey, Branch Travel Officer

 SPORTS: ***Check out our new GET INVOLVED page in our sports section.***

TRAVEL & TICKETS

Updated 21 January

Travel news: next travel 

Stoke 4 February (A): No organised travel.

Whilst writing, Jeff Scott has a now unwanted set of Advanced Single rail tickets from Euston to Stoke and back on 4th February (£15 there on the 12.00 train, £11 return on the 18.12). If interested, contact him on itsjeffactually@yahoo.co.uk

WBA 25 February (A):  Although there will be no organised group travel for this game, members are reminded that both Chiltern Railways (from Marylebone) and Virgin Trains (from Euston) provide regular services with through tickets to The Hawthorns available at the same price as to Birmingham. There are, at present, no planned engineering works on either route on 25th February.

 Newcastle (A): This game, originally scheduled for Saturday 3rd March, has been moved (no surprise there then!) to Sunday 4th March at 12 noon. The game will be broadcast live by ESPN. Since the earliest train (even by East Coast) doesn't arrive in Newcastle until 11.50, the only practical Branch travel for this game will be by Grand Central up on the Saturday and back on the Sunday. Details of this, and ticket arrangements for the game, will be published as soon as available. If you wish to travel to the game, contingent of course on receiving a match ticket, please email travel@weardownsouth.com so that numbers can be assessed.

Ticket News:

 West Bromwich Albion v. Sunderland: Saturday 25th February 2012; kick-off 15.00 hours. Season card holders have until 5.00 pm on Thursday 9th February 2012 to apply. General sale will commence from 10.00am Wednesday 15th February 2012 – subject to availability.  Prices: Adults:  £29;  Over 65s and Under 18s : £19; 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’. Payments should be left blank and the club will allocate the best seat available at the time of processing.

Non season ticket holders wishing to apply for tickets through the Branch for this game should do so no later than Tuesday 31st January.   A  blank 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.

 Newcastle United v. Sunderland: Sunday 4th March 2012; kick-off 12.00 noon. Only season card holders with 10 or more loyalty points are eligible to apply for tickets for this game and have until 5.00 pm on Friday 10th February 2012 to do so. Applications can be made on line at www.safc.com/ticketing or on a form available from the Ticket Office. There will be no general sale for this game. Prices: Adults:  £45;  Over 65s and full-time students : £36; Under 18s : £23 It is extremely unlikely that the Branch will receive any tickets for this game.  As previously advised, travel for those Branch members able to obtain a match ticket will be by Grand Central travelling up on the Saturday and returning on Sunday evening.  Details will be sent only to those who have previously registered their interest to travel@weardownsouth.com

ON THE BOX

Our 4th Round Cup game against Middlesbrough has been selected for live transmission by ITV with a 1.30 p.m. kick-off on Sunday 29th January. Consequently, our scheduled home Premier League game against Norwich City has been moved onwards to Wednesday 1st February. It will still be shown live by SkySports with an 8.00 p.m. kick-off.

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

FIXTURE CHANGES

BOOK OFFER:

Branch Members have the opportunity to purchase Mark Metcalf's new book "In Search of the Double" about the 1912/13 Sunderland side at a reduced cost. Click here to read the foreword by Gary Rowell.

Branch members can get a copy of the book for £10  instead of £12.99. Look out for the flyer with your next issue of Wear Down South or order by phone (0161 872 3319) or online at www.EMPIRE-UK.com

 LONDON BRANCH POLL

The last poll asked you which summer signing you were most excited about - and altho' it's not been the best start for any player really, the vote was cast quite wide. 1/3 of respondents means that Connor Wickham topped the poll, more than double cast for your second choice, Seb Larsson. 3 of you were not excited by any signing and 5 thought the best was yet to come... We'll revisit in the spring to see how your views have changed.

Now for your Bah Humbug chance to appraise Mr Bruce's reign...

 
From the club...

08 November 2011

 SOUTH STAND - WE WANT YOUR VIEWS

The location of away supporters at the Stadium of Light has been the subject of much debate over the years. The South Stand seats currently afforded to visitors are located directly behind the goal and when a team brings only a few hundred supporters lead to swaths of empty seats in view of the fans, players and millions of viewers around the world.

After a number of supporter consultation exercises identified this as a real issue to fans, the club promised that it would look at the feasibility of moving visiting fans to an alternative location.

The North stand Upper area has since been identified as the most suitable area for relocation and work will be carried out over the summer, leading to away fans being moved for the 2012-13 season.

As a result, the club is giving careful consideration as to how to best utilise the South Stand area and is keen for supporters to have their say. A special survey has been set up on safc.com, the club’s official website, for supporters to give their views on they would like to see the South Stand used -www.safc.com/southstand. This will be live until Wednesday 16 November and the club will share the findings with supporters after this time.

Feedback so far shows an overwhelming desire for the creation of a lively singing area, reminiscent of the old Fulwell End at Roker Park.

SAFC chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “This is a great opportunity for our supporters to help shape a major decision for the club. Their feedback will be invaluable for us on this issue and I’d urge as many fans as possible to have their say.”

ENDS

Issued by Sunderland Association Football Club

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