The Red & White army have held their latest structured dialogue meeting with the club.The supporters group was formed last year to try and strengthen the relationship between club and fans. Executive Director Charlie Methven and Managing Director Tony Davison were both present at the meeting and discussed a number of issues. You can read the full minutes of the meeting here. AWAY SUPPORTERS The issue of moving away supporters back into the lower bowl was raised, with Charlie Methven saying he believed it would have improved the atmosphere at games against the likes of Oxford United and Fleetwood Town. The minutes read: "[Charlie Methven] said away fans did not like being in their present location but those at the meeting were split on whether away fans should be moved." Red & White Army representative David Rose called for a full consultation with fans on the issue. SAFE STANDING Charlie Methven told the meeting that he would support the introduction of safe standing at the Stadium of Light. The minutes read: "[Charlie Methven] is concerned that the current situation is wrong and dangerous, he would like the Club to be at the forefront of safe standing. He is currently looking at solutions being proposed by other EFL clubs and wants Sunderland to be the first big club to reintroduce standing." The EFL support a reversal of the ban on safe standing, while in June the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced a review of the ban, which applies to Premier League and Championship stadia. THE CLUB CREST A club supporters sub-group for merchandise presented their findings on a number of issues, such as kit, pricing and badges. Executive Director Charlie Methven said that the club's crest was being looked at. The minutes read: '[Charlie Methven] said the badge and motto were being looked at, working towards a simpler design that would be easier to put on merchandise and kit.' He added that: 'it was important to understand who you were before making decisions, making sure you understand your market and what you have that will meet the needs of that market.' STADIUM OF LIGHT MODIFICATIONS The group issued an update on plans to improve the Stadium's identity. The group want to bring more colour to the concourse, as well as improving the approach to the Stadium to make it more distinct. A recent survey from the group identified 'legends, fans, famous moments, historical / geographical links' as key areas for potential artwork. The next stage is 'to look at costs and funding'. Find out more about the Red & White Army here.
Cheers Tees. That was a good read. I'm impressed to some degree about the clubs attempts to keep the fan base both involved and up to date across a wide range of issues. Not sure how I feel about changing the badge just yet. Lets see what they come up with.
Polls on Twitter and on Roker Report seem to have given changing it the thumbs down. I like what we've got now. It's classy and has local references in it. The previous one looks very dated when you look at it now.
I don't know anybody that doesn't like our badge, and I don't understand why there's any consideration to change it. Any change could only be for commercial reasons, as far as I can tell, and I'll be amazed (and extremely disappointed) if that's the case, 'cos that would be against all that's been said since our new heirarchy arrived Let's hope that I'm just overthinking this Rectifying the idiocy of whoever decided to house the away fans above us, and ruining the atmosphere, should be the no.1 priority
Interesting read... Moving the away supporters is a must in my opinion. The difference between home & away atmospheres is quite worrying
Never been a fan of the badge. Too much going on. 2 black cats, penshaw monument and sun/moon, wearmouth bridge, a pit wheel, Latin. Ive always thought that it looks amateurish. Never liked the contents of what is within the shield. Don't mind everything else. I wouldn't mind a change, as long as they don't make a pigs ear of it. They should come up with a few designs and put it to a vote.
I like the badge but its excessive detail is clearly a problem with new shirt printing technology which is why we still have a big uncomfortable patch. With that in mind I'm open to seeing a set choices so long as the old one is one we can vote for too. Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk
What would I change...ideally not the badge because I like it but if they say there's a good reason to change it and we get a say in the new one then no worries really. The miserable Prokofiev piece has been moved down the tracklist but I'd go a step further and get rid of it entirely, googled it before to check the name and apparently it's a top choice for funerals which says it all. It does kill the atmosphere somewhat when it starts playing. Moving the away fans back to a more prominent position is a no brainer, the atmosphere used to be fantastic regularly but even on the good days it's still not there even with 30k in the stadium. Getting that banter back with the away fans could make all the difference.
It wasn't a problem for Asics, Nike, Diadora, Lonsdale, or Umbro. The patch looks to me like Adidas just trying to do things the cheap way. Plenty of other clubs have equally complicated badges and don't have a problem. For the price of replica shirts these days I'd expect a bit of decent embroidery for the club badge!
The shield and surrounding of the badge is canny. I just think what's inside the shield is GCSE level. I'd be happy if they just tweaked that.
As a pastiche of heraldic arms it's not that bad. It can't get much more complicated or it would become really difficult to reproduce.
Executive Director Charlie Methven said that the club's crest was being looked at. The minutes read: '[Charlie Methven] said the badge and motto were being looked at, working towards a simpler design that would be easier to put on merchandise and kit.' He added that: 'it was important to understand who you were before making decisions, making sure you understand your market and what you have that will meet the needs of that market.' Like has been said I don’t have a problem with the change However I feel the supporters should have some imput may be some designed By fans and then the decision can be made ?????
They don't usually miss an opportunity for good PR and engaging with fans so I think they'd definitely let us have some input.
I've never liked it - I think it is pompous, like some kind of royal coat of arms. I like simplicity in a football badge - something easily identifiable. There is just too much stuff going on within that badge
I prefer it too, but is it suitable as we don't build ships any more I don't think it is suitable. Nissan and call centres are Sunderland's bag now
