S.A.F.C. - the future

[Smug in Boots]

Very very poor statement by RAWA and it should have stated it was a statement by the individuals concerned, not from a formal collective of Sunderland supporters.

No statement was really needed, but if they did feel the need to get involved, simply welcoming KLD to our club and saying that they would be more than happy to work with him at some point in the future, would have sufficed.

All a bit amateurish.

Since the early 70's I've sung 'Red and White Army'.

The problem is that RAWA believe they're at the forefront of that army, not just a bunch of people who purloined that title to make it look as if they represent us all ...

... as the comments on other social media, and here, clearly show that's a long way from the truth.

 

[Gromit]

Totally agree with everything your saying mate, if supporters groups start putting demands on the owners then all we do is become mags and look like complete cockwombles.
Let's all just get behind the lad and our club, for once in a long time we might have something positive to shout about.
From what is already happening at the club it seems the plan he has looks good enough for me.
So why don't RAWA shut the **** up and let the lad do what he needs to do . They need to remember this is not dumb **** SD they are dealing with anymore.

totally agree with you mate. They just come across like a bunch of small time union reps who hate the management no matter what. They’ll all stuck in the 1970’s with their ‘power to the people’ attitudes.

Feels like RAWA and WMS thrive on a ‘them and us’ type environment. Can you imagine what KLD and advisors will think of them once they’ve met them and listened to their ‘demands’?

 

[Gil T Azell]

Digressing here (mainly cos am p*ssed off with the RAWA crap now) but what happened to our sponsors, kit wise? Something gas small company from Seaham I think. Are they now gone? Has KLD got another sponsor?

 

[Lucky19672]

Since the early 70's I've sung 'Red and White Army'.

The problem is that RAWA believe they're at the forefront of that army, not just a bunch of people who'd purloined that title to make it look as if they represent us all ...

... as the comments on other social media, and her, clearly show that's a long way from the truth.

Agree with your "forefront" comment.

I hoped for the best, when RAWA established itself and it seemed they were going the right way about things. This however is akin to shooting yourself in both feet.

 

[Smug in Boots]

Digressing here (mainly cos am p*ssed off with the RAWA crap now) but what happened to our sponsors, kit wise? Something gas small company from Seaham I think. Are they now gone? Has KLD got another sponsor?

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Smug in Boots, Yesterday at 2:52 PM

 

[Peter Daniels beard]

[HASHTAG]#34530[/HASHTAG]
Smug in Boots, Yesterday at 2:52 PM

Great Annual Savings or the asbestos company getting replaced?

 

[Smug in Boots]

Great Annual Savings or the asbestos company getting replaced?

I'd imagine so although I'd hope they were kept on in some way.

Our income stream needs to be absolutely maximised in every way possible.

FPP had the same plans and we now have a name that will attract the attention of other people with money ...

... and they'll all want to be associated with success.

 

[Peter Daniels beard]

I'd imagine so although I'd hope they were kept on in some way.

Our income stream needs to be absolutely maximised in every way possible.

FPP had the same plans and we now have a name that will attract the attention of other people with money ...

... and they'll all want to be associated with success.

I agree we need to be associated with more well known national or international companies if that is possible. I imagine that would be quite unique for League 1 (may be incorrect of course) Success breeds success

 

[Ozzymac]

The difference is the word "evidence", if they see KLD set up long term plans, a proper recruitment structure, a prioritisation of the AOL, not selling our best young players for peanuts, buying players for their potential, backing Speakman etc. Then that will constitute evidence of a long term plan.

RAWA are the group that gets to meet with the club on a regular basis, they're free for any of us to join and take as many opinions as possible on board when in dialogue with the club. They are more "us" than "them", it's not a group of fans looking for favourable treatment, they are there to convey to the club what we as fans want to see.

And if in the process of this evidence being provided such as the recruitment of Speakman (not sure on the spelling) we have an unsuccessful run of 10-15 games will they realise that it may happen if a long term plan is needed or will there be another strongly worded joint statement calling for the owners head?

Asking for a friend

 

[Smug in Boots]

And if in the process of this evidence being provided such as the recruitment of Speakman (not sure on the spelling) we have an unsuccessful run of 10-15 games will they realise that it may happen if a long term plan is needed or will there be another strongly worded joint statement calling for the owners head?

Asking for a friend

Any new boss/owner needs to install themselves, meet the existing staff and see how things are done before they start swinging an axe.

Louis-Dreyfus will want to meet everyone from the office managers to Doris the tea lady. It would be ridiculous for any boss to remotely reorganise every aspect of the club without doing that. How can he tell if the ground staff, the marketing people, the scouts, the ticket office staff, etc etc etc are worth keeping and willing to go along with his aims. He may need to replace people, in key areas, and only then can the plans be outlined to the supporters.

How the hell would the club staff feel if a bunch of supporters were informed before they are ...

... bloody hell, it's just basic common/business sense.

 

[Iain]

Considering how hostile it would have been at OM I really don't think he's going to be that worried about RAWA turning up with their clipboards and pencils demanding to know his plans for the future

 

[rowley]

I think RAWA need to get back in their box.

Correct. More than anything this.

A pathetic message of that type, when none, apart from a welcome, was necessary, shows that a few people have developed a wildly inflated sense of importance. It is a curse of the Internet age.

They are entitled to their opinion, not that they expressed one, but they are not entitled to make demands, see plans or otherwise make conditions, other than from their personal point of view.

They do not, and never will, speak for me, or most other supporters.

Back in the box is about right.

 

[Reggie the Cheddar]

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Smug in Boots, Yesterday at 2:52 PM

Sory mate but could you summarize this a bit? Is it a change of sponsorship or a new one coming in along with existing

 

[MACKEMLAD1973]

In all honesty KLD can take as long as he likes as long as it is done properly and thorough and gets this club turned round.

With 4 fixtures behind others we will be playing catch up till the rest of the season. That might be just a bit too much so I am half thinking that maybe promotion is beyond us for this season.
Of course I'll be over the moon if we do make it but I am relaxed about it all as I can see how much of a bloody challenge it all is.

Speakman has one hell of a job to support all things footy and it will be something magical if we do it this season
I think Johnson is the right man for us and lets be honest if we any of us were manager of the team as it stands we would be wishing the time away to get rid of about 5 or 6 of them. (Think we all know which ones)

The future does look bloody bright though

 

[dyd13]

Now you have me and most of the Mackem nation intrigued , take it your Sunday telephone updates are still coming through on a regular basis . The SOL will always be the SOL even if it has a prefix though I would draw the line at the Sports Direct Stadium of Light though I am sure Mike Ashley would love to wind up our neighbours supporters I can’t see that one happening! Renaming the SOL would bring some some misgivings but if it brings in the cash to kickstart the massive rebuild project so be it , the wellbeing of the club is the most important and if the money and heightened profile is their so be it . Google is a marvellous tool to find anything about anything isn’t it - let the intrigue continue!

Macken nation is an definite no from me, too close to unwashed jargon/delusion for my liking.

 

[Smug in Boots]

Sory mate but could you summarize this a bit? Is it a change of sponsorship or a new one coming in along with existing

I can't do that mate.

My post is 10% info and 90% speculation.

I've only been told that income will be sought so that we avoid another 'Short' situation and the club becomes self sufficient.

I saw the rough draft of the FPP plan so I'm speculating this will be along the same lines. They wanted a high content of local staff and sponsors/advertising. They also wanted to attract other business, local and other, to finance things like a fanzone, club shop, AOL improvements. One of the 'wilder' suggestions/proposals was for someone to sponsor the AOL and have interviews/club TV in front of their company name.

Billionaires love using other people's money and taking the credit

 

[one gary owers]

Tbh im a bit confused with everyone not been behing the RAWA statement....could anyone please pick out what is so damming and unwelcoming with their statement?

The Red and White Army would like to welcome Kyril Louis-Dreyfus as the new majority shareholder of SAFC.

As with any newcomer to Wearside he will be given the warmest of welcomes and great faith will be put on him to rebuild our Club. However, we all bear the scars of the past few years and therefore supporters will hope to see evidence of an assured plan of long-term progression.

We're sure our new owner will have done his homework on Sunderland supporters already. Nevertheless, we hope to meet with him soon, where we will do our bit to help him understand the passion and demands of our fans. We will let him know that he will immediately have the full, vociferous support of a huge fan base that are beyond ready to have something they can all get behind. We will let him know that support will continue and grow if he attempts to meet the standards and ambitions befitting of a club of our stature and history.

In 2021 as RAWA flicks the switch to become a Supporters' Trust we hope it coincides with exciting times for Sunderland fans. And let's hope we all get together at the SoL as soon as possible to enjoy the ride, when we come out the other side of this terrible pandemic.

Sunderland fans know all too well that it's dangerous to become too excited when a new owner takes the reigns. However, trying to temper that excitement is futile. So we will enjoy the feeling of renewed hope and possibilities for our beloved club. Let's hope that this really is the dawn that follows the darkest hour.

Merry Christmas to all Sunderland fans and all the best!

I think it is the Sunderland Echo at fault here
I cannot see a demand in that statement but that would not sell Newspapers
They have fabricated a story out of nothing

 

[Smug in Boots]

I think it is the Sunderland Echo at fault here
I cannot see a demand in that statement but that would not sell Newspapers
They have fabricated a story out of nothing

I agree mate and said that yesterday ...

... I'd still have to question why RAWA are sending press releases to the Echo.

RAWA aren't the news, there's a bigger boy in town.

 

[Royaldragon]

This is partially the result of the lock downs and absence of supporters in the ground imo. It looks like some weird bunker mentality when the lack of contact, with people on the outside, distorts reality and hightens the importance of irrelevant things.

I'd like RAWA to answer a few questions which, as they're speaking for all Sunderland supporters, is the least they can do.

• Where was this statement sent.
• How many people were involved.
• Why was it issued before the owner is EFL approved.
• What exactly are the demands of the supporters.
• What will happen if the new owners plans don't meet with your approval.

It's almost as if they're trying to scupper the takeover.
Even if that's not what they're trying to do, they could potentially put it at risk, if they're not careful.
This is too important to screw up another takeover especially as I assume our finances wont exactly be in the best possible condition at the moment.

 

[Alebeac]

I can't do that mate.

My post is 10% info and 90% speculation.

I've only been told that income will be sought so that we avoid another 'Short' situation and the club becomes self sufficient.

I saw the rough draft of the FPP plan so I'm speculating this will be along the same lines. They wanted a high content of local staff and sponsors/advertising. They also wanted to attract other business, local and other, to finance things like a fanzone, club shop, AOL improvements. One of the 'wilder' suggestions/proposals was for someone to sponsor the AOL and have interviews/club TV in front of their company name.

Billionaires love using other people's money and taking the credit

I had mates who liked to use my money and I'm not a billionaire. Maybe one day I might get it back.