S.A.F.C. - the future

I understand the RAWA statement has raised shackles but is it not time to pull together as a club and show the new owners what it means to see Sunderland with full support behind them. This is an exciting new era - let bygones be bygones, move forward and let's hope the team can get out of this backwater league and pproach the Championship with a new found vigour

 

Luckily the games and results are (normally) played in stadiums with spectators and atmospheres. We'd be fcuking doomed if it was all played out on social media, more related to owa the road BTW.

 

Or Nigella is the new chef

 

You're spot on mate which is why we don't need one of the fans groups making statements like this.

Just let's all welcome the new owner unconditionally.

RAWA were quite dismissive of the takeover talk but have now switched completely and are jumping to the front of the queue wanting to speak to the new owner.

We're all equal and should all pull together ...

... not be lead by a self annointed voice of the supporters.

Just my honest opinion.

 

A agree with you, mind (although I haven't been involved in it directly) I know there is a hell of a lot that you need in place in order to become a trust in terms of procedures, governance and all of the things you mention in your post . The switch is about to be flipped on them becoming a trust so I think that has all been done, and I know a lot of work has been put into it. One of the committee members is deputy CEO of the FSA so I'm sure he's well on top of the requirements and has had the FSA advising along the way. And don't worry, I don't mind any questions, like I say there's no point having a group if they aren't prepared to discuss things! Very occasionally I hear bits that aren't to be circulated but other than that I can pretty much say what I want as far as I know, they don't want to be secretive or owt

 

Cheers mate, I'll leave you alone to watch Liverpool rout the scum.

 

Cheers, about to crack open my first can. I'll probably end up on here mortal at about midnight, but it'll always stay civil (unless any lippy mags or Mary Hinge turn up!)

 

How many are you going to have up to midnight like, it's 8pm now!

Enjoy!

 

Well that's me there for all games, reserve games, youth games the lot. And maybe a bit of lurking around the academy.

She probably can't cook an omelette, but does that matter?

 

Late reply because it was such a poser and I thought and thought and came to the logical answer -A WINNER !!! This will take a bit of getting used to as we are not used to such appointments . Tongue in cheek response for the seasonal period .

 

Never mind the fkn takeover look what ****e just dropped into my FB account

 

WTF, does he ever stop searching for approval

 

I considered accepting just for the craic but couldn’t bring myself to do it!!!

 

Bong eyed baldy bastard.

 

Can’t remember ever saying that?

 

Do you think he's lonely???

 

I just cancelled my RAWA membership with this message.....

Your recently issued statement does not represent my views regarding the new ownership. I know for certain you didn't consult me before you issued your statement, and I strongly suspect that you consulted basically next to no-one except a very small number of people at your committee level. That is hugely disappointing and a non-democratic way of doing things. You have demonstrated that you are not a voice for anyone except the small group who took it upon themselves to issue the statement. To my mind you have destroyed your credibility and the goodwill that many were willing to offer you. Ha'way the new owner!

 

You're prefect entitled to do that, it's fair enough. Personally I'd think it more useful to keep the membership but stand against a committee member at the next AGM. If enough disagree with them you'd get in and could do things differently . But that's not a criticism, I know that isn't doable for many, and many simply wouldn't want to.

I do think the statement was largely positive mind. It pretty much said we're glad you're here , you'll get loads of support from the fans, and if we see that you're not useless like the last lot that support will only grow. That's something that I think most fans agree with, and I don't think they needed to canvass every member to know it. But again, I'm not saying you're wrong to read it differently. I'd have worded it differently and released it later (when he was actually confirmed) myself, so I know it's far from perfect. If anything, it shows they need to learn from it, which I'm sure they will.

All I'll say is that I hope things improve and I hope you rejoin later to get involved with what will hopefully be more positive things in the future. Things around atmosphere, community initiatives etc, with any luck the need to be moaning about owners will be gone now. Like I say, not a criticism, you're entitled to your opinion on it and I'm sure it'll be respected as it should. I think we all agree with the haway the new owner sentiment .

 

Not sure they are learning - just becoming even more arrogant.

 

I don't agree that they're arrogant. I think it was just a bit badly worded (and to be fair they probably didn't expect it to be as analysed as it has been). Due to Covid I've only met a couple of the committee members, and only briefly, but I've talked to them on the phone, on video calls, on messenger, and i can safely say that none of them are arrogant, or have ideas above their station or any of that sort of thing. They're hard working, decent people putting in a lot of work for something they hope can help fans. I think some groups can get a bit above their station. If I felt RAWA were going that way I'd walk away straight away, no interest in that kind of thing. As it is I think they're canny, and like I say I'm really hoping to get involved in things around atmosphere and community stuff, I think RAWA are a positive thing, but accept not everyone agrees! Certainly don't think they're arrogant though, if it read that way then they'll need to take more care on the releases