Sunderland take a stand against 38 fans who refuse to sit down and evict them with tough message pinned to their empty seat This was the sight which greeted a number of Sunderland fans as the club stepped up its fight against their own supporters yesterday. The Wearside club have ejected 38 fans from their seats for persistent standing, and have now withdrawn the season tickets of a number of repeat offenders. Sunderland have now taken a hard-line stance against supporters who, they say, are endangering the safety and enjoyment of all fans Sunderland aren't the first club to crack down. Liverpool reduced Manchester Unitedâs away allocation in 2011 due to standing, cutting the number of available tickets from 2,948 to 1,965. Manchester City, Sunderland and Bolton have also made similar sanctions against United. The issue has led to major confrontations between fans and stewards during games, and abusive chanting aimed at stewards. And one supporter, Liam Holister tweeted a photo showing an empty red seat with a warning notice and his own 'disgraceful' observation. The irony is that the abuse, has come from fans who have been moved to the south stand, earmarked as a singing section by the club, and where away fans were housed until this season. At the start of this season, visiting supporters were moved to a high section of the north stand. Yesterday for the visit of Manchester City, the club increased the number of stewards in problem areas and issued another warning to supporters in the match programme, threatening to close areas of the ground unless they take their seats. Throughout the 1-0 win over champions City, a number of Sunderland fans remained on their feet and they sang the '**** off you stewards weâll stand if we wantâ in the first-half. The majority of Premier League clubs throw in a disclaimer to indicate that, at their âsole discretionâ they may reject any application for a season ticket, but most indicate quite clearly why a pass may be revoked. Sunderlandâs official club website, however, does not offer any clues as to what may warrant having a season ticket withdrawn, whereas many clubs including northeast rivals Newcastle United publish full terms and conditions online. The Magpies state on their site that they may cancel a season ticket for 'persistent standing in seated areas whilst the match is in progressâ. Sunderlandâs head of safety Paul Weir said: 'The figure for fans ejected due to persistent standing last season as a whole was just 20 so we can see that there has been a significant increase in the early part of the season. 'We certainly donât wish to spoil the enjoyment of any supporter, we want a vibrant matchday atmosphere just as much as the fans do, but we also have legal obligations that we must be seen to adhering to. 'We also have a duty of care to all our supporters, including elderly and disabled fans who have contacted us very concerned that their enjoyment on a matchday is being compromised because people around them stand throughout the game. 'Naturally we want to ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience at the Stadium of Light and weâd ask supporters to listen to requests from stewards and help us to eradicate persistent standing for the sake of all fans.'
Its simple really, when the stewards ask you to sit, SIT! Then stand back up again! They have then done their jobs and you have complied, talking to a steward yesterday about the vile laminates, he said its because they never once did as they were asked
Why the hell do they think it is ok to stand all the time which then either forces the people behind to stand as well, or stops the small, elderly or infirm from seeing the game at all..You can still sing, shout and support the lads from a seated position just as much as you can from standing up..
I could imagine this thread going the way of the smoking one. But but but its our right to stand/smoke, I don't care who that affects, I have rights .
I moved from the east to the south for a singing end, i certainly didnt expect to be forced to stand to see the game, i wont be renewing in the south, although our seats are class and the view is top notch, its a hassle i cant be arsed with on my match day experience, plus getting served is a nightmare
I fully back the club on this one. No decent person will have been banned i doubt, its the chavvy wanna be hard men who answer back "what the **** ya ganna dee like" Ban you, simpes bye bye!!! The stewards where I sit were top notch yesterday at the back of the south stand. Checking tickets and noving people to where they should be. Bout 20 who cause aggro at every game, surprised surprise shouldn't even have been there.
No disrespect mate, but if you insist on standing and smoking then **** off and do it where it's allowed.
I took my 12 year old daughter a couple of weeks ago to her first match, it was a shame she didn't get to see much and missed the goal and play-making because certain fans in front of us just arbitrarily stand up whenever there is goalmouth action, it's selfish and inconsiderate to the people that sit behind them who abide by the rules or who are not tall enough to see over the offenders heads even if they are forced to stand!. I'm not suggesting the rules are always correct, but they are currently there in place and should be followed. Maybe certain sections with standing areas would work in some stadiums that would benefit the 'standers' but until that time it cost the same for our tickets as the selfish peeps in who stand up in front and we should be allowed able to view the game unhindered as well as the 'standers' in front of us. Rant over
