My 1st post on here, and I know this has probably been done to death, but not sure if anyone has put this slant on it. I dont live in Sunderland so I do not know what the general feeling is on this, but could the fact that Steve Bruce is our manager have anything to do with it. 44,000 average att when we first came up with RK and with a worse squad, 38,000-40,000 now with SB and a better squad. I know when SB was first appointed, loads were saying they would never go back, but I just took that as empty threats, but maybe they were serious. Personally I like Bruce and the fact he used to support the toon is neither here nor there for me, but maybe its part of the problem (as well as recession/illegal broadcasts in pubs). Just wondering what Sunderland fans think that actually live in Sunderland, and know the lowdown and general feelings of the populace. cheers
Way off the mark IMHO, I dont think anyone wont go because of Bruce, I think mose doubters were won over some time ago. Is it down to cash, well the club are offering a ã10.00 ticket deal for the Liverpool game, looking like a sell out.
To be honest mate, i don't think there's anything in that. Even at the start it wasn't a majority that were anti-Bruce, and certainly from my perspective he has almost universal backing from all corners. If people are staying away for that reason, i pity them. If not supporting Sunderland was a way of showing how anti-mag you were, you be an idiot, as you'd be making a contadiction in terms. I honestly think it's purely financial, and the only way it'll change is if a) the economy picks up or b) we hit Europe and get a few thousand 'plastics'. There's a good Roker Report today about other ways to bring in the money, i feel that needs to be Niall and Waltons focus at the moment.
I would certainly hope SB being a 'Geordie' has nothing to do with the attendances, bit daft if anyone stays away because of this, just look at the mans reactions to both derby matches this season, he's a mackem now! I would love to get to the matches but I can't afford the Season ticket and petrol money, if I lived in the area I would certainly have a ST. But for now I have to make do with matches as and when I'm in the area and have money!
Even at the time of his appointment I don't remember many people even caring that he's supported the Mags when he was a bairn... appart from a few Mag WUMs that is
reckon your way off with the crowds being down relating to steve bruce. its just economics pubs are showing the games and people on a budget are choosing to go there, see in snq latest rant he says they go and watch the game and have fish and chips or sandwiches etc, sorry quinny are people not allowed to eat now. then he leads onto his vision about the club etc etc, and at one point says the club losses about 1.8 million through lack of fans (probably equates to the salary of one or two of the deadwood players still on safc books) he then states it not about the money but about empty seats and athmosphere, so if this is the case and the money is only of secondary interest, surely there has to be a way to entice the missing fans back economically wise. makes a good read and i for one reckon snq is wanting out for one reason or another. 38 40k fans in these hard times is still good and still one of the best supported clubs around 18 len shackleton o/l i/f 348 appearances 100goals
I honestly think that attendances are going to creep back up as fans are starting to believe again. Alos the football we are playing is improving all the time. Clearly we have 4 more tough matches and 2 wins out of those could see a good finish.
I agree, just by the tone on boards like this you can sense excitement and feel good factor. Suprise has replaced expectancy that we have lost 3 games. That in itself is a massive change in mentality.
I think one of the reasons why attendances are down is due to the lack of atmosphere at many of our home games. It is just not as exciting a place to be as it once was..Having said that, at the Spurs game the atmosphere was much, much better than of late; and I feel that if that kind of atmosphere continued, as well as good performances on the pitch of course, people would be more inclined to want to be a part of it. This is what I think Quinn was on about when he talked of getting on the magic carpet. The club could also help themselves by stopping the blanket ban on flags etc. Other clubs seem to have found a compromise regarding what constitutes a health and safety issue, so why not Sunderland..In my opinion, atmosphere is visual as well as vocal, and both go hand in hand.
Nah don't agree. If we had had Sir Bobby Robson as manager only the iiiidoits would have complained and he was black and white through and through. Its like the old addage "If you're good enough you're mackem enough"
Yes RA Spurs game last year was a belta too. Is the opposition? Don't mean supposed "size" of opposition but the intention with which they come to the stadium. Do you think the open attractive games have better atmosphere is what I'm driving at?
