In what is probably our final word on the Quinn/Attendance saga, Roker Report's very own Michael Graham weighs in with his views on things, reviews the stats, and reckons Quinny should take a long hard look at things before shouting about figures... http://rokerreport.com/2011/02/21/in-reply-to-mr-quinn-2/ Thanks for reading.
Yes a very good read and like the writer says Quinn will always bw a god to Sunderland fans for what he has done, continues to do and for his love of our club. That said debate he asks for means that agreement with his stance is not obligitory. Like Quinn I, and I'm sure you, would love to see a full SoL every game and I have no problem at all with his motives. My problem comes in 3 parts and I'm not sure what order they stand. 1. Is a little sefish, I am a season ticket holder and feel at times there is too much said about the empty seats and to little said about the full ones. 2. I dont like watching in the pub but dont see what right I have to call those who do. 3. Like the writer says, whatever Quinn actually says the national press turn it to make us all look bad. I think he is now in over kill mode.
A sensible and well written piece. There is another part to this tv in pubs business. Surely the suppliers are paying for these games, they don't just send a bloke into the SOL with a video camera. If that's the case then I would guess a part of this money would work its way back to SAFC (in with the sky tv money perhaps) so I think it isn't lost revenue. If these pubs weren't showing these games maybe the sky money would be lower. I think Niall said that the money wasn't the real point, it was the lack of bodies at the SOL. An extra 5 or 6 thousand would contribute a little over ã1m. in gate receipts which is small change when compared to the other monies coming in. Niall wants the place full and buzzing like when him and Kev were playing (and so do we) The prices are amongst the cheapest in the Prem and I hear that the Liverpool game may be selling out (mainly because of the ã10 tickets I would think) When the economy picks up the crowds will be back but even now we still are one of the best supported clubs in the Country.
Agree with that syd. I have a small issue with the ã10 seats thing as well, this is the second this season, or 3rd (Everton was deffo, sure there was another), facts are, 3 of these a season and it's CHEAPER to not buy a season ticket, which i religiously renew the very day it plonks through the letterbox.
I agree Brucey, its sold that its a perk to having a seson ticket, I can get two cheap ones but I dont need a seat, got one. So you could say well it gives me the option to bring along two mates for ã10 each, why should I subsidise their seats? Now if it was a cheap seat in a less popualar area for say low income then great, but what is low income, how do we dicide.
Exactly mate. I'd be delighted for people with valid reason for work to get the occasional cheap or free ticket, but i'd be fuming if a 'stress sicknote' was getting one. You just don't know who's genuine and worthy sadly.
Not a lot wrong with what you say Roker but a little unbalanced imo. I doubt if Niall had the foresight to see the poxy recession which ascended on the Globe overnight.If he did he might not have put his money where his heart is. Neither is he responsible for the horrible unemployment figures in the NE. Like everone he does have to deal with the consequences. Hard Times. He has never and will never imo question the loyalty or support of safc fans in financial difficulties.As Chairman it's part of his job to fill the stadium and asking Mr Shortt for tens of millions of pounds annually to keep the vision alive may not be sustainable. Of course he is under pressure and maybe a little frustrated but lets cut him some slack and have a positive debate. Who knows look what Amsterdam Roger,Ballin Boy and Brucey Beak started wit SAFC in Africa. Haway the Lads
We're lucky not to be banned under the mental health act mate! Is there a surer sign of insanity than watching Sunderland? At the very list we're all masochists.
very good post indeed. I currently fall into the category of being in an insecure job which could end at any moment without notice. I am also currently trying to save money to fledge the nest and the option of a season ticket is irresponsible at this time. That said I still go to most games at least 12-15 a season. I dont watch games in the pub as nothing beats actually going to the game but i cant condone people who do as at the end of the day its their decision. Every year I also recieve vast amounts of mail about purchasing a season ticket which tries in my opinion to guilt trip me into getting one which i feel is the wrong way to go about things personally as it feels as though im not a true fan because i dont have one. I also feel the pubs that show games should donate a percentage of matchday takings to the club as without the games they would see much less custom and would ensure the club saw some slight benefit to thousands of fans watching these games free of charge. However it would be almost impossible to impose
Whilst I still sympathize with Big Niall, I have to say it's a good article all right. It's not the stadium that makes for a great atmosphere; it's the people who fill it and the noise they make. So on the one hand, we have BNQ saying let's get bums on seats and on the other, we have the fans saying we were doing it at Roker, we do it at the SoL and if numbers are down in the worst recession in living memory, hey, cut us some slack. Both points of view are valid, but as everyone wants the best for SAFC let's knock this one on the head now.
There is of course one more side of the argument, the pubs. You just need to drive round any village, town or city to see how hard they are finding it, to lt and for sale signs everywhere. You then, the landlord, are given the chance to fill your pub every Saturday and maybe Sunday and all for a small cost. We stop the TV, if we could and will all the pubs survive, what happens to the landlord, his family and the staff? Will all those customers now come to the SoL? I know Quin n has to shout for the club but the club is part of Sunderland.
Errrrm... Hi all. Please read my first ever post, and my comments relating to this whole debate. Not being too smug but whilst i wasn't as eloquent I tried to say the same thing. Love the club. I have what I think of as good, constructive critisism to impart. What exactly was wrong with saying SNQ was wrong when I did - a week ago? Anyway, don't think i'll contribute much more. Us in this house know what we want for and from SAFC. I think some are too young to have been through what I have - and I'm only 50! It is hard work loving Sunderland. We deserve praise, not critisism. Tara., x
Whilst I still sympathize with Big Niall, I have to say it's a good article all right. It's not the stadium that makes for a great atmosphere; it's the people who fill it and the noise they make. So on the one hand, we have BNQ saying let's get bums on seats and on the other, we have the fans saying we were doing it at Roker, we do it at the SoL and if numbers are down in the worst recession in living memory, hey, cut us some slack. Both points of view are valid, but as everyone wants the best for SAFC let's knock this one on the head now. SYD, BANG ON. As an ex tenant I would have had to pay ã690 plus vat per month for SKY. but arab tv was ã800 per year all in, showing games from all over the world 24/7, my profits from one month, alcohol wise/food wise could not justify sky, and that was five years ago, long live free viewing, or make it more affordable, living/working in Holland, no work for me in England, take what I can get,,,,,,,,,but for TEN EUROS A MONTH get sports one, nearly every top flight EPL match, ok some are replays , but at least 4 over the weekend live. so why cant we have that in UK?.........ALSO ,,,,,,will be able to watch Everton V SUNDERLAND THIS WEEKEND, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, About 2.5 euros,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,TWO QUID, add alcohol who cares.
Good read Roker. I would just like to pick up on the fact that Quinny seems to be stuck in this bubble whereby the recession is not hitting Football clubs as it is with business and everyday members of the Red n White army. You just have to look at the January spending to see how out of touch football is with reality. I mean I work in the Construction Industry and we have just had our pay frozen for the third year in a row which is basically a pay cut with inflation still occuring and rising petrol prices etc. I think the attendances will pick up over the next few seasons when hopefully we will begin to pick up as an economy. But when your job is at risk constantly as in many business sectors today, the last thing on your mind is paying to watch a football match.
