Fan Letters: Can Sunderland AFC reconnect with its roots in the coalfields?

RR reader Callum Askew wants Sunderland AFC to always value its local fans — even in the face of Newcastle United’s oil money. Got something to say? Email us:

Dear Roker Report,

I never thought I would write in to a fanzine as I feel my voice is irrelevant.

However, after listening to the pre-match podcast for Gateshead, I thought I would voice my opinion around pre-season as a ‘Durham Mackem’ and primary school teacher, and the role that the club can play in ensuring more pupils don’t turn to the ‘dark side’, with pre-season being one of them.

There’s a long-running gag around that claims there’s “nowt worse than Durham Mags”. However, there seems to be a lot more in my county.

Pupils with a Mackem parent are proudly wearing their Mag top in school to be like their friends and others, whose parents have no interest in football, are swaying the wrong way as well.

Of course, the influx of blood money and some success for the team from north of the Tyne is a driving factor, but I feel the lack of presence of my beloved Sunderland in its historic county is another, which brings me to pre-season.

Sunderland must consider its historic roots and fanbase and do more to capture the next set of hearts before it’s too late.

As mentioned in the podcast, Spennymoor Town (the highest-placed team in County Durham in the last few seasons) has brilliant facilities, including a fantastic pitch, to host Sunderland in a pre-season friendly.

Having recently made a trip to Wembley for the non-league final after beating a number of National League teams en route, it would the perfect opportunity for the club to make its presence felt again in the old coalfields of the county whilst playing suitable opposition.

As part of the Shildon branch, I know there’s a hardcore group of aging County Durham Mackems in the area, with our branch, Ferryhill, Coxhoe and Sedgefield always having full coaches for away games, but it’s noticeable that there are less ‘young ‘uns’ on board, making up the numbers.

After the cock up by Gateshead (a club predominantly surrounded by Mags), I feel now’s the time to show some love to County Durham and for Sunderland to make its presence felt again in an area that feels a little forgotten by the club.

The club has done amazing things in its recent history to build a rapport with its fanbase, and I don’t detract from that, but I just feel this is the next step in the evolution of our beloved club.

Dear Roker Report,

I had too much time and energy on a Sunday morning and decided to express my thoughts on each existing squad member (excluding new additions) and what I think we should do with them next season (keep, sell, or loan).

I left out Zak Johnson and Harrison Jones since they are both marginal players and academy prospects, and I haven’t formed a judgement about them yet. Anthony Patterson: Keep.

Even if we hire a new custodian, he’d make a fantastic backup. His game has limitations (distribution and, at times, command of his area), but he was terrific in the playoffs, and his shot-stopping is undeniably impressive.

I believe that in the long run, he needs to improve in those areas or we should seek elsewhere, but if an enlarged coaching staff can help him evolve, I’d be very pleased. Blondy Nna Noukeu: Sell or Release.

Brought in as a backup and hasn’t done anything wrong, but he’s unlikely to earn a squad number. Simon Moore: Sell. Last season, he performed admirably when he was called upon. I just don’t think he provides significant opposition to Patterson, which is required.

Niall Huggins: Keep. If he can keep fit, he’s always looked neat—a big ‘if’, though. Because of his injuries, I would not feel comfortable utilising him as the sole backup on either flank. Apparently well regarded by the staff, but need some luck and a run in the team.

Dennis Cirkin: Keep. He’s odd. He was one of, if not our greatest player, in the first few weeks of last season, but he was hurt and didn’t look as strong or confident after that. I believe that bringing in Reinildo was a wise decision, as it provided us with true competition at left back.

If Cirkin is hurt again, he can take his time and recuperate properly. Given that he is expected to miss the first game of the season, Reinildo may take over that slot and Cirkin battles to return to the starting eleven.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com