Fan Letters: Has David Bruce’s Departure Changed The Dynamic?

Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views! RokerReport@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Roker Report,

Is the club’s outlook towards the fans changing with the departure of David Bruce?

Let me be clear: the club and everyone around have been brilliant and there’s a close connection with fans. But the recent stories about fans wishing to move seats and come out of premium into general sales looks less sympathetic to fans now.

Derek Ballard

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Derek. Thank you for your letter.

I certainly don’t wish to come across rudely in my reply, but I’m going to keep it short and sweet.

Perhaps I’ll write a longer article on this very subject at some stage but for now, I’d simply say, “Yes”. I do have growing concerns about what’s happening in terms of customer service and fan/club relations, particularly in the light of what’s come out recently.

Perhaps it’ll all be ironed out and rectified soon, with a renewed effort to keep supporters in the fold and feeling valued. I hope it is.

Dear Roker Report,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy the podcast — I’m an avid listener.

Of course, I’m a Sunderland supporter and originally from Trimdon Station, Co. Durham. Supporting the club has always been a passion; a family affair, passed down from my dad, Ted, who’s still following Sunderland faithfully at 91.

Now retired and a season card holder, I live near Tring in Hertfordshire and travel to matches by train via London.

The journeys give my idle hands time to sketch and occasionally put pen to paper in a more poetic way. It’s a new thing for me which I’m enjoying — just for the fun of it. Whether any of it’s actually good is open to debate – my art teacher back in 1972 certainly didn’t think so!

I’ve included a picture and a poem inspired by The Keel Crossing, trying to capture a sense of the old and the new coming together.

Like your podcast. I put it together for a great old school friend, Geoff Brown, whom I reconnected with last season after many decades. For his birthday. A mention too for my brother David, nephew George and all the faithful in L19 of the Jimmy Montgomery Stand. Sunderland ‘Til I Die.

It may be of interest to you. I hope so.

Haway the  Lads and Haway the podcast!

Paul Lee

Keel Crossing — The Bridge of Hope

O’er steel and river’s breadth, we go,

From weight of life to matchday glow.

Each step together gathers force,

A confluence of our common cause.

Red and white, in scarves and song,

A thousand separate lives made strong,

Side by side, the young, the old,

Together in the Sunlun’ fold.

Here hope is lit with every stride,

Renewed each time the tides collide,

A ritual walk, a faithful stream,

Across the span of one shared dream.

The Bridge is now a meeting place,

Where tales of heroes interlace,

New legends rise, old oaths are sworn,

In colours proudly, boldly worn.

And as the stadium’s lights appear,

The matchday thunder drawing near.

On Keel Crossing, hand in hand,

Hope walks with us into the stand.

A tidal wave of rising sound,

Increasing as we near the ground.

And all as one, we wise men say:

“Haway the Lads! Haway, Haway!”

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Paul. Thank you for getting in touch.

That’s one hell of piece of writing. It certainly captures the optimism that I think we’re all feeling on match days — and will hopefully continue to feel for a long time to come!

Thanks for taking the time to send it to us.