New start for South stand

The Stadium of Light’s South Stand will be renamed ‘The Roker End’ after an emphatic vote from Sunderland supporters.

In conjunction with the club, fan group the Red & White Army launched a poll with The Wearside End, The Colliery End and The Raich Carter End the other options.

Over 13,000 supporters had their say, with The Roker End getting over 70% of the votes.

Executive Director Charlie Methvens aid the choice will help a new generation of supporters connect with Sunderland’s illustrious past.

“This has been a fantastic exercise to go through with RAWA and the rest of the supporters’ groups,” he said.

“To have over 13,000 vote, in such a short space of time, is almost unprecedented and demonstrates Sunderland fans’ passion for their club and its history.

“As away fans, Stewart and I were always very aware of Roker Park and its reputation, and it’s good that a new generation of SAFC supporters will now be able to feel that direct link with that famous past.”

The club are working with the group on a number of initiatives to help improve the matchday experience at the Stadium of Light.

The official renaming ceremony will take place before the Boxing Day visit of Bradford City, an event which will also see a ‘captain’s mural’ unveiled.

Chairman of the Red & White Army, Andrew Hird, says ‘there is much more to come’.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for supporters to come together and help give our stadium a greater sense of identity, and they answered the call with thousands participating,” he said.

“The Roker Roar is synonymous throughout football for being loud and representative of our city, and we want the Stadium of Light’s Roker End to carry on that tradition and recapture Roker Park’s stirring atmosphere.”