Season card problems frustrate queuing fans
Sunderland AFC fans queued in numbers at the Stadium of Light yesterday to secure their place at this weekend’s Championship opener and get their hands on the club’s new away strip.
The Black Cats welcome Coventry City tomorrow, for what will be the club’s first game back in the second flight of English football after an absence of four seasons.
Alex Neil’s men will kick off in front of the Sky Sports cameras at noon – and with more than 30,000 season cards sold, the game is set to be a sell-out.
But some supporters had to queue at the ticket office yesterday morning to secure alternative seats after promised season cards failed to arrive – while others lined up outside the stadium shop which has been closed all week, despite the launch of the new away strip just a week ago.
A small number of supporters were queuing to purchase tickets but many in the line were season card holders, including some unhappy over the lack of response when they attempted to contact the club.
Adult season cards at the Stadium of Light cost a minimum of £390, with Under-16s able to secure their seat from £48 and over-65s from £270, while Under-18 and Under-22 season card prices start from £96 and £165.
Lifelong fan Gordon Stevenson, 69, had travelled from South Shields after his season card was delayed. “I emailed them on July 19 and they said they would sort it within three days,” he said.
"It is now ten days later and I have had to come down myself –you can’ t speak to anybody on the phone and they are not answering their emails.”
Pamela Taylor was making her second visit to the ticket office.“I came here yesterday but did not get seen.” she said.
Pamela, 51, from Easington Lane, said she had followed the club advice to supporters whose season cards did not arrive but received no response.
"They said to send an email but I have emailed them and not had anything back from them – they are not responding to anything,” she said.
Pamela was waiting to pick up an accessibility ticket because she is a match companion to an autistic friend. “I did not want to bring her down because she does not like standing in queues ,” she said.
Michelle Barrass, 40, from Tunstall, said she had ordered five season cards but just one had actually turned up.
The mum to Holly, 13, and ten-year-old Niall, said: “It is the first time I’ve had a season card in about 24 years, but we thought it was time to introduce the children to it.
"We have ordered five – three adults and two children– and we have received one adult ticket. I have emailed–because that was what we were told to do – and had no response to calls.
"I finally got a reply saying it would be another three working days – which is not much help if the game is on Sunday.”
Leanne Alderson, 34, had travelled down from Pennywell with ten-year-old Mason, four-year-old Blake and seven week-old Olivia to secure new away tops for Blake and partner Kyle Bevans.
She criticised club bosses for not opening the shop earlier.
She said: “I think it is a bit silly – if they had been open all week, then we would not be having to queue now.”