Sunderland AFC fan thanks club for listening to older fans' concerns and changing safe standing plans
“I’m grateful they have been sensitive to our concerns and have changed their plans”
A 70-year-old Sunderland AFC fan faced with the prospect of struggling to stand for the duration of games next season has thanked SAFC for “listening to fans” after the club today (June 3) confirmed it’s changing its plans to introduce safe standing in a certain section of the Stadium of Light.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season the club installed 2,000 rail seats in the Roker End, enabling fans to stand and watch games. Last week, SAFC chiefs confirmed plans to extend rail seating to include other sections of the Roker End and South West corner covering blocks U40, U15, U16, U17 and U18.
The sections of the stadium were identified as areas where a significant number of fans are “regularly standing”. Emails were sent to season ticket holders on Monday May 25, confirming the news. Whilst rail seating does afford the opportunity to continue to sit, seated supporters’ view of the game would potentially be blocked by standing fans.
Whilst the opportunity to stand is no doubt welcomed by many supporters, a number of older fans contacted both the club and the Sunderland Echo to express their concerns about the decision and the fact it had been taken without consultation.
One of those was 70-year-old fan John Marshall who sits in block U18.
John, who lives in Durham City and has been a season ticket holder for 40 years, said: “If this proposed change had happened 20 years ago then myself and the friends I sit with would have welcomed it, but many of us are now in our 60s and 70s.
“I’ve had a hip replacement and a friend I sit with is 76 and has had both hips replaced and we would really struggle to stand for the best part of two hours.
“Fans in block U17 generally stand, but in block U18 the majority of people sit.”
John and some of his fellow block U18 supporters wrote to the club to express their concerns and we also contacted the club to raise supporters’ views.
On the evening of June 2, John was sent an email from the club’s safety team confirming a change of plan, with rail seating now only being installed in the upper rows of the stand, where “persistent standing” has been identified.
The email stated: “I fully appreciate the strength of feeling regarding the proposed changes to Block U18, particularly from long-standing season ticket holders who’ve supported the club through many years and have built strong connections with both the area and the supporters around them.
“A number of the concerns you have raised were echoed by other supporters, including the impact on those who prefer to remain seated and those with mobility considerations.
“Having listened carefully to the feedback received, the Club has reviewed its plans for Block U18.
“As a result, rail seating will now be installed only within the top seven rows of the block, where persistent standing is most common. The lower rows will remain as seating.
“The intention behind this revised approach is to strike a balance between improving safety in areas where supporters regularly choose to stand, whilst retaining seating for those who prefer or require it.”
John said: “I’ve thanked the club for listening to our concerns and I’m grateful they’ve been sensitive to our needs and have changed their plans.
“From the ownership down to Regis Le Bris and the players, there seems to be a real togetherness with the fans which is shown in this decision.
“Big businesses can often disregard the views of customers and so hopefully it’s a sign the club doesn’t lose sight of the fans who’ve supported them through difficult times.”
We contacted the club and asked them to confirm the change in plan for block U18.
A spokesperson said: “Following the successful rollout of 2,000 safer standing spaces in 2024/25, the club recently announced plans to extend rail seating to blocks U40, U15, U16, U17 and U18 for the 2026/27 season.
“Having listened to supporter feedback, we’ve revised our plans for block U18. Rail seating will now be installed only in the top seven rows, where standing is most common, with the lower rows remaining seated.
“We will monitor the area during the season and keep future requirements under review, while continuing to balance safety, operational needs and supporter feedback.”
The move to increase safe standing at the Stadium of Light has been welcomed by Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme representative Paul Dobson, who is also pleased the club has listened to the individual concerns of fans such as John.
He said: “I’m nearly 70 and I still like to stand, particularly at away games. I must admit that I was a bit concerned for older fans or fans with mobility issues when I heard the club was planning to expand safe standing and so I’m pleased it looks like the club have listened to concerns and come up with a sensible solution.
“Fans, particularly younger supporters, will always want to stand. It’s good this has been introduced in an official and safe way, but it’s also good to know those who can’t stand have been listened to.”