Full Sunderland Match Information -

F

fmttmadmin

Administrator
Staff member
I have been given a big Q and A sheet and have also attended an online meeting this evening.
The club will be issuing lots of info tomorrow that will stay prominent all weekend.
I will publish the Q and As,
Basically, get there early. Don't take any coins. Stadium is completely Cashless. No money transactions at all (even in hospitality).
No Hold Back after but bars will stay open.
Expected attendance 45 000! So busy.
 
Sunday 22nd January 2023: Sunderland AFC vs Middlesbrough
What time will the Stadium open?
Turnstiles will open at 10.30am. We are expecting in the region of 45,000 fans so would encourage all supporters to arrive early to ensure they are in their seat for kick off.

Where are visiting supporter coaches located?
Visiting supporter coaches and minibuses will be parked in the Yellow Car Park to the west of the stadium.

What is the entry system for visiting supporters?
Visiting supporters will enter via a queuing system on the road (Vaux Brewery Way) next to Turnstiles 69-74. Middlesbrough FC stewards and Sunderland AFC stewards will be there to direct supporters and help.
An enhanced search process will be in place which is now normal procedure at the Stadium of Light.

What is the enhanced search process?
Away fans are being asked not to bring coins, vapes, or mobile phone power banks into the stadium.

Why is this happening?
Unfortunately, a number of our matches this season have seen away supporters throw coins and other missiles into the home fans sat below them. This has resulted in several injuries to home supporters including an 8-year-old boy who was struck on the head by a vape battery.

Is this change not just a draconian measure to a problem caused by a minority of fans?
We fully accept this is a response to the actions of the minority. However, when children and other supporters are being injured, we have to say that “enough is enough”. The new measures were brought in after consultation with Sunderland supporter group representatives.
We are confident the vast majority of football supporters will be supportive of the new measures.

What happens if I refuse to hand over coins or vapes etc?
It is a condition of entry under Ground Regulations, so you will not be permitted entry.

What will happened to the confiscated coins?
The confiscated coins will be counted and then the final amount will be donated to the preferred charity of the visiting club. Middlesbrough FC have asked that the money gets split between:
• MFC Foundation
• Teesside Hospice
• Middlesbrough Foodbank

What will happen to the vape batteries and power banks?
You can opt to be given an envelope which you can put your name and contact details on. Place the item in the envelope and then it will be stored in a safe box for you to collect after the match.

What about fans who want to buy concessions inside the stadium?
The Stadium of Light is completely cashless, so coins would not be accepted as payment in any event.
Visiting supporters should note that the concessions will be open after the game. This allows fans who want to avoid the post-match rush to have a drink or something to eat.
 
Can you ask if they will be searching children? And if so that proper, legal procedures will be in place to a avoid any unnecessary upset, confusion and anxiety?

My son is 14, looks about 20 and has a proof of age card and will be with me. I expect him to be treated as a child and not a potential hooligan.

What are Sunderland's enhanced search procedures and are they documented somewhere we can see in advance to prepare ourselves. Enhanced could mean anything and allow stewards to think they have carte blanche, which they don't.
 
Also, will Sunderland fans who abuse Boro fans inside or outside the ground be treated the same as Boro fans? We know they will be taunting us and that the stewards will look and wait for us to respond.
 
edinboro said:
Can you ask if they will be searching children? And if so that proper, legal procedures will be in place to a avoid any unnecessary upset, confusion and anxiety?

My son is 14, looks about 20 and has a proof of age card and will be with me. I expect him to be treated as a child and not a potential hooligan.

What are Sunderland's enhanced search procedures and are they documented somewhere we can see in advance to prepare ourselves. Enhanced could mean anything and allow stewards to think they have carte blanche, which they don't.
Click to expand...
I will ask Middlesbrough Safety Officer Chris Patzelt - but am sure all fans will be searched.
 
edinboro said:
Also, will Sunderland fans who abuse Boro fans inside or outside the ground be treated the same as Boro fans? We know they will be taunting us and that the stewards will look and wait for us to respond.
Click to expand...
There are 30 Middlesbrough stewards travelling up before the fans. You will see the Boro stewards first when you step inside the stadium.
 
On the MFC site..
Post-match, fans who have travelled by car will must make this known to the Police, as otherwise they will be escorted back to S
t Peter's station.

How's that going to work, can we not just exit the ground as make our way to cars/metro going North?
 
There are contact details for their safeguarding team online. I think I might give them a ring to understand what to expect. It can be really upsetting even for a teenager to be put in an awkward position - challenge them and risk being denied entry or let them do it which is clearly inappropriate.
 
NorthumberlandBoro said:
On the MFC site..
Post-match, fans who have travelled by car will must make this known to the Police, as otherwise they will be escorted back to S
t Peter's station.

How's that going to work, can we not just exit the ground as make our way to cars/metro going North?
Click to expand...

Just seen this so much for being able to come and go as you please after the game. No stop back is clearly a load of tosh.

Ive had this before begged and pleaded that i hadnt come on the train and was being forced to walk in the opposite direction to where my car was parked to be told to shut up!
 
No hold back haha, good luck with that! Say that every year soft lads. Is it any coins or sharpened ones only? Asking for a very very close friend.

Any info on them being one of the only teams thick enough to put away fans above home fans or are they still working that one out?
 
Davey_C said:
Just seen this so much for being able to come and go as you please after the game. No stop back is clearly a load of tosh.

Ive had this before begged and pleaded that i hadnt come on the train and was being forced to walk in the opposite direction to where my car was parked to be told to shut up!
Click to expand...
I've also had some bad experiences in the past at the SOL trying to get away in the opposite direction to main support.
That's why I was asking the question.
I thought they had moved away from Draconian controls having learnt that they causes more problems than they solved?
 
Davey_C said:
Just seen this so much for being able to come and go as you please after the game. No stop back is clearly a load of tosh.

Ive had this before begged and pleaded that i hadnt come on the train and was being forced to walk in the opposite direction to where my car was parked to be told to shut up!
Click to expand...
No stop back. Police said just make it known you are in a car and you can break away. They emphasised this but also underlined you can wait behind in the open bars to allow the crowds to disperse. We were told this is quite quick at SOL.
 
Davey_C said:
Just seen this so much for being able to come and go as you please after the game. No stop back is clearly a load of tosh.

Ive had this before begged and pleaded that i hadnt come on the train and was being forced to walk in the opposite direction to where my car was parked to be told to shut up!
Click to expand...
I made the police aware that this has been an issue in the past at SOL and fans Boro fans became very nervous when forced to wait near the buses, whether they were in cars, trsins or buses.
Police said this was very helpful to know and they will be now expecting those by car to want to leave in another direction.
I would wait 10 mins in the stadium bar til main Boro support has left then just walk out the other way. Tell the police if they are still there.
 
When I've come by train from York via Newcastle I've had to go right round the houses past all the Sunderland fans in their pubs. It's been awful as I've been on my own. The Police just don't have the time or awareness to do anything other than the standard instructions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top