Sunderland fan thanks club as safe standing plan for U18 is revised | OneFootball

Sunderland scaled back planned rail seating in block U18 on 3 June after feedback from older supporters, a change welcomed by 70-year-old season-ticket holder John Marshall.

A club spokesperson stated that, following the installation of 2,000 safer standing spaces in the Roker End in 2024/25, rail seating is to be extended across blocks U40, U15, U16, U17 and U18 for 2026/27. Having listened to supporter feedback, U18 will now have rail seats only in the top seven rows, the lower rows will remain seated, and the area will be monitored during the season with future requirements kept under review.

Initial emails on Monday 25 May identified sections with regular standing and warned seated fans could find their view obstructed if neighbours stood. John, who sits in U18, was among those contacted.

The Durham-based supporter has held a season ticket for 40 years. He has had a hip replacement, a friend aged 76 has had both hips replaced, and they would struggle to stand for close to two hours. U17 generally stands, but most in U18 prefer to sit.

After supporters in U18 raised concerns, the club’s safety team emailed on the evening of 2 June confirming a revised approach for the block. John thanked the club for listening and for being sensitive to long-standing fans.

The expansion of safe standing has been backed by A Love Supreme representative Paul Dobson, who is nearly 70 and still prefers to stand, particularly away. He welcomed the compromise and believes younger supporters will always want to stand, while those unable to stand have been heard.

Source: Sunderland Echo