What we learned as Tom Burwell addressed Sunderland fans on major off-pitch issues | OneFootball

Tom Burwell and senior Sunderland figures met the supporter collective last month to confront off-pitch problems after a contentious summer of login and membership changes.

According to Sunderland Echo, Burwell linked ticketing and communication issues to the club’s long spell outside the top flight and to thin staffing. Minutes said the communications team is the smallest in the Premier League and customer service is stretched, though he does not believe his interim CEO status deters recruits as the club builds its off-field operation.

A new app is in advanced development and central to improving supporter communications, carrying match information such as line-ups and ticketing notices. Ticketing will not sit in the app this season, raising questions over the pace of wider reforms.

On sponsorship, Visit Ghana is highly unlikely to front the shirt after an agreement fell at the last stage. Burwell is confident a market-value replacement will follow soon. Early kit releases before any deal point to a likely hit, though retail is up 35% and an improved hummel agreement delivers significant benefit.

The P1 Travel match break partnership unsettled fans by seemingly offering a way around membership and ballots. The club is investigating away supporters in the home end against Arsenal, says checks are in place, and confirmed 200 tickets are allocated.

Europa League away ballots were corrected to 10%, aligning policy across competitions, with season ticket holders eligible for each game. The club seeks broader access while keeping most tickets for high Black Cat points, though many wanted a slower phase-in.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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