'My mam cried, broken-hearted': Elderly Sunderland fans decry ticketing treatment and poor communication | OneFootball

Concerns over Sunderland’s ticketing policy have intensified, with fresh accounts from elderly supporters detailing payment failures, lost seats and poor communication. According to Sunderland Echo, multiple fans have come forward during renewals.

These testimonies add to complaints across the past two seasons, while fan group Red and White Army has criticised the club for limited engagement and for not pausing the renewal deadline.

Pat Watt, 89, and daughter Alison Berry, 67, say their long-held seats were resold despite a direct debit set up on 4 April. They later learned the seats had gone on 14 April after a reported failure, even though payments were due in May, and say they received no warning.

Seats offered were unsuitable given Watt’s mobility issues. They were first placed in exposed front-row spots, then split seven rows apart, worsening matters for Berry who is her carer.

A £20 move fee was charged and Berry’s seat now costs about £200 more per year, while they report persistent communication problems.

Karen Jacques says her mother, Sylvia Pickard, 90 in June, moved into the Black Cats Bar five years ago. After the 76 Yards switch, prices rose from £790 to about £2,300. Attempts to return to general admission were declined, with advice to surrender the corporate seat and join the waiting list.

The family cite an over-85s policy offering a free season ticket after three years, but say it does not apply to corporate seats, leaving Pickard paying more than £2,000.

Source: Sunderland Echo