Non-league neighbours look to work with Sunderland as tough times continue | OneFootball

Sunderland RCA, now the city’s only Northern League club, want to work with Sunderland to boost attendances as local non-league teams face tough times. According to Sunderland Echo, manager Mark Forrest is exploring ideas to align fixtures with the Premier League club.

After play-off semi-final heartache under Tony Mowbray three years ago, Sunderland returned to the Premier League when Regis Le Bris won last season’s play-off final against Sheffield United. Summer arrivals Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey have followed. Le Bris’ side have since recorded wins over Chelsea and Brentford and a league double against Newcastle United, with Stadium of Light sell-outs.

Three years have passed since Ryhope CW folded weeks after lifting the Durham Challenge Cup for the second time. In the last fortnight Farringdon Detached quit the Wearside League and Sunderland West End will resign from the Northern League at season’s end. RCA are now Wearside’s highest-ranked non-league side despite being in the second division, with Seaham Red Star at the same level plus Easington Colliery and Horden CW impressing in Division One.

RCA have felt the strain too, lodging a provisional resignation from the Northern League in February 2023, citing difficulties with finance, support and active committee involvement. The notice was later withdrawn and a rebuild is under way.

Forrest said Sunderland’s resurgence is transformational for the area and he wants non-league to benefit. He suggested Friday night games and working around Sunderland’s schedule could bring more people through the gates, citing Middlesbrough-backed schemes steering fans to clubs such as Boro Rangers.

He voiced sadness over the planned exits of Sunderland West End and Farringdon Detached and said the situation shows how crucial committees, volunteers and supporters are. Drawing on time as a former chairman and now a manager, he underlined how hard running a club can be.

Source: Sunderland Echo