Sunderland RCA seek closer ties as non-league strain bites on Wearside | OneFootball

Sunderland RCA, now the city’s only Northern League club, want to work around Sunderland’s schedule to draw bigger crowds as non-league neighbours face fresh strain.

“Sunderland have been out of the Premier League for a few years and it’s great to see what they’ve done. For me, it’s all about getting more bodies in the ground because that’s what gets much-needed revenue into the clubs.” As reported by Sunderland Echo, Forrest said crowds are vital to survival.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League under Regis Le Bris, sealed by last season’s play-off final win over Sheffield United, has reignited Wearside. Sell-outs are now routine.

Ryhope CW folded three years after lifting the Durham Challenge Cup for only the second time. In recent weeks Farringdon Detached have quit the Wearside League and Sunderland West End will resign from the Northern League at the end of the season.

RCA are now the city’s only Northern League club and Wearside’s highest-ranked non-league side despite playing in the league’s second tier. They submitted a provisional resignation in February 2023, citing finance, support and committee shortages, before withdrawing it, and a rebuild is under way.

“Maybe we need to move some fixtures to a Friday night, maybe we need to work our fixtures around Sunderland a little bit better to try and get some more bodies through the gates because we need more in.”

“Committee members, volunteers, supporters, they are all crucial and as crucial as what goes on on the pitch.”

Source: Sunderland Echo