‘My mam cried, broken-hearted’: Elderly Sunderland fans decry ticketing and communication | OneFootball

Concerns over Sunderland’s ticketing have deepened after accounts of elderly supporters’ treatment. According to Sunderland Echo, Red and White Army says a plea to pause renewal deadlines was ignored.

Pat Watt, 89, and her daughter Alison Berry, 67, say they lost long-held seats despite arranging a direct debit on 4 April. They later found the seats had been resold on 14 April after a failure, and the bank said no mandate existed.

Offered alternatives were deemed unsuitable given Watt’s serious mobility issues after a fall two years ago. She was then moved seven rows from Berry, they paid a £20 move fee and Berry’s seat is £200 a year more expensive, while their original seats appeared unused.

Berry said efforts to resolve matters brought little progress, citing unanswered emails, limited ticket office access and AskSAFC replies tailing off. She added her mother was heartbroken fearing she would miss matches.

Another case involves Sylvia Pickard, 90 in June, who moved into the Black Cats Bar five years ago. After the switch to 76 Yards and prices rising from £790 to £2,300, her family say they have been unable to return to general admission.

They say an administrator told them to surrender the corporate seat and join a waiting list. Although over-85s with three or more years’ tenure can receive a free season ticket, they were told corporate prices could not be reduced. Further testimonies cite payment failures and seat allocation errors across the stadium. Sunderland AFC has been approached for comment.

Source: Sunderland Echo