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

Sunderland RCA, now the city’s only Northern League club, believe working around Sunderland’s schedule could help boost crowds as non-league sides face testing times.

According to Sunderland Echo, Farringdon Detached have resigned from the Wearside League and Sunderland West End will leave the Northern League at season’s end, following Ryhope CW’s collapse three years ago. That leaves RCA as Wearside’s highest-ranked non-league team despite playing in the second division of the Northern League.

Three years after Championship play-off semi-final heartache under Tony Mowbray, Sunderland returned to the Premier League when Regis Le Bris delivered last season’s play-off final win over Sheffield United. Summer signings Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey have helped deliver wins over Chelsea and Brentford and a league double against Newcastle, with sell-outs now routine.

RCA are no strangers to non-league pitfalls, having submitted a provisional resignation in February 2023 citing finance, support and active committee involvement, before withdrawing it. A rebuild is under way.

Manager Mark Forrest said moving some fixtures to Friday nights and working around Sunderland’s games could help increase gates, and that the challenge is shared across the Northern League.

He called the resignations sad and disappointing, stressing the importance of volunteers. “Committee members, volunteers, supporters, they are all crucial and as crucial as what goes on on the pitch.”

Source: Sunderland Echo