Fan Letters: Can Sunderland AFC reconnect with its roots in the coalfields?

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

I never thought I would write in to a fanzine as I feel my voice is irrelevant.

However, after listening to the pre-match podcast for Gateshead, I thought I would voice my opinion around pre-season as a ‘Durham Mackem’ and primary school teacher, and the role that the club can play in ensuring more pupils don’t turn to the ‘dark side’, with pre-season being one of them.

There’s a long-running gag around that claims there’s “nowt worse than Durham Mags”. However, there seems to be a lot more in my county.

Pupils with a Mackem parent are proudly wearing their Mag top in school to be like their friends and others, whose parents have no interest in football, are swaying the wrong way as well.

Of course, the influx of blood money and some success for the team from north of the Tyne is a driving factor, but I feel the lack of presence of my beloved Sunderland in its historic county is another, which brings me to pre-season.

Sunderland must consider its historic roots and fanbase and do more to capture the next set of hearts before it’s too late.

As mentioned in the podcast, Spennymoor Town (the highest-placed team in County Durham in the last few seasons) has brilliant facilities, including a fantastic pitch, to host Sunderland in a pre-season friendly.

Having recently made a trip to Wembley for the non-league final after beating a number of National League teams en route, it would the perfect opportunity for the club to make its presence felt again in the old coalfields of the county whilst playing suitable opposition.

As part of the Shildon branch, I know there’s a hardcore group of aging County Durham Mackems in the area, with our branch, Ferryhill, Coxhoe and Sedgefield always having full coaches for away games, but it’s noticeable that there are less ‘young ‘uns’ on board, making up the numbers.

After the cock up by Gateshead (a club predominantly surrounded by Mags), I feel now’s the time to show some love to County Durham and for Sunderland to make its presence felt again in an area that feels a little forgotten by the club.

The club has done amazing things in its recent history to build a rapport with its fanbase, and I don’t detract from that, but I just feel this is the next step in the evolution of our beloved club.

Haway the Lads.

Callum Askew

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Callum. Thank you for your letter.

As a Durham lad and the son of split footballing loyalties (Gateshead-born, Newcastle-supporting mam and lifelong Sunderland-supporting dad — thank God I went the right way!), I have to admit that I’ve always found this particular topic fascinating.

I agree wholeheartedly with the crux of your argument that Sunderland AFC must always strive to build and maintain a connection with its supporters in the many villages and towns that make up its wider catchment area.

As you rightly highlight, it’s part of our history and heritage, and a glance at the banners that hang proudly from the Stadium of Light’s North Stand illustrate that.

Despite Newcastle’s oil riches undoubtedly propelling them to new heights, I’d like to think that our newly-acquired status as a Premier League team — combined with hard work from those in charge — will ensure the supporters of tomorrow are brought into the fold and gifted with a love of Sunderland that they’ll retain for their entire lives.

Here’s hoping!

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Dear Roker Report,

I found myself with too much time and energy on a Sunday morning and thought I’d share my opinion on every current squad player (not including new signings) and what I think we should do with them next season (keep, sell or loan).

I left out Zak Johnson and Harrison Jones because they’re both fringe players and academy prospects and I haven’t formed much of an opinion on them yet.

Anthony Patterson: Keep

Even if we get a new keeper, he’d be an excellent backup. There are flaws in his game (distribution and sometimes command of his area), but he was excellent in the playoffs and his shot-stopping can’t really be questioned.

I do think long-term, he needs to either develop in those weak areas or we look elsewhere, but if an expanded coaching team can help him progress, I’d be very happy.

Blondy Nna Noukeu: Sell/Release

Brought in as second backup and hasn’t done anything wrong, but probably not worth a squad number.

Simon Moore: Sell

Played pretty well when relied on last season. I just don’t think he offers serious competition to Patterson, and that’s needed.

Niall Huggins: Keep

If he can stay fit, he’s always looked tidy — big ‘if’, though.

Wouldn’t be comfortable using him as the sole backup on either flank purely because of those injuries. Apparently highly rated by the staff, but just needs some luck and a run in the team.

Dennis Cirkin: Keep

He’s a weird one.

He was one of, if not our best player, for the opening few weeks of last season, then he got injured and didn’t look as strong or confident afterwards. I think bringing in Reinildo is a smart move, giving us genuine competition at left back.

If Cirkin gets injured again, he can take the time to actually recover properly.

Given that he’s set to miss that start of the season, there’s also a chance Reinildo makes that spot his own and Cirkin struggles to get back in the starting eleven.

Dan Ballard: Keep

Another who struggled with injuries last season but has always looked Premier League quality.

A beast in the playoffs.

Timothée Pembélé: Sell

Not worked out, never impressed, and reportedly unsettled.

Best for all parties to move on.

Nectarios Triantis: Loan

Apparently very very good at Hibs last season.

I don’t think he’d be able to break into our first team right now, but another loan and further development could see us with a player on our hands, or at worst a saleable asset.

I also think the £1.5 million quoted is below his value, given his age and potential.

Jenson Seelt: Loan

Another casualty of injuries. Has looked decent when available, which hasn’t been often.

Was signed for his potential and hasn’t been able to progress, but a loan could get him on the right path. Any fee we get now would be negligible, so I think it’s smarter to send him on loan and reassess in a year.

Trai Hume: Keep

A very good right back and one of our standout performers last season.

I think he’ll relish the step up, be completely unfazed, and could be important for setting the tone (i.e. smashing a few showboating wingers with a perfectly-timed tackle)

Leo Fuhr Hjelde: Sell

Was useful cover or as a time-wasting sub, but never convincing.

I’d shut my eyes and hope for the best any time he comes up against a half-decent Premier League winger.

Ajibola Alese: Keep…just!

I like him as a player and he may even be good enough to partner Ballard, but his injuries mean we can’t really rely on him as a first-team player.

If he stays fit, his versatility could be useful to us, but maybe a bit of ‘heart over head’ here.

Joseph Anderson: Sell/Release

Just not at this level.

He’ll carve out a solid career in the lower leagues because he’s seemingly got a good attitude and mentality.

Daniel Neil: Keep

No brainer for me.

Club captain, academy graduate, and will continue to improve. Has the odd off game, but his job is one of those where even if he plays well, he isn’t really appreciated for it.

He’s consistently attracted attention from Premier League scouts for his attitude and leadership qualities that seem to be consistently ignored or underrated among our own fans. An important player for us next season.

Alan Browne: Sell

He was decent for us when he played and unlucky with his injury last year, and was also the unwitting architect of the funniest moment of last season.

Absolutely a solid Championship player but I don’t think he has the physical attributes to compete against Premier League players, where the midfielders are all absolute beasts these days.

Patrick Roberts: Keep

I really like him on his day.

Great feet, great touch, skilful, and has absolutely dedicated himself to the club. I think he’ll be a backup given the new signings, but I can absolutely see him getting subbed on, fired up, and creating a winner in a tight game.

His lack of a consistent end product means we probably can’t consider him as a starter (until AFCON), but he can do a job as a squad player and if he finds a partnership like he had with Amad with one of the new signings, he could exceed expectations.

Chris Rigg: Keep

I actually think Rigg will struggle with the step up to the physicality of the Premier League and may play fewer games this season, but that doesn’t diminish his huge potential.

Still very young, and he’ll hopefully be a very important player in years to come — I just think the likes of Diarra and Sadiki are more ready for the rigorous demands of the Premier League.

Luke O’Nien: Keep

If you don’t like Luke O’Nien, you don’t like life. Or you might be a Mag.

He’s earned his chance to play in this division. It might be a step too far, but even as a squad player I think he’d be able to play a big role for the team, thanks to his attitude and personality.

You can rely on him to never give anything but his absolute best.

Abdoullah Ba: Sell

He has talent, but I found his decision-making to be incredibly frustrating and was glad to see him drop down the pecking order last season.

I think he should go somewhere else and continue to develop and that he’ll ever be a top-level player, but I could see him being effective at Championship level if he gets more game time.

Jay Matete: Sell

Not going to get a minute unless we have an injury crisis.

Pierre Ekwah: Sell

A pretty good footballer but apparently not settled at the club and pushed for a move last season.

I don’t think we should reward players who don’t want to play for the club with more game time and he’s one of the few fringe players we’d get a decent fee for.

Luís Semedo: Sell

Outside of a couple of friendlies, he’s been poor.

Did nothing on loan last season and just no real reason to keep.

Eliezer Mayenda: Keep

Hugely exciting potential.

The Premier League might be a season too soon for him, but he progressed so quickly last season that he could surprise and be our top scorer.

Romaine Mundle: Keep

Very unfortunate with his injury last season when he was becoming a key part of the team.

Scored my favourite goal outside of the playoffs last season when he punished Preston for their ridiculous time-wasting, and I think he could surprise people with his level.

Wilson Isidor: Keep

I like him. He scores some lovely goals and seems like a great character.

But...I think he’s probably not Premier League quality and we need another option up front and perhaps Mayenda has a higher ceiling, but I’d really like him to prove me wrong.

I think he might be the kind of player who flatters to deceive and then smashes in a worldie in a derby.

Ahmed Abdullahi: Loan

Needs some game time.

I haven’t seen enough of him to form a strong opinion but nice to see him score in a friendly!

Milan Aleksić: Loan

I was surprised at how little he played last season, given we paid a bit for him compared to others.

Still young and with plenty of time to improve. I’d like to see him loaned to a Championship team and get a better understanding of the English league rather than go back to Serbia.

Ian Poveda: Sell

Every time he came on last season, he seemed to get injured within about three minutes.

That’s bad luck, but we have better options on both flanks and can’t see him playing over any of them.

After writing that, and looking at the players we’ve brought in, I have to admit i’m still a bit worried about our striking options. Hopefully, the recruitment team will sign a highly rated striker, under the age of twenty four from France or Belgium out of nowhere to put my fears to rest!

Michael Johnson

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Michael. Thank you for getting in touch.

Under different circumstances, I’d be tempted to write a lengthy reply with my own views on every player you’ve mentioned, but — and this is 100% truthful — I agree with 95% of what you’ve said and if I did a player-by-player analysis in response, I’d basically be rehashing what you’ve already written!

The only disagreements I’d have would be regarding Romaine Mundle, who’s talent is in no doubt but whose past injury worries do concern me, and Wilson Isidor, who I do think can make the step up and become a Premier League striker.

Other than that? I think you’ve got it bang on with every other player— and it’s great to see Dan Neil’s cause being supported so strongly as well. He absolutely deserves it.

Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report

Would it be possible to install big signs displaying “Til the End” above all the exits in the Stadium of Light?

They could flash on automatically every time someone tried to leave after say, seventy five minutes and we’re 0-1 down.

Sean Taylor

Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Sean. Thank you for your letter.

Great idea, but would it dissuade supporters from exiting the stadium early if the game wasn’t going our way?

That slogan worked absolutely brilliantly during the playoff run, and it’s something we should all bear in mind for 2025/2026 — even during the tougher times that we’ll have to go through together.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

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