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Dear Roker Report,
An email arrived on Monday, entitled ‘Membership Monday’, and contained all sorts of links to bits of the Sunderland website, including ‘Live Commentary’. Things began to look promising.
There was no active live commentary at the time, but I was able to enter exclusive membership competitions and I passed on the invitation to buy an £800+ ticket for a Banks of the Wear experience.
Wednesday night came and yes: live commentary was available!
The usual ‘Buy’ button was replaced with a ‘Watch’ button (a
bit strange for an audio event, it has to be said), but I pressed and there they were: Barnes and Benno in full flow. What a relief!
This one was a collector’s item. They did the club proud and it was a nice touch in the lead-up to interview the son of the last person to commentate on a Sunderland European game fifty three years ago.
Barnes and Benno are an institution. They were a consistent point of light in the dark days of relegations and visits to Accrington, Fleetwood, etc. Well informed, funny and entertaining — and going down in club history by commentating on the first game back in Europe is an accolade they deserve.
I cannot fully put into words, as an exile (of Stan Anderson vintage), the importance of the link they provide to my home town and the football club.
They’re legends, and I look forward to listening to their European Diary.
“New Shores To Conquer”.
Mel Oyston
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Mel. Thank you for your letter.
I would imagine that Wednesday night was as emotional an occasion for Barnesy and Benno as it was for every single Sunderland fan inside the Stadium of Light for our historic victory over AZ Alkmaar.
As you rightly said, they provided commentary for Sunderland’s games during the darkest days of the League One years, and I’d love to know whether they ever felt that European football would be played at the Stadium of Light during their time behind the microphone.
Wednesday was a night of landmarks and unforgettable moments — the BBC commentary from our long- serving duo was another, and there’ll be much more to come during 2026/2027!
Dear Roker Report,
It’s been a disastrous season so far — WTF is going on?
I’ve been to every home game played, and Croziers Fish Shop has been closed every one. Even Bob Stokoe’s got the lip on.
A.Lynn (disappointed)
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Anthony. Thank you for getting in touch.
Well, I suppose we can’t have it all, can we?
With European football on the agenda, another exciting Premier League campaign to look forward to, and several exciting new signings onboard, there’s plenty to be positive about but let’s hope that the Wearside fish and chip industry can plug into the Sunderland AFC power source and continue to thrive — and I won’t bother with any puns such as “The club needs to know its plaice” or “Let’s hope we don’t get battered by any sides this season”.
