Meet Mick McCarthy
Press release from Sunderland AFC:
Mick McCarthy will show his gratitude to Sunderland's season ticket holders next month by inviting them to the first of an exclusive series of fans' nights at the Stadium of Light.
McCarthy, Black Cats coach Kevin Ball and a number of Sunderland's players will top the billing for the night.
Sunderland Football Club will use the events as a way of thanking their season ticket holders for their continued support.
In association with their radio commentary partner, Metro Radio, and the Sunderland Echo, the Club will host the first of the exclusive nights on Thursday, October 2.
Tickets will be free and offered to SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ONLY on a first come, first served basis. The lucky fans will be able to join McCarthy and the selected players in the Stadium of Light's Sports Bar.
The Club would like to recognise the tremendous support shown by its loyal season ticket holders who have continued their vocal and passionate backing of the team.
The events will give them the chance to canvass McCarthy and his players about their hopes for the season.
McCarthy has praised the passion of Sunderland fans since his arrival at the Stadium of Light and realises the impact the fans' backing can have on his team this season.
He said: "Every Sunderland fan I’ve met since I have arrived has been completely genuine in their desire for the team to do well. We feel like we’re moving in the right direction now and the backing from the fans so far this season has made a real difference.
"We feel like we’ve finally turned the corner but know there still a long way to go and to be successful this season we need the fans full backing. I know the team and the fans all want the stadium to become a fortress again."
Metro Radio commentator Simon Crabtree will compere the evening and join McCarthy, Ball and the players on stage to take fans' questions, before donning his quiz master's hat to host the Ultimate SAFC Prize Quiz.
To apply simply complete the form by clicking here. If you would like to apply for more than one season ticket holder please fill in the relevant fields under "additional season ticket holders guests".
If you are successful all tickets will be dispatched to your address. Unfortunately due to the large volume of requests anticipated we regret that we will not be able to inform unsuccessful applicants.
Please note: One entry per season ticket holder. Forms will not be considered unless fully completed.
Former SAFC favourite wins FA award
Former Sunderland AFC groundsman Tommy Porter has been named by the Football Association as the country's top non-league groundsman.
Tommy became known to many Sunderland supporters when he featured prominently in the BBC documentary "Premier Passions" - a fly-on-the-wall documentary about SAFC during the 96/97 season - the final season at Roker Park. He left the club five years ago and now tends the pitches at the Archibald Stadium for Durham City AFC.
In a recent interview for the Northern Echo Tommy, 70, said of the final years of his time at Sunderland, "In my opinion Peter Reid was a nasty piece of work. They were unhappy days and I didn't like him at all to be quite honest. I've had more respect here than I ever had at Sunderland."
Arguably the low point of his time with us was the 'frozen pitch incident' during the 98/99 season when Peter Reid blamed Tommy for the undersoil heating not firing up, resulting in a snow and ice-covered pitch on a matchday - even though the dedicated groundsman, not allowed a key to the boiler room for the controls of the undersoil heating, had been at the Stadium of Light since the early hours of the morning trying to rectify the situation.
Reid was said to have threatened Tommy with dismissal despite his argument that he'd done everything in his power, and says now of the incident "I had him by the collar. Bobby Saxton had to drag me off. John Fickling tried to tell me that it was all a bit of fun but at my age I didn't need fun like that. Sunderland was just no good."
And of his award, he says "My life has had lots of challenges but there was never a bigger one than getting Durham City right.
"That award's fantastic - it means everything."
