Referee for SAFC v Millwall/Tranmere FA Cup S/F announced

The referee for our FA Cup semi final against either Millwall or Tranmere has been announced - Paul Durkin. The Assistant Refs are G Atkins and K Pike, and the Fourth Official will be H M Webb.

Mr Durkin has reffed 26 matches so far this season (17 Premiership, 3 Div 1, 3 LC, 3 FAC); he has already handed out 67 yellow cards and 1 red card. The most yellow cards he's given out in one match this season so far was seven - when West Brom lost 2-0 to Sheffield United last October, and again when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup 5th round last month.

He officiated at our final game of last season which saw us lose 4-0 to Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

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Mick linked with move for Bantams defender

Mick McCarthy has been linked with a move for Bradford City defender Simon Francis.

Nottingham-born Francis, 19, is under contract to Bradford until 2006, but with the club in administration for the second time, the Bantams have confirmed they will listen to "reasonable" offers for any of their squad.

But the Sheffield Star newspaper reckons that McCarthy will have to do battle with Blades manager Neil Warnock to secure the player's signature. Warnock has already beaten McCarthy to the signature of another Bradford player, Andy Gray - Mick withdrew from bidding, refusing to 'up the ante' for a player who would be available for free this summer.

The newspaper reports tonight that Warnock has already made a bid for Francis, but Sunderland are said to have registered their interest yesterday.

Francis is a former England U18 international who signed for Bradford in November 2002 as a trainee. He's made 56 appearances for his club, 30 of those this season.

Referee for SAFC v West Ham announced

The referee for this Saturday's league match against West Ham is Richard Beeby from Northampton.

Mr Beeby has reffed 27 matches so far this season (8 Div 1, 5 Div 2, 8 div 3, 1 LC, 4 FAC, 1 LDV); he has already handed out 74 yellow cards and 9 red cards for the season so far - but he only handed out 72 yellows and 7 reds in the whole of the previous season! The most yellow cards he's given out in one match this season so far was seven on only his second match of the season, when Sheffield Wednesday drew 2-2 with Oldham - he also sent off two players.

He hasn't reffed a game involving Sunderland this season, but Saturday's match will be the third this season that he's reffed a match involving West Ham - he was in charge when they beat Bradford 1-0 last August (3 yellows 0 reds) and also when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in December (2 yellows 0 reds).

His most recent Div 1 match was when Rotherham demolished Reading 5-1 on 7th February, when Michael Proctor made his Millers debut and scored twice.

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Cash turnstiles for tonight's match

Sunderland AFC have advised that cash turnstiles will be available for tonight's home match against Preston North End:

West Stand: 7, 8

East Stand: 34, 40, 47, 48

South Stand: 55, 56

North Stand upper: 63, 64, 66

South Stand: 61 (visitors only)

No concession tickets available at cash turnstiles.

Rearranged fixture dates for Norwich, Dons and Crystal Palace

Sunderland AFC is now able to confirm re-arranged dates for their
fixtures against Wimbledon, Crystal Palace and Norwich.

* Wimbledon v SAFC will now take place on Tuesday 6th April, 7:45pm kick off.

Tickets are now on general sale, Prices: Adults £20, OAP £10, junior £10.
If you are unable to make the re-arranged date you will be entitled to a refund on production of your tickets.

* Crystal Palace v SAFC will now take place Wednesday 21st April, 8:00pm kick off

Season ticket holders can apply by postal application only until 3.00pm, Saturday, 13th March 2004 - voucher 49 required.
General sale will commence from 10.00am on Friday 19th March, 2004 - subject to availability.
Adults £20, OAP £12, junior £12.

* SAFC v Norwich City will now take place on Tuesday 4th May, 8:00pm kick off

Tickets now on general sale. (This match is a rearranged fixture. All tickets purchased for the original game will be valid for the rearranged fixture.)

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SAFC would like to thank all fans for their continuing support during
this congested fixture period and apologise for any inconvenience caused
by these changes.

Supporters are advised that any match tickets already purchased for
these fixtures remain valid.