RAWA Minutes of the supporter's collective meeting with SAFC



BCB gubbins

SD stated that selling tickets to Newcastle fans in the Black Cats Bar was not a consideration when determining allocation and the position of away fans. However, after the allocation and configuration was confirmed and the North Stand deemed the only location, a decision to open and charge Newcastle for usage was made as this area was unable to be used by Sunderland fans.
• SD noted that Club branding and iconography was present in the space and to ensure it wasn’t damaged the Club agreed with Newcastle to cover these with generic designs and requested for these to be submitted.
• MB believes Black Cats Bar was handed over for commercial reasons and asked how much revenue it generated. SD confirmed tickets were £500 +VAT and approximately 300 were sold.
• MB strongly conveyed that the decision to not simply close BCB was an absolute disgrace. Recognising that he was part of the decision to grant NUFC access to BCB, MB addressed KLD directly and stated that he, and the management team, had completely misjudged the importance of an SAFC versus NUFC derby, both today and historically. This decision, and its consequences, will be thrown in the faces of Sunderland fans forever and is one of the worst decisions the Club has made since taking over the Club.
• The perception is that decisions were taken to make as much money as possible (PN).
• KLD added that the allocation of tickets and financial distribution of revenue was dictated by
competition rules and nothing else. SAFC received share of ticket revenue in line with the competition rules.
D. Internal investigation
• EM asked when the investigation would be concluded. KLD replied that stage one had concluded and that a serious error of judgement has been identified. The Club makes no excuses for this mistake and KLD apologised, adding that the Club needs to take steps to ensure it never happens again.
• An emergency board meefng was held the evening the pictures of the Black Cats Bar were released.
• MB stressed the importance of announcing the findings of any review aler publicly announcing an invesfgafon would take place.
• KLD stated the Club will be taking serious acfon and the outcomes will be communicated as transparently as possible. (ACTION)
• SD added that the club needed to understand the environment in which the decision to brand BCB in black and white was taken. PN suggested the environment was selling fckets at £600 each and wanfng to make NUFC fans feel at home.
• SD added that the invesfgafon is ongoing and out of respect for those involved, it would conclude internally.
• KLD reiterated that the allocation of tickets and financial distribution of revenue was dictated by competition rules and nothing else. SAFC received share of ticket revenue in line with the competition rules. He concluded that it was a tremendous mistake, and the Club needs to take steps to ensure it never happens again.
 
Bamber said:
MB strongly conveyed that the decision to not simply close BCB was an absolute disgrace. Recognising that he was part of the decision to grant NUFC access to BCB, MB addressed KLD directly and stated that he, and the management team, had completely misjudged the importance of an SAFC versus NUFC derby, both today and historically. This decision, and its consequences, will be thrown in the faces of Sunderland fans forever and is one of the worst decisions the Club has made since taking over the Club.
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