Member Article

Sunderland AFC first team staff to financially reimburse supporters

Sunderland Football Club’s number 1 goalkeeper, Vito Mannone, has vowed to reimburse fans who travelled to Southampton, on Saturday, to witness Sunderland’s 8-0 defeat.

More than 2,549 fans made the 653 mile round trip which saw the North East club become only the fifth club in Premier League history to lose by an 8 goal margin.

Mannone has called on fellow team mates to refund fans, who collectively will have spent tens of thousands of pounds, as adult tickets cost £32 alone.

Mannone told the BBC: “I will personally talk to the team to see if it is possible to pay for their tickets and their trip.”

“I really mean that we should pay their tickets and travel.”

“We should do it because we didn’t put a foot in, we didn’t work hard. We started the game well but after we conceded we threw in the towel and I include myself.

“It is difficult for us but it’s very difficult for them as well. It is a difficult moment.

“We will go through it during the week. We will have time. The Premier League is really difficult.

“We have a tough game again at home, so there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to react.”

“As I said, they are special fans. We are really lucky to be at this club and have these fans. If it was me, I would probably not react in the same way.”