‘ SUNDERLAND TIL I DIE’
It’s probably been the worst season I’ve seen and there will be much said about who is to blame. But I will still be on the terraces next season because I’m...
Sunderland’s second successive relegation is a massive blow to the club and its fans.
But with the club such a huge part of the city and its self-image, what will the Black Cats falling into the third tier for only the second time in their history mean for Sunderland as a whole – economically and in terms of civic pride?
Professor Lawrence Bellamy, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism at the University of Sunderland, said the football club would be better equipped than many businesses to cope with the financial impact of a second relegation.
“A saving grace for Sunderland AFC is the ongoing revenue stream of the ‘parachute payments’, around £33million in 2018-19 and £15million the year after,” said Prof Bellamy.
“Not too many businesses can be sure that they have money coming in that far ahead.
“Although there are some reductions due to broadcasting and other revenue accruing, these are much smaller than the parachute offset season to season.
“Whilst gate receipts are also likely to be down a little, there will always be a loyal fanbase attending.
“Not all businesses can withstand such significant challenges, but football clubs are hardy due to the backing of fans, the passion (and pockets) of investors and support of the local community.
“So at least the fans will still have an opportunity to see them perform and psychologically it may be better for spectators to see winning in League One rather than losing in the Championship?”
Sharon Appleby, director of Sunderland Business Improvement District, said it was important to remember that while the club was a massive part of Sunderland’s culture, it was a piece of a wider economic picture.
“It’s obviously sad news for fans and for the city if SAFC is relegated, but we have to also look at the wider picture of the many great things that are happening in Sunderland.
“The club is a massive part of Sunderland, but it is just that – a part – and the other parts will continue to operate and grow and hopefully help us maintain a healthy, local economy and create reasons for people to live, work and visit here.
“At the same time, we can also hope that this will only be a short-term state of affairs for the club and that the next season will see them back on top.”
Natasha McDonough, chairwoman of the North East England Chamber of Commerce’s Sunderland committee, is urging fans to get behind the team in League One for the sake of the city.
“Not long after I moved to Sunderland ten years ago, we had a building firm working on the house,” she said.
“The owner of that business mentioned to me that he loved it when Sunderland won as it meant that his lads came into work buzzing on Monday.
“While relegation has an economic impact on the city and the region, it goes much further than that.
“It’s about being part of a city that’s on the up, that’s literally buzzing, just
“Let’s not let the next generation of supporters down” NATASHA McDONOUGH
like those lads on a Monday morning.
“That spirit goes through every type of business in the city. Not just those involved with the club, but those of us who have staff that want to feel positive about their city, their club.
“When anyone’s winning, you get a natural boost. Call it endorphins, call it a sense of city pride, but it all boils down to the fact that we’re all much more productive when we’re happy.
“I see that spirit in my eight-year-old boy – a hardy season ticket holder, disappointed on cold Saturdays after defeats. His loyalty is admirable.
“When he did see two home wins, I saw him take that determination and positivity into his week. “Let’s not let the next generation of supporters down. It has to be about confidence next season. “A fighting spirit. We’re a city of people with enormous soul, drive and determination, so let’s bottle that and get them back up.” Sunderland-born Centre for Cities economist Paul Swinney is a lifelong Black Cats fan: “While Sunderland’s relegation to League One spells bad news for the club and its supporters, it’s not likely to have a big impact on the city’s economy,” he said. “Yes, the club pulls in many thousands of visitors each year, that no doubt spend many thousands of pounds on match tickets and in local pubs and hotels. “But the dropoff in attendances will likely be nowhere near as great as it has been after relegation from the Premier League. “And while this spending is vital to pubs around the ground, it plays a fairly small role in the city’s economy. “In total, hotels, restaurants, pubs and other similar businesses contribute 13% to Sunderland’s economy each year. Matchday-related spending (which takes place 23 days of the year) is likely only to be a small fraction of that.
“It’ll likely be a similar picture for the number of jobs at the football club. It’s likely that fewer staff will be employed. Again, this will be terrible news for those directly affected. But it will have little impact on the wider economy.
“The club is high profile, a name recognised well beyond these shores. But it’s role in the economy is small in comparison.
“To put more money in the pockets of Sunderland’s residents, irrespective of what league its football team is in, the city needs to attract higher-skilled, betterpaid jobs. This needs to be the central focus of the city council, its partners and central government.”