Club care first class

I am writing on behalf of my family.

My mum Val and Dad Les are 88 years old and have been Sunderland fans all their lives as have myself and my twin brother David, who are both 63.

Due to my parents age and health even getting to a home match now is, sadly, a rare event but we managed to get to London for a few days break as Gillingham FC at short notice provided us with great seats for the disabled for the match. Apart from the fantastic result (haway the lads), I wished to say how well the staff at Gillingham treated us.

Their assistance from the point of contact to getting my disabled parents into the ground and our allocated seats, was first class.

They actually gave us additional front row seats to accommodate wheelchairs in the main stand as although we wished to be with Sunderland supporters the staff thought my parents would be more comfortable in the covered stand.

Like many Sunderland fans I was so disappointed by relegation but being in this current Division is really refreshing and if all clubs are as welcoming as Gillingham then I hope our family may yet get to another away match in this division before the lads, hopefully, gain automatic promotion !

I thought I would share our experience as it is great that not just big clubs like our own , but smaller clubs with less revenue from lower gates are making such an effort to value fans and in particular the elderly and disabled. I have written to thank Gillingham FC as my parents loved every minute of the match.

On a final note 2,000plus Sunderland fans helped to make up a gate of around 8,000, which is a pretty amazing achievement even by our away following on a Wednesday night. Haway the lads! Paul Richardson