Forget the Tower and the ‘Big One’ - on New Year’s Day an even more formidable sight will be rolling into Blackpool as Sunderland AFC plans a ‘Red and White Takeover’.
After swiftly selling out an initial allocation of 2,885, over 4,800 additional tickets will be on sale from 9am on Tuesday 11 December for the trip to Bloomfield Road, with a sea of red and white expected to envelope one of the UK’s favourite seaside towns.
Working alongside SAFC’s supporters’ branches, the club has conjured up a plan of action to turn Blackpool red and white. Branches, families and individuals will go head to head to compete in separate categories to find out who has made the biggest contribution to the Red and White Takeover.
Stewart Donald, Charlie Methven and Tony Davison will then judge the winning branch, family and supporter. The ‘winners’ will get the opportunity to travel to a future away game with one of the directors and a crate of beer.
Speaking about the initiative, Methven said: “The trip to Blackpool represents the biggest opportunity of the season to showcase our outstanding support away from home, but above all else it is the perfect way for fans of all ages to come together and be part of something special.
“After climbing off the canvas and dusting ourselves down in 2018, it’s just about time to say ‘We are Sunderland, and we are back’, so let’s start 2019 as we mean to go on and turn Blackpool red and white.”
Jim Gilling, chairman of the branch liaison council and head of the Coxhoe branch, commented: “This was an idea that Charlie came up with in one of regular meetings and we all thought it was a cracker so are giving it our full backing. Various branches’ plans are well underway, and we’ll definitely be playing our part to turn Blackpool red and white.
“With the transport that we are organising to the Blackpool game, hopefully it’ll also be a signal for SAFC fans to join up with their local branch and see how much fun it can be to go to matches with local friends.
On the day, simply send your red and white photos to @SunderlandAFC on Twitter and use the hashtag #turnblackpoolredandwhite to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive prize.
Tickets will be on sale to season card holders from 9am on Tuesday 11 December ‘til kick-off when the Lads take on Walsall on the same date.
General sale will commence from 9am on Wednesday 12 December.
Tickets are located in the East Stand of Bloomfield Road and all tickets have ‘restricted view’ on them. As such, the tickets are £1 cheaper than the first allocation.
Prices are as follows…
Adult: £21.00
Over 60: £17.00
Under 19: £9.00
Under 11: Free of charge with adult or senior tickets
HOW TO BUY
Telephone: 0371 911 1973 (operating hours replicate the ticket office opening hours listed below.
Calls charged at standard rate, plus your phone company’s access charge. The cost of calls from mobile phones may vary.
In-person: Stadium of Light ticket office
