There is a piece in this morning's Mail about Niall Quinn's benefit match and the fact that "Sunderland supporters, demoralised by their team still fighting for survival, have turned their backs on football's biggest charity game." It seems that 28,000 tickets have been sold so far but only 6,000 Sunderland season ticket holders have bought tickets for the match. This is according to the Mail, mind, and I'm not sure how they can know that - did everyone who bought a ticket have to say whether they were at ST holder or not. Quinn is hopeful that sales will pick up after their survival against Derby on Saturday - I would suspect he's right there.

Anyway, it goes on to say that they have had support from far and wide for the game, in particular by the purchase of the "non-attendance tickets". 60,000 of these have been sold. I would just like to point out that I was one of those 60,000 - I was immensely attracted by the idea of paying a tenner to stay away from the Stadium of Light. It seems I was not alone!

If any of you on here want to follow suit the relevant bit on the Makems website is:

http://www.safc.com/anightwithniall/tickets.asp

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Answers

AP

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

The deadline for st holders was around the start of March .Therefore most people didnt hurry-although I got mine immediatly!

Saturdays match against Derby will go along way to deciding the gate for Nialls match.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Well Jacko it would be quite amusing if tickets sold in vast numbers and the ground was empty for the actual match. Quinn's brilliant gesture deserves maximum support and I hope the income from his testimonial overshadows that of any other player in history. It would be good if fans everywhere support this, so much so that in future, any Premiership millionaire who qualified for a testimonial would be roundly jeered if he did NOT follow the Quinn example.

Screacher was thinking about this game the other day and wondering if his Toon top would be acceptable wear on the day. What an excellent opportunity for Geordies and Mackems to go to a match together, albeit noncompetitive, and salute each other as passionate fans of their respective clubs with no animosity, simply there to pay tribute to a fine player and to an even finer man. What an advert for the game in this region!!! I think it could be a brilliant night, a watershed in football history for more than one reason.

People tell me my idealism borders on insanity, but maybe they are being far too polite ...

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Jonno - your idealism crosses way over the border of insanity!

I share the sentiment - I feel it would be a wonderful demonstration to the Millwall's of the world if the b&w's and r&w's could be seen enjoying the game side by side on such a splendid occasion.

Sadly, I fear the only possibility for seeing that particular sight would in the A&E Dept of Sunderland General.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

When England played Belgium at the SOL 3 years ago there were a fiar few Newcastle fans in the crowd - me for a start - and there was no bother at all with the locals. In fact, they gave Big Al a warm welcome when the team was announced.

I really hope that this game does go off in a friendly fashion. As you say, Clarky, it would be one in the eye for those thick southern stock brokers who frequent the New Den and destroy the surrounding community. Cockneys? I hate 'em tons more than mackems!

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

As long as it makes more money than young Peter Beardsleys did - he gave all his dosh to charity I believe.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Sadly,if I were a Newcastle fa I would NOT be confident of a warm welcome.

And no, I do not condone it.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

I just know you're right soops - and how sad that is. As if there is not enough hatred in the world.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Oh ferchrissakes.

I just went to donate my 10 quids worth and was v.pleasantly surprised to hear I'd even be getting a commemorative ticket & program thrown in - only then to discover that Ticketmaster UK don't have the facility to handle overseas bookings !

I mean, are we in the 21st century or what ? Even if they gave punters the option of waiving their right to the commemorative stuff (to save costs) or paying extra (to cover postage & packing) then that would be fine for this sort of event. But to tell expats that they simply can't donate is pretty disappointing wouldn't you say ? Get it sorted lads ... or there'll be no Withniall and I !!

BTW thanks anyway for the reminder - I too hope it raises a shedload of cash and sets a great precedent

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

I notice that Tony Adams at Arseholenal is getting a 2nd testimonial from them and is planning on giving 50% to charity....should we applaud that or be pissed off that he's still banking 500k tax free after 20 years of playing at the top end of football?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Quinn has set a precedent. Adams has been a superb and loyal player for Arsenal but he has been paid very handsomely for doing so. He will not lack for income in the future either.

In his position, to take any money at all from a testimonial will be greed of the worst sort. IMHO.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Credit where it's due - the Irish beanpole has set an excellent example. Testimonials only really count for the lower leagues I reckon, where it's relevant to a player's financial security for the future. And it's innovative to ask for charitable donations but not go to the game. Guess that's what Smoggie season ticket holders have been doing all year!

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Also remember Quinn has only been at SAFC for 5 years.

Not wishing to take anything away from what is a great gesture, it's not really a proper testimonial.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Actually it is Paul - it's for his time with Ireland not the mackems. The Irish FA decided recently that they could no longer support the organisation of testimonials. Bob Murray then stepped into the breach and offered their garden shed and allotment as a venue and his team of muck spreaders as opposition. Credit where credit's due eh ?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

That's me corrected :)

I thought it was for Sunderland, not Ireland.

On a separate note, this is probably the first testimonial I can remember for an international career. And which team does he play for? Sunderland first half then Ireland the second?

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

Nah - he'll never last that long.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002