I have been waiting for developments on this front for six months, nearly to the day in fact.

Hearts v SAFC

The 8th of August 2009 has affected so many Safc fans in so many different ways, for me and my girlfriend we enjoyed the drive up with jovial banter and waving of hands at other safc fans en route, scarves out of windows flailing in the closed up windows flanking either side of the cars we passed or were passed by.

First Visit

It was the first time i had visited Tynecastle and when i decided on where to park (just off Calder Road nr the Hermiston Roundabout) we took a slow walk down towards the Hearts stadium. We visited 2 drinking holes before the game, the second being the working mens club next to the supermarket.

Stewards Done Their Job

We got to the stadium a good 20 minutes before kick off and after getting rid of the 2 plastic orange bottles of pop as requested by the stewards before entering the Roseburn Stand we quickly found our seats just behind the goal in the first 2 rows.

Darren Bent

Pre-match warm up was the usual affair, coaching staff running the players through warm-up phases and not too long after the strikers taking practice shots at goal. This was Darren Bents first look at the Sunderland Fans and he even attempted to take our lasses head off with a reasonably powered effort on goal that thankfully hit the stanchion. He profuseley and repeatedly apologized for his wayward effort which also prompted our lass to "suggest" we swapped seats.

The Match

The game itself was nothing special, it was a chance for management and staff to get a gauge on the end of pre-season fitness, this was the last game of pre-season and finished in a reasonable 1-1 draw.

Hearts Supporters

A quick word for the Hearts fans, you guys were great and you let us mingle amongst you with great hospitality and banter, wishing Craig Gordon the best at every opportunity.

The Trip Home

After the match we were ushered down from the heights and guided via riot barriers that seperated our original entrance around the circumfrence of what seemed like an eternal walk before we eventually found our bearings and came back down the Calder Road where we seemed to go against the flow of Hearts fans making their way in the opposite direction. I could not help myself to ask a local bobby, why the barrier? He very politely responded with it`s a precautionary measure we take with all away fans. Ok i was cool with that and we reached our car untroubled, unhurried and quite happy with the match.

What Happened Next?

During this post you may have noticed the word "car" in use. Yes, we travelled by car got to where we needed to be and travelled home without incident.

Sickening

The biggest sickener i was first to hear was when i logged onto my regular haunt of a safc forum on the same day of our return to share the experience with other members. I have been a member of this site since 2004. I have made a few mates online and know quite a few personally through work or through charitable events hosted by safc or through referrals for the business services i provide. One of the early posts of the evening had a simple post title.

Stadium Announcement

I remember a lot of things and one of them was the announcement you receive as an away fan, for safe passage, arrangements, or advisories. The 1 defining announcement was that the train services back to Sunderland WOULD be direct. This was the beginning. I will not go into too much detail i will leave that for the Football Supporters Federation and their campaign on behalf of Sunderland AFC Fans.

Speak Up

Now if you have read this far you may be wondering what this post is aimed towards. Let me tell you. It is with great sadness that Northumbria Police have taken this stance. Contrary to all of the information i have received. I have been asked to speak out about this, but have resisted until now.

Why now?

Quite simply, the alledged accusations against the following are ungrounded without FULL unedited CCTV footage released as requested by the Football Supporters Federation and the Sunderland AFC supporters accused:-

1. John Richmond - Ford Estate, Sunderland
2. Jason Jameson - Maud Street - Fulwell - Sunderland
3. Christopher Burdess - Countess Close - Seaham - Tyne and Wear
4. Peter Jones - Benfleet Avenue - Town End Farm - Sunderland
5. David Brooke - Association Road - Roker - Sunderland
6. Mark Wright - Windermere Road - Seaham - Tyne and Wear
7. John Meek Dunn - Maria Street - New Silksworth - Sunderland
8. Gavin Foster - Glebe Drive - Seaham - Tyne and Wear
9. Michael Adrian Winch - James Street -Southwick - Sunderland
10. Joeseph Gerrard Hatton - Wareness Street - Pallion - Sunderland
11. Gary David Horwood - Woodland Drive - High Barnes - Sunderland
12. Frederick Potter - Colchester Terrace - High Barnes - Sunderland

These names have been sourced via a publication here

Sunderland AFC Blog - for the fans - on behalf of the fans.