An eighty-seven-year-old Sunderland supporter was overjoyed when kindhearted fans in a South Shields bar not only helped him secure his ticket for the Checkatrade Trophy Final but paid for it as well.
Alf Robson was struggling with technology and feared his lack of computer knowledge could leave him missing out on the big game at Wembley until he mentioned by chance his predicament to supporters in the Hedworth Hall, South Shields.
Despite having only just met the pensioner, the sympathetic drinkers registered Alf on Ticketmaster, secured his ticket then refused to take any money as payment from the lifelong Black Cats supporter.
Alf rang BBC Newcastle’s Total Sport to relay the story of generosity and to say a big thank you to those who showed him such kindness. Alf said ‘It was absolutely wonderful. I’ll never forget that. Just marvellous. A lovely gesture from the Sunderland supporters.’
“I said we haven’t got the best players in the world, but I think we’ve got the best supporters in the world.’
Alf was also offered assistance in sorting out transport to London if he couldn’t get a seat on a coach, the warm-hearted fans explaining to the pensioner ‘We’re all Sunderland supporters, and we’re just happy to help you.’
In the call which the Shields Gazette has printed in full, Alf added. ‘It’s wonderful since I’m 87 I’m not likely to see another Wembley final.’
Our View
A heartwarming story of kindness and respect towards the older generation from football fans in a week when supporters have once again been getting a bad press after well-publicised incidents of moronic behaviour at the weekend.
Well done to the fans who helped Alf get to Wembley.
It also illustrates that not everyone is tech savvy and this is something clubs should consider when selling tickets and perhaps offer alternative methods of buying a seat at games to online platforms.
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