(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
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Sunderland leave Premier League owners 'shaking their heads' with 'classy' act

Alex Charlton
Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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Sunderland have been striving to separate themselves from the promoted pack by spending significantly this summer.

Despite spending precious little in previous windows, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has taken a different approach in this transfer window.

Kieran Maguire predicted that the signing of Enzo Le Fee would kickstart a recruitment drive, and he was spot on. Now, the Black Cats are making another statement after news emerged of an eye-catching gesture in the North East.

Regis Le Bris
Regis Le Bris will be pleased with the backing he has received at Sunderland (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland make incredible gesture for season ticket holders

Sunderland may have increased their season ticket prices, but that was inevitable given promotion to the Premier League.

The Wearsiders open their campaign with a match against West Ham (16 August), which will be the first top-flight game at the Stadium of Light since 2017.

Sunderland fixtures
Sunderland's upcoming Premier League fixtures (Credit: Breaking Media)

Sunderland have honoured Bradley Lowery with an executive box donation for the 2025/26 campaign.

Now, any season ticket holder over the age of 85 who has held a season ticket for at least three seasons will get a free season ticket.

Furthermore, if they have already paid for it, then they will receive a full refund.

Football finance expert Maguire was clearly impressed with the news while aiming a dig at other clubs on his X platform (5 August).

"Classy from Sunderland," he said.

"Owners of some other clubs will be shaking their heads though such is modern owner mentality in places."

Sunderland owners doing all the right things at the Stadium of Light

The Sunderland owners have not always gotten it right, but it is evident that their hearts have always been in the correct place.

In 2024, controversy erupted after the Black Cats Bar was painted in Newcastle United's colours ahead of the FA Cup third-round clash.

The timing of that incident was far from ideal, as it came at a time when the unpopular Michael Beale was appointed manager.

However, this summer, the Wearsiders have been proactive and have appointed Florent Ghisolfi as director of football.

  • Ghiolfi brought in to drive player recruitment
  • Substantial money spent on new signings
  • Free season tickets for certain supporters

Clearly, the ambitions are high at Sunderland, and their owners are driving substantial change to transform the North East club.

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Premier League
Kieran Maguire
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