AliousSunderland’s FA Cup journey came to an abrupt end in the third round after a 2-1 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon, and Potters boss Mark Robins couldn’t help but question one glaring aspect of his visit to the Stadium of Light.
While Sunderland’s primary focus is undoubtedly their push for promotion in the Championship, the lack of fan turnout for the FA Cup tie raised eyebrows. Regis Le Bris’ side battled into extra time, only to be undone by a late Stoke winner. While there are positives Sunderland can take from the match, the atmosphere—or lack thereof—at the Stadium of Light sparked concern.
### Stadium of Light Attendance Branded ‘Worrying’
The attendance for Saturday’s fixture was notably low, with just 15,744 fans in the stands—a staggering 20,000 fewer than Sunderland’s typical home crowd for league matches. Speaking after the match, Robins addressed the attendance, describing it as “worrying.”
In an interview (via the *Sunderland Echo*), Robins expressed his surprise:
“No crowd, really. It’s a really weird one, this. It’s the FA Cup. Where are the people? I understand the cost of things; it must be really biting. The cold is biting, the finances are biting. It isn’t good.
“It’s really worrying and sad. I’ve seen empty stadia up and down the country, and it’s not good. This stadium normally has 50,000 people in it and absolutely rocking, so it’s a bit of a surprise. Thank you to everyone who came because that’s really important, particularly our supporters.”
### Why the Low Turnout Was Expected
Despite Robins’ concerns, the low attendance is not entirely shocking. The New Year period often brings financial strain for fans, and a third-round FA Cup match against a familiar opponent doesn’t exactly scream excitement. Sunderland had already faced Stoke twice in recent weeks, with the most recent meeting ending in a disappointing defeat. It’s no wonder fans were less enthusiastic about braving the bitter North East cold for what many see as a lower-priority competition.
In the broader context, Sunderland fans are likely saving their energy for more pivotal fixtures. Thousands are expected to travel for the crucial Friday night clash with Burnley, while the Stadium of Light will undoubtedly be buzzing again for the league match against Plymouth Argyle later this month.
While the FA Cup may not hold the same allure for fans as it once did, the loyalty and passion of Sunderland supporters for key moments in their Championship campaign remain unwavering.
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