Sunderland IP plus a few extras from a mate

[matty2702]

Went to get Sunderland IP after their game at Hull City today.

Was hoping to get them at the hotel they were staying at, which is usually pretty easy for collecting autographs. However, my mate, who I collect with regularly, had the afternoon off work and wanted to get some when they arrived. However, before the team arrived, a guy from Sunderland arrived and told my mate in no uncertain terms that autograph hunters were not welcome at the hotel and that this was the players relaxation and preparation time and they didn't want to be harrassed by autograph hunters. A few minutes later the manager of the hotel apologetically asked my mate to leave. He wasn't even allowed to collect autographs outside, which usually isn't an issue at all. Unfortunately, these 'player liaison officers' are appearing more and more often with clubs and appear to have an intense hatred towards autograph collectors. Southampton employ one, as do Birmingham, Leeds and Blackburn in the Championship. It just makes this brilliant hobby so much more difficult with jobsworths like them about.

Anyway, we decided to go after the game and see what we could get. Apart from it being freezing, collecting was made more difficult by Sunderland having two players sent off and losing the game. Some players didn't sign at all, while others bypassed me and signed in other areas instead. Still managed to get the following:

Photo cards: Vito Mannone (x2)

Match Attax: John O'Shea (x3), Wes Brown (x3), Seb Larsson (x3), Jack Colback (x2), Ondrej Celuska, Gus Poyet (x2), Carlos Cuellar, Phil Bardsley (x3)

http://s838.photobucket.com/user/mhallam5000/media/IMG_8526_zps459cc437.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Due to family and work commitments, I can't collect every weekend, so my mate often gets me bits signed. Last weekend he got Wolves and managed Doyle, Edwards (x2) and Henry (x2) on Match Attax. He two lads also watch Spurs on a regular basis and they get him bits signed. He kindly gave me Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen on Match Attax as they were spare. Very pleased with this!

http://s838.photobucket.com/user/mhallam5000/media/IMG_8530_zps38e0e3e3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[swain6666]

sounds like forest pines is getting hard to get graphs ?you did very well its not been a good day weather wise

[sylouisetruebluechelsea]

Well done getting what you got in the end seems a right pain

[thehornets]

Good job with the ip considering the obstacles. It seems more and more clubs are distancing themselves from fans.

[matty2702]

They weren't staying at the Forest Pines. They were staying at a hotel in Hull. I don't think it was the hotel who had the problem, it seemed to be Sunderland FC who had the issue. The hotel they stayed at have never had a problem with getting autographs before and let him sit inside for an hour until this club official came and asked him to leave.

[serenamorgan]

a nice haul considering and nice of your freind to help out as well

[Anonymous]

glad you managed to still get some bits signed and some nice cards from your friend too well done Matty

[film4watcher]

You did really well collecting as many as you did. It's sad when the clubs push the fans away.

[loobyloo6]

Still a productive day lads, Pleased for you.

[westiesx2]

Glad you managed to get at least some of your cards signed . Nice set of cards also from you mate. Well done.

[wheel-lose]

nice day iping matt,despite the difficulties involved

[obree]

Well done to you Matt getting what you did despite the aggro and well done to your mate for getting some sigs for you .

[rallison470]

Shame they have started doing that with autograph hunters. Good day of IPing after the trouble you and your mate had

[rcsmg1]

You did well in the end Matt,I've had problems with club officials like this before,most notably Leeds and Birmingham as you said,and Everton were a problem in the past as well,usually the hotels get to know you and don't worry as long as you don't get in the way.

Still,I don't normally get those problems in Division 2 !

[kimbub16]

still better to get some than none

[falcons_flyhalf]

Nice one