SUNDERLAND have addressed their recent ticketing situation with fans concerned about the club’s shop opening hours with two away fixtures this week.

Fans were left frustrated at queuing in hot temperatures for hours on end to claim their season tickets for their home game against Queens Park Rangers.

The club confirmed that the ticketing office will not be open until Friday this week which has added to growing concerns.

Sunderland travel to Sheffield United on Wednesday evening before making the trip to Stoke City at the weekend and the club have provided an update on tickets for the game.

In a statement, the club said: “All tickets purchased before Saturday for the Sheffield United fixture have been distributed by first-class post and are scheduled to arrive on or before Tuesday.

“A small number of tickets remain on sale for the South Yorkshire match-up and all tickets purchased since Saturday will be dispatched by first-class post on Monday evening.  

“If your ticket hasn’t arrived by Wednesday, please contact ticket.office@safc.com and we will ensure a duplicate ticket is available to collect from the Bramall Lane Ticket Office.”

Regarding their fixture with the Potters at the weekend, the statement continued: “Tickets purchased for this weekend’s trip to Stoke City are being processed today and will be distributed via first-class this evening.

“A limited number of tickets remain on sale for this fixture and these will be processed as they are sold. SAFC would like to thank supporters for their continued patience and support.

“We understand that many supporters have been frustrated by their ticketing experiences in recent weeks and we are working to address these areas of concern as a priority.”

Following regular dialougue with the club regarding the opening hours of their ticketing office, the supporters group Red and White Army released a statement. 

They said: "We would like to place on record that we are not laying the blame on SAFC staff. In fact, quite the opposite, we believe they're working hard, under difficult circumstances.

"In the last few meetings with SAFC we have expressed the view that the business side of the Club is very clearly under-resourced. This has to be addressed by those at the very top of the Club. A plan to provide a proper service to a loyal fanbase should have been in place some time ago. Instead we are now in a position where many supporters feel taken for granted.

"Excellent season ticket sales have not been matched by the investment and thought needed to service a large, loyal fanbase that want nothing more than to support their Club, without all the unnecessary barriers that continue to emerge."