New access system

By The Black Cats
February 10 2009

Sunderland have announced that a smartcard access system will be installed at the Stadium of Light for the start of the 2009-10 season. The new system is being developed by market-leaders Fortress GB Limited. With a vast amount of experience in the market, Fortress' football customers include Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa as well as both Inter and AC Milan.

Easy to use credit card-style smartcards will replace the traditional paper season ticket and electronic card readers will be installed on all turnstiles. The new system will make entry to the stadium quick and easy and will also offer enhanced security to both the Club and supporters.

A trial group of season ticket holders will be the first to try out the new system at the Stadium of Light in the coming months. Card readers will be installed next to selected turnstiles for a period commencing from the Hull City fixture in April.
Following this trial, readers will be fitted to all 74 turnstiles over the summer, ready for the start of the new season.

The new system will make entry into the stadium quicker and easier with turnstiles being activated simply by placing a smartcard against the electronic reader. Once validated, supporters simply push the turnstile and proceed as normal. The hand over of traditional vouchers for each match is no longer required.

The system will also provide enhanced security as when a smartcard is used a coloured light illuminates to show stadium staff whether an adult or concession ticket has been purchased and the card holder automatically breaks an invisible light beam as they enter the turnstile to prove the card has been used.

The card will also enable season ticket holders to buy tickets for cup-ties at the Stadium of Light, as it can be remotely activated when a supporter books a match either online, by phone or in person at the ticket office.

Marketing and Commercial Director Lesley Callaghan said: "Our aim is to improve the match day experience for all supporters and make entry to the stadium as quick and easy as possible as well as improving security for all.

"In the long run, the new smartcard system may allow us to introduce further benefits for loyal supporters, but we are confident that season ticket holders will find their smartcard a big step forward from the outset."

For 2009-10, non-season ticket holders will continue to be issued with paper tickets, bearing a barcode to allow entry to the stadium when presented to the card readers at turnstiles.

(From SAFC.com)