This forum uses SMF...which I can't stand personally. I'm more used to vbulletin...in that any thread starter can delete a thread whether there are responses or not...and there's no time limit either. Also, posts aren't truly "deleted"...moderators can still go back and retrieve 'deleted' posts.
SMF might be different. I say that to say that the experience on the Sunderland board might not translate here...and that possibly the Mods can still revive Sam's post.