Source: Northern_Echo
Black Cats' chief speaks of fans' fears
SUNDERLAND fans fear their team will never win the Premier League, the club's chairman told a parliamentary inquiry into the running of football yesterday.[LNB] All Black Cats' supporters hope for is a top-six place and the thrill of "European football at the Stadium of Light", Niall Quinn told MPs investigating why a few super-rich clubs grab all the top prizes.[LNB] Mr Quinn also revealed the frustration of fans shut out of games because of sky-high ticket prizes and attacked the power of players' agents, who demand "£250,000 for one day's work".[LNB] And he launched a broadside at the fiasco of England's failed World Cup bid - which denied the Stadium of Light a showpiece 2018 fixture - alleging it had been "drowned in arrogance".[LNB] The outspoken appearance came before the Commons culture select committee, which is probing what many critics call the "financial doping" of football by clubs with massive, leveraged debts.[LNB] It was launched after Hugh Robertson, the Conservative sports minister, declared football "the worst governed sport in this country" - suggesting the government is ready to act.[LNB] Mr Quinn was asked to give evidence alongside David Gill, the chief executive of Manchester United, and Peter Coates, the chairman of Stoke City.[LNB] Asked about Sunderland's prospects for success, the club's chairman said it was a "realistic target" to finish high enough in the Premier League to qualify for a European competition.[LNB] But, asked if Black Cats' fans believed their team could ever win the coveted Premiership title, Mr Quinn replied: "I guess they don't."[LNB] Mr Quinn admitted that would not be a popular message at his frequent meetings with supporters, adding: "If I went to a Fans' Forum and said that, I would be chased out of Sunderland."[LNB] The chairman offered glowing praise to Ellis Short, the American businessman who has effectively bankrolled Sunderland for the last two seasons, saying: "There is trust in the air".[LNB] But he admitted his unhappiness at the price of tickets at the Stadium of Light, acknowledging it was "impossible" for a parent to find the money to take two or three children to a match.[LNB] Mr Quinn said: "In the old days, it was possible - it's not possible anymore. It's the biggest thing we get from the forums."[LNB] However, it would be "suicide" to slash prices because Sunderland would no longer be able to compete with other clubs to sign the best players - and the fans knew that.[LNB] Mr Quinn said: "I was putting petrol in my car yesterday and a fan told me to get my cheque book out to sign Danny Welbeck from Manchester United."[LNB] On the lavish rewards for players, he said agents "manipulated the situation brilliantly", adding: "I can't sit here and defend where wages have gone."[LNB] But Mr Quinn said Sunderland worked hard to give ordinary supporters a voice at the club, telling the MPs: "I'm the fan - I'm their person in there."[LNB]
