Sunderland FC

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• Manager:Steve Bruce

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Short to take control of Cats

27 May 2009 - 11:05:29

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Sunderland have confirmed that majority shareholder Ellis Short is to assume 100 per cent control of the club.

Speaking after the Black Cats' Premier League survival was confirmed last weekend, chairman Niall Quinn revealed an announcement over the ownership of the club was imminent.

Now Quinn has revealed his delight that the Texas businessman is to take full control of the Wearsiders as part of a new-look board.

"This is fantastic news for the club," Quinn told the club's official website.

"Ellis has already shown tremendous commitment to date but today's announcement opens the door for a new era at the Stadium of Light.

"I first met Ellis at the Ryder Cup in 2006 and he was immediately interested in the Sunderland story and what we were trying to achieve.

"He's an avid sports fan and caught the football bug following his move to the UK ten years ago and is now a huge fan of the Premier League.

"Even before today he has personally invested more in Sunderland than all previous chairmen, directors and owners combined in the club's history.

"Late last summer he injected tens of millions of pounds to fund our new signings and the resultant increased wage bill.

"In going forward, as long as we invest the funds wisely he will continue to provide what has been the missing ingredient in Sunderland's make up, namely the financial muscle necessary to compete at the highest level."

Meanwhile, Quinn has revealed that Ellis' involvement allowed the Black Cats to turn down a club record bid for striker Kenwyne Jones during the January transfer window.

He added: "Ellis's involvement to date also enabled us to turn down a club record bid of up to £20million for Kenwyne Jones from Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

"In addition, he enthusiastically supported the decision to introduce industry leading reductions in the cost of all season tickets for thousands of fans for next season."

Quinn also confirmed that he will continue in the role of chairman on a "streamlined board" which will also include Steve Walton, Lesley Callaghan, Margaret Byrne and Chris Woerts.