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. 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. 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". 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". 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. 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. Mr Quinn was asked to give evidence alongside David Gill, the chief executive of Manchester United, and Peter Coates, the chairman of Stoke City. 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. But, asked if Black Cats' fans believed their team could ever win the coveted Premiership title, Mr Quinn replied: "I guess they don't." 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." 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". 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. 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." 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. 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." 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." 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."

Source: Northern_Echo