SAFC boss sails close to wind

Sunderland’s executive director Charlie Methven isn’t one to hold back with his views.

He is leaving no one in any doubt of how he feels about the club and, in particular, those he believes are not helping the cause.

Certain players have received short shrift and now pubs streaming live games illegally have found themselves facing both barrels.

But he is sailing close to the wind when he trains his guns on supporters.

On first hearing, a radio interview he conducted certainly sounded like he was calling fans who choose to watch the games on illegal streams in local pubs parasites.

Thankfully, he was quick to clarify his position on the matter to the Sunderland Echo.

But his words have still left some fans feeling a little uncomfortable. To set the record straight this is what he said: “If a supporter says to me that they are not going to bother coming to the game and sit in a pub and watch it on an illegal stream, I would question if they are a supporter.

“I don’t criticise anyone who wants to watch a match in a pub like that, but I reserve the right not to call them supporters. Being a supporter means you are supporting the club.”

He is right to protect the club, particularly the revenue streams that keep it afloat. Many fans will sympathise with his viewpoint on finances, but he needs to take care when questioning the supporters.

Paying at the turnstile is not the only way to be classed as a supporter.

The new regime has been a breath of fresh air and we truly hope the current good run continues.

But Charlie needs to know that if he should ever consider taking on the fans, there is likely to be only one winner.