Cats chief Davison set to depart

CHIEF operating officer Steve Davison insists he is “pleased to leave the club in a much better position than when I joined” after the club announced his departure from Sunderland AFC, writes CLIVE YOULTON.

Davison will leave the Black Cats at the end of the 2023/24 season after serving three years in the role.

He started work at Sunderland during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the club languishing in League One following back-toback relegations that had resulted in substantial resourcing cuts.

There had also been a lack of investment in infrastructure over a lengthy period of time and he has subsequently led a transformative three years at the Stadium of Light, delivering a range of successful projects.

This includes securing the women’s team promotion to the FA Women’s Championship, which has provided a springboard for playing success this season.

Engagement with the main city institutions is also said to have significantly improved, culminating in several new and thriving partnerships.

This close working relationship has also helped provide the city with a revitalised concert programme and secured major events such as the Lionesses’ homecoming fixture in 2023 and the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.

Davison has led the ongoing modernisation of the club’s facilities, including the introduction of a cashless stadium, and more recently digital ticketing, as well as the bid to secure 5G funding that will be core to the enhancement of fan experience in future years.

He has also overseen the planning of multi-million-pound investment programmes throughout his tenure, which most recently has focused on the enhancement of the stadium bowl including pitch replacement, floodlighting, PA system and the introduction of rails to allow safe standing.

Davison told the club: “I joined the club to implement a longterm project to take SAFC from League One back to the Premier League. I am pleased to leave the club in a much stronger position than when I joined.”

Chairman Kyril Louis-dreyfus added: “On behalf of our board of directors and staff, I would like to thank Steve for his commitment and dedication throughout the past three years.”