Gloom at Stadium of Light over fears of huge job cuts

doZEnS of Sunderland staff fear their jobs are at risk as part of cost-cutting.

Sportsmail understands that all workers based at the Stadium of light and the club’s training ground were called in to see chief executive martin bain yesterday.

Staff were told redundancies were on the way and that, should they wish to seek voluntary redundancy, the black Cats would not object.

no official redundancies have been confirmed, but a source told Sportsmail: ‘ This is terrible news. We are talking about a lot of people who have worked here for years. People who love the club. People who can’t think about working elsewhere. This has been an awful place to be today and everyone is worried sick.’

last week, manager david moyes took his first team on a trip to new York. And the timing has been questioned by one member of staff, who did not wish to be named.

‘by all accounts they hardly kicked a ball,’ they said.

‘It was gym work and then out sightseeing. I can’t imagine the hotel would have been cheap and then we get this news. It’s hard to take.’

Sunderland say the squad trained while on the trip and that the bonding exercise was aimed at bringing the players together before a late bid to stay in the top flight. The redundancies will not be the first of the season.

In november, Sportsmail revealed administration workers left the club. The group involved long- serving members of staff while the moves raised concerns the club were preparing for relegation from the Premier league less than three months into the season.

bain said: ‘In recent months we have undertaken a detailed review of the club’s entire operation. It is clear that the business had lost its focus and we now have to ensure that we are better equipped to concentrate on the areas that are key.

‘We want to ensure that the football club is in the best position to grow stronger. The decisions have not been taken lightly. The internal process required in order to undertake the changes has already commenced and club staff have been advised of the procedures and timescales.’

Sunderland have denied that American owner Ellis Short is actively trying to sell the club despite a brochure being created last year to advertise the benefits of buying the relegation-threatened outfit.

The club are thought to have losses of around £140million.

In 2015 they recorded a £25m loss and revenues at the Stadium of light have shown little signs of growth.