Quinn admits running the Black Cats was hard
Niall Quinn admits being Chairman of Sunderland was ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life’.
StewartDonaldisassessing his next steps as a couple of interested parties weigh up purchasing the club.
Donald, who has said he does not want to leave, admittedlastweekthatthoseparties are ‘pausing for breath’ in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Quinn was speaking to
to reflect on Sunderland’s record-breaking season in 1998/99, when they picked up 105 points on the way to the first division title. He also reflectedonthecurrentsituation at the Stadium of Light and his time as Chairman of the club between 2006 and 2011.
“The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life is try to run a football club. I know how difficult it is. I’m willing to forgive what others mightn’t,” he said.
“Sunderland is indelible in people’slives.It’sdifficulttoget it right, to continuously get the messaging right.”
Quinn also said he was ‘lucky’ to have the backing of the Drumaville consortium and then Ellis Short, who Quinn believes ‘history will be kinder to’.
Short sold the club to Donald after relegation to League One, wiping the club’s internal andexternaldebts,thoughthe parachute payment for the followingcampaignwenttowards those external debts.
“I was lucky I had the Irish guys behind me when we went in and then the American guy did the same,” Quinn said.
“Whatever Sunderland fans say about him, Ellis Short was responsible for keeping the club in the top flight for many years.
“He gave the club a chance and to wipe out the debt on his wayoutwasahugeact.History will be kinder to him.”