Transformative summer ahead for Cats – on and off the pitch
a longer process.”
For Sunderland fans, the wait goes on. This summer will be transformative on and off the pitch. After 11 weeks of no football, clubs, managers, staff and players have been in limbo,theEFLclubswillfinally vote on whether to resume or curtail on Monday, June 8.
Itisdifficulttoseetherebeing enough votes to resume. At least there will soon be clarity on which division Sunderland will be in next year.
Sunderland’s season is all but over, any play-off hopes seemingly dashed following a four-game winless run before the suspension and a poor run of form earlier in the season. If theleagueisdecidedonpointsper-game,Sunderlandwon'tbe involved in the play-offs.
This hasn’t felt like a promotion campaign, it has been stop-start throughout, following the calamity of last summer and the previous failed takeover bids. An average start led to Jack Ross losing his job, Phil Parkinson didn’t faremuchbetterinhisfirstfew monthsbutdidturnthetideafter Christmas but in truth the damagehadalreadybeendone.
The 2019-20 campaign has been disastrous, truth be told, andtherearen’tmanyfanswho think Sunderland are worthy of promotion.
There will at least be some clarity soon on the 2019-20 campaign but there is no indication yet of when next season will start or when fans will be allowed back inside stadiums.
The impact on club’s income across the EFL is a major concern; season ticket revenue, matchday income, commercial and hospitality will all suffer, sponsorship too.
Playerwageswilllikelyseea big drop. Sunderland, who releasedTommySmithonFriday, have 11 other players soon-tobe out of contract.
Some big names will leave, Blackburn Rovers target Jon McLaughlin is a wanted man. The squad, two years after dropping into the third tier, will need another overhaul. More change.