WHAT’S NEXT?
Fans’ reaction as Stewart Donald quits as Black Cats chairman
Sunderland football club fans have responded to owner Stewart Donald’s decision to stand down as chairman.
Saturday’s announcement came less than 48 hours after he held a meeting with fan groups during which he claimed supporters were making it harder for him to sell the club.
Donald revealed in an interview on Thursday, July 16 that he would step down as chairman “if that’s what the fans wanted”.
He is also reported to have said at the meeting that “negative messages on social media and family intimidation” had led to him considering his position.
Paul Dobson, aka Sobs, who is part of the editorial team at Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme, believes the announcement will have no immediate impact.
He said: “It will make no difference in the short term.
"He is still the owner and that won’t change until he sells the club.
"He said the other day that the fans were to blame for potential buyers being put off but how bad does that look to others if the chairman resigns?
"I know it is a frustrating time with the situation in the world and in Sunderland’s case, no football, but it should be a time to get things right behind the scenes ready to hit the ground running when it does start again.
"I really hope that Stewart isn’t in a bad place.
"It is a stressful time, but I’m hoping that a positive can come out of it.”
Michael Ganley, who runs The Fan Museum near the Stadium of Light, said he respected what Donald had done for the club but added: “At the end of the day, it’s his business and he obviously knows that he can’t do anymore for the club.
"Everything is so uncertain at the moment.
"But the fans need to respect his decision and what he has done for us.
”But on the flip side, he can’t go against the fans.
"Players, managers, owners, they all come and go, but the fans remain.
"I hope he is feeling alright.
“I don’t agree with some fans going after his family.
"And the fans need to back whoever takes over next.”