HOW lucky is the city of Sunderland? Cometh the hour, cometh the man. I speak of Niall Quinn, Mr SAFC.

He has shone like a beacon since arriving here as a player. Without him Sunderland would have definitely gone the way of Leeds United.

I consider him to be up there with sliced bread, Morecambe and Wise and the crown jewels. His every move, so far, has been excellent.

I can hear you say "we escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth". The facts are that Boro and Newcastle went down because of bad management decisions.

Sunderland's problem was big Niall was let down mid-season by a quitter and a well-known quitter at that.

When we are coasting in the top six I hope Niall can spare an afternoon to fix the vacant Vaux site for us. Remodel our seafront and take over as Speaker of the Commons.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for donating a huge sum to our hospital and remind people here that Niall could easily have settled for a great life of horse racing in Ireland, so enjoy him while he is still among us.
Tonto

Eggs in one basket
MY letter (Echo, May 27), on the subject of lack of inward investment on Wearside during the early 80s never mentioned Nissan.
I will correct this oversight by explaining that Sunderland's Labour-controlled council won the war of the regions when they enticed Nissan to build on a Wearside site.
Then, with its fascination for privatisation and the dilution of union power, the then Tory Government gave preferential treatment in terms of investment to Nissan and completely ignored the plight of our traditional industries.
History reveals the Tories gave Nissan a substantial subsidy (taxpayers' money) consisting of regional development grants and selective financial assistance. Simultaneously they withdrew all the subsidies from the local state industries.
The financial freebies didn't stop there. By selling our shipyards down the river and practically placing all our employment eggs in one basket, the Tories have obligated successive governments to shell out further financial assistance to our Japanese friends when required.
W Quinn,
Millfield,
Sunderland

It's a pleasure
RE the letter from JR Thompson of Springwell Road, Sunderland, please keep on reminiscing about the old days.
It's a pleasure reading your letters of times past when life was hard with no handouts but there was respect and pride.
I too spent time in Grindon Convalescent Home, now an independent school (I was seven years old). My stay lasted one day, being "delicate", the term used, I ran away from the end of the column being marched to Sunday service and hid in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery until I found my way home to Nile Street.
The area was all farms and fields then. I remember harshness, being forced to swallow cod liver oil, in the bathroom. Prison life now is like a holiday camp compared to this experience.
My sister had to go in my place as my father was unemployed at the time and one shilling was deducted from his weekly benefit, but could not be reclaimed.
I remember Betty Fagan's and wasn't there another named Morrison's?
I also went on a free holiday to Mapleton Camp. Fantastic experience!
E Parker,
Hylton Road,
Sunderland

Not best value
MPs in the North East claim the living away from home costs, greater than the average wage in the area. Food allowances are, more often than not, claimed in full, approximately £20,000 over the past four years. Sumo wrestlers do not eat as well.
My MP, Sharon Hodgson, employs her husband as a case worker at an undisclosed salary and pension. She avows his salary is modest. It seems to me her euphemism "snouts in the trough" has a validity she cannot see. The employment of family is nepotism and should not be allowed.
I did not vote to send a family to Westminster. MPs have a duty to their constituents before their family. I really think that at a cost of over £250,000 we do not get value for money.
J Wilkinson,
The General's Wood,
Washington

Moving story
MYSELF and my fiancee Louise were very moved by the story of Joe Holborn in the Echo of June 2.
My fiancee, who is 25, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis aged just seven and has had five major operations during her life with the disease.
I am running the Great North Run this year in Aid of NACC – the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease. I have raised over £500 so far for the charity and hope to reach at least £1000. Please see www.justgiving.com/andymcgill for further information and to donate if you wish.
Andy McGill,
Thornhill Gardens,
Sunderland