'No immediate impact' and 'respect his decision' - what Sunderland AFC fans are saying about Stewart Donald's resignation

Sunderland football club fans have responded to owner Stewart Donald’s decision to stand down as chairman.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Sunderland fans have reacted to Stewart Donald's resignation as chairman of Sunderland AFC.Sunderland fans have reacted to Stewart Donald's resignation as chairman of Sunderland AFC.
Sunderland fans have reacted to Stewart Donald's resignation as chairman of Sunderland AFC.

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?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"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.

Paul Dobson from A Love Supreme believes it will "make no difference in the short term".Paul Dobson from A Love Supreme believes it will "make no difference in the short term".
Paul Dobson from A Love Supreme believes it will "make no difference in the short term".

"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.”

Read More
Sunderland AFC fans hit back at Stewart Donald

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.

Michael Ganley from The Fans Museum has urged fans to get behind whoever takes on the role next.Michael Ganley from The Fans Museum has urged fans to get behind whoever takes on the role next.
Michael Ganley from The Fans Museum has urged fans to get behind whoever takes on the role next.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

”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.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Stewart Donald has resigned as chairman of Sunderland AFC. Photo: PA.Stewart Donald has resigned as chairman of Sunderland AFC. Photo: PA.
Stewart Donald has resigned as chairman of Sunderland AFC. Photo: PA.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.