Sunderland AFC takeover: William Storey reveals details of Ellis Short conversation

Despite it being understood that Storey is not seen as a credible option for a takeover by the Sunderland owners, the Rich Energy CEO continues to push his ambitions for the Black Cats on social media.

And he has now filmed an interview in which he reveals details of a conversation he claimed he had with former Sunderland owner Ellis Short.

Short sold the club to Stewart Donald two years ago but Donald is now under increasing pressure to sell from an angry fanbase.

It emerged last month Donald was in exclusive talks over a possible sale but no further details have since emerged over who with.

There was suggestions that a deal could even be done before the start of the season but that timescale came and went.

When asked for further details about the other ‘partners’ involved in Storey’s attempts to buy Sunderland, Storey said: “In January I was having dinner with a good friend of mine who runs a restaurant group in London, he is a Sunderland fan.

"We were talking about what was happening with the club. That intrigued me, that led to a conversation with Ellis Short.

"He has pumped hundreds of millions in and [when he sold] wrote off millions of pounds worth of debt.

"Short pumped a lot of money in but probably didn't spend it wisely, his heart was in the right place.

"I spoke to Ellis, a top businessman, and he was very supportive and gave me background information about what was happening.

"That gave me the confidence that I could move forward and I could add value to this club.

“I then spoke to contacts of mine, one of the richest men in the Far East, one a major magnate in the insurance industry and some people who are very well known in the sports industry and City of London.

"They could recognise I had the ability to take the club forward and I was fortunate enough that they backed me."

Asked whether Sunderland AFC is a ‘sleeping giant’, Storey added: "Without question, it is one of the biggest clubs in the country,

"It is the best club in the North East, the fanbase is fanatical, getting 30,000 in League One is phenomenal and testament to that.

"In terms of loyalty and knowledge, and quality of fans, Sunderland are far and away the top club in the North East.

"They deserve to be in the top table of English football, I hope it is with me and my team leading that charge."

Earlier this summer Donald reaffirmed his commitment to sell Sunderland following a meeting with fan groups, before confirming his £37.6million price tag.

William Storey, Mark Campbell and Sammy Yu are all keen but it was revealed last month that Donald was in a period of exclusivity with another party.

There has been no further public comment since from Donald or the club, though it is understood Storey is not seen as a credible option.

Sunderland has been officially up for sale since the start of the year, though twice last summer the club came close to changing hands with Campbell and the American FPP group holding talks.