Sunderland back #SaveOurClubs national initiative but it leads to some fan backlash against Stewart Donald

Football clubs are facing increasing financial pressures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic with games being played behind-closed-doors and loss of hospitality and commercial revenue.

Sunderland shared a tweet from the #SaveOurClubs campaign calling for the PAYE holiday but it led to some fans hitting out at owner Stewart Donald, who is looking to sell and has slapped a £37.6m price tag on the club.

Donald and his holding company, Madrox, used parachute payment money due to the club to help meet the asking price two years ago.

It was revealed earlier this year that £20.5 million of this money - due to be repaid in full - had been written off in the club’s latest accounts as an ‘exceptional operating expense’.

The club’s owners have consistently stressed the money will be repaid in full and they told the Echo in May the balance had been paid down to around £11.5 million at that stage and that it would be repaid in full.

But Sunderland fans were quick to make their point on the back of the social post, @cpj90 tweeted: “Pay back what you owe for starters” and @ayde_orpen tweeted: “Donald +SAFC+ £20 million =GIve the money back and out of our club #donaldout”

One fan, @Deano85Dean tweeted: “maybe our owner would put the rest of the money back into the club that he owes it... how about it, Stewart.”

Another @AlanJWatson added: “If you'd pay the money back to the club you owe Mr Donald we wouldn't be in this position.”

Earlier this summer Donald again stressed the outstanding balance would be repaid in full before the club is sold.

“The asking price is what I paid for it,” he said.

"It was originally £40m but there was a readjustment for Alvarez, so it's now £37.6million.

“There's been lots of talks about parachute payments - the Sunderland Echo have reported on it to show that money is going back in. Pre-sale, all that money will go back into the club.

“I have always said that those monies would be repaid and there's a bit more to go back in, but by the time a sale progresses - because we are a little way off - I'll make sure all those are back in because it's something I promised to do.”

The sale of the club remains ongoing though the owners are in a period of exclusivity with one group, with fans eager for a sale to be completed soon.

The Save Our Clubs campaign posted on Twitter, which was shared by SAFC: “England’s community football clubs face extinction without immediate action.

“Current Government policy lavishes billions on London theatres and art galleries whilst letting small-town provincial clubs disintegrate.

“This is devastating “left-behind” communities, where often the local football club is the last remaining focal point.

“As a minimum, a PAYE holiday is needed until fans are allowed back in stadiums to see the clubs through the winter.”

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