On Tuesday, BBC Newcastle’s Simon Pryde announced on Twitter that Sunderland owner Stewart Donald was set to appear on Total Sport to discuss the ‘huge’ interest of multiple parties to acquire Sunderland AFC.
However, when this news was announced, there were countless Sunderland fans who weren’t willing to believe him. They claim that Donald has let them down too many times in the past. Back in early February, Bloomberg announced that the club was valued at £40 million and set to be sold by the end of that month.
It is now early March, however, and the club is still owned by Donald. Here is how some fans reacted to Pryde’s tweet.
In his head maybe.
— kevin defty (@kevindefty1) March 3, 2020
We don’t believe him..
— Dave (@Dave41safc) March 3, 2020
Stuart Donald has said a lot of things since he arrived tbh. We are still in League 1 and he has used everybody elses money but his.
— jon (@Jonphillips7777) March 3, 2020
Donald should of learnt from previous statements and keep his mouth shut as nothing he says ever comes to fruition
— SteveRedandWhite (@BLACKCAT241969) March 3, 2020
Stewart Donald also said there were ‘funds available’ for ‘significant investment’ in January
— Matthew Lowerson (@MJL_SAFC) March 3, 2020
must be season ticket renewal time
conman and has been found— Mr Bret Gibbs (@ichemeler) March 3, 2020
Significant investment in January? What happened to that? We’ve heard it all before Stewart, best to keep your mouth shut from now til the end of the season and keep the focus on the team.
— Twisted Firestarter (@WindItUp7) March 3, 2020
Do you believe Donald will sell before the season is over?
Yes
No
What do we think?
This isn’t the first instance where fans have been displeased with their owner. Back in January, the club issued a statement referencing the displeasure at supporters who were calling for Donald to leave the club.
Since that statement, which was published on 7th January, the club have won seven of their 11 matches. It is a serious improvement from their late 2019 form.
However, judging by the fan responses above, it is too little, too late for the relationship between the owner and the fans to be mended.