by James Hunter, Evening Chronicle, Feb 21 2012 SUNDERLAND are not looking to fill the vacancy left by international development director Niall Quinn. The Black Cats former chairman, manager and player has stepped down from the roving role he has held since October, saying he is keen to spend more time with his family in Ireland and concentrate on non-footballing business interests. Quinn spent just over five years as chairman, joining in the summer of 2006 when the Drumaville consortium took over on Wearside and staying in the post when Ellis Short bought the club from Drumaville in 2008. He handed over the role of chairman to Short four months ago, and assumed responsibility for promoting Sunderland on the international stage. When Quinn took up his newly-created position, Short insisted âit is essential for the long-term success of the club we develop interests on a global scaleâ. However, the Black Cats will not be appointing a replacement for Quinn, the 46-year-oldâs responsibilities instead absorbed by the current executive team. Mike Farnan, who was appointed as international and national marketing director in October, is likely to take on most of Quinnâs duties. âI have had the most amazing six years and it gives me a huge sense of pride to see where Sunderland is today,â said Quinn, who also spent six years as a player with the Black Cats. âAs for the great Sunderland fans, I would like to thank them for the trust they placed in me. âBack in 2006 I had no business experience and little formal education and yet the fans backed me and believed in what I was trying to do. âThey came back to the club in their tens of thousands and the faith they showed in me was humbling. âFrom a football perspective, securing the services of Martin OâNeill has been an absolute highlight. âI must make special mention of the Drumaville consortium, without whom the story would not have unfolded. They will always be fondly remembered on Wearside and I will always be grateful for their input. Later on Ellis came in â and he believed too. âAs the guardian of Sunderland in recent years, he has proven himself to be astute, wholeheartedly committed and above all passionate about this football club. âHe has truly bought into the ethos of what Sunderland is all about and this is so much more than a business to him. Sunderland supporters can be confident their club is in very safe hands, as am I.â Quinn added: âI am now looking forward to spending more time with my family and exploring business interests away from football. âI will still have that knot in my stomach before kick-off and the feeling of elation at the final whistle if the result has gone our way.â Short added: âNiall Quinn is and always will be a Sunderland legend. âHis vision brought me into the club and that vision still inspires what we do. He has been a trusted friend and advisor to me throughout our time together at Sunderland and while I am sad about his departure, I respect his view his âwork is doneâ. âMy job is to carry on that work.â http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...ooking-to-replace-niall-quinn-72703-30371871/
It may be a sad day for us but its a good day for Quinny, he knows he is loved, he has done a good job and can now get his life back.
