---
title: "Sunderland: Michael Gray calls Wearsiders’ situation a “travesty”"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-michael-gray-criticism-travesty-donald/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-07-21T20:00:58Z"
modified: "2020-07-21T20:00:58Z"
---

# Sunderland: Michael Gray calls Wearsiders’ situation a “travesty”

**Former Sunderland defender and potential owner Michael Gray has [called](https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/sunderland/12005941/sunderland-in-league-one-for-three-years-a-travesty) the club’s current situation a “travesty”.**

The Black Cats’ fall from the Premier League to League One has been heavily documented over the last few seasons with [Netflix series *Sunderland Til I Die*](https://www.netflix.com/title/80207046) highlighting the club’s ailing fortunes both on and off the pitch.

Last season proved to be another low point for Sunderland, [failing for a second successive year](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-sunderland/platzierungen/verein/289) to gain promotion from League One. Consequently, [pressure has firmly emerged](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/incredible-claims-sale-update-and-resignation-pledge-inside-heated-meeting-stewart-donald-and-supporter-groups-fans-grill-under-pressure-sunderland-owner-2916424) on Stewart Donald to sell the club this summer and it has now been confirmed that he [has ended his role as club chairman.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53457685)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Speaking to [Sky Sports News](https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/sunderland/12005941/sunderland-in-league-one-for-three-years-a-travesty) about the club’s current standing, Gray did not mince his words, saying: “*They have to knuckle down and sort things off the field and on the field.*

*“A club the size of Sunderland and the supporters that they have, they should be nowhere near League One first and foremost.*

*“And, to be there for three seasons is a little bit of a travesty really.”*

In terms of a potential club sale, multiple names have been linked with a potential takeover with both [Sammy Yu](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sammy-yu-confirms-takeover-interest-why-hes-unlikely-take-charge-sunderland-2911778) and [Mark Campbell](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/mark-campbell-monitoring-sunderland-situation-no-takeover-deal-close-2913537) credited with interest during the last few weeks, whilst Gray has also been [linked](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/nostalgia/micky-gray-lifts-lid-his-failed-sunderland-takeover-attempts-and-reveals-whether-he-could-help-buy-club-stewart-donald-2890000) with a possible bid.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Gray is demonstrably keen for change at Sunderland given his reported interest in taking over the club and, given his status as a [long-serving player](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=3045) for the Wearsiders, he would seemingly be the choice of many fans to replace Donald.

Donald’s decision to resign is [music to the ears](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/makes-no-difference-sunderland-fans-react-after-stewart-donalds-sudden-resignation-chairman-2917591) of many fans but, if Sunderland are to move forward, he must now sell the club before the 2020/21 season gets underway so that the uncertainly over its ownership won’t interfere with on-field matters.

***Do you think Gray would be a good person to run Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…***