Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has briefly touched on the abuse he claims he is receiving from fans over a sale of the club.
Taking over from Ellis Short in April 2018, Donald’s time at the helm of the Wearside club has been less than successful, failing to help guide the club to a promotion from League One to the Championship for a second successive season this time round.
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Criticism has been heavy on the shoulders of the businessman, coming soon after he made his desire to sell the club public after just 19 months in charge.
Takeover talk has now emerged this summer with the likes of Sammy Yu and Mark Campbell linked with a potential bid, whilst Donald has recently held crunch talks with Supporters Group Red and White Army over club matters.
Speaking after Thursday’s meeting with fans of the club, Donald told BBC Radio Newcastle as quoted by Sunderland Echo that he was suffering ‘abuse’ from fans as a potential sale continued to drag on.
“The fans have asked me to leave, and whether it’s Mark Campbell or somebody else, if somebody passes the EFL [tests], has the funds and has the vision… I’m not quite sure what the fans want me to do.
“Well the fans want me out, the abuse is increasing, they said I was killing the club.
“I’m doing my best, which I appreciate isn’t good enough.”
Donald, also revealed his asking price for the club, which he confirmed was set at £37.5 million.
Whilst it is evident that Donald hasn’t had the desired impact at the Stadium of Light, highlighted by their failure to gain promotion, that still doesn’t mean he should come in for abuse from fans.
As he says, he is trying to grant their wish by leaving the club, but he cannot do that until an acceptable bid comes in from another party. Until then, fans need to be patient with the ex-Eastleigh owner.
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