Mort: I want top-flight derbies to continue

Apr 19 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Mort believes both he and Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn have breathed a collective sigh of relief that tomorrow’s Tyne-Wear derby will not be a relegation battle.

Mort (pictured right) thoroughly enjoyed his first experience of a North East derby at the Stadium of Light in November, but he is even more excited about watching the two local rivals clash at St James’s Park.

However, he admitted he would have struggled to enjoy the occasion if he knew the losers were going to be in danger of crashing out of the Premier League. He said: “We’re really looking forward to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the game at the Stadium of Light, but it will be even better in front of 49,000 Newcastle fans.

“I think both Niall (Quinn) and myself were worried a few weeks ago about where the teams were heading. I think we felt this derby game was going to be a relegation six-pointer because we were both just above the relegation zone. It’s probably still our biggest game of the season, but it’s a relief there isn’t even more riding on it. Both clubs have been on a good run and have moved away from the foot of the table. I think the derby is tense enough for both sets of supporters without having to worry about the threat of relegation as well. Hopefully we can beat them and then look forward to facing each other again in the Premier League next season. It’s been good to see both clubs getting out of trouble.”

Mort has taken a diplomatic approach to relations between the two rivals since he and owner Mike Ashley took control of the club last summer and he insisted he has nothing but admiration for the job Black Cats chairman Quinn and his manager, Roy Keane, have done on Wearside.

And although he is desperate to make sure it is the colours of black and white which dominate the football landscape in the North East, he admitted it is better for the region to have three successful Premier League teams.

He explained: “I have a lot of admiration for the job Niall Quinn and Roy Keane have done.

“Keane has proven to be an excellent manager, which isn’t really surprising when you think what he was like as a player. He has a wonderful will to win and he is focused on making sure everything is done properly as a manager. He has done an excellent job there. We make an effort to make sure the relationship between the two clubs is a positive one. We are rivals, of course we are, but we can get along as well.

“I’ve always said that, as far as I’m concerned, it is better if all three North East clubs are doing well. I include Middlesbrough in that.

“If you were to ask me which division I wanted to see them in it would be the Premier League. It’s good for the region as a whole if all three football teams are doing well.”