Keane can sign big names, says Quinn

Nov 28 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NIALL Quinn has told Sunderland supporters there will be more players leaving the Stadium of Light than arriving in the January transfer window – but that does not mean Roy Keane will be refused the funds for any big-name signings.

Keane has accumulated players at an alarming rate since becoming manager of the club in 2006. It has now reached the stage where the club has no less than 51 first-team footballers on its books.

Thirteen are out on loan in the Football League but in most if not all of those cases, the Black Cats will be subsidising their wages.

Quinn admits the unwieldy size of Sunderland’s squad is a problem – though as much for footballing as financial reasons – and wants to see it reduced in the New Year.

“I think it is no secret that we are top heavy with players here,” admitted the chairman. “There is no sort of big owners throwing big demands on me – I run the club and they (the Drumaville Consortium which owns the club) allow me to do it in my own way – but we are top heavy for nothing more than say sporting reasons. So I understand that and we will try and help out every player as best we can.”

But, as Keane readily acknowledges, he has always been generously backed in the transfer market by the Sunderland board and Quinn hinted he should have no fears on that score in the latest window.

“Basically what I am saying is that there will probably be more outs than ins but if there is a touch of quality to be had somewhere and we think it’s really good for the club, then we are in a position to do that too,” Quinn stressed. “Roy and myself and the powers that be will look into that as the time comes.”

Players can only be bought and sold between January 1 and 31. There will be no more permanent moves allowed until the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have chosen not to follow the lead of Liverpool, Everton and neighbours Newcastle United in cutting ticket prices in line with VAT, preferring instead to direct the extra revenue to the grassroots sport.

The Toffees and the Magpies announced reduced ticket prices on Wednesday in response to the 2.5% cut in value added tax in the chancellor’s pre-budget report. Like United, the Black Cats’ attendances are down this season but seats at the Stadium of Light will remain at the same price for the rest of the season.

Instead, Sunderland will spend the extra cash on a minimum of 100 new full strips for junior teams next season, or more if there is further money. The club will announce details of how teams can apply in the near future.

The Wearsiders were anxious not to penalise season ticket holders – something Newcastle are currently looking into – but they have promised to take the temporary level into account when setting 2009-10 prices.

Corporate hospitality prices are unchanged as they excluded VAT.

The club’s official shops will also adjust its prices when the change comes in on Monday, except the Debenhams store, which will be a week later.