Quinn in season ticket appeal
Mar 31 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
NIALL Quinn has sent out one final plea to Sunderland fans to show their support for the club’s ambition by backing its cut-price season ticket offer.
The Black Cats chairman revealed “several thousand” new fans have already signed up for season tickets, but the Irishman is determined to get even more supporters on board before Friday’s deadline.
Quinn took the decision to cut the price of all season tickets in a bid to fill the Stadium of Light next season despite the crippling effect of the recession on household incomes.
“There has been a really positive response so far and we’d like to thank everyone who has given their commitment to the club for next season,” said Quinn.
“We do appreciate that it isn’t an easy decision for some supporters, but by cutting prices significantly we’ve tried to make buying a season ticket something that is affordable for as many people as possible.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the number of new fans who have chosen to come onboard with us – several thousand so far – which gives me great hope for the future.”
The ambitious gesture from the boardroom has ensured Quinn has received plenty of admiration from across the sporting world.
However, it is the reaction the discount offer gets from Sunderland supporters which will ultimately matter most to him and the business plan he has presented to prospective new owner Ellis Short.
Although Short’s continued backing does not rely on a packed stadium every week, Quinn believes it can only help convince the secretive American that Sunderland’s potential far outstrips its present Premier League position.
The Black Cats have failed to win in
their last five games and are just three points above the relegation zone, and Quinn knows he is testing the faith of fans to the limit.
If passed, though, it is a test which could have major implications for the club in the future as Short intends to transform the Black Cats into a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.
Quinn added: “For those supporters who haven’t renewed yet, or are considering buying a season ticket for the first time, I’d say come along and be a part of what we’re trying to achieve here.
“We’ve got a great chance now, we want to take the club forward and fulfil the potential that is there for all to see. The more fans that are behind us then the easier this is to achieve.”
All season tickets have been discounted by at least £30, with some adults enjoying discounts of up to £70 on this season’s prices. The offer also allows Under-16s attending the game with an adult to buy a season ticket for just £19, which equates to just £1 a game.
The deadline for existing season ticket holders to renew their seat and for new season ticket holders is 5pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia will take a personal look at Cardiff winger Joe Ledley when Wales take on Germany tomorrow night.
Ledley, who has also been watched by Newcastle scouts, is expected to leave the Welsh club if they are not promoted from the Championship this season.
Sbragia said: “The last transfer window came too soon for me. I had only been in the job a few weeks and had to switch from a situation where I was the coach, looking after the first team, to a manager looking at every other aspect of the club.
“I had very little time to prepare for the January window, but we didn’t do too bad. The next transfer window will be different, though.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re in a position to make the best possible changes at the club in terms of improving the side and giving ourselves better options.”
