'You can't put a price on our fans' passion'
Mar 16 2009 by Ben Guy, The Journal
SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn has said the club had to slash season ticket prices because it owed the fans. In an exclusive interview with The Journal, the player-turned-chairman set out his vision for the future of the club as a ‘healthy’ top-flight team.
He also revealed club owner Ellis Short has promised to make up for any shortfall in revenue from his own pocket.
The club has already thrown its weight behind The Journal’s bid to help the region through the recession by sporting Think North East First T-shirts ahead of the Tyne/Wear derby, in January.
Now Mr Quinn has personally reiterated his support for the campaign and revealed the club has acted on its word by cutting season pass prices as families in the area are forced into financial cutbacks.
He said: “This region has something special going for it and football is this region’s passion – how do you put a value on passion? When you look at the lengths people go to support this club you understand its something very different.
“We know families everywhere are tightening their belts, we just wanted to make sure Sunderland football club stays on their list. The fans have stuck with us through lean times, so this is the least we can do to give something back. After all they’ve done for us we needed to do something for them.
“When we sat down to work out the prices for next season’s tickets we felt the most important thing was to have a full stadium. The most important thing for the club is the team’s success, and a great atmosphere in the stadium is crucial to that.
“But I believe a full stadium is also good for the city. We’re hoping to get a lot of adults accompanied by children – that’s what going to the football is about.”
