O’Neill leads tributes to ‘Mr Sunderland’ departure

Martin O’Neill has dubbed Niall Quinn “Mr Sunderland” after the former chairman announced his decision to leave the club yesterday.

The 45-year-old former Republic of Ireland striker, who put together the Drumaville consortium which took control of the Black Cats in 2006 and served as chairman before accepting an international development role last year, confirmed he is to concentrate on his family and business interests after six years back on Wearside.

Quinn also persuaded his successor as chairman, American businessman Ellis Short, to buy out Drumaville and subsequently to replace him at the helm and carry on the process of firmly establishing Sunderland in the Premier League.