Quinn steps down as chairman

Sunderland have announced that Niall Quinn will be the man to lead the club's international development, stepping down as chairman at the same time.

Quinn will relinquish the chairmanship with owner Ellis Short assuming the role to allow Quinn the opportunity to start a new chapter of his Black Cats career.

Speaking to the Official Site, Quinn said:

'This is a great opportunity for us to make the club stronger and I'm delighted that Ellis has agreed to support the plan.

'He'll [Ellis Short] be a fantastic Chairman and taking this role on speaks volumes about his ambition for the club.'

Quinn returned to the club in 2006, with the side languishing in the lower-reaches of the Championship. He acted quickly to install Roy Keane as manager and together the duo drove Sunderland back into the top-flight at the first time of asking.

New chairman Short explained that the move had been made with a view to the financial fair play rules which come in next summer, as the Black Cats look to tap into lesser-known foreign markets.

Speaking of his appointment as chair, Short said:

'Assuming the position of Chairman is a great honour and I will treat the role as guardian of this club with the utmost respect.'

Quinn's new role starts immediately with the Leaders in Football conference in London this week.

Steve Bruce and international marketing director Mike Farnham will then accompany Quinn to Korea withs trips to Vietnam, Abu Dhabi, India and Africa also in the pipeline.

Good luck Quinny, and thanks for everything.

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