20 Mar 2009Quinn: Black Cats would be in 'brilliant hands' under Short

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has urged majority shareholder Ellis Short to up his stake in the club, the Daily Telegraph reports today (March 20th).

The Texan businessman has already invested around £25 million into the club since his arrival and currently owns a stake of just over 30 per cent.

He has the option to up his share to over 50 per cent - he is set to make a decision by May - and Quinn is urging the man he describes as a 'Godsend' to take the plunge.

He told the newspaper: "The club is in good hands but it has the chance to be in brilliant hands.

"It would be great for me, fantastic for the club and fans if we kick on and Ellis comes in and says 'okay' and almost gives us an anti-relegation clause next year."

Quinn added that if Short does increase his investment, he will still be 100 per cent in charge of the football side of the business, despite admitting that the American would be "calling the shots".

A former Sunderland striker, Quinn managed to score 21 goals in 92 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

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