A calamitous season was followed by the calculated torpor of close-season inactivity at SAFC. Suddenly, we moved forward a little, the would-be German takeover collapsing and Simon Grayson arriving as manager. Ken Gambles isn’t getting carried away but sees reason for cautious optimism and offers a proud comparison with the (presumaby pre-Chinese, pre-Russian sponsorship) Bundesliga side Schalke 04 …
Credit: MattytheWhite at Wikipedia
First a club statement on Simon Grayson’s appointment as manager. Read it here or see a summary in the footnote*.
And secondly, apologies to Martin Bain, chief executive, and Simon for hacking their phone conversation. In fact, it’s so exclusive that it isn’t true. All imaginary, just a spot of fun – and a warm welcome to the new boss …
See club statement on Simon Grayson’s appointment as manager at this link
Paul Summerside went on strike last season, boycotting games because Sunderland were persisting with David Moyes. He senses a lot of underwhelmed reaction from supports to the approach to Simon Grayson but feels he is not only a potentially sound choice, but maybe the only one open to us …
Well it would seem Ellis Short’s Plan A to asset strip, lean down and sell on, in order to recoup the majority of his investment, is a non-starter.
Was it ever a starter?
Certainly not at £90 million.
Now to Plan B. Get the club stabilised and then promoted (in order to carry out plan A).
So we have reached June 29, the retail launch of the new and controversial home kit (I still like the front, hate the back) and a time of the summer when all the big or ambitious clubs, and most of the ones that are neither, are well advanced in preparing for the coming season.
All except us. At least, that was the case until just now.
Talks on selling the club have collapsed, Ellis Short is staying as owner and moves are afoot to bring Simon Grayson from PNE as manager,
UPDATE:
See club statement on Simon Grayson’s appointment as manager at this link