Sunderland strike pay deferral deal
Sunderland tonight confirmed their players have agreed to defer payment of part of their wages to help ease the club’s financial problems.
The Black Cats, in conjunction with the Professional Footballers’ Association, have reached an agreement over the deferral, which will also apply to directors and senior management at the Stadium of Light.
Chairman Bob Murray and vice-chairman John Fickling announced earlier this year they would forego their salaries in full as the club embarked upon a financial restructuring process which is now in its fourth month.
“I think the fact that players, directors and senior management have come together and agreed to the deferral says an enormous amount about them as people and their personal loyalty and commitment to the club,” said Murray.
“It is tremendous that so many people at the club have willingly agreed to assist the club in this way.
“The players, football management and senior executives all understand the reality of our situation and what needs to be done in the coming months.
“It is inspiring and heartening to see everyone working so closely together and with such a great team spirit, so that the club can move forward positively again.
“I feel incredibly grateful to everyone for being so wholehearted and unreserved in their support and rallying to limit the damage of relegation for the club.
“As I’ve stated previously, we have been working on broad financial re-structuring for several months now to adjust to the realities of life outside the Premier League.
“To do this it was important that we acted early and decisively. Fundamental to this has been agreeing a strategy that we can deliver.
“We have to make a considerable financial adjustment, but we will be strong enough to do that.”
The PFA have been heavily involved at Sunderland since the implications of their debt problems became clear, and deputy chief executive Mick McGuire, who helped broker the deferral deal, also paid tribute to the club’s staff for their co-operation in difficult circumstances.
“We have been in discussions with the club throughout the summer and I can only applaud the players and non-playing staff for their commitment in ensuring Sunderland can move forward in such a positive manner,” he said.
“I am very confident that we’ll see Sunderland go forward from strength to strength.”
Sunderland’s finances received a further boost this afternoon when, on the eve of their Division One opener at Nottingham Forest, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen became the latest high-profile player to leave Wearside when he completed his move to Aston Villa.
The clubs agreed a £2.25m (€3.2m) several days ago, but it will be the loss of the Dane’s weekly pay packet which will bring the greatest relief to a club with debts of £38m (€54m).
