Stewart Donald officially gone from Sunderland

A dark chapter in Sunderland history has come to an end with Stewart Donald selling his remaining stake in the club.

Stewart Donald has officially left Sunderland after Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori bought out his remaining shares.

It brings an end to a dark chapter in the club’s history which saw Donald, along with Charlie Methven, often accused of asset stripping the club while trying to use Sunderland as little more than a get-rich-quick scheme.

Methven had already left the club entirely, but Donald had retained a 9% stake. However, Louis-Dreyfus and Sartori have not shared that between them.

“Sunderland AFC today announces that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has increased his shareholding in the Club,” a statement read.

“Mr Louis-Dreyfus has increased his stake to 64%, with Juan Sartori increasing his stake to 36%.

“The shares have been acquired through the purchase of shares previously held by Stewart Donald, who has now exited the Club’s shareholder group entirely.

“SAFC’s Board of Directors remains unchanged.”

Sartori himself remains the only remaining member from the Madrox Partnership who owned Sunderland through what was statistically the worst four years of the club’s entire history.

While questions have been raised about how much Sartori invests himself, he was the man who brought Louis-Dreyfus to the club and he has appeared much more aligned with him than Donald and Methven over the last couple of years.

The departure of Donald will not change much in reality, but it will be important in allowing the fans to draw a line under a very difficult time and will help in continuing to rebuild trust between club and supporters. 

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