Post by Les on Jun 1, 2019 9:10:17 GMT
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/niall-quinn-kevin-balls-message-16363082
Niall Quinn and Kevin Ball's message to Sunderland fans following play-off disappointment
Sunderland legends Niall Quinn and Kevin Ball have urged the Black Cats to draw on the spirit of 1998 in the wake of the club's League One play-off defeat.
Quinn and Ball were key men in Peter Reid's Sunderland side which experienced First Division play-off final heartbreak against Charlton Athletic at Wembley 21 years ago, losing on penalties following an electrifying 4-4 draw which went to extra-time.
And they were there on Sunday to see Jack Ross' present day team suffer agony against the Addicks once again, this time with an injury-time goal putting paid to hopes of an immediate return to the Championship.
But the team that Quinn and Ball were part of responded to its disappointment by resolving to come back stronger than ever and take the league by storm - and they did just that, winning promotion with a then-record 105 points and finishing a massive 18 points ahead of their nearest rivals.
Wearside is still licking its wounds following last weekend's defeat, but Quinn and Ball say the players, management, and most importantly the fans should take heart from the reaction in 1998.
"It started in the dressing room, before we had even left Wembley," said Quinn, who had scored twice in the play-off final and later went on to become chairman and manager of the Black Cats.
"We were devastated because we felt we had been a better team [than Charlton] during the season, and in the play-off final, but we had lost.
"Michael Gray was in tears after missing the penalty, but all the players came together in the dressing room.
"It was a pivotal moment.
"It came from the players, and we said we would take the league by storm the next year - that we would have promotion wrapped up by March.
"We decided that none of us were going to be on the phone to our agent looking to get a move, we were going to stay and get the club into the Premier League.
"We managed to do that, and we weren't far out on the timing either because we were promoted in the first half of March and we went on to finish with 105 points which was a magnificent achievement - and Reid's assistant Bobby Saxton has never forgiven us because he felt we eased up a bit and we should have had even more points!"
Ball was the captain of that team and he added: "That time in the dressing room was a big moment.
"It started with Sacko [Saxton] taking the Mickey out Michael Gray's penalty and that broke the ice. 😄
"Then Niall said something like 'we're going to go the whole season unbeaten next year', and I said 'are you serious?'
"It built from there as more and more of the players said their piece.
"And when we came back the next season, we started the season with a 24-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
"We didn't lose a game until the back end of November, and we only lost four games all season.
"We responded in the right way and that's what this group of players will have to do after losing last weekend.
"They should reflect on it but not dwell on it.
"And they should use the feelings they have now as a way to motivate themselves next season and hopefully win automatic promotion.
"Same with the fans. I know they are down at the moment and I understand that, of course I do.
"They need closure on it and then to come back next season ready to go again."
Ross was appointed last summer and inherited a squad that had been crushed by back-to-back relegations, and he oversaw a huge turnover of players before the season got under way.
The goal he set for himself and for the club was promotion and he fell short, but Quinn insists the Scot has still done a very good job over the last 12 months.
"I feel for Jack Ross after what happened at Wembley, but he has got the team going again and I back him to the hilt," he said.
"He might need some backing in the transfer market in the summer - I know there is talk of an investor coming in and I hope there is money available to the manager.
"I know the fans and everyone at the club is disappointed at missing out on promotion this season, but if there is one thing we showed in 1998 it was that these kind of experiences can make you stronger.
"Back then, I would even go as far as to say that that extra season helped us a little - not as a club financially, but as a team it meant we were that much stronger when we did win promotion the next year.
"I hope that it is the same for Sunderland this time, too."
Ball also believes Ross will have learnt from the season just gone.
He said: "You have to take into account that when Jack came in it was the end of May last year, he had a whirlwind pre-season with players coming and going, and the club was in transition following relegation and the change of ownership.
"When he comes back for pre-season this year, the club will have better foundations in place.
"To be successful you need a process of continual improvement.
"In 1998 we brought a few new players in to strengthen key positions, and I'm sure Jack will do the same this summer."
Niall Quinn and Kevin Ball's message to Sunderland fans following play-off disappointment
Sunderland legends Niall Quinn and Kevin Ball have urged the Black Cats to draw on the spirit of 1998 in the wake of the club's League One play-off defeat.
Quinn and Ball were key men in Peter Reid's Sunderland side which experienced First Division play-off final heartbreak against Charlton Athletic at Wembley 21 years ago, losing on penalties following an electrifying 4-4 draw which went to extra-time.
And they were there on Sunday to see Jack Ross' present day team suffer agony against the Addicks once again, this time with an injury-time goal putting paid to hopes of an immediate return to the Championship.
But the team that Quinn and Ball were part of responded to its disappointment by resolving to come back stronger than ever and take the league by storm - and they did just that, winning promotion with a then-record 105 points and finishing a massive 18 points ahead of their nearest rivals.
Wearside is still licking its wounds following last weekend's defeat, but Quinn and Ball say the players, management, and most importantly the fans should take heart from the reaction in 1998.
"It started in the dressing room, before we had even left Wembley," said Quinn, who had scored twice in the play-off final and later went on to become chairman and manager of the Black Cats.
"We were devastated because we felt we had been a better team [than Charlton] during the season, and in the play-off final, but we had lost.
"Michael Gray was in tears after missing the penalty, but all the players came together in the dressing room.
"It was a pivotal moment.
"It came from the players, and we said we would take the league by storm the next year - that we would have promotion wrapped up by March.
"We decided that none of us were going to be on the phone to our agent looking to get a move, we were going to stay and get the club into the Premier League.
"We managed to do that, and we weren't far out on the timing either because we were promoted in the first half of March and we went on to finish with 105 points which was a magnificent achievement - and Reid's assistant Bobby Saxton has never forgiven us because he felt we eased up a bit and we should have had even more points!"
Ball was the captain of that team and he added: "That time in the dressing room was a big moment.
"It started with Sacko [Saxton] taking the Mickey out Michael Gray's penalty and that broke the ice. 😄
"Then Niall said something like 'we're going to go the whole season unbeaten next year', and I said 'are you serious?'
"It built from there as more and more of the players said their piece.
"And when we came back the next season, we started the season with a 24-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
"We didn't lose a game until the back end of November, and we only lost four games all season.
"We responded in the right way and that's what this group of players will have to do after losing last weekend.
"They should reflect on it but not dwell on it.
"And they should use the feelings they have now as a way to motivate themselves next season and hopefully win automatic promotion.
"Same with the fans. I know they are down at the moment and I understand that, of course I do.
"They need closure on it and then to come back next season ready to go again."
Ross was appointed last summer and inherited a squad that had been crushed by back-to-back relegations, and he oversaw a huge turnover of players before the season got under way.
The goal he set for himself and for the club was promotion and he fell short, but Quinn insists the Scot has still done a very good job over the last 12 months.
"I feel for Jack Ross after what happened at Wembley, but he has got the team going again and I back him to the hilt," he said.
"He might need some backing in the transfer market in the summer - I know there is talk of an investor coming in and I hope there is money available to the manager.
"I know the fans and everyone at the club is disappointed at missing out on promotion this season, but if there is one thing we showed in 1998 it was that these kind of experiences can make you stronger.
"Back then, I would even go as far as to say that that extra season helped us a little - not as a club financially, but as a team it meant we were that much stronger when we did win promotion the next year.
"I hope that it is the same for Sunderland this time, too."
Ball also believes Ross will have learnt from the season just gone.
He said: "You have to take into account that when Jack came in it was the end of May last year, he had a whirlwind pre-season with players coming and going, and the club was in transition following relegation and the change of ownership.
"When he comes back for pre-season this year, the club will have better foundations in place.
"To be successful you need a process of continual improvement.
"In 1998 we brought a few new players in to strengthen key positions, and I'm sure Jack will do the same this summer."
