| Grand gesture from Quinn saves stranded
supporters  By
Elaine Sheridan
KIND-hearted Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn forked out £8,000 of his
own money to ferry 80 stranded supporters back home from Bristol Airport.
A handful of fans returning from the club’s 1-0 victory over Cardiff
in the Championship last weekend were kicked off the easyJet flight after
the crew accused them of being drunk and rowdy.
So Irishman Quinn who was also on the flight rallied a fleet of 18 taxis
for the 310-mile trip back to the North-East.
The trouble started when joyous fans broke into a chorus of the football
chant “Niall Quinn’s disco pants” as the chairman arrived
to check in for the flight.
After passengers had boarded concerns were raised by staff about the behaviour
of the fans and the plane was surrounded by police.
Officers threw 12 of the 123 passengers off the plane, including a disabled
Sunderland fan but there were no arrests.
Angry at the disabled man being targeted Quinn tried to reason with cabin
crew before deciding to leave the flight himself angered at the airline’s
treatment of fans from his club.
After two hours the captain announced that the flight was being cancelled.
The former Ireland captain said: “The flight home from Cardiff was
certainly one of the more eventful ones.
“The situation developed which led to the cancellation of the flight.
“Myself and my staff were on board the flight and vehemently oppose
the airline’s view that there was disruptive behaviour on-board
the plane.
“The mood was humorous and everyone was in good spirits.”
One fan who was caught up in the chaos said: “It must have cost
a fortune but it shows again that he's the most-decent bloke in football.
“I can't think of a single chairman or a single club that would
do something like that for its fans, everyone thanks him from the bottom
of their hearts.”
The gesture left fans astounded and reaffirmed Quinn’s legendary
status.
One fan Marty Horgan said; “Who else would do that only the Mighty
Quinn.
“The fact that he had to do it though is pretty sad. I’m sure
the fans were just lively after their win.
“There’s a difference in being lively and in good humour than
being rowdy.
“And certainly if they were I don’t think it would be in Quinn’s
nature to defend bad behaviour. He’s a great man and this incident
goes to show he’s an even better manager.”
Quinn, 40, was the first footballer to give the £1million proceeds
from his testimonial match to charity. |
