It took what felt like an age for Sunderland to finally exit the doldrums of League One and reclaim their Championship status but they are finally there.

It’s a great time to support the Black Cats and now their fans have received further good news.

What’s the word?

Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven no longer hold significant control over the Mackems but their time in the northeast looks as though it will finally grind to a halt and meet a permanent end this summer.

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Tom White who took to Twitter in two separate bursts this morning to reveal the following exciting news: “Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven have accepted a bid for their shares in SAFC. More info on the buyers to come in next few days. Deal needs EFL approval. A rep of the group was in the boardroom for P/O v Sheff Wed. There is confidence the deal will be done within 5 weeks.”

White continued: “Offer was initially accepted prior to the playoff final. The deal has not yet reached exclusivity, but that is expected imminently.”

Supporters buzzing

This is the long-awaited news that supporters have lusted after for an age. At a time when they’ve finally reached the second tier again, seeing Donald and Methven wave farewell to the club permanently would be joyous for the Stadium of Light faithful.

The duo’s time at Sunderland has been a pretty big mess with Methven turning himself into an internet meme for his role in the Netflix documentary ‘Sunderland ’till I die’.

From wanting pulsating EDM played across the sound system, to putting Zlatan Ibrahimovic on their list of targets, to spending £4m on Will Grigg in a deadline day panic, it has not been a reign filled with success.

Several failed promotion campaigns have played out and despite finally getting out of the third-tier this season, it wasn’t because of the foundations that Donald and Methven had laid down.

Alex Neil has done a wonderful job since taking over as manager and combined with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, proceedings look a little rosier now.

With no Donald and Methven involved in the club, and Championship football on the horizon, the future finally looks bright for Sunderland heading into the second part of 2022.

AND in other news, Sunderland may be on the verge of repeating their Charlie Wyke disaster this summer…