Quinn vows to back Keane 'all the way'

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has promised to back manager Roy Keane all the way as he attempts to bolster his squad for life in the Barclays Premiership.

Black Cats skipper Dean Whitehead finally got his hands on the Coca-Cola Championship trophy at a private ceremony on the outskirts of the city tonight, with Keane and Quinn already planning their summer spending spree.

Indeed Quinn, whose Drumaville consortium could swell the manager's war chest to around £25m in the wake of promotion, is already looking to the January transfer window not just the August one.

He told the club's official website, www.safc.com: 'We will do exactly the same as we did during the last two transfer windows.

'We are changing nothing - the only thing that has changed is the financial leeway with player targets.

'It will be difficult because we already have a terrific bunch of players. Roy and [chief scout] Mick Brown have identified their targets already.

'[Chief executive] Peter Walker and I will be doing everything we can to make sure the manager gets the signatures he wants.

'We delivered last August and in January and, naturally, the aim is to deliver this summer.

'To be honest, I am already looking to the January transfer window. I have to be ahead of the game, we have to be in a position to cover for all eventualities, so I am already looking forward.

'The manager will be looking to recruit next January, I am sure, so I am already looking at that.

'What's also important is that [former chairman] Bob Murray left this club with only the football to deal with.

'Thanks to his vision, we have nothing to worry about bar the football, and that has been a massive help to us.'

Sunderland capped their remarkable season by claiming the Championship title with a superb 5-0 win at Luton yesterday in front of a delirious travelling army of supporters.

The Football League's decision not to present the trophy at Kenilworth Road and the Black Cats' to politely decline a parade and civic reception back on Wearside left many fans disappointed, but Quinn was quick to thank the club's followers for their backing.

He said: 'It was a marvellous end to a rollercoaster season and a fitting tribute to our supporters - not only to those that were at Luton, but all our fans that have stuck with us this season - that we were able to finish off the season in style by lifting the title.

'It adds to our momentum and going in to the Premiership as champions just adds a little extra than going up as runners-up.'

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