Sunderland fans' groups have welcomed the confirmation that Stewart Donald is looking to sell the club.
The Black Cats board on Tuesday, in which they said pressure from supporters had led to the decision being made.
Fans groups made their feelings on the club's current ownership clear in a statement made following the Boxing Day draw with Bolton Wanderers, urging Donald to sell up.
Tuesday's release from the club stated: "Given the scale of the task on arriving at the club and the amount of hard work put in over the last 18 months, the current owners would have preferred more time to complete the job and fully implement the vision originally laid out.
"However, recent events indicate that is not what some fans wish for – and, as football supporters themselves, the Board understands that long-term success cannot be achieved by a disunited club."
Now A Love Supreme, the Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say Podcast have issued another joint statement which welcomes the news - and expressed their desire that any new owner can take the club 'back where it belongs'.
Here is the fans' group statement in full:
"In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.
"Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.
"We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs.
"In the meantime, like all Sunderland fans we will continue to support the team come what may. Throughout the club’s long and proud history, the fans have been the one constant. Through triumphs and many heartaches the one thing SAFC can always be proud of is the passionate, intense and loyal supporters, all with the same goal - to give their full backing to a team we can be proud of.
"Supporters have been and always will be the heartbeat of this club, and we’re in this for the long haul.
Sunderland ‘til we die."
