Sunderland AFC's record-breaking Man City transfer was worth every penny | OneFootball

Sunderland splashed a then-record £1.3 million to sign Niall Quinn from Manchester City.

In the summer of 1996, Sunderland AFC made a statement. Fresh off winning the First Division title and earning promotion to the Premier League, the club splashed a then-record fee to sign seasoned Irish striker Niall Quinn from Manchester City. Nearly three decades later, it remains one of the wisest investments the Black Cats have ever made.

In today’s market, players with Quinn’s all-around contribution are priceless. He didn’t just justify the £1.3m fee, he transcended it. His name remains synonymous with class, both as a footballer and a man.

Standing at 6’4” with a deceptively graceful touch, Quinn was already well known in English football by the time he swapped Maine Road for Roker Park. His time at Arsenal and Manchester City had earned him a reputation as a traditional target man, but that label hardly did justice to his intelligence and selflessness as a centre-forward.

Injuries had blighted Quinn's playing time throughout his career, and after finding himself on the sidelines for six months shortly after joining, Sunderland were relegated. However, with his aerial dominance and link-up play, he provided the perfect platform for Sunderland’s attack back in the First Division.

Niall Quinn proved to be a masterstroke signing by Sunderland

Nowhere was this more evident than in his legendary partnership with Kevin Phillips, who signed in 1997. While Quinn's goal tally, 61 in 203 appearances, was impressive, his unselfish play allowed Phillips to thrive, resulting in a golden era for the club in the late 1990s.

The highlight was the 1998/99 season when the duo powered Sunderland to a then-record 105 points in the First Division, sealing a triumphant return to the Premier League.

Niall Quinn on play-off final heartache with Sunderland

In an interview with the Irish Independent, Quinn spoke about how the dressing room that record season became the "most magical place", after losing in the play-off final the season before.

He exclaimed: "Our one (play-off final) in '98 still reverberates the pain and the let down of having been so close. We were in the lead three times I think in the game.

"My best memory of the day was the door slamming on the dressing room when we eventually got to our dressing room, maybe half-an-hour after the last penalty.

"We had a terrible start to that (1997-1998) season, we had a hangover after being in the Premier League the year before, we got relegated on the last day and we didn't start for about 10 to 12 games, but we got going brilliantly.

"We ran away with the Championship and we had two great years in the Premier League (finishing seventh back-to-back). I think it was born out of the reaction to that defeat that day, because we could have easily fallen out as teams do."

Niall Quinn is adored by Sunderland fans

What makes Quinn’s time at Sunderland so unique is that his influence endured long after he hung up his boots. In 2006, he returned to the club as chairman, briefly stepping into the manager’s dugout during a turbulent period.

Under his stewardship and with the backing of Drumaville Consortium, Roy Keane was brought in as manager, and Sunderland were once again promoted to the Premier League in 2007. Quinn’s leadership helped stabilise the club and reignited belief in the city.

Quinn’s bond with Sunderland has never been one of convenience, it’s one of genuine affection and loyalty, even after he once went on a passionate rant about the supporters.

The decision to part ways with £1.3m now doesn't seem like much, but at the time it was significant. Importantly, it's not a decision Sunderland or Quinn will ever regret.