SUNDERLAND supporters' groups have called on the club to rename a stand at the Stadium of Light in honour of Niall Quinn, who ended a six-year spell on the club's board yesterday.

Four months after stepping down as chairman to take up a new position as director of international development, Quinn has relinquished his role in order to spend more time with his family and concentrate on his business interests away from football.

The Irishman first joined Sunderland as a player in 1996 for a then club-record fee of £1.3m, scoring 69 goals in 183 appearances as he formed a formidable strike partnership with Kevin Phillips.

He returned to Wearside in 2006 as the leader of the Drumaville Consortium, a group of predominantly Irish businessmen who bought out former chairman Bob Murray.

The group laid the foundations for a return to the Premier League, and when their financial picture changed, Quinn was integral to the arrival of current chairman Ellis Short.

He has been a key part of Sunderland's history for the best part of two decades, and there is a sense that his departure should be marked by some sort of formal tribute.

"It would be nice if there was something to mark Niall's massive contribution to the football club," said George Forster, chairman of Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association. "The club should do something to ensure that he is never forgotten."There's been talk of renaming a stand in his honour or maybe erecting a statue somewhere close to the Stadium of Light. Alternatively, there could be an annual pre-season game in his honour, with all of the money going to one of the charities he supports.

"He was loved as a player and his impact at board level has been equally as great. It's alarming to think where we might be now had it not been for Niall Quinn."

The club are aware of the clamour for a formal recognition of Quinn's achievements, but are wary of the 45-year-old's reluctance to thrust himself into the public limelight.

Over time, there is likely to be a discussion about some form of tribute, something that appeals to Martyn McFadden, editor of influential Sunderland fanzine 'A Love Supreme'.

"Having spoken to Niall about this sort of thing in the past, I know he's never really been comfortable about things being done in his honour," said McFadden.

"But if anyone deserves some sort of permanent tribute, it has to be Niall. I think it would be fitting to name the South Stand or another part of the ground after him, or put a statue up somewhere in his honour.

"I know he didn't win a trophy like a (Bob) Stokoe or a (Jimmy) Montgomery, but he's the only person in this club's history to have been player, captain, manager and chairman. That's quite something."

Quinn has expressed sadness at his departure from the Stadium of Light, but is delighted to be leaving Sunderland in safe hands.

"I've had the most amazing six years and it gives me a huge sense of pride to see where Sunderland are today," he said. "Sunderland are in an incredibly fortunate position to have a talented team of people leading the football club right now.

"There is a tremendous amount of energy about the place and the board and executive management team are a dynamic and committed group, who hold the best interests of the club at the core of all they do.

"Everything is in place for Sunderland to really make a statement, which was always my aim.

"From a football perspective, securing the services of Martin O'Neill has been an absolute highlight. In Martin we have a man that understands the region, the club and the unique place it holds in the lives of its supporters. I am confident he will harness the immense passion that exists here and take us to new heights."

In many ways, Quinn's departure is a logical conclusion of the overhaul that began when Short assumed sole ownership of the club more than two-and-a-half-years ago.

Influential board members such as Steve Walton and Lesley Callaghan have already departed, and Quinn's exit means Sunderland's board is now comprised exclusively of people appointed by Short.

"Niall Quinn is and always will be a Sunderland legend," said Short. "His vision brought me into the club and that vision still inspires what we do.

"He has been a trusted friend and advisor to me throughout our time together at Sunderland and while I'm sad about his departure, I respect his view that his work is done. My job is to carry on that work."

* Sunderland midfielder James McClean has been promoted to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's friendly with Czech Republic.

Despite a string of impressive recent displays for the Black Cats, McClean was initially excluded from Giovanni Trapattoni's 22-man party for next Wednesday's game at the Aviva Stadium.

However, he has subsequently been added to the squad and is set to make his international debut little more than two months after his first senior appearance for Sunderland.

Craig Gordon has been named in the Scotland squad to face Slovenia despite not having made a single senior appearance this season.