The mood of Sunderland fans on hearing of Roy Keane’s departure matched the miserable weather yesterday. Mark Tallentire reports from the Stadium of Light.

WHEN Roy Keane, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, was unveiled as the new manager of Sunderland in August 2006, many Black Cats fans felt Christmas had come early.

Here was a high-profile, respected – even feared – man of real standing in the game, surely destined to restore pride to long-suffering Wearside.

But last night, the Keano wonderland had sadly turned to slush.

And as the sun faded over an increasingly wet Stadium of Light, even diehard supporters must have feared the descending gloom reflected the club’s immediate prospects.

No fans gathered at the turnstiles to mourn Keane’s departure with candle-lit vigils.

None brought placards calling for the sacking of the board.

The overwhelming feeling was one of disappointment.

“It’s probably best he’s gone,” one man muttered, before he shuffled away in search of somewhere warm.

Surprise and outrage were notable by their absence. Unlike their neighbours at Newcastle United, Sunderland fans of several generations have grown accustomed to failure.

The last time the Black Cats won silverware of note was 35 years ago, when the then Second Division Sunderland side famously defeated the mighty Leeds United to lift the FA Cup.

A statue of then-manager Bob Stokoe, capturing the great man’s elation as he ran onto the Wembley turf at the end of that momentous match, now sits outside the ground.

It should be a landmark to make the current crop of players stand that bit taller and puff their chests out that bit further.

But occasionally, and particularly at times like this, it seems the glory of 1973 is a heavy burden around the club’s neck. “I’ve given up now,” another man says into his overcoat, glumly.

Two years ago, chairman Niall Quinn set himself the task of dispelling the demons of the club’s recent past.

Today, he must start all over again.