SUNDERLAND AFC assured worried supporters last night it would not be funding a planned sports complex.
Fans of the Premiership team are worried that money for new players could be spent on the proposed development next to the Stadium of Light, which is to include the region's only Olympic-size swimming pool.
But club vice-chairman John Fickling said there would be no financial involvement by the club.
He said: "Our role in the development will be to link public and private sector organisations which will ultimately be funding the project.
"We want to reassure supporters that this will not affect the funds we have available to spend on players."
The club was chosen by regional development agency One NorthEast to develop a nine-acre derelict site next to the club's 48,000-seater stadium.
The plans include a 50-metre pool, sports hall and education and technology centre. The scheme could create about 500 jobs
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