Chesterfield CEO a prime candidate for Sunderland role?

Chesterfield Reserves vs Gateshead Reserves - Danny Wilson watches the reserves from the stands with Chris Turner - Pic By James Williamson

Turner, who made more than 200 appearances during a six year spell as a goalkeeper for Sunderland, could be in line to replace Margaret Byrne, who resigned last week in the wake of the Adam Johnson scandal.

Public outcry over her decision to allow Johnson to continue playing at the Stadium of Light while awaiting trial for sex offences led to the Northern Irishwoman quitting her post.

The Sunderland Echo, a sister publication of the Derbyshire Times, reported this evening: “The Echo understands that Turner - who made more than 200 appearances during six years at Sunderland - is one of the candidates interested in taking charge.”

Turner became chief executive at Chesterfield in December 2011, having previously been caretaker manager and director of sport of Hartlepool United.

He has also managed Sheffield Wednesday and Stockport in a post-playing career that began with a coaching role at Leyton Orient in 1994.

His tenure has included a promotion to League One and last season’s play-off place.

One of Turner’s most recent major decisions at the Proact was to bring in Danny Wilson as manager, a man he actually replaced at Hartlepool

The Echo’s Chris Young writes: “Turner has been a frequent corporate guest on match-days at the Stadium of Light over recent seasons and would be able to fulfil a figurehead role, which Sunderland are in desperate need of to reconnect with supporters.”|Sunderland Echo}