"Sunderland AFC today received approval from the English Football League for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to acquire a controlling interest in the club, signalling the start of a new era on Wearside."
That was the statement pedalled out to Sunderland supporters on February 18, 2021.
'A new era' was all Wearsiders' hoped for after the worst years of the clubs' history.
Relegation to League One, combined with the manner in which they did it, was a historic low for many Sunderland supporters.
READ MORE: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus gives breakdown on Sunderland shares amid fans' ownership fears
But now, after the recent reveal in breakdown of shareholdings at the Stadium of Light, fans have been let down once more.
Madrox remain a combined majority shareholder in the club, with Louis-Dreyfus owning the remaining 41 per cent.
While there may be some truth in a 'controlling interest', to which Louis-Dreyfus does indeed own the largest share at the club, it is not a majority, which red and white supporters had hoped for.
The fact it's taken almost 12 months into the 25-year-old's tenure on Wearside to find out this information, speaks volumes.
They've ducked and dodged the local press in that time, leaving questions unanswered.
The club remain adamant that it does not affect the day-to-day running of things at the Stadium of Light, but the cloak and dagger approach does nothing to maintain rapport with supporters.
Things have at least appeared better since the arrival of Louis-Dreyfus, but with the club going through a rough patch on the field, questions were always going to resurface about who was running the club. Fans had every right to ask.
In an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle in 2020, former owner Stewart Donald said: "I know they [the fans] want me out, and I am desperately trying to get out."
Donald may well have disappeared from Wearside, but Methven's appearances at Cheltenham and AFC Wimbledon have angered fans.
Supporters knew they were still on the scene but, to find out that Madrox owns a combined 59 per cent in the club, is staggering.
Louis-Dreyfus may be the chairman, and he may well be the one who calls the shots, but fans have been led down the garden path after the takeover was sold as a 'new era.'
The Frenchman's claims of 'asset stripping' from previous owners now look like a smokescreen, and until he's put in front of the press to answer numerous questions, then the cauldron will continue to bubble away on speculation.
His previous claims of a 'governance majority' would suggest he does indeed have control over the football club. But given the unsettling distrust between fans and the board, this will no doubt be questioned once more.
The owners have finally answered questions - a year on - but a 59 per cent majority may well prove the final straw for some fans.
The distrust has been on Wearside as long as Madrox have. While the same faces remain behind the scenes, the same issues among the fanbase will keep cropping up.
The Black Cats faithful won't be able to breathe a sigh of relief until or have a fresh start until they're gone.
Louis-Dreyfus faces a huge battle to now get fans back on side.
