Craig Russell has warned Sunderland mascot Samson he's next on the list after Kevin Ball's departure from the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats icon stepped down from his ambassadorial role with the club, ending a three decade spell on Wearside.
The 57-year-old, known to all on Wearside as 'Bally', was furloughed from his ambassadorial role in 2019 when the Covid pandemic struck and he has not returned to work since.
Ball now joins former masseur, Russell and first team kitman John Cooke on the list of recent departures from the club.
Russell took to Twitter to warn the mascots they could be next, he said: "Myself, Cookie, now Bally. Some years of service to the club gone. I hope Samson is hiding away in his basket."
It's been a difficult week for Sunderland's ownership group and Ball's departure is the latest in a string of disappointing news.
The revelation that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus only owned 41 per cent of the club sent fans into a social media frenzy.
Black Cats supporters will be hoping this weekend's game against MK Dons brings better fortunes.
