A Few Good Men

Sunderland, over the years, has been blessed with players who will always be fondly remembered because of their contribution to our club. Whether it’s Marco Gabbiadini, Niall Quinn, Kevin Phillips, Gery Bennett, Jordan Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Charlie Hurley, Ian Porterfield, Micky Horsewell, Brian Clough, Michael Grey, Julio Arca and Amad to name a lot. In this previous list there a few generations crossed and stories of some of these players have been passed down generations of fans. However, we may have a group of players who will not only live forever in the history of the club but will all share a bond that not many players in any club can.

During the on pitch celebrations following the Championship Play Off Final a photo was taken of some of the players who had been there through a large part of the journey back to the Premier League, a picture which will no doubt feature for decades to come in the memories of fans. From Left to right we see Patrick Roberts, Anthony Patterson, Daniel Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Luke O’Nien and Trai Hume.

All of these players will have their own stories to tell and hopefully one day when they are retired and look back on their careers they will all fondly remember this moment. It’s sentimental, it’s corny trust me I know, but this is journey they have been on came with a lot of pain and suffering. Success comes at a price. Luke O’Nien’s recurring shoulder injuries which put an end to his play off final game after 2 or 3 minutes. Roberts coming on and playing with a torn calf, Dennis Cirkin needing repeated operations on his wrist. Dan Neil’s legs giving up on him after an hour in the final. Hume playing game after game after game, covering in different positions, Patterson living under a microscope of criticism despite repeated heroics.

They’ve all carried burdens professionally in a sense and we don’t know what has occurred outside in their personal lives. These are all young men who have grown into the shirts they have earned. I think it is fair to say that the Sunderland shirt during the league 1 days was a heavy one to carry. Repeated failures and disasters only added to that weight. Luke O’Nien came to the club at its lowest point. Lived through them, played in about 6 different positions and is now a vital cog in the dressing room. A leader, a good man. The question remains if Luke O’Nien can defy the doubters again and make another step up to Premier League football. I’m sure he will get his opportunity.

Dan Neil came through the clubs academy to captaining his club, the club he supported as a boy and helped drag the club up to where it belongs, the price he paid? He now faces a new challenge of trying to prove himself in the Premier League. The world of professional football leaves very little room for sentiment and offers little grace to anyone regardless of the stripes you earn or the scars you get. Dan Neil can hold his head high and say “I played my part in this” which any Sunderland fan would give their right arm to be able to do. Regardless of what happens with Dan, he should be remembered as a hero.

Trai Hume is name not many, if any, were familiar with the name pre January 2022. A young lad from Ballymena, Northern Ireland left home at the age of 19 to embark on an adventure into English football and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He leaves nothing in the dressing room and takes no prisoners. He’s now successfully transitioned into a Premier League right back firmly holding his place down so far. Competition has arrived but he’s looked comfortable in the games so far and still at only 23 years old, he’s got time on his side.

Dennis Cirkin signed from Spurs and again, not much was known about him. Came in a young boy needing to learn his trade and despite injury issues, he has grown and developed into a fine left back. The next challenge he faces is keeping fit and continuing his development but he’s got a lot of talent to learn from in Reinildo so this may a huge opportunity for Cirkin. He has played his part and showed he’s got the stomach for the fight.

Local lad Anthony Patterson had been in  and around the first team for a few years before nailing down the number 1 spot ahead of Lee Burge and Ron-Thorben Hoffman in the 21/22 season. The introduction of Robin Roefs has meant that Patterson has taken up a seat on the bench again. Throughout his time as the Number 1 Patterson has improved no end but has received critics for not being able to command his box and his distribution. However, what cannot be denied is his shot stopping ability. Critical saves in both the League 1 play off final against Wycombe and an incredible save to stop Sheffield United taking an early lead through Kiefer Moores header. A debt is no doubt owed to him because when it counted, Patto was there.

Finally, Patrick Roberts, Mini Messi, one of the most naturally gifted players I’ve seen play for Sunderland. An ability to turn defenders inside out and get the fans on their feet. A player whose career was very much on the ropes when he arrived on a short term deal from Manchester City. Patrick had a series of loan moves all of which offered little success aside from a half decent spell at Celtic. The view at the time is that Paddy was talented but just couldn’t find a spark. While he had a slow slow start we really saw the best of Roberts when Tony Mowbray came in and Amad came in on loan. The pair of them were a nightmare for defenders and were involved in some of the finest footballing moments the clubs ever seen. Pat has his place in history though. His vital goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the 2nd leg of the league 1 play off semi final set up the final against Wycombe. The most pivotal moment of Roberts Sunderland career came at Wembley against the other Sheffield. Coming into the game mini Messi was nursing a bad calf injury. Determined to play his part, the winger made the bench and came on in the 2nd half. His wonder pass to Mayenda is what began the biggest come back in the clubs existence. The club and the fans owe him. He’s had his critics, quite rightly, if a player with his ability had a better end product, the sky would be the limit for him but don’t let the numbers deceive you, Patrick Roberts at full flight is a sight to behold. His loan move to Birmingham should let him continue his revamped career and hopefully enjoy the rest of his career.

Each of these boys will leave the club one day. When they do, it will be sad. The end of an era but they have something that should bond them for life and we as fans should hold them in the highest of regard. We put the weight of our club the backs of these young men. They carried it through sun, rain and storms and made it to the otherside. They’ve handed it over to a new group of young players to help share the burden. Who knows where the new lads will take us.

Football is a brutal, unforgiving unsentimental place at times but I hope that these lads get their flowers and get their applause. We should never forget them, the best years of their lives were spent entertaining us. They came here as young lads, they’ll leave as men. A few good men at that…

Thanks Lads