Sunderland Quotes

I remember, when I was at Sunderland, we made the FA Cup final and played in front of 20,000 at Derby.

There was a little spell when we had no real leadership at the top but we've always had quality people here, lovely characters to whom Sunderland means an awful lot.

I'm fortunate that Newcastle and the fans welcomed me with open arms because I know it's not easy being a former Sunderland player.

I've loved my time at Sunderland. It's benefited me so much, as I've just gained invaluable experience playing week-in, week-out in the Premier League and mixing it with the big boys.

Sunderland was a turning point where I changed from a boy to a man. It was definitely the right thing for me to go on loan to another Premier League club. It helped me beyond words.

It was through the Hammerheads that I got a route into the professional game, via a trial at Sunderland from Mick McCarthy and then an invitation to come back to Carlisle in 2004.

There's not many Premier League clubs as big as Sunderland, with their fanbase and stadium and facilities.

I was still with Sunderland at the time of my first cap in 2010, and I remember getting the text to let me know that I was going to be called up to the squad - it was a Friday night, and I was in a hotel in London because we were playing Chelsea the next day.

While at Sunderland, I was No. 13, which I'd worn since I was 18, so it proved to be a decent number for me.