IT’S BEEN eight long years but finally the Black Cats are back in the big time.
Every gruesome detail of Sunderland’s downfall into League One was screened on Netflix.
Now the cameras and spotlight return to the Stadium of Light for what promises to be a bumper showdown against West Ham on Saturday.
Regis Le Bris could potentially field an entire new team against the Hammers after bringing in eleven new recruits over the summer.
But what ever happened to the last side that lined-up for the club in the top-flight?
Sunderland’s last Premier League fixture was back in May 2017 in a match better remembered as John Terry’s bizarre final farewell to Chelsea.
Despite taking an early lead, the already relegated Black Cats were thumped 5-1 at Stamford Bridge.
That proved to be David Moyes’ final match in charge – but here’s a look at each player who was wearing red and white that day at Stamford Bridge:
JORDAN PICKFORD
It also proved to be academy product Pickford’s last game for his hometown club as weeks later he joined Everton for £30m.
It’s fair to say that the now 31-year-old goalie is one of the few to go on to bigger and better things.
He’s still at the Toffees and preparing for their big move into their new stadium – coincidently with Moyes as his manager again.
And he remains England’s No1 goalie – a position he’s enjoyed since 2018.
BILLY JONES
He arrived at Sunderland in 2014 from West Brom and played over 80 times during his four years on Wearside.
Jones stayed for one another season after relegation from the Prem but departed shortly after the club dropped into the third tier 12 months later.
He headed to Rotherham before hanging up his boots in 2021 after a loan spell at Crewe following knee injuries.
Was last known to be working as a coach in Shrewsbury’s academy.
JOHN O’SHEA
The Manchester United legend was another who stuck it out at Sunderland for another season but departed once relegation to League One was confirmed.
The former defender headed to Reading for a campaign before retiring and going into coaching.
He had spells at both Birmingham and Stoke and is now Heimir Hallgrímsson’s assistant manager at Republic of Ireland.
JOLEON LESCOTT
A Prem winner with Manchester City, this outing proved to be the final outing of the ex-England defender’s career.
His brief stint with the Black Cats was one to forget and this was the second of his two appearances for them.
Lescott has ventured into coaching since hanging up his boots and has worked with both the U21 and senior England setup.
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JAVIER MANQUILLO
The Spanish full-back, who had previously endured an uneventful loan spell at Liverpool, is actually the last player to score for Sunderland in the Premier League.
He opened the scoring against Chelsea early doors before Willian, Eden Hazard, Pedro and a brace from Michy Batshuayi secured the Blues 5-1 victory.
Full-back Manquillo returned to Atletico Madrid following this loan spell but weeks later transformed into a villain on Wearside as he joined bitter foes Newcastle on a permanent basis.
He went on to spend seven years at St. James’ but left in January 2024 to reunite with ex-Toon boss Rafa Benitez at Celta Vigo and is still playing there.
SEB LARSSON
The Swedish midfielder became a big hit with the Mackems during his six years at the club.
He left for Hull City after relegation and then headed to his homeland to finish his career at AIK.
Larsson has turned to coaching since retiring in 2022 and is now assistant manager to Jon Dahl Tomasson with Sweden.
LEE CATTERMOLE
The former Sunderland captain spent a decade at the club and stuck with them after they dropped into League One.
He left for Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo in 2019 but only spent a year there before hanging up his boots.
The ex-midfielder is another to have moved into coaching and has worked at both Middlesbrough and Bristol City.
He recently completed his Pro Licence badge and is now eyeing up a new job.
JACK RODWELL
Arguably one of, if not THE, most disastrous signings in Sunderland’s history.
The former Everton and Man City midfielder made just 76 appearances during his four years at the club.
Continuing to earn big bucks, believed to be £70,000-a-week, in the Championship, Rodwell went almost a year without featuring before his deal was eventually terminated in June 2018.
Moves to Blackburn and Sheffield United failed to help him reignite his career before he headed to Australia to play for both Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney, where the 34-year-old’s deal has just expired.
BRYAN OVIEDO
The Costa Rican arrived in January of the relegation campaign and stayed put even after the Black Cats dropped into League One.
He returned to old team Copenhagen in 2019 prior to heading to the MLS with Real Salt Lake three years later.
Oviedo moved back to his homeland to sign for Alajuelense a year ago though it remains to be seen whether the 35-year-old’s contract will be extended.
ADNAN JANUZAJ
The ex-Manchester United wonderkid failed to shine during his loan spell at Sunderland and left Old Trafford permanently for Real Sociedad that summer after relegation.
The Belgium attacker later moved to Sevilla in 2022 but has been sent out on loan to Istanbul Basaksehir and Las Palmas over the past two campaigns.
FABIO BORINI
The 34-year-old one cap Italy international, who previously underwhelmed at both Chelsea and Liverpool, was a firm favourite on Wearside.
He departed after the drop and headed to AC Milan and has since played for Hellas Verona, Turkish club Karagumruk and spent the past two seasons with Sampdoria.
Borini has recently been back in England after becoming a free agent and been training with other out of contract players in a PFA camp.
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