There is a limited number of players who actually light up the Stadium of Light on a regular basis right now. There seems to be no true club icon playing in red and white for Sunderland at the moment. However, in the past, there have been a plethora of players to excited the Sunderland crowd.
The Sunderland Twitter account remembered one of these players on the weekend, posting a tweet about Phil Bardsley. The post referenced Bardsley’s 150th start for Sunderland, when the Black Cats beat Manchester City back in 2013. And while City weren’t quite the European powerhouse that they are today back then, it was still a huge result.
For the most part, the fans shared their fond memories of the player. One fan suggests his influence was way more important than that of the current players. Another supporter pointed out that the goalkeeper he beat ended up playing for Sunderland.
What a proper legend this guy was for us – gave it all, loved a scrap and scored some goals I’ll never forget!
— Ryan (@RyanHaddick) November 10, 2019
This was my first game, I went too
— xJPJx142 (@KINGMAGUIRE1) November 10, 2019
He loved playing City, did Bardo. Worlds away from the “stuff” being played at the SoL these days.
— Jonathan Kitto (@IronKitto) November 10, 2019
Another one we should never have sold..
— Joe Lee (@Joelee15) November 10, 2019
beating future keeper Pantilimon
— Ethan Zombek (@eszombek) November 10, 2019
One fan remembers thinking his team needed improvement, even back then. Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it? Another supporter wishes they could sign him back today.
And we thought we were bad then
— Jon Ridley (@jonridley87) November 10, 2019
Bring him back
— Jamie English (@jsafc1988) November 10, 2019
What do we think?
Should Sunderland resign Bardsley, he would surely be a sight for sore eyes. It’s unlikely that the defender would be willing to make the drop-down to the EFL League One, however. Phil Parkinson would be thrilled to have a player with such work ethic and desire in his team though.