Born on this day the versatile Carl Winchester, who is currently playing for Shrewsbury in League One.
Winchester began his footballing days off at Linfield alongside his twin brother, Jude (The resemblance is striking). It wasn't long before Oldham Athletic came knocking for a trial, which turned into a two year scholarship in 2010.
He made his senior debut later that year in November in an FA Cup first round fixture against Accrington Stanley, then two weeks later made his league debut in a 1-0 victory away to Dagenham & Redbridge.
He soon enough became a fans favourite for his work ethic and desire during games, whether that was in full back marauding up the right flank causing problems for the opposition or covering every blade of grass in midfield. This was all under the tutelage of someone he would go on to see again in the future, his boss at the time was none other than Lee Johnson.
Unfortunately for Carl, Johnson couldn't fit him into his plans too regularly so he tried to send the midfielder out on loan, insisting that: “there was a real player in there somewhere.”
With a point to prove Winchester started the next season in fine form and began cementing his position. He enjoyed a great breakthrough season and earned himself a contract extension at the club, tying him down until 2017. Quite the progress in just one season, going from irregular squad player to a stalwart midfielder with a new contract to show for it.
The Northern Irishman left Oldham after his contract expired and went to Cheltenham for a year, followed by a two and a half year stint at Forest Green Rovers before coming to Wearside in the January transfer window of 2021. The manager who signed him? Former boss Lee Johnson of course.
After about two months settling in and coming onto the pitch from the bench he started to claim a starting role in the squad, in both midfield and defence. He helped deputise at right back more often than centre midfield as his Sunderland career has gone on.
Even under Alex Neil, Winchester remained as a right back. In a makeshift back three Winchester had been an integral part of the group that helped make Sunderland solid and make an amazing play-off push.
Under Johnson, Winchester was given the freedom to venture forward, scoring three goals; all of those resulting in wins by a one goal margin. Perhaps his willingness to go forward could have been one of the many reasons why we shipped in so many goals under LJ. With Alex Neil at the helm the defence was far more compact.
Unfortunately for Carl, he was injured in the build-up to the League One play-offs. This meant he missed out on the chance to be part of the side that won at Wembley. The timing was so unlucky - it meant that when we did earn promotion to the Championship, Winchester was one of the players deemed to be below Championship standard.
He was loaned to Shrewsbury, where he now plays alongside Tom Flanagan, moving there permanently in June 2023. Quite a shame really, as he seems like a genuinely nice bloke who always gave 100% for SAFC. And given our injury troubles last season, I'm sure he would have been a useful squad player to have.
Here's a picture of his brother Jude, after signing for Crusaders FC. Spot the difference?
