Born on this day is former Sunderland fullback Phil Bardsley, who spent six years on Wearside. Bardsley was 22 years old when we signed him in January 2008, with manager Roy Keane making use of his connections with the Red Devils.
Bardsley made his debut in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City, and played 11 times after signing in January. At the end of that season he had beaten relegation with us for the first time, but certainly not the last. The following season, the right back scored his first goal for the club, netting in a 2-1 win in a League Cup fixture against Nottingham Forest. Despite being briefly usurped by Pascal Chimbonda, 'Bardo' quick