Born on this day is Sunderland flop and former Wigan Athletic striker Will Grigg. The striker is League One’s most expensive signing ever, and probably Stewart Donald’s biggest regret of his life.
Sunderland had been linked with Grigg all January, and finally bit the bullet on deadline day, with our chairman at the time joking that he wouldn’t be able to pay for the pizzas being delivered. Despite Wigan initially asking for around £1 million, the club ended up paying three times that amount!
The striker made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Oxford united, before missing an absolute sitter against Blackpool the following match. Grigg’s first goal came as a penalty against Gillingham, where the lads won 4-2. The Northern Ireland man’s most important goal in red and white didn’t actually come in the league. It was the opener in a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers; the semi-final of the Checkatrade Trophy, sending us to Wembley. Grigg played in the final, although he barely touched the ball and was subbed off in normal time.