Born on this day is Sunderland flop Will Grigg. The striker is League One’s most expensive signing ever, and probably the biggest regret of Stewart Donald's 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.
The following season, Grigg really struggled with the long-ball style of Phil Parkinson, and was rarely given 90 minutes. He made just 20 appearances and scored a solitary goal. When the season was ended prematurely, Grigg did an interview where he claimed he didn’t want to leave Wigan, and regretted the move.
This essentially ended his Sunderland career, before being sent to MK Dons on loan the following January. He impressed at his former club, as we all typically knew he would. Grigg finished the season with 8 goals in 20 appearances, including a four-goal haul at Swindon! The man with the most famous song in football is now playing where he belongs - the National League. He was signed by Chesterfield, linking up with former Wigan manager Paul Cook.
