Ahead of today’s Championship clash with Cardiff City, let’s take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some players who have represented both The Black Cats and The Bluebirds through the years.
KIERAN RICHARDSON
We start with the man who scored that legendary free-kick against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light to guide us to an iconic 2-1 derby day victory. Kieran Richardson joined Sunderland in 2007 from Manchester United under the management of his former captain at the Red Devils, Roy Keane. He played 134 times across a five-year spell on Wearside, until 2012, and scored 14 times. Richardson’s attacking intent from defence was inspired by Brazilian full-back Maicon, after he watched the former Inter Milan wing-back bomb forward at the World Cup. Cardiff City signed Richardson from Aston Villa in 2016, where he played six times. The former Sunderland man, who was capped internationally by England, even had a trial for La Liga outfit Granada CF, after his departure from the Bluebirds. Not a bad career!
FRAIZER CAMPBELL
Another man who represented Manchester United at youth-level, Fraizer Campbell signed a four-year deal at Sunderland in 2009. Campbell’s first goal for the Black Cats came in a 2-0 league cup victory against Birmingham. He also scored a tremendous volley from range at the Stadium of Light against Norwich City on his return from injury, after being sidelined for more than a year. He played 58 times for Sunderland between 2009 and 2013. Campbell scored six times in 58 appearances for Sunderland. Maybe the chant “Fraizer Campbell will always score goals” isn’t entirely true! He was still capped internationally by England during this period. Cardiff paid a fee believed to be in the region of £650,000 to sign the striker from Sunderland in 2013. He scored 13 goals for the Bluebirds. In 2024, Campbell now often works within the football media.
KENWYNE JONES
Next up, the striker from Trinidad and Tobago, who is notorious for his acrobatic goal celebrations. Kenwyne Jones scored plenty of which during his stay on Wearside, netting 26 times for Sunderland between 2007 and 2010. Jones was linked with a move to Liverpool for £12 million in 2007, with Peter Crouch apparently going the other way, but the deal did not materialise. Chelsea legend John Terry even described Jones as the “best in the air in the Premier League” in 2008. High praise! Jones was later linked with a move to Spurs in 2009 but signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Stadium of Light to keep him on Wearside. He joined Cardiff from Stoke City in January 2014, in a player-exchange deal with Peter Odemwingie. The striker played 64 times for Cardiff until 2016, scoring 17 times during his time in Wales.
DION SANDERSON
The former Cardiff man who most recently wore the red and white stripes on this list. Dion Sanderson was a fan favourite during his loan spell at Sunderland, albeit during our torrid time in the dreaded third-tier. The defender was on loan with us from Wolverhampton Wanderers, although many supporters wanted Sanderson’s loan deal to be made permanent in the following season. Sanderson played 26 times for us during a successful loan stint- from an individual perspective anyway! He represented the Bluebirds in 2020, also on loan from Wolves, one season prior to his time with Sunderland. He played 10 times for them. In 2024, Sanderson now plays his football for Birmingham city on a permanent basis and is club captain.
DARREN WILLIAMS
Last but certainly not least is former Sunderland favourite Darren Williams. He made more than 250 appearances for the club between 1996 and 2004. The defender scored a memorable goal in a victory over Middlesbrough in 1997, his hometown club. This goal effectively relegated the Teessiders. Williams played for Cardiff on loan in 2004, with the option to make the transfer permanent. He played seven times during his time with the Welsh club. The defender later played for the likes of Hartlepool, Bradford, Dundee and Gateshead. A true professional.
OTHER
As well as the players mentioned, there are many other to represent both Sunderland and Cardiff. Connor Wickham, Michael Chopra and Adam Matthews- just to name a few! Sunderland face the Bluebirds in the Championship today and picking up some points on our trip to Wales is crucial. Ha’way the lads!
