In the news recently: An ex-Mackem picks up a BBC award, Leadbitter receives praise and SAFC are linked with the next Jewison Bennette...
MEAD WINS BBC SPOTY
England women's striker Beth Mead has won the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award, becoming the first former Sunderland player to do so. Now an Arsenal player, Mead won the women's Euro 2022 Golden Boot and was named Player of the Tournament after their victory. The 27-year-old becomes the first women's footballer to win the award. Mead played for Sunderland between 2011 and 2017, and pipped Ben Stokes to the award who finished second. She said: "I'm incredibly honoured to win this award. I wouldn't have done it without the girls. The team have backed me. Yes, I've won this accolade, I've scored a few goals but I wouldn't have done it without them. This is for women's sport and women's sport heading in the right direction. Let's keep pushing girls, let's keep doing the right thing."
LEADBITTER 'TELLS YOU STRAIGHT'
Middlesbrough's transfer chief Kieran Scott has spoken about Grant Leabitter's influence as 'Individual Development Coach', a role the midfielder took after retiring at Sunderland. Speaking at a recent Middlesbrough Supporters Forum, Scott said: "Grant is getting his coaching in with the Academy and working in there and supporting the first team. He is getting the best of both worlds. The club think really highly of him, he knows what it takes to play for the club, and we want people like that around. He came up and helped with Leo and Tinks and has stayed put as they have liked what they have seen from him. He tells you straight if he is not happy with something. We need these types of people around the club.”
ANOTHER SOUTH AMERICAN?
After the signing of Jewison Bennette in the summer, Sunderland are now reportedly interested in fellow Chilean youngster Paolo Guajardo, who has scored five goals in the Primera B with Santiago Wanderers. Rumours are suggesting that should we want to sign the youngster, Sunderland will have to battle with USA outfit Orlando City. Reports over in Chile claim that top flight clubs Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile have already began negotiations with Santiago Wanderers in an attempt to snap up the teenager before interest comes from abroad. A fee of around 500,000 Euros has been suggested as Wanderers' asking price.
