Since yesterday's news update, more has happened on Wearside. Lynden Gooch is in high demand, women's football has rebranded and Ron-Thorben Hoffmann has revealed the ugly side of football...
COMPETITION FOR GOOCH
Two fellow Championship sides are rumoured to be interested in our out-of-contract American. Gooch has improved vastly at wing-back under Alex Neil, and has attracted interest from Swansea City as well as Neil's former club Preston North End.
There were question marks over Gooch's ability to be consistent in a higher division, but Sunderland are keen to keep him at the Stadium of Light. In a candid post-Wembley interview, Gooch said about his future: "If it is my last game then you couldn't ask for a better way to go out. I'll see what happens. I'll sit down with the gaffer on Tuesday and we'll see what happens. No matter where I end up, I'm a Sunderland fan for life. I've been a part of the club for 16 years and this is the best day of my career."
While Swansea have reportedly shown the most interest, Preston are said to be 'keeping tabs' on the versatile wideman.
HOFFMANN PLAYED WHILE POSITIVE
In slightly more serious news, Ron-Thorben Hoffmann claimed that he was forced to play while still testing positive for Covid-19.
"At the turn of the year I got infected and that changed everything. When I came back after seven days of quarantine, I went straight back in goal – although the quick test was still slightly positive. I had to play with Corona! I played three games, but felt worse from game to game. I had dizziness and a stabbing heart, as well as shortness of breath. The adrenaline kept me pumping in the first game because I was happy to be back in goal. From the second game on, the symptoms became more severe, hardly anything worked. I told the club management that I can’t help the team at the moment and that I need to be examined more deeply. But that was taken the wrong way. There were no examinations of the heart or lungs after the infection. There were not even any more quick tests before the games. I wasn’t physically well, but the club wanted me to be tougher. I was really scared that something like happened to Alphonso Davies or Rune Jarstein [both had heart muscle inflammation] could also happen to me. That’s the brutal side of football, which you don’t actually want to read as a fan. There were no discussions with those responsible."
Hoffmann started four games in a row following his 'recovery', but was never seen for the rest of the season as Anthony Patterson made the number one shirt his own.
BARCLAYS WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Meanwhile, the FA Women's Championship and FA Women's Super League will take on a new name and visual identity ahead of the 2022/23 season. Both leagues will drop the 'FA' and will replace it with Barclays, who become the title partner.
Barclays' cyan colour will be added to both the Women's Championship and Super League to further align the competitions.
Last season, the women's game expanded vastly and saw Sky Sports and the BBC give matches more coverage than ever before. With interest in women's football at an all-time high, Sunderland AFC Ladies have also made the decision to rebrand- becoming Sunderland AFC Women as of this upcoming season.
YOUNGSTERS DEPART
Finally, former Sunderland youth prospects Sam Wilding and Kenton Richardson were released following Sunderland's promotion, and have had mixed news so far.
Defender Richardson has signed for Mike Williamson's Gateshead, after spending time on loan with Spennymoor last season. He signs a one-year deal with the Heed, with the option of a second.
The only senior appearances he has made for Sunderland were in the Papa John's Trophy, but has also played senior football with Hartlepool and Notts County during loan spells.
However, Sam Wilding hasn't been so fortunate. He recently took to social media to find himself a new club: "As two enjoyable seasons at Sunderland have come to an end I am now looking for a new club to be a part of. I’ve attached below a link to my clips from this season. If anyone would be interested, please drop me a message."
Formerly of West Brom's youth side, he is yet to find a new club, despite spending time on loan with Leamington and South Shields last season. He also made senior appearances during our Papa John's Trophy campaign alongside Richardson.
