We've found these 'Where Are They Now' pieces to be quite the eye-opener in showing Sunderland's vast improvement over the last year or two. With that in mind, let's look at our starting XI for the EFL Trophy win over Tranmere.
LEE BURGE
The Hereford-born goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the final to win him his second EFL Trophy of his career. Burge would spend one more season with the Black Cats before departing for League Two Northampton. He has since gone on to earn a third-placed promotion with the Cobblers, helping them with 12 clean sheets along the way.
MAX POWER
The EFL Trophy winning campaign would be his last in red and white as he would return to fellow League One club Wigan Athletic. It’s been very up and down for him since, quite literally, as Wigan won the League One title and then were relegated with a points deduction in 24th place. With financial and ownership problems continuing to plague the Latics, issues such as players and staff not being paid their wages, it’s reported that many of Wigan’s squad may take the option to end their contracts if they still haven't received payment by the 16th June. Power has been linked with League Two's Wrexham in recent days (linking up with Phi Parkinson), but was also reported as discussing a potential new deal at Wigan.
TOM FLANAGAN
The versatile defender made the deadline day move to Shrewsbury in January 2022, just before Alex Neil was appointed and we won promotion. He has so far played 42 times for them as they finished (rather predictably) mid-table in League One. He is entering the last year of his contract, which expires in June 2024.
LUKE O’NIEN
As you’ll already know he is still on Wearside and has become a common sight in a Sunderland kit, playing 46 times in all competitions last season. There was some doubt if he could manage the challenge of playing in the higher quality league of the Championship, but it’s definitely fair to say he’s proved his doubters wrong.
CALLUM MCFADZEAN
McFadzean has played for two clubs since departing SAFC: Crewe Alexandra for half of a season (in which they were relegated to League Two) and then moving to non-league Wrexham, where he has since won a National League title and been promoted. He made 31 appearances for Wrexham last season across the FA Cup and National League. I'd say that Callum, alongside Phil Parkinson, has certainly found his level.
JOSH SCOWEN
The now 30-year-old midfielder currently plays for League One club Wycombe Wanderers, making a total of 35 appearances last season for the Buckinghamshire club. Notably, he lost a League One play-off final against us in a Wycombe shirt. But other than that he's a totally forgettable footballer.
GRANT LEADBITTER
The boyhood Sunderland fan, born in County Durham, poetically retired with us at the end of the season in which we won a piece of silverware. He remained a very active footballer up until his retirement, with 48 appearances in his final campaign. He is still in the north-east and still involved in football, currently finding himself at Middlesbrough as a member of the coaching staff.
CHRIS MAGUIRE
The attacker hasn’t had a great time since leaving Sunderland. He played 39 times for Lincoln City, scoring five within that. That’s a slightly misleading statistic though as three of those came in the form of a hat trick against us (of course it was against us) so it’s more like two goals in 38. He then signed a contract with Hartlepool but that never move was never completed because of investigations into his bets on football matches. The Scotsman then returned to his homeland and signed for Ayr United, he managed four assists and no goals in his 15 appearances whilst there. Ayr United were also battered 8-0 over two legs by Partick Thistle in the promotion play-offs. He will be leaving Ayr United in the near future and become a free agent. Winning the Pizza Cup is Maguire's highlight of recent years - the same could be said for so many of these players.
AIDEN MCGEADY
Certainly the most naturally talented player on this list is the mercurial winger Aiden McGeady. He provided the assist that won us the EFL Trophy and our first win at Wembley in 48 years. McGeady left Sunderland following our promotion and joined ex-SAFC manager (and also our manager during the trophy win) Lee Johnson at Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. Aiden was unfortunately hampered by injuries during his time in Edinburgh and played only 14 times for Hibs, assisting twice in that time. Hibs did on to qualify for Europe but Geads won’t be joining them as he was released and is now a free agent at the age of 37. I'd expect him to announce his retirement soon if I'm being honest.
LYNDEN GOOCH
The goalscorer in the final, Gooch is, of course, still playing for the lads. He had an injury last season which meant he missed quite a few potential minutes, but he still managed 32 games. The American also has proven his doubters wrong and adapted to Championship football very well since our promotion. Lynden is fast approaching 250 appearances for us, currently at an immense 245 games played in all competitions.
CHARLIE WYKE
Wyke had a rather quiet first two seasons for SAFC, but during this season he somehow managed 31 goals and his partnership with Aiden McGeady was highly effective throughout the season. I could probably reach double figures if I had Geads providing top-class The centre-forward moved to Wigan following this, but unfortunately had a heart-attack midway through his first season there during a training session. Fortunately he has been able to recover and return to football, and he registered two goals and two assists in 18 games last season in the Championship. Like Power, he may take up the option to leave Wigan if his wages aren’t paid in the near future.
