Dan neil shows true colours with impassioned sunderland speech after promotion

DAN NEIL SPOKE TO SKY SPORTS AFTER CAPTAINING SUNDERLAND TO PREMIER LEAGUE PROMOTION 06:00, 27 May 2025 To say Dan Neil wasn’t an obvious choice to be new Sunderland captain last summer

would be an understatement. But in an impassioned speech on the Wembley pitch after leading the club to Premier League promotion, he showed his true colours and his credentials as the

skipper. In helping Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley, Neil achieved something 88 years in the making. He became the first North East-born, homegrown player

to captain Sunderland to victory at Wembley since the great Raich Carter in 1937. Delivering an impassioned speech while speaking with Sky Sports after, the 23-year-old said: “That was

absolutely unbelievable. I said it before, this whole city has really come together in the last two weeks. From my point of view, it’s unbelievable to see. “That is what Sunderland Football

Club is. It resonates with all people and when it all comes together it’s a very powerful thing. For it to end like that - two last minute winners, one in the semi and one in the final -

it’s not even what dreams are made of because I don’t think you’d even dream of something like that.” A boyhood Sunderland fan, there is a now-famous picture of Neil at Wembley as a young

fan alongside fellow academy product and now-Leeds United player Sam Greenwood. It was taken during the League Cup final defeat to Manchester City in 2014. Asked what that boy would have

said if told this would be his future, Neil’s response was poignant, as he was quick to remember everyone who played their part. Article continues below “He wouldn’t have believed you,” Neil

admitted. “My dream was to make my debut, it was to score a goal. But to captain this fantastic club, my boyhood club, back to where I believe it belongs, it’s something so special. “I

can’t thank this group of lads, the past group of lads that helped us get out of League One and to this point, enough. It’s been a massive team effort and ultimately that is our biggest

strength. We’re a team, and as a team we’ve done it. “I don’t know when it will sink in, but we’re going to have a hell of a party! We’ve put so much into this season, so many ups and downs,

and if one game sums it all up, it’s this game. Going 1-0 down early but sticking together and continuing to fight. We got there in the end.” Article continues below Neil wasn’t the only

academy product to prove that Sunderland produce good characters as well as excellent players at their Cleadon base. Anthony Patterson was awarded the man of the match award after a couple

of vital saves to keep his side in the game. Refusing to take too much individual credit though, the goalkeeper said: “Honestly, that was incredible. I don’t think I can quite put it into

words. I’m just so proud of the boys. We kept going right until the end and we got our rewards in the end. I’m so happy. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, but I plan on enjoying every

moment. It’s great to make saves and help the team in that way. But, honestly, I’m just happy for the boys that we were able to get the win. Now we can celebrate.”