Sunderland told two traits from past they also have to take into premier league

SUNDERLAND WILL NEED TO RETAIN THEIR TEAM SPIRIT NEXT SEASON AFTER A STUNNING PROMOTION CLIVE YOULTON and CLIVE YOULTON 16:26, 02 Jun 2025 The euphoria of Sunderland’s promotion back to the

Premier League will keep the city buoyant in the coming weeks. It will banish the memories for those fans who remember the back-to-back relegations starting in 2016/17. Phil Bardsley, who

loved playing at the Stadium of Light during his stay at the club from January 2008 until June 2014, is delighted the club have fought their way back to the top tier once again. From the

depths of League One, the club has risen again. Bardsley admits that there were some challenges during his spell with Black Cats - as there will be for the current crop as they tackle life

in the top flight next season. But he pinpoints two traits - 'chemistry and togetherness' that he believes served his team-mates well and which Regis Le Bris can also call upon.

That was never more evident in the play-offs as the 'Til the End' mantra proved with last-gasp goals against Coventry and Sheffield United. Talking to Sportsboom, Bardsley

reflected: “They’ve obviously suffered over recent years, playing League One football and in the Championship trying to get promoted, so for them to get back into the Premier League is like

the good old days when I was there. “We had some good times when I was there. Roy Keane was manager, and he signed me in January and we went on to have a good run at the Premier League, we

had six and a half years in the top flight. Article continues below “Listen, we had some challenging seasons, but it’s like everyone in football – especially when you’ve not got the biggest

of budgets – but the players we had, and the players we brought in over course of that spell – did a brilliant job.” “More than anything the chemistry and the togetherness that it generated

throughout was brilliant. “There were different types of squads when I was there, but we always remained positive, and we always kept a good team spirit. “That came from within, but also

from the amazing fans who always used to show us their support.” The last five defeats of the season seem like a distant memory and Bardsley added: “You go through challenges in a season,

they went on a good run at the start of the season and then towards the end they tailed off a bit. “Thankfully they did enough to get over the line. It just shows the character of the group

and the manager [Regis Le Bris] and what he demands.” Meanwhile, a record number of fans packed Wembley to watch the three play-off finals, the English Football League has announced. The

matches attracted an aggregate attendance of 211,858 – well above the previous record total of 197,550 that watched the play-offs at the end of the 2007-08 season. Sunderland’s 2-1 victory

over Sheffield United in Saturday’s Championship final, securing the Black Cats’ return to top-flight football after eight years, was attended by a crowd of 82,718. Article continues below

The League One showdown on Sunday, when Charlton overcame Leyton Orient 1-0, was watched by 76,193, while 50,947 saw AFC Wimbledon defeat Walsall by the same scoreline on Monday.