As far as modern day fan favourites go, Carl Winchester may be right up their for many Sunderland fans.
Although not the most glamorous signing, nor the most glamorous player during his two-year spell at the Stadium of Light, Carl Winchester was certainly someone who won the hearts of Sunderland fans.
Signed by Lee Johnson, with whom he played under at Oldham Athletic previously, Winchester left Forest Green Rovers to join League One hopefuls Sunderland in January 2021.
The now 31-year-old would go on to make 67 total appearances for the Black Cats including 40 League One appearances during the club’s promotion-winning 2021/22 season, scoring three goals as well.
But Winchester’s season would end in devastating circumstances. An injury ruled him out of the play-offs and he never played a league game for the club again, joining Shrewsbury Town on loan at the start of the 2022/23 season and later making his stay permanent.
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Carl Winchester recalls ‘heart-breaking’ Sunderland injury
It was a groin injury that kept one-cap former Northern Ireland international Winchester out of all the play-off games in 2022.
Speaking to the club in a recent interview, Winchester shared his devastation at the injury, explaining: “It was heart-breaking.
“When I went for a scan and got the results back, I realised immediately my season was over.
“I was gutted because we still had important games to play and I wanted to try and help the team.”
But the versatile right-back/midfielder then explained how he went to the game at Wembley as a supporter instead.
Winchester said: “I went to the game as a fan. I’d never seen anything like the crowd or the atmosphere.
“I was so disappointed that I couldn’t be part of the final, but we got the job done in the end and I was pleased that I’d been able to play a part in the season.
“I got a medal and it’s framed back home with one of my Sunderland shirts. It is the biggest achievement of my career to have won promotion with Sunderland.”
What is Carl Winchester up to these days?
The Belfast-born player has been with Shrewsbury Town in League One since leaving Sunderland on loan in 2022.
And he’s enjoying a fruitful spell with the Shrews for whom he’s made 105 total appearances, including nine in League One this season, with one goal to his name.
Featuring 44 times in League One last season, Winchester was named the club’s Player of the Season.
And Winchester will now play under Gareth Ainsworth. The former Wycombe Wanderers boss lead his side out against Sunderland in that 2022 League One play-off final, but took on the Shrews job on Wednesday.
Meanwhile back at Sunderland right now, Regis Le Bris has his side sitting in 1st place of the Championship table, with a league fixture away at Millwall later in November.