It has been four years since Sunderland’s memorable Wembley victory against Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy.
In recent years, Sunderland fans have been through the mires, having to watch successive seasons of the Black Cats in League One, which brought about financial struggles, difficulty on the pitch, and several games that the Black Cats won’t have too fond memories of.
One of the few bright days in that dark spell was the Papa John’s Trophy win, taking place four years ago today, on the 14th March 2021.
Lee Johnson’s Sunderland won 1-0 against the League Two side managed by Keith Hill, which cushioned the blow from the previous season of their defeat against Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final.
Four years on from the historic win, we looked at where each of the players in the starting Sunderland side are now.
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Lee Burge
Sunderland’s shot-stopper on the day, Lee Burge was the Black Cats’ prominent goalkeeper in the 2020/21 season, but took a backseat in the following campaign because of the emergence of Anthony Patterson.
Currently, Burge finds himself at Northampton Town in League One, where he has notched 20 appearances.
The now 33-year-old keeper notched 66 games in total for the Black Cats before he moved on to Northampton Town on a free transfer.
Max Power
Max Power spent three seasons on Wearside before moving on to Wigan Athletic in the 2021/22 season.
Since his departure from the Latics after two seasons, the former Sunderland man has endured quite a bizarre career path, joining Saudi side Al-Qadsiah for the 2023/24 season, and now plies his trade with Danish side Aarhus.
Tom Flanagan
In the 2018/19 season, Sunderland signed experienced EFL man Tom Flanagan from Burton Albion.
The man, who notched a total of 115 appearances for the Black Cats, now finds himself at League Two side Colchester United as team captain, where he has helped lead his side to 12 games unbeaten, eight of which being wins.
Luke O’Nien
Luke O’Nien, the only man in the starting side for the Papa John’s Trophy win still at the club, has become quite the cult hero on Wearside.
Having recently notched his 300th appearance for Sunderland, O’Nien looks on track to become the Black Cats’ leading all-time appearance holder.
Callum McFadzean
Full-back Callum McFadzean’s time on Wearside was rather short, but he managed to notch silverware during his season at the club.
Having accumulated 34 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats, he then moved on to Crewe Alexandra before dropping to the National League in the 2021/22 season to play for Wrexhamm where he stayed until being released following the 2023/24 League Two winning campaign.
Grant Leadbitter
Sunderland signed experienced midfielder Grant Leadbitter in January 2019, with the former Black Cats academy man notched 86 games after resigning for the club from Middlesbrough.
After retiring from play at the end of his spell at Sunderland, the Chester-Le-Street born man now finds himself as Middlesbrough’s assistant-manager under former Man United man Michael Carrick.
Josh Scowen
Just like McFadzean, Josh Scowen’s time at the Stadium of Light was rather short, joining from Queens Park Rangers in January 2020, before moving on a year and a half later in July 2021 to Wycombe Wanderers.
Scowen still finds himself with the Chairboys, where he has stepped in as team captain in recent weeks under former Sunderland man Mike Dodds, who is the current first team head coach for Wycombe Wanderers.
Chris Maguire
Chris Maguire, one of Sunderland’s goal threats during the League One years was crucial at times for the Black Cats, notably notching 22 goal contributions in the 2019/20 League One campaign.
Following his stint on Wearside, Maguire moved to Lincoln City, then Ayr United, and now still plays at 36-year-old with National League side Eastleigh.
Aiden McGeady
One of the few shining lights throughout the League One tenure was Aiden McGeady. Occasionally injured, but always a joy to watch when on the field, McGeady proved that he was one of the best players at League One level for Sunderland, scoring 36 goals and tallying 35 assists during his time at the club.
McGeady ended his playing career in Scotland, with Ayr United, before staying at the team to become their technical director.
Lynden Gooch
United States international Lynden Gooch was one of the key men for Lee Johnson’s side, and scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 victory against Tranmere Rovers.
Now, the 29-year-old plays for Stoke City in the Championship, where his game time for the Potters has been regularly inconsistent, having only started on 10 occasions.
Charlie Wyke
Leading the line for Sunderland was striker Charlie Wyke, a bagsman who notably scored 25 goals in the 2020/21 season before moving on to Wigan Athletic.
Wyke still finds himself playing in the EFL with Carlisle United, where he has only played on 13 occasions.