Sunderland fans were left concerned that they would never return to the Premier League when they endured consecutive relegations.
Sunderland racked up only 37 points when they finished rock bottom of the Championship during the 2017-18 season, before they spent a further four years stuck in the third tier.
However, it was Alex Neil that finally pulled the Black Cats from the rubble and guided them back to the Championship after the toughest period in the club’s history.
Not only did the Wearside outfit return to the Championship, they have even forced their way into conversation for a place back in the top flight.
Tony Mowbray‘s side narrowly missed out on a place in the play-off final last time out, while they currently sit in sixth place and will be ambitiously targeting to go one step further come May.
It has felt so long since Sunderland have enjoyed this kind of success and thrill as they fight to win games and return to the Premier League. It was far from the same feeling sitting in League One.
Many supporters will remember similar days under Roy Keane, when the former Manchester United midfielder and his team became champions at the first attempt.
Sunderland’s promotion was confirmed with a game to spare, when they beat Burnley in a dramatic 3-2 win at the Stadium of Light. The team went onto claim the title on the final day.
Here is how Sunderland’s XI looked when they won promotion to the Premier League against Burnley…
Darren Ward
Darren Ward made 30 appearances as Sunderland won promotion from the Championship.
The goalkeeper was released by the Black Cats in 2009 and subsequently announced his retirement.
Soon after, Ward joined Peterborough United as their goalkeeping coach. The 49-year-old went onto work for Sheffield United and is currently the goalkeeping coach for the England women’s national team.
Danny Simpson
Danny Simpson struggled to retain a regular spot during his loan spell with Sunderland.
The defender eventually returned to the north-east with Newcastle United, where he spent four years.
He went onto win the Premier League title with Leicester City, and was most recently released by Bristol City last year.
He was thought to be training with Macclesfield in May, while he had returned to Manchester United to study for his coaching badges in October.
Nyron Nosworthy
A regular under Roy Keane, Nyron Nosworthy spent seven years at Sunderland before joining Watford.
He went onto play for Blackpool, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Dagenham & Redbridge before retiring in 2016.
Jonny Evans
After consecutive loan spells with Sunderland, Jonny Evans went onto make over 200 appearances for Manchester United as he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League.
The defender then spent time with West Brom and Leicester City, before making a shock return to Old Trafford.
The 35-year-old has made eight appearances in all competitions this season.
Danny Collins
Danny Collins spent five years with Sunderland before joining Stoke City.
After spells with Nottingham Forest, Rotherham United and Grimsby Town, Collins retired from football in 2019.
The former defender now works for the Black Cats as a match-day commentator and podcaster, after relocating back to the area with his family.
Carlos Edwards
Carlos Edwards scored five goals in 15 games in the Championship that season, one of which came against Burnley.
The Trinidad and Tobago international went onto play for Ipswich Town and Millwall, before returning to his native country for a year.
Edwards then moved back to England to play for Woodbridge Town and Bury Town, before signing for Hadleigh United in the summer, at 45 years old.
Liam Miller
Liam Miller spent three years at Sunderland before joining QPR.
The former midfielder spent time all across the world with the likes of Hibernian, Perth Glory and Wilmington Hammerheads.
In 2017, it was made public that Miller was receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer. He passed away in February 2018, days before his 37th birthday.
Anthony Stokes
Anthony Stokes only made seven starts for Sunderland during the 2006-07 season.
The striker went onto play for a number of clubs including Hibernian, Apollon Smyrni and Blackburn Rovers. He has been without a club since he was released by Livingston in 2020.
Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy netted ten goals in the Championship as Sunderland were promoted.
The forward went onto win the Championship with Newcastle United ten years later, while he also played for the likes of Celtic and Ipswich Town.
Murphy most recently played for Waterford Town during the 2020-21 season.
David Connolly
David Connolly was Sunderland’s top scorer that season and also bagged a goal against the Clarets.
The striker left Wearside to sign for Southampton in 2009, before enjoying spells with Portsmouth and AFC Wimbledon. Connolly retired in 2015.