Sunderland’s League One promotion-winning team – where are they now
Sunderland have come a long way since lifting the League One play-off trophy at Wembley Stadium in 2022.
Alex Neil’s side triumphed in a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers thanks to goals from Elliott Embleton and Ross Stewart.
However, after Sunderland’s recent Premier League exploits, it is easy to forget about the players that set the North East club on their way.
Now, Mackem News looks back at the promotion-winning team and how they have been getting on since.
Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin, and Anthony Patterson still at Sunderland
Despite being out injured, O’Nien received a new Sunderland contract along with several other players.
Ironically, the 30-year-old joined the Black Cats from Wycombe in 2018 before toppling them at Wembley four years later.
As well as O’Nien, Patterson is among just a trio from the starting lineup who are still at the Stadium of Light.
However, Patterson has since lost his place to Robin Roefs, who has impressed as Regis Le Bris’ number one in the Premier League.
Cirkin is the only other player from the starting XI who is still on Wearside, but has not featured as he is also sidelined with injury.
- O’Nien has made 314 appearances for the Black Cats
- Patterson has kept 51 clean sheets in 169 appearances
- Cirkin has made 116 appearances for the Wearsiders
The left-back faces a somewhat uncertain future in the North East, with his contract due to expire next summer.
Meanwhile, Dan Neil and Jay Matete are the only two players from Sunderland’s bench to still be on Wearside.
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Where are the rest of Sunderland’s League One promotion winners
Unsurprisingly, most of the Black Cats’ League One play-off winning contingent are now playing in the lower leagues.
Patrick Roberts departed Sunderland for Birmingham City on a season-long loan on deadline day, but has yet to feature for the Blues.
Lyndon Gooch recently returned to the Stadium of Light in the Carabao Cup for Huddersfield Town and scored his penalty in the Terriers’ shootout victory.
At centre-back, Bailey Wright partnered Danny Batth, but the Australian now plays for Singapore top-flight outfit LC Sailors.
As for Batth, he joined Derby County this summer after spells at Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers.
Corry Evans captained the Wearsiders in the capital, and he is the only member of the play-off winning side to have now retired.
- Evans made 403 career appearances
- He played 67 times for Sunderland
- He now coaches the Northern Ireland under-21s
Despite his goal, Embleton has struggled since, suffering a season-ending injury while on loan with Derby, before moving to Blackpool and Carlisle United, where he now plays in the National League.
Alex Pritchard’s stint in the North East came to an abrupt end in January 2024 when he joined Birmingham, but he now plys his trade in Turkey with Sivasspor.
Big things were expected of Stewart, who netted 40 goals in 80 appearances for Sunderland, but he has failed to make an impact with Southampton, with injuries plaguing his career.
Callum Doyle (Wrexham), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), and Jack Clarke (Ipswich Town) came on as substitutes at Wembley Stadium, and all play Championship football.
Although none of the League One cohort have played a minute of Premier League action, their time will surely come soon.
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