Nyron Nosworthy is a player who will never be forgotten on Wearside.
The defender endured a tough first season at Sunderland as the club were relegated from the Premier League, but, much like those around him, he was galvanised under the management of Manchester United legend Roy Keane.
The rest, as they say, is history, with Nosworthy picking up the club’s Player of the Year award after the Black Cats romped to the Championship title, culminating in jubilant celebrations, as well as a straw hat and a memorable song, at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road.
In February 2016 the affectionately known ‘Nuggsy’ called time on his playing career, but the memories and relationships developed during his time on Wearside will never be forgotten.
“When you’re at a club you don’t think about what you’re doing until you leave,” said Nosworthy. “You just work hard, be professional and make the most of it, but I made a lot of friends during my time at the club – some of which we have lost – but it was such a warm homely club.
“You couldn’t walk down the road without somebody beeping at you and telling you to win; that gives you even more incentive because the club is so big and it had everything you needed to become a top footballer, so there were no excuses.”
He continued: “Everyone seems to have a ‘Nyron moment’ but I think my relationship with the fans was mainly because I was hard-working. T
“The talent came later for me in terms of crafting it and it all started from working hard; I was competing with people who were naturally more gifted than me but I was always tough and eventually it came, so I think I managed to prove to people I was a good player but also honest and hard-working.
“I think people could relate to that but I’m also easy to talk to so we – me and the fans – just clicked and got on from there.”
And, more importantly, what about that famous straw hat…
“I have no idea where that hat came from – I just plucked it out put it on – and I had promised a little sing-song so the next thing you know that picture and the videos were absolutely everywhere.
“I remember it was a warm day, the sun was out and we knew we just needed to go out and win the game.”
He added: “We were unbelievable; the ball was being stroked about so well and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed defending as much as I did that day.
“We just didn’t want it to end.”