Not many players, if any, can boast as unique an achievement as Elliot Embleton.
Adored amongst home and away fans alike on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old is decorated with Play-Off winners’ medals in successive seasons, and with two different clubs.
A 2020-21 campaign – the first half of which was plagued by a long-term injury – reached January and upon Embleton’s return to fitness, a Deadline Day loan switch to Bloomfield Road and Blackpool lit up for the young midfielder.
“I was interested when the opportunity to go on loan came about. I wanted to play, and I’d just come back from injury so my chances for regular minutes were limited,” he reminisces.
“It got later in the January and the Blackpool move was one which appealed to me. I’d relocated before when I went on loan to Grimsby Town, so that helped.
“Neil Critchley was in charge at the time – he was a top coach and said if I worked hard, there would be regular opportunities – and it turned out to be an amazing half-season.”
From February to May, with Embleton a regular in the side, Blackpool soared from 14th to third in the League One table, entering a once-miraculous Play-Off campaign in inspired form.
In the batch of four alongside Sunderland but without playing us, they did manage what we didn’t in that particular season, and that was overcome Lincoln City to book a place in the Championship.
“Sunderland and Blackpool still had to play each other twice, and whilst I was ineligible to play in both games, it was important for us at the time to carry on the momentum,” says Embleton.
“We went from the bottom half when I arrived to the Play-Offs, and we went into that Play-Off campaign flying. There was so much belief in the team, and Blackpool turned out to take six points from the two fixtures. There was nothing in either game – it was just two good sides facing each other.
“The Blackpool fans were brilliant – I just wish I’d had more of a chance to play in front of them, with Covid stopping supporters being inside the stadiums. We played in front of fans at Bloomfield Road once, in the Play-Off semi-final – I scored and we went on to win the tie, so it turned out to be a great night. Wembley as well, it was fantastic to deliver the promotion for them. Outside the stadium, after games, online and around the town, they were unbelievable and I’m still so grateful to them for their support.”
Such is the small circle in football, alongside Embleton in 2021 were two teammates with whom he has now reunited. Ellis Simms and Dan Ballard were just as instrumental in achieving the Seasiders’ triumph, and both credit Embleton with selling them the Mackem dream.
“It’s great to be back with Ellis and Dan, especially after sharing the promotion campaign at Blackpool with them.
“Ellis has come on well and really started well with us – he was getting his first senior games at Blackpool and made an important contribution up top. Dan was a rock at the back for us – he then went on to have a solid season in the Championship with Millwall whilst Ellis did well in Scotland.
“Here at Sunderland now, we’re looking to build a project for the long-term which incorporates top young players, and in Ellis and Dan that’s certainly what we’ve got.”
Whilst Blackpool retained interest in his permanent services, Sunderland were adamant he would return to Wearside – now boasting the experience of having achieved the club’s short-term aim already.
It proved to come to huge fruition – some fantastic goals along the way, including the crucial opener 12 minutes into May’s final against Wycombe Wanderers – sending over 50,000 supporters into unparalleled elation.
“The spell at Blackpool definitely gave me that added edge and experience in terms of being part of a promotion-winning side, of course.
“I was even more eager to go and do the same with Sunderland, the team I grew up playing for. I now knew what it took to have that great run to the Play-Offs, the winning mentality and then going one better and winning promotion for a second-straight season.
“To score at Wembley was special – by far the most important goal of my career so far. That got us off and running and I think from there, we controlled the game with a real professional team performance.”
Embleton is fully focused on wanting more. An important player in Tony Mowbray’s squad, he commends the new Head Coach as well as the encouraging start the Lads have enjoyed.
“I want to play at the highest level I can, test myself against the best players I can, and to now be able to stake my claim and be part of a Championship team is brilliant.
“We know there’s a long way to go and a demanding remainder of the season, but we’ve started really well this season as a team. A lot of the lads haven’t played at this level before or in England before and it’s a young side, but one which with the right focus, we believe can achieve this season.
“The new gaffer has come in and been brilliant with us – it’s great to play for him. We just need to keep going, aim as high as we can and succeed together with our great support.”