Elliot Embleton will use the pain and heartbreak of experiencing his first relegation to forge a bright future in red and white.
The Durham-born midfielder was an unused substitute against Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth last Saturday, which saw Sunderland’s 10-year stay in the Premier League come to an end.
David Moyes’ side fought to the end but were undone by Joshua King’s 88th-minute strike which clinched the Cherries first ever win on Wearside.
And as Stuart Attwell blew his full-time whistle, confirming the end of the Lads’ decade-long tenure in the top-flight, the 18-year-old told safc.com he will use the experience of relegation as fuel to spark a bright future on Wearside.
“We went into the game knowing we had to get a result and obviously that didn’t happen,” he reflected.
“It was a tough game and in the dressing room afterwards is was hard because we all want to play in the Premier League.
“It was hard to take as a team even though I’ve only been in the squad and on the bench a few times.
“No-one wants to see the relegation side of football, no matter what age you are, but what’s important now is that I learn from the experience.
“I now know what it is like and what it feels like,” he continued.
“I want it to help me in the future because I don’t want to experience it again.”
