The Academy of Light is continuing to thrive and Sunderland’s youth set-up remains a hotbed of talent across multiple age categories.
At its core, football is a results-based business but that ethos can only be attributed at senior level, with youth football about so much more.
The under-13s and under-14s have led the way this season on Wearside, combining their developing talent with unrivaled results at their respective levels.
Earlier this month, the under-14s welcomed Ajax, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Villarreal and many more to the Academy of Light for the Premier League International Cup.
They came, they saw and they were conquered – and the young Black Cats conceded just two goals in the process.
Speaking about the success, lead coach Stuart Brightwell hailed the youngster’s efforts.
“It’s an incredible feeling to win such a big tournament.
“I’m delighted and proud as a coach, but above all I’m so proud of the players because it’s a massive achievement and it puts them down as the best under-14 team in the country.”
Not to be outdone, the under-13s followed in the under-14s’ footsteps three weeks later.
Facing off against a range of elite sides from England and Europe, the youngsters dispatched Anderlecht and Stoke City before drawing with Liverpool to earn a place in the final.
And like the under-14s, Chelsea were no match for the Lads from Wearside as they held their nerve to win on penalties, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament and its qualifying stages.
Looking back at both, Jimmy Sinclair hailed the talent on offer and the fruits of their labor.
“It’s been fantastic and it’s a great testament to the work that is going on within the academy from the recruitment guys to the coaches, and the many people beyond that,” said the academy manager.
“To have done what we’ve done at under-13 and 14 level, which is effectively becoming national champions, is fantastic for the academy.”
That brings us onto the under-23s.
Monday’s defeat at Swansea City saw Elliott Dickman’s side relegated from the Premier League 2, as their season ended in frustration and disappointment.
But make no mistake, the current campaign has been a successful one for the academy’s most senior side.
16-year-old Bali Mumba, who will sit his GCSEs in the next two months, started in midfield at the Liberty Stadium, with the average age of Dickman’s starting XI just 18.
And no player was older than 21-year-old goalkeeper Max Stryjek, who started on the first-team bench at Reading just one week ago.
Why so young?
Because many of the players who formed part of last season’s Premier League 2 title chasers, and reached the final of the Premier League International Cup, have stepped up to senior level during the current campaign.
Lynden Gooch, Joel Asoro and Josh Maja have become prominent members of the first team, with the young Swede named as the Supporters’ 2017-18 Young Player of the Year.
Ethan Robson and Embleton also made their debuts this campaign, following in the footsteps and playing alongside a fellow academy graduate, George Honeyman, who has made more first-team appearances than any other Sunderland player this season.
Earlier we said academy football isn’t about results, but Sinclair explains why the Academy of Light and the under-23s are producing them despite Monday’s relegation.
“The ultimate success for us as an academy is to get players in the first team, and while it’s great to have winning teams – and we will embrace their success – we need to keep the focus on producing first-team players.
“We’ll be playing against excellent teams in the league below, and our games programme won’t be compromised in any way, so I think relegation in that sense is not so critical.”
He continued: “It’s about the overall development of young players and the opportunities they get.
“We’re really pleased with the season we’ve had in the sense that five or six under-18 players have spent months and months playing for the under-23s, and they’ve done well.
“That link from the academy to the first team is of critical importance, and the current manager has opened the door brilliantly.”
And all this comes after two Sunderland academy graduates led England out at Wembley Stadium against Italy just one month ago, as Gareth Southgate’s side edge closer to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In 12 years’ time, you wouldn’t bet against more of our homegrown talent representing the Three Lions on the grandest stage of them all.