Thinking about the position we currently find ourselves in, it’s difficult to think if several regular starters left the club so soon after promotion. But, soon after we had stormed to the then Division One title back in 1998-99, totaling 105 points, optimism was strained during the early part of the summer.
Very soon after the season ended, central defender Andy Melville, who had started 52 times for Sunderland during that record-breaking season, had been snapped up on a free transfer by former Sunderland midfielder and assistant manager, Paul Bracewell, who was manager of Fulham.
Then, on the 1st of July, a triple blow was confirmed by Peter Reid when he transfer-listed winger Allan Johnston, young striker Michael Bridges, and midfielder Lee Clark.
Reid took a hard line with all three for different reasons, Johnston reneged on a new contract that the manager felt he had verbally agreed to, and the rumours were that the player was waiting for an offer from Glasgow Rangers.
Soccer - Nationwide League Division One - Sunderland v Birmingham City Photo by Adam Davy/EMPICS via Getty Images
Bridges was similar in that his contract was also up at the end of the following season and after talks broke down, the manager once again took action - with Reid stating “I am extremely disappointed they haven’t signed; it makes me believe that they don’t want to play for the club”. Everton and Tottenham were early favourites for the stri signature, but he’d eventually be a record sale to Leeds United for £5m.
Clark was a different matter altogether. Having been pictured holding a t-shirt outside of Wembley that contained the slogan “Sad Mackem Bastards”, Reid responded to a poll of supporters that suggested 75% thought he should no longer play for the club.
We feel it is the best action for all concerned. My first priority must lie with the fans and in the light of recent events I feel that Lee may not have their full backing.
The player himself said all of the right things...
This season is obviously an important one for the club and it is essential that the team receive the full backing of their fans. I have to accept that my presence could be an unsettling factor and, with this in mind, I have reluctantly agreed to go on the list.
Early reports linked Clark with moves to Aston Villa and Celtic, but former teammate Paul Bracewell managed to convince him to drop back down to the second tier to do it all again with Fulham in a deal worth £3m.
Soccer - Nationwide League Division One - Lee Clark Signs For Fulham Fulham manager Paul Bracewell (right) shakes hands with new signing Lee Clark (left)
Photo by Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images