Ex-Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Lee Clark wants the Black Cats back in the Premier League. Despite his allegiance to Tyneside, Wallsend-born Clark, 52, would like nothing more than to see the Black Cats beat Sheffield United on Saturday.
Clark began his career at Newcastle before making the high-profile switch to [Sunderland](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland-afc) in 1997. But he blotted his copybook by angering Sunderland fans following a controversial incident during his time under Peter Reid, when he was spotted wearing a T-shirt bearing a derogatory slogan aimed at the Black Cats at the 1999 FA Cup final.
That did not go down well with Sunderland fans and Clark later rejoined Newcastle after a stint with Fulham. Clark had been a popular and highly-rated player during his time at Sunderland and was part of the team that won promotion from the old Division One during the 1998/99 season. [Clark](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/lee-clark) had even captained the club at times.
When asked whether he would want Sunderland to win the play-off final by ex-Black Cats striker Ally McCoist on talkSPORT, Clark responded: “Do you know what Ally? I’ve said this all the time, and my pals will tell you this, whoever spoke to us, I want Sunderland in the Premier League.
“I want the derby games back. I would love Middlesbrough in the Premier League. I want the North East clubs back. Let’s get North East football back on the map.”