Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has been speaking about his love for the club.
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has reflected on the “unbelievable” progress that the club have made in recent times, as well as opening up on his appreciation of the Black Cats’ fanbase.
After a relatively low key season spent adapting to the rigours of the Premier League, the teenager produced a stellar display in last weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle United. That result leaves Sunderland 11th in the top flight table, 14 points clear of the relegation zone with seven matches left to play, and a far cry from the EFL outfit they were when Rigg first made his way into the senior setup.
Addressing the club’s rise under head coach Regis Le Bris during an interview with Sky Sports, Rigg said: “Unbelievable, really, that's the only way I can describe it, I think. Everyone's came in and took in what it means to the club and what it means to the fans, so yeah, it's been unbelievable.
“I've been there for the good times, I've been there for the dark times, and I think this one's probably one of the best times that we are in at the minute. Just all praise to the fans that have stood by us all the way, and that's how I know how much it means to the club, because I remember coming here and the stadium was empty and stuff like that, and now it's full and everyone's packing us.”
Rigg was also asked how his status as an academy graduate affects his relationship with the club, responding: “I think we all had that little extra bit of motivation to do well for this club because we know how much it means and how much we were in the mud, really.”
On the things that make Sunderland such a special team to play for, Rigg continued: “I think that behind us [the Stadium of Light] makes it so special. When that's going good, it's absolutely bouncing and it's my favourite place to be. We feel like we're home - let's do the business, let's make it a fortress. The start of last season was exactly the same, so I think we just need to keep going and our home form has been really crucial so far.”
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What is Chris Rigg’s best moment in a Sunderland shirt?
Quizzed on his best moment in a Sunderland shirt to date, Rigg opted for both last season’s play-off final success at Wembley, and his own first team debut, which came in an FA Cup third round clash against Shrewsbury Town under Tony Mowbray back in January 2023. At the time, he was just 15 years old.
He said: “Probably promotion, obvious one. It meant so much for everyone, like my family and me. And then obviously the debut against Shrewsbury. I think that was just like... I don't know, it was a weird feeling because I didn't feel like a footballer, I just felt like, because I was still in school and that, it was just a hobby. So yeah, them two are probably up there.”
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