Finlay Holcroft has opened up on his Sunderland dream, loan ambitions and working under Graeme Murty
Finlay Holcroft has admitted his “ultimate goal” is to play first-team football for Sunderland - but the 18-year-old also knows meaningful senior experience could be a key part of his development.
The Sunderland midfielder has enjoyed a significant campaign across the club’s academy setup, despite still being eligible for under-18 football. Holcroft has stepped up into the under-21s, played at Old Trafford and featured in the Premier League Cup final defeat to Burnley at the Stadium of Light.
A boyhood Sunderland supporter, Holcroft’s connection with the club runs deep. Playing for the Black Cats in front of his family and thousands of supporters was a proud moment at the end of a season full of big experiences.
“Yeah, I’m a Sunderland fan,” Holcroft said when asked whether he grew up supporting the club. “It's a dream come true, really and to be able to play in front of all these fans at this big stadium, it's amazing. I could never wish for anything more for myself, my family and I just hope they're proud of me.”
Holcroft is clear on where he wants his journey to lead. The midfielder hopes to eventually break into Sunderland’s first team, though he also understands the value of playing in pressure environments where results carry real weight. “Yeah, obviously, the ultimate goal is to play first-team football for Sunderland,” he added, but my family, I had loads of them up in the stands today, and they love coming to watch me. So hopefully they'll have a good performance. I'm just glad I get these opportunities and that they get to come to them as well.”
Those opportunities have included some major stages for a player still at the start of his career. Holcroft has played at Old Trafford this season and was involved as Sunderland’s under-21s reached the Premier League Cup final, with close to 3,000 supporters in attendance at the Stadium of Light. For a player of his age, those experiences have clearly left a mark.
The Sunderland youngster added after the Premier League Cup final: “Yeah, to only be 18 and playing in these kinds of games and playing in front of thousands of people, I could only dream of, and I'm really proud of myself, and I'm just grateful for the club putting that trust in me and playing me.”
The next step for Holcroft is about turning those experiences into further progress. He spoke about wanting to play in stadiums and in games that matter, including the possibility of going out on loan in future if that proves to be the right route.
“I want to be able to play in those stadiums, and mainly I want to play in front of fans where it means something to them, or maybe it's when people go on loan and stuff, and they get a play for people's jobs. And I think that pressure kind of, for me, it's a good pressure and I feel like it makes us need to perform and it's definitely a good thing.”
Holcroft’s progress has come under the guidance of Graeme Murty, who has overseen a strong second half of the season for Sunderland’s under-21s. The young Black Cats reached the Premier League Cup final and have also helped expose several younger players to higher-level academy football.
Murty’s influence has clearly made an impression on Holcroft. “I don't think I could find a manager out there in the PLT that has the knowledge that he has. However many games he's played, and he just passes on that knowledge to us and lets us go through with it, I think that's the best way that a manager should be.”
Holcroft has not tried to dress the season up as straightforward. There have been difficult moments as well as major highs, but the midfielder believes being moved into the under-21s while still a scholar has been hugely beneficial. “I'd just say it's been loads of ups and downs,” he added. “I think being chucked into 21s is probably the best thing for me, still being a scholar. But it's been ups and downs, but I think I've learned everywhere through this season.”
The Burnley final ultimately ended in frustration for Sunderland, who created enough chances to win the game but were beaten 2-1. Even so, the occasion itself was another valuable lesson for Holcroft and his teammates. Playing in front of a crowd brought a different sort of pressure to a normal academy fixture - and Holcroft wants more of it.
“It feels like there's a bit of pressure on you, and I think it's a little bit different when you're playing an academy game. So I definitely think that the fans played a big part in tonight's game, and I think if it can come to as many of these kinds of games, it helps us loads.”
The final also carried a sense of the end for this particular under-21s group, with several players like Jake Waters, Harrison Jones, Dan Cameron and Adam Richardson set to move on this summer. Holcroft admitted that will be difficult, but sent a classy message to those leaving the club.
“Yeah, it's obviously disappointing to see some of the lads go, but it might be what they need for their career to go on and take on bigger steps,” Holcroft added. “But I'm really grateful to have played with all the players that are leaving, and I just wish them nothing but the best.”
Continue Reading