Former Sunderland star Darren Williams is excited by what lies ahead after the Black Cats qualified for the Europa League.
Former Sunderland star Darren Williams believes a spirit of togetherness on and off the pitch has been a key factor in the Black Cats defying the odds to secure a place in next season’s Europa League.
Regis Le Bris’ men were rated as one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League in the aftermath of their Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United - and survival remained the main priority as the new season got underway with a memorable home win against a West Ham United side that did drop into the second tier on the final day of the campaign.
For Sunderland, the last 90 minutes of a remarkable season brought a 2-1 home win against Chelsea that was played to a background of one of the most memorable atmospheres in the Stadium of Light’s 29-year history. Williams was on hand to witness a momentous day as the Black Cats secured European football for only the second time in their history - and he admitted he found it ‘hard not to get carried away’ by what unfolded in front of him.
He told The Echo: “I’m at every home game looking after the 76 Yards Lounge and for me, going back, as an ex-player, to see where it has developed and where the club has come from, it’s fantastic. Let’s be honest, the dream was to stay in the Premier League - but the big dream was to get into Europe and they gone and hit the big dream. The recruitment, the management team, the coaches, everyone at Sunderland, they’ve all had a hand in this and it’s so exciting.
“As a former player, you try not to get carried away too much because you know what football is like. But for me, the season has been phenomenal and looking after the lounge, seeing the fans come together, seeing everyone come together to enjoy this moment, it’s been really special. There is a closeness with the players, the fans and the staff and it’s a really good sign going forwards.”
‘I can’t wait for those European nights’
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Although Williams admitted he does have a slight concern over the Premier League campaign ‘taking a back seat’ when European football arrives next season, the former Black Cats defender is already eagerly anticipating what will be special nights at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland face competitive action in European competition for the first time since 1973.
“It’s going to be brilliant and everyone is looking forward to those European nights,” he explained. “I know they can’t afford to let the Premier League take a back seat because of Europe and I trust these guys with their plan and vision for where they want to take the club. If we thought the first game of the season was brilliant or some of those games during the season were brilliant, what happened in the last game against Chelsea was unbelievable. I’m a big believer in getting behind the team and I put out a little plea about being the twelfth man in that last game. The fans were unbelievable and I was one of them because I didn’t stop singing with them. I can’t wait for those European nights.”
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