On this day in 2017, Sunderland announced a double signing. One player had played Champions League football, won everything in Scotland, had a shed load of international caps as well as Premier League experience.
That player was Aiden McGeady. Geads would go on to make 150 appearances for the Lads and would provide moments of genuine quality in some of the poorest Sunderland sides in our history. He scored 36 goals, provided numerous assists and vowed to stay with the club until we got out of League One - which did, eventually, happen.
The other player signed that day was James Vaughan. Unlike McGeady, James Vaughan was utterly rubbish. Simon Grayson ensured that we were well equipped for the Championship campaign by drafting in Vaughan. He was to be the first striker signed after Jermain Defoe parted and was probably the biggest step down we could’ve made. James Vaughan scored two goals all season, one coming against Burton away from home. If you're unfortunate enough to remember those dark days, you'll remember Vaughan running over to the away end with his hands cupped over his ears, defiant against the rightful criticism fans had leveraged at him.
Vaughan was useless. However, less about him. I would much rather focus on Aiden McGeady. In his first season at the club, he was one of the only bright sparks in a poor campaign. His goal against Preston North End is memorable and typifies McGeady’s tenacity and skill. His goal against Norwich City, who we actually managed to beat 3-1 that day in a rare and unprecedented performance, was an absolute rocket. In his first year, he demonstrated valuable quality and experience.
In League One, McGeady was vital. He scored 11 goals for us and played very well. He scored memorable, but ultimately inconsequential, goals in the EFL Trophy. Despite this, later that year he was effectively frozen out of the squad. Then-manager Phil Parkinson announced on 12 December that he had told McGeady that he had no future at the club. McGeady went on loan to Charlton Athletic and seemed to have played his final game for the Lads.
Thankfully, next season Parky was gone and McGeady returned to the side rejuvenated, laying on an incredible 16 goals in the third tier. Decisions like leaving out the professional and talented McGeady, a huge decision for any manager, is why Parky is a standard EFL journeyman manager. Every week since January until the end of the season, it seemed as if McGeady delivered an inch perfect ball into the box that was met by the head of Charlie Wyke. Against Doncaster, Wyke scored four goals - all of which were put on a plate by Geads.
In our final League One campaign, where Alex Neil eventually took us up through the play-offs, McGeady featured less due to a mix of age and injury. Only 14 appearances in League One, although four goals and three assists still make it seven goal contributions, basically creating a goal every other game. He wasn't able to get on the pitch during our play-off campaign, even as a late sub, meaning we couldn't give him a proper send off. But Geads would still be glad that his time at SAFC came to an end at the same time he finally contributed to dragging us out of the third division.
We were certainly more exciting to watch when McGeady played well and he became, for the most part, a fan favourite. Over his 150 appearances, McGeady scored 36 goals for us - an impressive total for any winger. The reported £250,000 we parted with to take him from Preston to Wearside was money well spent. The reported £900,000 for James Vaughan, not so much.
RETURN TO THE LIGHT
RETURN TO THE LIGHT
RETURN TO THE LIGHT
RETURN TO THE LIGHT
OTD: GEADS ARRIVES
OTD: GEADS ARRIVES