I was in total shock when Sunderland wanted me but it was incredible experience

The man Sunderland fans dubbed ‘Winiesta’ still looks back on his time at the club with a great deal of pride. Northern Ireland international Carl Winchester signed for the Black Cats in the summer of 2021 and played 60 times, scoring four goals.

Speaking to the club about his time on Wearside, Winchester said: “I’ve always said that when I was growing up, if anyone had said to me that one day I’d be playing for a team like Sunderland I would have snapped their hand off. So for me it was unbelievable to play for the club and the proudest part of my career by far. When I first joined it was Covid, so the fans weren’t there, but once fans were allowed in and I got to experience playing in front of the supporters the buzz around the club was incredible. It was something you dream of.

Then boss Lee Johnson was Winchester’s manager at Oldham and he admitted it was a boost having a man he knew wanted to sign him.

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“I was in total shock when the move came about,” he said. “At the time I was with Forest Green Rovers and the biggest club in the EFL wanted me to sign for them. Signing for a manager you’ve played with before just gives you that bit of confidence that he believes in you.”

He added: “I’d never experienced that kind of passion before I came to Sunderland. We were in League One and there was a demand that we should win every week which was understandable. I think it goes in your favour as well because the fans give you an extra boost. You are playing in front of such big crowds who are cheering you on and wanting you to do so well. I felt it gave you that extra five to 10 per cent.”

His four goals all came at home, including a late equaliser and three winners in narrow victories. Do any of those important goals stick in his memory?

“I can’t explain the feeling of scoring at the Stadium of Light,” he said. “It’s any kid in Sunderland’s dream to play for Sunderland, let alone score for the team. “When I scored my first goal and heard the roar it was completely incredible and just what you imagine as a kid when you are playing in a big stadium in front of big crowds. Scoring for Sunderland were the best moments of my career by a mile.”

There was disappointment too as, having played 45 times in 2021/22 he was ruled out of the play-offs through a groin injury.

“It was heartbreaking,” he said. “When I went for a scan and got the results back, I realised immediately my season was over. I was gutted because we still had important games to play and I wanted to try and help the team.

“I went to the final as a fan. I’d never seen anything like the crowd or the atmosphere. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t be part of the final, but we got the job done in the end and I was pleased that I’d been able to play a part in the season. I got a medal and it’s framed back home with one of my Sunderland shirts. It is the biggest achievement of my career to have won promotion with Sunderland.”

The Winiesta tag was much appreciated and he concluded: “It’s massive. I say to people that you need to be a certain type of person to play for Sunderland. “The fans at the club give absolutely everything to support the club and you’ve got to give it back. You know that if you give total effort for the team that’s all the fans want. It’s a working-class city and I’m from a working-class family myself so all I tried to do was give it my all and I knew that was appreciated.”