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Sunderland have been on a journey over the course of the last seven years since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018, but they are now just 90 minutes away from their return.
Sheffield United stand in the Black Cats’ way, with the Blades looking to end a series of play-off failures and take victory in the 2024/25 Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.
Regis Le Bris’ young side have an excellent opportunity to surprise the team who finished third in the Championship in the regular season, with head-to-head history on Sunderland’s side in this fixture.
The Black Cats will be brimming with confidence following their incredible semi-final victory over Coventry City, with Dan Ballard’s sensational header catching the eye of one former favourite at the Stadium of Light.
Roy Keane sends Sunderland his blessing ahead of their trip to Wembley
Sunderland last won promotion to the Premier League in 2007, and they maintained their position in the top flight for over a decade, before suffering back-to-back relegations to League One.
They achieved the first part of their goal in 2022, as they beat Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley to win promotion from the third tier back to the Championship, where they have played their football ever since.
They are now back on the up and Roy Keane, who was in charge of the Black Cats when they won the Championship title 18 years ago, has spoken about his former club ahead of the play-off final on the latest episode of The Overlap.
He said: “I hope they can do it.
“When you saw that goal going in, when Sunderland had scored, you see the crowd: that’s a proper football club. It was wild, everyone.”
Regis Le Bris will be hoping to write his name into Black Cats history
Sunderland’s play-off history is bizarre, and while they have won promotion to the top flight through the competition, they are yet to win the final and Le Bris has the chance to write his name into Black Cats folklore.
The Wearsiders ended the season poorly, but in a one-off match, anything can happen and Sunderland already have the backing of one EFL expert, Ali Maxwell.
Sheffield United will be a threat, however, and Chris Wilder has an excellent play-off record which will be a huge advantage but Saturday will be tense and tight.
Le Bris will need a hero on the pitch at Wembley, and with so many young stars, there is an opportunity for someone to take their chance and become a Sunderland legend.