A well-remembered Sunderland flop is now flying in the National League, with 25 goals in all competitions this season.
Sunderland have had more than their share if flops in recent years.
During their four-year stint in League One especially, the Black Cats brought many and eventually let many go.
Though Will Grigg’s spell at the club perhaps stands out as being less of a success than many; the former Northern Ireland international signed from Wigan Athletic on the January deadline day in 2019.
Sunderland were widely reported to have paid a £4million fee for the now 32-year-old following his goal-scoring exploits for Wigan in League One.
Will Grigg’s nightmare Sunderland spell
Grigg had just one full season with Sunderland; the 2019/20 season in which he featured 20 times in League One, scoring just the one goal.
The striker would eventually have spells out on loan with MK Dons and Rotherham United, eventually joining the Dons on a free transfer in 2022.
In total, Grigg made 62 appearances for Sunderland and scored eight goals.
But this season alone, playing under Paul Cook at Chesterfield, Grigg has scored 25 goals in all competitions, with 24 of those coming in the National League.
On Tuesday night, Grigg scored within 60 seconds against Oxford City, having scored a goal in six of his last seven outings for the Spireites.
Chesterfield sit in 1st place of the National League table and have a staggering 23-point lead over Barnet in 2nd, with Grigg the second top-scorer in the league.
The wrong club at the wrong time
Grigg later said himself that he should never have left Wigan.
His time at Sunderland was rocked by off-field controversies and instability, and also the COVID-19 pandemic which brought football to a halt.
These issues took the wind out of Grigg’s sails and during a time that Sunderland were under so much pressure to get out of League One, it seemed like Grigg wilted.
But he’s found his scoring touch again.
His Chesterfield side are enjoying an unprecedented season in the fifth tier and they have Grigg’s goals to thank for what it no doubt a return to the Football League ahead of next season.
Grigg has been prolific in the past and we could see him banging in the goals in the Football League once again next season.
As for Sunderland, they’re all of a sudden trying to get points on the board to ensure their Championship safety, with Mike Dodds and co desperately lacking a striker with Grigg’s kind of form.
Sunderland host QPR at the Stadium of Light this weekend.