A former Sunderland player has been as his club’s Player of the Season.
Sunderland held their Player of the Season awards this week.
As many expected, Jack Clarke won the Player of the Season award, whilst Trai Hume scooped the Young Player of the Season award.
It comes after an overall disappointing season for the Black Cats.
Under Tony Mowbray at the start of the season, Sunderland were inconsistent, but still battling in the top 10 for another top six finish.
But Mowbray was then sacked, replaced by Michael Beale, and from there, Sunderland’s season fell apart.
Who else was in the running for Sunderland POTS award
Clarke’s 15 goals and four assists, and overall showing in the 2023/24 season made him a nailed-on choice for the Sunderland Player of the Season award.
And same with Hume; he’s been an ever-present player this season, often being the one consistent player despite changes in managers, shapes and whatnot.
Though there were several other names who could quite easily have scooped either award; Dan Ballard has had another stellar season, Dan Neil has been a consistent player, much like Hume, and Chris Rigg may well have come in with a shout for Young Player of the Season, if he had played a bit more.
Ex-Black Cats man scoops POTS award in League One
It’s that time of the season when clubs and leagues are dishing out their Player of the Season awards.
And a former Sunderland favourite in Carl Winchester has scooped the award at Shrewsbury Town.
The Northern Irishman, affectionately named ‘Winniesta’ during his time on Wearside, has featured 43 times in League One this season, playing primarily as a right-back for Shrewsbury, despite being a central midfielder by trade.
Now 31 years old, Winchester spent one-and-a-half seasons with Sunderland after his move from Forest Green Rovers during the 2020/21 campaign, racking up 61 total league appearances and scoring four goals.
He initially joined Shrewsbury on loan, then making his stay permanent last summer.
On Tuesday night, he received his Player of the Season award:
Should Sunderland have ever let Carl Winchester leave
Winchester wasn’t the most exciting signing when he arrived from Forest Green.
But he kept his head down, put in the effort and eventually became a very well-liked and dependable member of the Sunderland team.
His played a key role in the club’s promotion from League One and so his loan exit was somewhat surprising.
But for Winchester, the move has worked out.
There’s a sense that Sunderland though could well have done with a player with Winchester’s versatility and experience this season, with the player clearly showing that he’s still performing at a top level.
Maybe he was moved on so that younger names could come in, and if that’s the case then Kristjaan Speakman may well be ruing that decision.