Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet the FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterIts fair to say that Phil Bardsleys six-and-a-half year spell at Sunderland was something of a rollercoaster.Joining in January 2008 when his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane was in charge, he helped the Black Cats beat the Premier League drop that season.But over the next half-decade, he would have to battle for his place in the side, play under a host of different managers and would go from being frozen out to playing at Wembley. You may like Sunderland were going places under Roy Keane, but when the results dipped, he was off Phil Bardsley on his former Man United team-mates Black Cats managerial stint I felt I had a connection with Sunderland fans the moment I drove up here even though the streets around Roker Park looked like Coronation Street! Kevin Phillips admits his move to the North East in 1997 was the best decision of his career Jermain Defoe and Lorik Cana convinced me to join Sunderland. Its the greatest challenge of my career Granit Xhaka on why he returned to the Premier League Bardsley on firing Sunderland to WembleyThat trip to Wembley came in 2014 when he scored in the League Cup semi-final before his side won on penalties, at his former stomping ground Old Trafford.Youre talking about the thunderbolt shot which flew past David de Gea?, Bardsley asks FourFourTwo. Nah seriously, it was a bit of a fumble by him because I hadnt connected cleanly, but thats one of the games Ill remember for the rest of my life.Get VIP Manchester United tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Manchester United's hospitality offers comfortable, padded seating in the North West Quadrant. The package includes a concourse meal deal (hot food, drink, and snack) and the official matchday programme. Guests also receive a 10 per cent Megastore discount and non-matchday Museum entry, providing a great value, family-friendly match experience for home fans.View DealWhat made it all the more special was that 18 months earlier, I looked to be on my way out of the club when Paolo Di Canio was there. Hed banished me and one or two others from the training ground.Dont get me wrong, some of his coaching sessions were enjoyable but there are ways and means of managing experienced pros and some of his man-management left a lot to be desired.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I clicked with his successor, Gus Poyet. He wiped the slate clean and I enjoyed a new lease of life under him, playing wing-back for the first time and scoring a few goals too.At the end of that season, I had the chance of moving to Fulham, but instead I signed a new deal with Sunderland out of loyalty to Gus.Bardsley would end up making 200 appearances for the Black Cats, so did the highs eclipse the lows?Yes, Id say so, he says. We lost the League Cup final to Manchester City but played well. And although we struggled at times, there were some magical moments.The two 3-0 away wins over Newcastle were sensational and I remember winning at places like Chelsea and Spurs. Its great to see them back where they belong.Theres nowhere quite like the Stadium of Light when its rocking and Id love to go back in the months ahead.TOPICSManchester UnitedSunderlandPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromIan Murtagh
