Latest news with #DanBallard
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Collins selects Sunderland top five
Throughout Friday, we will be revealing former Sunderland defender Danny Collins' top five Black Cats central defenders of the past 50 years. In fifth place, Collins has opted for current player Dan Ballard, who was the goalscoring hero in last season's dramatic play-off win over Coventry. Advertisement "You see what he brings to the team," said Collins. "Big call to bring him back in against Coventry and he was outstanding, best player on the pitch for the two games, and again outstanding at Wembley in the final. Old school, rugged centre-back. I like watching him out there." Since joining Sunderland from Arsenal in July 2022, the 25-year-old has made 89 appearances, and fought back from a hamstring injury late in the season to play a key role in the successful play-off campaign. Jonny Evans, who had two loan spells at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United between 2006 and 2008. was selected in fourth place. Advertisement "I had the pleasure of playing aside him and even at that age, the composure of the young lad coming in was impressive," Collins said on Evans. "Then he came back in the season after we got promoted and progressed. The club were looking to buy him but United could see he was a player and kept him and he won numerous trophies and won 107 caps for Northern Ireland. "Fantastic player - 37 now and still about it." Listen to Collins' selections here Or come back later on Thursday to discover who Collins considers the best centre-backs to play for Sunderland.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Collins selects Sunderland top five
Throughout Friday, we will be revealing former Sunderland defender Danny Collins' top five Black Cats central defenders of the past 50 years. In fifth place, Collins has opted for current player Dan Ballard, who was the goalscoring hero in last season's dramatic play-off win over Coventry."You see what he brings to the team," said Collins."Big call to bring him back in against Coventry and he was outstanding, best player on the pitch for the two games, and again outstanding at Wembley in the final. Old school, rugged centre-back. I like watching him out there."Since joining Sunderland from Arsenal in July 2022, the 25-year-old has made 89 appearances, and fought back from a hamstring injury late in the season to play a key role in the successful play-off Evans, who had two loan spells at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United between 2006 and 2008. was selected in fourth place."I had the pleasure of playing aside him and even at that age, the composure of the young lad coming in was impressive," Collins said on Evans."Then he came back in the season after we got promoted and progressed. The club were looking to buy him but United could see he was a player and kept him and he won numerous trophies and won 107 caps for Northern Ireland."Fantastic player - 37 now and still about it."Listen to Collins' selections hereOr come back later on Thursday to discover who Collins considers the best centre-backs to play for Sunderland.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Limbs everywhere' - Williams' top Stadium of Light moments
Throughout Thursday, we have been revealing the moments ex-Sunderland defender Darren Williams believes have been the best at the Stadium of number three, he has chosen Jermain Defoe's exquisite volley to beat Newcastle United in 2015. "I was at the game and he just caught it such a treat at the right time," Williams told BBC Radio Newcastle. "The trajectory of the volley was just perfect. "I was out of my seat, and I was celebrating. It was one of those moments. That rivalry with Newcastle - you could feel the tension all game and it was always going to be tight. "He was very emotional and all credit to him because it was a fantastic volley." For second place, Williams wound the clock back only to last month for Dan Ballard's dramatic late goal against Coventry City in the semi-finals of the playoffs. "I just had a funny feeling that we would get something off the corner," he explained. "It was just a feeling, but I was halfway down the steps as he leapt in the air, and I thought he misjudged it. I still don't understand how he did it! He mistimed his jump and was coming down. "You looked around, and there was limbs flying everywhere." Who made number one? Find out on BBC Sounds now - or come back a little later
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Gus Poyet Sends Heartfelt Message to Sunderland Fans After Premier League Promotion
Sunderland's Premier League Return: Grit, Glory and a Hint of Destiny After years of heartbreak and near misses, Sunderland have finally clawed their way back to the Premier League, and few can argue they haven't earned it. Their dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Frank Lampard's Coventry City, capped by a last-minute header from Dan Ballard, and the emotional Wembley finale against Sheffield United will go down as one of the most iconic play-off runs in history. Advertisement Former Black Cats boss Gus Poyet, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, captured just how much it means: 'It's massive for the city. If you live there and thankfully I had the chance to feel it, you really know how much it means for the fans. It's tremendous.' Photo: IMAGO Grit Over Glamour This wasn't a campaign defined by heaps of free-flowing football or dazzling individual brilliance. What got Sunderland over the line was sheer tenacity. In fact, Poyet himself noted: 'They've done it without playing fantastic and sometimes that's what you need, to play ugly and win. That's your best chance going into the Premier League.' Advertisement And he's right. That Ballard header in the dying seconds of the semi-final wasn't just about timing – it was about belief. Similarly, in the final, Eliezer Mayenda's equaliser and Tommy Watson's stoppage-time winner were less about dominance and more about moments. The kind of moments that define seasons. Photo: IMAGO Destiny Fulfilled There's something poetic about the way this promotion played out. As Poyet observed, 'I think it was their time and sometimes destiny is there. In previous years they were close but they probably weren't ready.' This time, they were ready. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Sunderland showed a maturity and resilience they previously lacked. No collapse, no self-sabotage. Just belief and focus when it mattered most. Advertisement Even in a final where Sheffield United were tipped as favourites, it was Sunderland who came through. As Poyet bluntly put it, 'When you win a final and the man of the match is the goalkeeper, then perhaps you don't deserve it but Sheffield United were always the favourites. It's a way of winning.' Indeed, it is. It's football. And football doesn't always reward the prettiest side. Sometimes, it rewards the hungriest. Poyet's Message to the Fans No one deserves this more than the Sunderland fans. After the despair of back-to-back relegations and years stuck in League One, this promotion is a seismic moment. It brings with it not just financial reward, but the opportunity to once again rub shoulders with the best in English football. Advertisement Poyet's message to the fans is as heartfelt as it is timely: 'Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy it as much as you can. Support the team and the coach.' He continues, 'It's going to be the same coach and they know that things can change very quickly and they need to be the extra man to help their club stay in the Premier League. They'll need you.' It's a clear reminder. The job isn't done. Survival in the top flight will require even more grit, more spirit – and above all, unity between players, manager, and fans. But for now, as Poyet urges, it's time to enjoy. Building on a New Identity Sunderland's recent success isn't a fluke. It stems from a refreshed club philosophy, a core of exciting young talent, and a fanbase that never gave up. Tommy Watson's fairy-tale winner at Wembley was more than a goal – it was a symbol of what Sunderland are becoming. A team built on belief, built on community, and finally, built for the Premier League.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
How the tension and jeopardy of EFL Promotion Play-Offs provide the blueprint for a much-needed rejig closer to home
It was a weekend of mixed emotions under the Wembley arches for Northern Ireland internationals. While Dan Ballard and Trai Hume celebrated promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland on Saturday, there was heartache for Jamie Donley and Ethan Galbraith on Sunday as Leyton Orient slipped to defeat in the League One Play-Off Final.
