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“I was so scared”- Chris Rigg recalls a heartwarming moment involving Tony Mowbray as he shares a humorous story from his time at Sunderland.
Chris Rigg recently mentioned former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray in an interview with the Mirror, discussing his experiences at the club.
The 17-year-old Hebburn native, who signed his first professional contract in the summer, is now committed to Sunderland until 2027. Rigg has drawn interest from top clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United following his impressive start to the season.
Fans and pundits have been impressed by Rigg’s maturity and skill under coach Regis Le Bris. He has started the last eight Championship matches, scoring twice, including the opening goal in the 2-2 draw against Leeds United before the break.
### Chris Rigg Shares a Funny Sunderland Anecdote
In his interview, Rigg recalled how he would rush from school to train with the first team at just 15 years old. He humorously described the experience: “I would quickly take off my tie and change into my kit before anyone noticed. It was mad—I was trying to hide! It’s funny looking back.”
He praised the support he received from his teammates during that time: “I was so scared going into training or on match days, but the players were incredibly welcoming. I couldn’t have done it without them or Tony Mowbray.”
Recently, Rigg was named EFL Young Player of the Month for September, making him the fourth Sunderland player to receive this honor.
### Mowbray’s Praise for Rigg
Mowbray was a strong supporter of Rigg, believing in his potential. He handed Rigg his first-team debut in August 2023, where Rigg made history as the club’s youngest-ever and the League Cup’s youngest goal-scorer by scoring against Crewe Alexandra.
Reflecting on Rigg’s character, Mowbray described him as a “warrior-like” figure who possesses a unique competitive spirit. He remarked, “He wants to win every tackle, every 5-a-side, every contest he’s in, which is pretty rare in a footballer. It’s a bit of that Roy Keane-esque ‘nastiness.’”
Mowbray emphasized Rigg’s place in the first team, saying, “He deserves to be involved in every training session and to play in matches. I’m confident that in the coming years, he’ll earn a regular starting spot and possibly even a captaincy. I hope he stays here for a while to help the club grow and succeed.”
