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‘Never forget’ – Chris Rigg opens up on Sunderland feelings after dramatic day
Chris Rigg Reflects on Unforgettable Promotion as Sunderland Eyes Premier League Debut
Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg has spoken out about what the club’s dramatic promotion to the Premier League means to him, describing it as “a day I will never forget.”
Still just 17 and with a bright future ahead, Rigg is already attracting attention from top clubs across the country. But for now, the midfield talent is focused on the celebrations and preparing for his first taste of Premier League football with the Black Cats.
Although he wasn’t on the pitch for the dramatic comeback win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, Rigg—alongside club captain Dan Neil—has been an integral part of Sunderland’s youthful and fearless squad, which boasted an average age of just 24.3 years in the final.
Rigg has already made over 50 senior appearances and now adds a play-off winners’ medal to his growing list of achievements.
Speaking to safc.com, Rigg said: “I’m so proud of the boys. I’m probably one of the youngest, but players like Jobe and Dan Neil are still young too. Tommy [Watson] came on and scored the winner—and he’s only a year older than me. This team is unbelievable. I’ll never forget that day.”
The promotion weekend in London was memorable from start to finish, starting with a fan takeover of Trafalgar Square and ending with silverware under the Wembley arch.
Rigg praised the team’s unity throughout the play-offs, especially in their two-legged semi-final against Coventry City.
“You could see it—especially in both games against Coventry—we stayed together until the very end,” he said. “That’s been our slogan all season, and it’s completely true. Tommy scored late in the final, Ballard and Eliezer did too. That togetherness made the difference every time.”
A key figure behind Sunderland’s resurgence is manager Régis Le Bris. The Frenchman has just completed his first season in English football and guided the club from a 16th-place finish last year to top-flight promotion with a string of thrilling performances.
“You don’t need words to describe his impact,” Rigg added. “He took us from 16th to the Premier League in just one season. The results speak for themselves.”
Now, with Premier League football on the horizon, Rigg and Sunderland are ready to write the next chapter of their remarkable journey.
