Chris Lumsdon

Lumsdon began his career at Sunderland , making his first-team debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7 February 1998. In the same week, he signed a five-year professional contract, and was also called up to the England under-18 squad. He was part of the Sunderland squad that won the Championship title in the 1998–99 season under manager Peter Reid . After Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League , Lumsdon impressed in pre-season matches against Rangers and Sampdoria in the centre of midfield. He made his Premiership debut on the first day of the 1999–2000 season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge . Lumsdon remained part of the first-team squad over the next three seasons, as Sunderland enjoyed consecutive 7th-place finishes. A loan spell to Blackpool was arranged in 2000, in order that he gain first team experience. A successful sixteen-match loan at Crewe Alexandra in the Championship followed, with manager Dario Gradi submitting bids in the region of £500,000 for his services. His final game for Sunderland was a League Cup encounter against Walsall on 14 September 1999. He played the full game in a 3–2 win. Lumsdon was offered a new long-term contract by Peter Reid to extend his stay at Sunderland , however, Chris stated he wanted to play more regularly and rejected the contract to pursue a move to the Championship. — Wikipedia