The new 09-10 Premier League season will be a change in more ways than one for Sunderland. After Ricky Sbragia left at the end of the last season they are under new management with Steve Bruce having taken up the helm. But not only do they have a new manager but they also have a new home shirt as well. The new Sunderland shirt has the same kit sponsor before, Boylesports and the kit manufacturer is Umbro. It is still in traditional Sunderland colours with the red and white vertical stripes and the shirt is finished off with a v neck. There is a bit of red and white piping that matches the pattern around the neck line but other than that it is a very pain, straightforward shirt. I expect this will be a hit with the Mackems because it is not a complicated design.

Sunderland had a good season last time round, managing to avoid relegation after their manager Roy Keane resigned part way through the season. It was important for them to steady the ship and Sbragia came in and did just that. Now with a new manager they will be looking to push up the league again and with Bruce’s track record they have every chance of moving on up the Premier League ladder.

With a bit of investment and a few good buys in the transfer market Bruce will have a good team to play alongside current favourites like Richardson, Leadbitter, Whitehead, Malbranque and Jones. Who’s name would I put on the back of my Sunderland shirt if I had to choose? Well I could go for one of those players I mentioned but I would probably go for a legend like Niall Quinn. He was a great player, who I thought was quite underrated and always gave 100% to the cause.

Steve Aitken