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Whatever Happened To... The last Sunderland side to play at Brentford?

What happened to the side that succumbed to an embarrassing 2-1 loss at Brentford in the FA Cup back in 2006?

FA Cup: Brentford v Sunderland Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images

They got amongst us, upset us and ruffled our feathers.

We were guilty of schoolboy defending, though take nothing away from Campbell because his goals were fantastic.

If we perform like that again it's going to be tough for us during the rest of the season.

Those were the words of Mick McCarthy following our FA Cup exit. Victims of a giant-killing from League One Brentford, those of you who are fond of Halloween will remember this showing with unadulterated fear - and the squeamish amongst you best look away now.

An 89th minute winner from DJ Campbell - a player who would continue to haunt us - sealed the victory for Martin Allen’s side as our soon-to-be relegated side collapsed to another draining defeat.

But whatever happened to our starting eleven of that day?


GK: Kelvin Davis

Strange we should talk about good old Kelvin in an era when Jason Steele is our current number one. It’s been a while since we’ve had a calamity such as Davis in-between the sticks.

Aston Villa v Sunderland
I hated Kelvin Davis.
Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Davis left that summer, moving south to join Nigel Adkins at Southampton. He remains on the South Coast but is now retired and works as part of their support staff.


RB: Justin Hoyte

The right back actually moved back to the North East with Middlesbrough only a few short years later. He didn’t have a particularly successful period at ‘Boro and subsequently ended up moving abroad.

He now plays in the USA with FC Cincinnati following stints at Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge. He’s also a Trinidad & Tobago international, with 18 full caps.

FA Cup: Brentford v Sunderland
Isaiah Rankin takes on former loanee Justin Hoyte.
Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images

CB: Gary Breen

The Irish international linked up with Mick McCarthy at Wolves the following summer, later going on to play and coach at Barnet for a brief period. He’s been absent from football, though, since leaving a coaching role at former club Peterborough in 2013.

FA Cup: Brentford v Sunderland
If there was ever an image to remind you of Gary Breen...
Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Bizarrely, Breen revealed on Goals On Sunday that his move to Sunderland almost didn’t happen. He had allegedly agreed a deal with Inter Milan in the summer of 2002 (yes, that Inter Milan) but unfortunately failed his medical.


CB: Neill Collins

Although he featured more the following season at right back under Roy Keane, the Scottish defender left the club to link up with the man who brought him to Wearside - Mick McCarthy - at Wolves in 2007, moving to the Midlands for a nominal fee.

Derby County v Sunderland
Neill Collins is currently in the USA with Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

He spent several years at the heart of the Sheffield United defence after short spells at Leeds and Preston. He then moved to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida following 166 appearances for the Blades, and still plies his trade across the pond.


LB: Danny Collins

For Brazil he should play! The left back went on to win our player of the year a few seasons after this dreaded game, becoming a bit of a cult hero in the process, until he was surprisingly allowed to leave for Stoke City in 2009. He’s currently showcasing his silky skills in League Two at Grimsby Town.

Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League
A cult hero and a good servant to the club, Mr Danny Collins.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

RM: Liam Lawrence

The David Beckham wannabee was one of a trio of this side that ended up at Tony Pulis’ Stoke; albeit this move was motivated by his starring role in a certain video.

Burnley v Sunderland
Liam Lawrence - terrible hair.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

He never really found a home after brief success for the Potters, even turning out for PAOK in Greece at one point. At 35 he is currently a free agent and last appeared for Bristol Rovers in late 2016.


CM: Dean Whitehead

With a chin that could take out an eye, our former skipper is the only player still plying his trade in the Premier League - eleven years on.

Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League
Still a Premier League player.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He gained his second promotion with us a season later and has since followed that up with similar feats at Middlesbrough & Huddersfield Town. He’s turned out only once for The Terriers since their promotion though.


CM: Tommy Miller

The invisible man. He occasionally popped up with random goals, but would go missing 99% of the time. He could quite easily imitate Jack Rodwell in some sort of terrifying tribute act but, unlike the man who has seemingly taken his mantle, he is no longer paid to play football.

FA Cup: Sunderland v Northwich Victoria
Tommy Miller; proper crap.

Miller hasn’t been seen on the green grass of a football field since his release from Halifax in 2015, thought he did have a stint as joint-manager of Swindon Town in 2013. Paolo Di Canio to Tommy Miller. Swindon are mental.


LM: Julio Arca

The Argentine wizard still waves his magic wand only few miles away from his old stomping ground, playing for South Shields in the Northern League Division One. He played at Wembley for them and won the FA Vase just last year.

Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland
The little Argentinian magician.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Still seen at the SOL as a fan, he once sang about a certain hat worn by Mag hero Alan Shearer during a little known 1-0 away win at St. James’ around Christmas time.


CF: Kevin Kyle

We spoke about the story of the big Scot during pre-season and what a story it is. From being voted the worst Coventry player of all time to turning out for third division Rangers to working on a boat to becoming a Darts sensation. I’m sure he’s probably a trapeze artist or something now.

Kevin Kyle of Sunderland celebrates scoring
Kevin Kyle - a man made out of Buckfast.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

CF: Jon Stead

Perhaps the worst Sunderland forward of all time came back to haunt us in a FA Cup tie only a few years ago, but has since been in impressive form for League Two Notts County. He’s hit three goals already this season after a fairly impressive haul of fourteen goals last term.

Sunderland v Aston Villa
Doing what he did best for us - not scoring.
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Unbelievably, he’s actually now scored 126 career goals - although only two of them came during his time on Wearside.

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