The Black Cats academy graduate and cult hero rejoined his former club in January.
Grant Leadbitter has opened up on his emotional return to Sunderland and playing once again at the Stadium of Light, where his father’s ashes are buried.
The 33-year-old spent the last six-and-a-half seasons with Middlesbrough but, in January, completed a move back to the club he supports and where he came through the ranks.
Leadbitter’s father, Brian, an avid Black Cats fan, tragically passed away in May 2008, and his ashes were buried underneath the Stadium of Light pitch, according to the Northern Echo.
The midfielder paid tribute to his father in an emotional celebration after scoring at home against Arsenal in October 2008 and, following his return to the club, he did so once again by touching the ground by the touchline.
Leadbitter made his second Sunderland debut in last Saturday’s 1-0 League One home win over AFC Wimbledon and did well, the Northern Echo giving him the highest rating out of those who turned out for the hosts and saying he “couldn’t have wished for a better start” to his second spell at the club.
In an interview with i News two days after the game, Leadbitter admitted that his family had stayed away from the Stadium of Light following his father’s passing as they found it too painful to go.
“Saturday was the first time my mum’s been back,” said Leadbitter. “At the beginning it was too painful to go and my mum felt that. It was the first time my sisters had been back.
“There were times when you felt like going but you’ve to respect the football club. You can’t knock on the door. It’s taken a few years but I’ve got my head around it. The situation is the situation and everyone knows it here.”
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