Cirkin proud of winning battle to return to Prem

DENNIS Cirkin has spoken of his pride in helping Sunderland lift two trophies at Wembley Stadium.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer [e-mail]

The left-sided defender had his share of injuries during the Championship-winning season but was there when it mattered in the play-off campaign to play his part.

The privilege of playing at Wembley is not afforded to many and he has experienced it twice, along with some of his team-mates.

Six players from the class of League One managed to overcome that monumental feat in Cirkin, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts and Luke O’Nien creating moments that will long in the memory of Sunderland supporters.

Immortalised moments at the home of English football have become a regular occurrence in recent memory but that has long not been the case.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have lifted a trophy once, let alone twice at Wembley,” Cirkin told safc.com.

“Walking up those steps to collect your medal is a feeling like no other. When you've left everything out on the pitch and you know you've done it.