Sunderland take pride in ‘relentless’ Jordan Henderson’s journey from Black Cat to Premier League-winning captain

Midfielder, who was born in Sunderland 43 days after the Reds’ last league triumph, left the Stadium of Light for Anfield in 2011

By common consent, it hasn’t been easy being a Sunderland fan for the past few seasons.

Relegated from the Premier League in 2017, the Black Cats then fell ingloriously through the Championship trapdoor the following season.

Now, after the rest of the League One season was knocked on the head, their third tier hangover will continue, for one more season at least.

As the Premier League resumes, though, there is some light on the horizon – in the shape of a player who left the Stadium of Light in June 2011.

Liverpool have finally sealed the title – after the longest season in English football history – and when they get the trophy it will be club captain Jordan Henderson who lifts it triumphantly above his head. Albeit in front of an empty stadium.

The cheers that reverberate around Merseyside will be echoed, perhaps less vociferously, on Wearside, as Sunderland’s staff and supporters celebrate their former charge helping to deliver Liverpool’s first league title since 1990.

Henderson was born 43 days after Liverpool wrapped up that season with a 6-1 Anfield mauling of Coventry 30 years ago. A short time later there were similar celebrations in the North East as Sunderland gained promotion to the top flight via the play-offs, despite losing in the final to Swindon, who were demoted as a result of financial irregularities.

Now, following a three-month hiatus, the champagne is flowing once more as Jurgen Klopp’s side add a further piece of history to their legacy.

And no one could be more pleased with the influence Henderson has had on this side than Elliott Dickman, the coach who oversaw his development at Sunderland’s academy.

“From our side, we all keep an eye on Jordan’s development and his progress and keep an eye out for what he has done,” says Dickman. “For us, there’s a huge sense of pride that he’s a Sunderland boy, he came through our academy and that he’s lifting the trophies like the Champions League.

“If he lifts the Premier League, which looks likely, then that will be another proud moment for him, his family and Liverpool, but also everyone at Sunderland.”

Jordan Henderson in action against Liverpool a year before joining the Reds (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Henderson enjoyed a lightning rise through the club’s youth ranks after first joining the Black Cats at the age of eight.

He was part of the Sunderland youth team that made it through to the semi-finals of the 2007/08 FA Youth Cup, narrowly losing out to Manchester City over two legs, with Henderson scoring in a 1-0 win at Eastlands in the second game.

That side included the likes of Jack Colback and Martyn Waghorn, both of whom would go on to play in the Premier League, but it was Henderson who stood out. As much for his attitude as his all-round play.

“When they’re younger it’s always hard to tell if a nine-year-old is going to turn into the kind of player that Jordan is now,” says Dickman. “When I first stepped into the role at the academy, there was something very different about that group, even at the age of nine. There was a great work ethic, an infectious enthusiasm, they really knew what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go.

“Watching them develop was so rewarding. He definitely had ability, he could control the ball, dribble with the ball and he just had a smile on his face the whole time.

Jordan Henderson with Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“He was relentless – he wanted the ball all the time, he was up and down the pitch. For such a young kid his passing was good. But he came through a very good group. One of his very close friends was a guy called Michael McEwen, who was probably the player we all thought was going to make it.

“But they all drove each other on. He grew up pretty quickly. From a football point of view he has quite a late birthday in the year group, but he was very mature throughout his time here.

“He has had some ups and downs like all players do, but his character has always ensured that he has overcome any obstacles put in his way. He has always had that desire to be better than the next person and to challenge the next person to get better.

“Martyn Waghorn made his debut against Manchester United on Boxing Day [in 2007] but Jordan’s attitude was always ‘I’ll be the next one.’ He has always wanted to get better. Playing in the youth team, if he felt he could have done something better in the match on the Saturday, he would be in on the Sunday practising whatever he felt he needed to.

“The unseen work he has done over the years behind the scenes has been incredible.”

Henderson had a far from easy introduction to life at Anfield, coming in as a big money signing at the age of just 20 as Liverpool attempted to rebuild under Kenny Dalglish.

Now, almost 10 years on, English football’s greatest prize is in his grasp. Times may be tougher at Sunderland, but one of their own has written his name into Premier League folklore.