‘They deserve it’ - Kevin Phillips’ message to emotional Sunderland fans after Europe secured | OneFootball

Kevin Phillips hailed Sunderland’s supporters after Régis Le Bris’ side beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light to seal Europa League qualification, the club’s first European football in 53 years.

“Incredible. I've seen some atmospheres at this stadium, over the years, played in some, been to games, but that yesterday topped it all,” he said, speaking to the Echo.

He admitted the closing minutes were tense, but said the season had been phenomenal and that the transformation under new owners and new players had been outstanding, only four years after life in League One.

A Sunderland great, Phillips scored 130 goals in 235 appearances and is the only Englishman to win the European Golden Shoe after hitting 30 Premier League goals in 1999-2000. His time on Wearside brought promotion in 1998-99 and two seventh-placed top-flight finishes under Peter Reid.

He scored 35 in 48 games in 1997-98, then 25 in 32 the following season before 30 in 38 in 1999-2000 and 18 in 42 in 2000-01.

Phillips said supporters had stuck with the club through thin and thick, with crowds of around 30,000 even in League One, and that they deserve to enjoy European nights again. He added that he was delighted for them, even if he wished he could have delivered it two decades ago.

Source: Sunderland Echo