Sunderland prodigy Bali Mumba caps remarkable season with first team debut - and captain's armband!

The schoolboy made his Sunderland debut in the 3-0 over Wolves and was handed the captain’s armband by the man he replaced, John O’Shea.

Mumba became the club’s fourth youngest ever debutant at the age of 16 - and the youngest ever captain - following a season that has seen him make his Under-18, Under-23 and now first team debut.

A remarkable campaign for the promising teenager who came on in the 87th minute for O’Shea, 37, who may have played his last game for the club.

O’Shea - 21 years the senior of Mumba - is out of contract this summer but was given a warm ovation by the Sunderland support as he made his way off before giving Mumba the armband.

Robbie Stockdale said: “It is typical John that he did that. Bali hasn’t taken it off yet - he thinks he is captain of the club, fining players in the dressing room!”

Stockdale also had warm praise for the Sunderland support, rewarded with only their third home win of the season.

Stockdale said: “The fans were brilliant. I run out of words to describe our support.

“They haven’t had much to celebrate over the last couple of years, we know that, we apologise for that. There are reasons for that but I won’t go into it now.

“The supporters have been the one constant. With their help, this club will get back to where they want to be.”