How Darren Bent’s exit from Sunderland in 2011 hurt Fraizer Campbell – as well as the fans
Fraizer Campbell says Darren Bent’s shock move to Aston Villa left Sunderland’s dressing room stunned – and him gutted
Fraizer Campbell says Darren Bent’s sudden departure from Sunderland was as shocking inside the dressing room as it was for the fanbase – describing the striker as a close friend and a guaranteed source of goals during the club’s Premier League era.
Campbell names Bent among the most talented players he lined up with on Wearside and admits the forward’s exit for Aston Villa came completely out of the blue, leaving him and the squad stunned. “Yeah, well, me and Benty were good mates, you know, and even I was shocked by it,” Campbell said.
“I didn't see the signs that he wanted to leave, and the next minute he's off to Villa. So it was a bit of a shock – a bit upset, to be honest – because we had a great relationship, understanding on the pitch. We’d all run our socks off, and he was guaranteed to get a goal. Even if he was having a shocker, he'd be in the right place at the right time in the dying minutes of the game to get you that win.
“Even like the Liverpool goal where he hit the balloon – everyone's saying it’s luck and stuff, but that was just him all over. He found a way to get goals, even off balloons. So it was a shock and we were all a bit gutted – but yeah, it's football.”
Bent’s name came up again when Campbell was asked to reflect on the standout players from his Sunderland spell, with the former England international reeling off a dressing room packed with Premier League pedigree and elite-level talent.
“Zenden played at Barca, absolute legend, but more – he was just a great guy, down to earth, could talk to him about anything in football. Steed Malbranque – really quiet but super professional. “Asamoah Gyan – what a character he was, scoring goals and making music videos.
Some of my good friends like Darren Bent. Jordan Henderson – he went on to do a little bit after, didn't he, at Sunderland. So yeah, there were so many top players. Craig Gordon – keeper – top legend, top pro. Lorik Cana. Captain Marvel – he'd run through brick walls for you and the team.
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“Even some of my old Manchester United teammates – Kieran Richardson was brilliant, and then Wes Brown and John O'Shea came down. The list goes on. So we had a top dressing room. It's just a real shame that I was injured for so much of it – and David Meyler as well. And then we lost Jordan, lost Benty. So it was a great time – I just wish I could have been fit to participate more.”
Campbell also revealed the Sunderland manager he rated above all others, naming Steve Bruce as the coach he connected with most during his time at the Stadium of Light. “Mine was Steve Bruce. I got on really well with him. He was an old-school mentality – just work really hard on the training pitch, do well in the games, and I'll look after you, you look after me. So it was simple, straightforward – and that's what I liked.”
Fraizer Campbell spoke to the Sunderland Echo on behalf of Casino Groups.