It has been a testing ten years, Sunderland struggling to stay afloat in the Premier League before plummeting to the joint lowest-position in its entire history.
There has been anguish, anger and disastrous signings aplenty.
There were brief, dizzying highs too, of course, and the likes of Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Jordan Henderson were rightly recognised for the heights they reached on Wearside.
To battle against the gloom and frustration with the club's current malaise, I went back through the decade to pull together an alternative team.
The criteria was simple.
The players must either have made a solid contribution worth recalling even if they fell just shy of the main XI's standards and longevity, or, they must have made a single outstanding contribution that lifted us all.
Here they are....
1. VITO MANNONE
The Italian will be fondly remembered for his sparkling form in Sunderland’s greatest escape of the decade, and he was key again a year later as Sam Allardyce got his side over the line. His starring role in the penalty shoot-out at Old Trafford was his finest hour and means he is worth remembering here. Just about the worst shoot-out of all time it may well have been, but his saves were crucial and above alse, he was a fine ambassador for the club and one who totally embraced the city. Photo: PA
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2. SANTIAGO VERGINI
His time in Sunderland will be forever associated with probably the most remarkable own goal any player at any club scored this decade, the thumping volley that stunned his team-mates and sparked an 8-0 drubbing against Southampton. He was a better player than that, though, and there aren’t too many who left Eden Hazard bemused as he did at the Stadium of Light, darting past him on the right wing. Photo: FRANK REID
3. NEDUM ONUOHA
Onuoha made a solid contribution over a season loan but the moment that defined him was one of the best of the decade. Sunderland had responded well to their horror showing against Newcastle United a couple of weeks earlier but no one could have seen the demolition of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge coming. There were few finer moments than those baffling, brilliant seconds as his effort trickled over the line, having surged past four defenders onto his weaker foot. Photo: PA
4. VALENTIN ROBERGE/MODIBO DIAKITE
They deserved to be recalled together. Neither could be considered Sunderland success stories, part of one of the worst summer windows the club has ever had under Roberto Di Fanti. Which made their finest hour all the more unlikely, paired together against an Everton side pushing for the top four. A clean sheet, and a baffling win followed. Photo: PA