As Tony Mowbray and Sunderland put in the hard yards in the off-season ahead of the next Championship campaign, fans will be planning when they can get their first look at the Black Cats ahead of the next campaign.
The pre-season period often brings about summer training camps, friendlies with sides in higher and lower leagues as well as the all-important new transfer arrivals.
Supporters will be hoping that this time next year the club will be preparing for a return to the Premier League.
As we wait for the new season to continue, the Sunderland Echo journies back to 2008 when the club were getting ready for a second year back in the top flight after surviving with a 15th place finish the year previous.
In one of the pre-season games, Sunderland faced Sporting Lisbon in the Albufeira Cup. The side won 3-1 thank to goals from Nyron Nosworthy, Anthony Stokes and Roy O’Donovan, and this is what that team are up to now.
1. GK: Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon is currently playing at Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, where he started his career. The 40-year-old broke his leg in a collision with former Black Cat Steven Fletcher in December and missed the rest of last season. Photo: Getty Images
2. LB: Phil Bardsley
Phil Bardsley retired from football last month having most recently played for Stockport County, where he donated his wages to the club’s community trust. Photo: Getty Images
3. CB: Danny Collins
Danny Collins has hung up his boots now and dabbled in punditry and coaching. He made over 100 appearances at Grimsby Town between 2016 and 2019. Photo: Getty Images
4. CB: Nyron Nosworthy
Nyron Nosworthy is widely regarded as a Sunderland legend. He’s 42 years old now and hasn’t played since retiring after a short spell at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2016. Photo: Getty Images