A former Sunderland player, Will Grigg, who was considered a flop during his time at the club, is currently experiencing success in the National League, having scored 25 goals across all competitions this season.
Sunderland has seen its fair share of disappointing signings over the years, particularly during their four-year stint in League One, where many players were brought in and subsequently released.
Grigg’s tenure at the club is often remembered as less than successful, with the former Northern Ireland international joining Sunderland from Wigan Athletic on the January deadline day in 2019.
Reports indicated that Sunderland paid a £4 million fee for the then-32-year-old forward due to his goal-scoring performances for Wigan in League One.
Will Grigg’s nightmare Sunderland spell
Will Grigg’s tenure at Sunderland was limited to just one full season, during the 2019/20 campaign, where he made 20 appearances in League One, managing to score only one goal. Following his time with Sunderland, Grigg embarked on loan spells with MK Dons and Rotherham United before eventually joining MK Dons on a free transfer in 2022.
Despite making a total of 62 appearances for Sunderland, Grigg’s goal tally remained modest, with only eight goals to his name. However, his fortunes have dramatically changed this season while playing under Paul Cook at Chesterfield.
Grigg has been in exceptional form, scoring an impressive 25 goals across all competitions, with 24 of those goals coming in the National League alone. In a recent match against Oxford City, Grigg found the back of the net within 60 seconds of the game’s start, showcasing his consistent scoring prowess.
Currently, Chesterfield leads the National League table, holding a remarkable 23-point lead over Barnet in second place. Grigg’s remarkable goal-scoring contributions have been instrumental in Chesterfield’s success, positioning him as the league’s second-highest goal scorer.
The wrong club at the wrong time
Grigg himself admitted that leaving Wigan was a regrettable decision. His stint at Sunderland was marred by off-field controversies, instability within the club, and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought football activities to a standstill.
These challenges seemed to drain Grigg’s confidence and form, particularly during a period when Sunderland faced immense pressure to secure promotion from League One.
However, Grigg has experienced a resurgence in his goal-scoring abilities. Playing for Chesterfield, his prolific scoring has been instrumental in their remarkable season in the National League, positioning them for a return to the Football League in the upcoming season.
Grigg’s rediscovered form suggests that he could once again thrive in the Football League. Meanwhile, Sunderland finds themselves scrambling for points to secure their safety in the Championship, desperately lacking a striker of Grigg’s caliber and current form.