Former Swindon Town and Arsenal academy graduate defender Daniel Ballard proved pivotal in the second leg of the play-off semi-final vs Coventry City.
Ballard managed to grab the goal in the 120 + 2 minutes of extra time, putting Sunderland in the final for a chance at promotion to the Premier League.
Embed from Getty Images“I was just so determined, I can’t remember what happened, it just happened like that – some feeling that,” Ballard told Sky Sports immediately after the game.
Ballard’s elation was shard by thousands of Black Cat fans who erupted at the Stadium of Light, aware how that crucial goal could be in changing the clubs fortunes.
During Ballad’s time at Swindon Town, he scored one goal and made three appearances helping Swindon Town not only get promoted but also win the league that season.
The 25-year-old Arsenal academy prospect played for Swindon Town in the 2020-2021 season before then joining the likes of Blackpool and Millwall, before eventually signing for the Mackems on a permanent transfer in July 2022.
Ballard also represents Northern Ireland on an International level, earning his first cap in 2019. He now has over 25 caps and contributed towards their Nations League campaigns.
Sunderland will now take on Sheffield United on Saturday 24th of May at Wembley in the Play-Off final, as the Mackems hope to create the same magic.
