Grant Leadbitter, he’s one of our own.
Sunderland were 1-0 up by the time hit 23 minutes at the Kassam Stadium, but matters off the pitch were still in the minds of Black Cats fans.
Club captain and academy graduate is currently taking time away from the club for personal reasons.
With 23 the number he wears on the back of his shirt, a sold-out Sunderland away of around 1,800 end came together to let the midfielder know they were with him.
‘He’s one of our own’, they sang in unison in a heart-warming moment that eclipsed any eventson the pitch in Ocfordshire.
Leadbitter shared a post on his Instagram during the week which was a picture of his parents, both of whom have died. His mother passed earlier this year, just a day before Leaditter bravely put in a man of the match performance to help Sunderland to the play-off final at Fratton Park.
Of his absence from the club, manager Phil Parkinson said: “Grant is going to have a few weeks away.
“He’s got some personal issues he needs to sort and we’re going to give him any help we can.
“He’s going to have some time away from the club and hopefully he’ll come back stronger and fitter than ever.”
