Released after seven years in the summer and was wanted by 15 clubs before joining promotion rivals Sheff Utd. Now 25 years old, the tough tackling midfielder was dubbed the ‘new Paul Bracewell’ by Peter Reid. Of course Reid meant Bracewell at his peak, but in the end Thirlwell showed many of Bracewell’s traits towards the end of his career, namely passing the ball sideways and back, and lacking pace. Played superbly in the memorable 4-1 win at home to Chelsea but unfortunately these performances were few and far between. Generally consistent but always lacking that little bit extra to be a regular in the side for long spells.

Enough is said about this player but basically anyone who is in the Argentinean squad and costs £3.5 million should be able to play for Sunderland. But he can’t. Always decent enough looking in the reserves but said to be too weak for the English game. Loaned out to Spanish second division side, Leganes, and never seen since.

Peeters was unlucky not to be a member of the final Euro 2000 squad for Belgium and at 21 was considered to be a huge prospect for the future. At the time of his transfer he said: “I'm looking forward to coming over and showing the fans what I can do. Once Sunderland showed an interest there was no other choice.” Well the fans all wish there had been another choice because other than a few appearances here and there we never saw him. Another starlet we have found but then released years later as a demoralised forgotten man.

One of the club’s brightest hopes, the Republic of Ireland U21 regular rarely transferred his reserve team performances, which were often outstanding, to the first team. Some great games for the club, such as that away to Blackburn on the opening day of the relegation season, but also some indifferent displays. Looked like he would get his chance to impress when McCarthy became manager but injury and poor form kept him out of the side. The club has now officially admitted to his release but due to legal reasons we cannot comment further…

Scored to earn Sunderland a draw against Middlesbrough at The Riverside in1999 but this was the highlight of his career at Sunderland. After signing him from Kilkenny City in Ireland Reid said he would be playing for Sunderland and Eire for years to come. He was loaned out to gain more experience and played for Hull City, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon. Lightning fast and showed an eye for goal in the reserves but injury dogged the player towards the end at Sunderland. Signed for Grimsby in the summer.

Fans’ favourite Proctor was a player who never really failed at the club, but still found himself transferred out. Scored the winner at home to Liverpool, in one of the few highlights in the relegation season. An awful performance, with Kyle, on the opening day of last season at Forest went against him. Kyle was given the chance to prove his doubters wrong and became a major player for Sunderland but Proctor played second fiddle to Stewart for his remaining time at the club before Sunderland swapped him for Byfield at Rotherham. Grabbed a few goals for his new side before the season finished. Definitely capable of scoring goals at this level and McCarthy may now be wishing he had him as back up.