Kevin Phillips is a god on Wearside. Having signed for buttons from Watford in 1997, he went on to score 35 goals in all competitions in his debut season in the First Division. The following year he scored 23 league goals - firing Sunderland back to the Premier League alongside his strike partner Niall Quinn. It was in his debut Premier League campaign with Sunderland that the England international came into a league of his own, however. He managed a staggering 30 league goals - becoming the first Englishman - and still the only - to win the European Golden Shoe. He went on to score 61 top-flight goals for the club before they were relegated in 2003, making him by far Sunderland's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
Journalism student hopping between London and the North-East. Boxing enthusiast and Football Manager addict. Was diagnosed with supporting Sunderland AFC as a child.
