Superkev - "I'll always have an affinity with Sunderland"

Sunderland's post-war record goalscorer Kevin Phillips has told the club's official site today that he feels he'll always have a bond with the club and its supporters.

The 30 year old striker signed for Gordon Strachan's Southampton in August in a £3.25m move, after spending just over six years of his career with Sunderland - a period which saw the opening of the Stadium of Light, heartbreak in the play-offs at Wembley, three different managers within one season, promotion with a record high 105 points and relegation with a record low 19 points.

Phillips said today "I really hope Sunderland come up again, because I will always have that affinity with the club and the supporters. It’s been fantastic to get so many nice letters from people up there.

"While I accept it was time to move on, it was so difficult because the North-East gets in your blood - the fans, the club and the place. It has been an emotional time for me to leave the area.

"I didn’t feel I had a chance to acknowledge the supporters last season.

"The final game was a 4-0 defeat by Arsenal - it wasn’t really the right occasion for a farewell.

"The club and the fans were good for me and I won’t ever forget that."