Sunderland supporting former Newcastle United player – Looking forward to NUFC clash
Chris Basham is looking forward to this one.
The versatile defender and defensive midfielder was with Newcastle United until released at the age of 16.
Whilst Chris Basham also has another angle on this game, as he grew up in the mixed territory of Hebburn as a Sunderland fan, but will also have plenty of Newcastle supporting friends in the away end on Sunday.
This week Callum Wilson was talking about and celebrating the fact that he had gone from non-league to Champions League football in his career.
Chris Basham also has an interesting narrative to tell, since after leaving Newcastle United at the age of 16, he worked at McDonald’s and enrolled at Gateshead College’s Academy of Sport.
Chris Basham was signed by Bolton a few years after Newcastle released him, and he has also played for Rochdale and non-league Stafford Rangers.
Then, after promotion to the Premier League in 2010, Blackpool stepped in for Basham.
Chris Basham joined Sheffield United four years later and is presently in his eighth season.
Chris Basham has previously played Premier League football for Bolton, Blackpool, and the Blades, and he is hoping Sheffield United will turn around a dismal start to the season, which begins on Sunday.
To make things even more unique, if former Sunderland player John Egan is unable to recuperate from injury, Chris Basham will captain the team against Newcastle United.
Chris Basham talking to the Sheffield Star ahead of Sunday’s match:
“It is a massive game.
“They are all big games in the Premier League but this isn’t just another game.
“It’s Newcastle United.
“They played AC Milan in midweek and they’re pushing in the league and Champions League as well, so it’ll be a great game.
“I’ll have a lot of fans in the away end who I know but I always want to try and get one over on them.
“I’m playing for Sheffield United, and we want to get three points and get our season up and running as soon as possible.
“The manager addressed that (the captaincy issue) at the start of the season, that I was going to be the captain if Egan was missing.
“I’m immensely proud, especially away at Tottenham Hotspur, and another big moment for me and my family, for sure.”
