McCoist reveals why he still has a Sunderland season ticket

Ally McCoist has paid tribute to his ‘wonderful experience’ at Sunderland – having revealed he still buys a season ticket to watch the Black Cats each year.

The Scottish striker joined the Black Cats in 1981 for a then-club record fee of around £400,000, but departed after two years at Roker Park having netted just nine times in all competitions.

McCoist went on to enjoy a successful career at Rangers, but has nothing but praise for the Black Cats – whom he says were ‘unbelievably patient’ with him during his developmental years. And it’s for that reason that the 57-year-old still purchases a season ticket to watch the side each year, as he continues to hold the club close to his heart.

"Things don't always have to be on a crest of a wave to enjoy yourself,” he said on talkSPORT. “It was the most wonderful experience at Sunderland.

"I played with tremendous footballers, Frank Worthington, Leighton James, it was brilliant, we had the flying pig in goals, Barry Siddall, Chris Turner, we had great guys.

"I went down there as a boy, in terms of my education and growing up, I was so, so blessed and fortunate enough to be playing in front of a wonderful support at Roker Park.

"They were unbelievably patient with me and that is the reason why I still have season tickets at the Stadium of Light and it's a club I hold so dearly to my heart. I have no regrets, but I'm not sure Sunderland supporters would say the same about me."

*Hull’s bid to stay in the Championship has been served with a blow after it was announced their captain and vice-captain would not be seeing out the season.

Championship football returns on Saturday, but skipper Eric Lichaj and deputy Jackson Irvine, plus Stephen Kingsley and Marcus Maddison, have been unable to negotiate agreements with the club ahead of their contracts expiring on June 30. City are boosted by six players agreeing short-term extensions, the list headed by Angus McDonald who is back after beating cancer.

Jon Toral, Kevin Stewart, Dan Batty, Robbie McKenzie and Will Mannion are also sticking around, while the loans of Josh Bowler, Matt Pennington and Herbie Kane have been extended.

Striker Mallik Wilks will play in two games after the restart, with parent club and fellow strugglers Barnsley recalling him to Oakwell.