Bardsley Forgiven!

Last updated : 23 January 2014 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

He wasn't a popular figure with Sunderland fans earlier last year, but his strike helped take us to Wembley ... and I'm sure it's now a case of "forgive and forget".

Phil Bardsley: "Massive gratitude to Roy Keane for bringing me to such a fantastic football club. I have enjoyed every minute of it.

"To take this club to Wembley and to be part of such a great day out will be phenomenal.

"There were 9,000 there last night and they never cease to amaze me when they travel away in their thousands.

"I probably wasn't one of their popular players six months ago but that's football.

"Hopefully I have turned that around and being part of this club going to Wembley is something special.

"My emotions are going through the roof. I don't know what to say.

"I'm not sure I'll be allowed back into Salford but it doesn't matter. Sunderland are going to Wembley and that's all that matters to me."