But who are the best players to have donned the red and white stripes since Sunderland’s new home opened its doors to the public? Here, we take a look:
![197 apps in all competitions for Sunderland during the Stadium of Light era and one of Sunderland's best goalkeepers.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjViM2Q3YjAwLWMzNzYtNGJhOC1iNWYwLWYwZmI2ODVhY2QzYzo5ZDgwMTA5MC01Yzc2LTQ1MDktYmIwZi03MGZjMGZkNjI3ZmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. GK: Thomas Sorensen
197 apps in all competitions for Sunderland during the Stadium of Light era and one of Sunderland's best goalkeepers. Photo: Stu Forster
![Phil Bardsley spent seven seasons at Sunderland and made exactly 200 appearances for the Black Cats.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjk2YTRkZWE0LWNhM2MtNGIyNC04ZDk0LTRiMjUwM2Y3ZDZlMjpmY2EyZDZiNy1kZWYwLTQ0MTAtYWY0NS0yNWJhZjA3YTU0ZjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. RB: Phil Bardsley
Phil Bardsley spent seven seasons at Sunderland and made exactly 200 appearances for the Black Cats. Photo: Michael Regan
![A local lad and club captain after the departure of Kevin Ball, Micky Gray played 363 times for Sunderland.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjY4ZjdhMDdjLWY1N2MtNGEyMC04MjczLWU1Mjc2MDExOTJkNDoyYWU5ZTI5Yy00YWEzLTQ4ZDMtODFiMi1lMWE0ZWRhYTNlNDc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. LB: Micky Gray
A local lad and club captain after the departure of Kevin Ball, Micky Gray played 363 times for Sunderland. Photo: Alex Livesey
![A superb player for Sunderland! Just ask your parents and grandparents about Steve Bould.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmM3MWVjYWNhLTZjMjEtNDE4Ni1hMGZhLTI5YTUyNTUxZWVkNjo2Y2NhMGM1Zi1iMjAxLTQzMjAtYWZhOS1hOGZlNmU5MmNiODE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. CB: Steve Bould
A superb player for Sunderland! Just ask your parents and grandparents about Steve Bould. Photo: Craig Prentis