Nicky Summerbee

Summerbee made his Sunderland debut on 15 November 1997, against Portsmouth at Fratton Park , as a second-half substitute for Martin Smith. With trademark un-tucked shirt and orange edged boots, Summerbee capped his debut by notching the final goal in a 4–1 victory, scoring with a satisfying low drive. He played out the rest of the season on the right hand side of midfield and enjoyed some of the finest moments of his career after Sunderland won promotion to the Premiership in 1999. During that season, an injured Summerbee enjoyed a well-publicised liaison with TV presenter, Melanie Sykes . However, it came at a cost. He lost his place in the team following his capital night out with Mel and a 4–1 defeat at Arsenal . Whilst he returned after one match, Summerbee was substituted in both of his next two games and was relegated to the bench for the next four. He returned triumphantly to the starting eleven by scoring his first goal of the season against Everton . It turned out to be his last as a Sunderland player. After this goal, Summerbee was in and out of the side. He finished the season on a high note though, starting in – and starring in – the final three games. Summerbee was left in the wilderness by boss Peter Reid the following season. He sat on the sidelines for six months until he was given a game for the reserves against Newcastle United . He was clearly unfit and unhappy, he lashed out at Newcastle United defender Andy Griffin and was immediately substituted before he could be sent off. [ citation needed ] — Wikipedia