AliousMartyn Waghorn, a former Sunderland academy graduate, has opened up about a controversial transfer saga that led to ongoing hostility from Middlesbrough supporters.
Sunderland’s youth academy has produced top-tier talent over the years, with players like Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson reaching the pinnacle of English football. Even today, young prospects such as Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson are attracting interest from Premier League clubs. However, not every academy graduate has had the opportunity to shine in the top flight.
One such player is Waghorn, who enjoyed a successful career across the English Football League (EFL) but never secured a long-term spot in the Premier League. Despite this, he remained a sought-after player, and one transfer saga in particular continues to follow him.
Waghorn’s Close Call with Middlesbrough and the Fallout
Waghorn, who made his senior debut for Sunderland under Roy Keane during the 2007/08 season, has reflected on a key moment later in his career when he was on the verge of joining Middlesbrough. The striker had enjoyed a strong season at Ipswich Town and was attracting interest from multiple clubs, including Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Derby County.
Speaking to the *Sunderland Echo*, Waghorn explained that he had been in discussions with then-Boro manager Tony Pulis and had nearly finalized the move. However, in the final moments, he opted to join Frank Lampard’s Derby instead.
“I had my year at Ipswich, and before signing for Derby, I spoke to Tony Pulis. Everything was pretty much agreed with Middlesbrough,” Waghorn said. “But Derby was also in for me. It was Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Derby all around the mix, and in the end, I chose Derby.”
The decision ultimately came down to a gut feeling and the opportunity to work under Lampard. “The lure of Lampard was massive. The team, the project—it just felt right, and I wanted to be part of it,” he added.
Abuse from Middlesbrough Fans
Although the decision seemed straightforward, Waghorn soon realized that Middlesbrough fans were not pleased with how things unfolded.
“For years, I got a lot of stick from Boro fans. I don’t even know where it came from,” he admitted. “I don’t know what was happening behind the scenes, but I got abuse whenever I returned there for choosing Derby over them.”
While he initially brushed off the backlash, Waghorn later speculated that Middlesbrough’s frustration might have been linked to how the season played out.
“I think a lot of it had to do with the playoffs,” he suggested. “Middlesbrough missed out, while Derby made it in, and that created extra tension. There was probably stuff going on behind the scenes that I wasn’t aware of, but I took the brunt of it from the fans.”
A Career That Might Have Been Different
Having recently retired, Waghorn ended his career with an impressive 133 goals, playing for clubs such as Leicester City, Derby County, and Rangers. However, his time at Sunderland was short-lived, and he remains one of the few academy graduates who never managed to score for the Black Cats.
Waghorn was given just two starts at Sunderland before being sent on loan to Charlton Athletic and Leicester City, where he found his scoring form. Looking back, it raises the question of whether he could have been a key player for Sunderland had he been given more chances to develop at the Stadium of Light.
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