Dean Taggart

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

🙌🏼❤️🤍

[Luke O'Nien @LukeONien]

EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.

Not because I didn’t want it.

Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.

What kid would?

Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.

What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?

I was heartbroken.

My dad looked at me and said:

“What are we doing tomorrow?”

To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:

“We’re training, Dad.”

So we trained.

Every single day.

My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.

One club replied.

One.

That was all I needed.

An opportunity.

@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you.

Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC .

A massive club.

A massive opportunity.

And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.

But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.

“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”

Then came the Championship.

“He’s not good enough for this level.”

Then the Premier League.

“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”

I understood the doubt.

I’ve faced it my whole career.

And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.

But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:

Outwork your doubt.

You don’t always need to see the full journey.

You just need to take the next step.

Then the next one.

And then another.

Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.

Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.

Keep working.

Keep learning.

Keep showing up.

Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.

To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.

You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.

And to the boys… thank you.

You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.

What a team.

What a club.

What a fanbase.

Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍

And in the words of Granit Xhaka:

“This is just the beginning.”

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@xhannahanderson Unbelievable Hannah! Roll on next year ❤️🤍

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@Daftdruers @WTFSunlunPod @CarlosEdwards7 @FireStationSun @BilbaoBlackCats @Phil__Smith @SAFC_NYorkshire @SAFChighlights @sunderlandafc11 @SunlunTickets @SAFC_NASA @SafcScotland @rossrobson @PGO_News I’m on holiday then or I’d of gone

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@Daftdruers @WTFSunlunPod @CarlosEdwards7 @FireStationSun @BilbaoBlackCats @Phil__Smith @SAFC_NYorkshire @SAFChighlights @sunderlandafc11 @SunlunTickets @SAFC_NASA @SafcScotland @rossrobson @PGO_News Some goal that bastard

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

Hahahahahahaha 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

[Alan Shearer @alanshearer]

A pathetic, weak, lazy, limp second half from Newcastle again #NEWSUN

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

VICTORY AT ST. JAMES' PARK 😍

#NEWSUN

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

❤️🤍

[Luke O'Nien @LukeONien]

To any young kid reading this…

I’ve doubted myself in every league I’ve ever played in.

Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championship…

And even right before my first Premier League start last night.

That’s not weakness.
That’s being human.

That’s being alive.

When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.

Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.

The truth is…. it’s often the opposite.

Social media won’t tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. That’s normal. That’s ok!

You now have to then step out there with courage.

Confidence feels good.
Courage doesn’t.

But you do it anyway. Show courage enough times…. You build confidence.

Here’s the mindset that’s carried me for 31 years.

When it goes well:

I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

When it doesn’t:

I know I prepared the best I could.
It didn’t go exactly to plan. That’s football.

But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.

That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.

Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.

And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.

So if you’re a young player feeling doubt…
Low confidence…
Or like you don’t believe in yourself…

You’re not alone.

Every player feels it.

Confidence isn’t something you’re given.

It’s something you build.

Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.

Anything worth building takes time.

But that’s what makes it so worthwhile!

Thank you @SunderlandAFC ❤️🤍

[Liam Mcmanus @LiamMcmanus2025]

Massive long shot but has anyone got an adult and a child train ticket back from West Ham next week any earlier than 17.54 and willing to swap with me? #safc @SunlunTickets @sunderlandafc11

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@Keeler966 Send me a message mate. My cousin is after one

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@Daftdruers

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

I CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU ❤️‍🔥

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

One day closer to Sunday ⏳

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

Chelsea away 100%

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

The best away end this season was at _______ 🤔

[Brett @Mk_mackem]

Inject it 💉 the noise from that away end. #safc

[Sunderland Limbs 𝕏 @LimbsSunderland]

GETS BETTER AND BETTER 😍 #SAFC

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

What a night man 🩵

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

❤️🤍

[Patrick Roberts @patrick7roberts]

Good luck with the rest of the season mackems ♥️

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

@SunlunTickets Anyone else having this issue?

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

If anyone deserves this… it’s us fuckers!!! Fucking come on ❤️🤍

[Football on TNT Sports @footballontnt]

Sunderland waited eight years to return to the Premier League… then smashed it with a 3-0 win on opening day 🤯

[Dean Taggart @DeanTaggart]

❤️🤍

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

The wait is over.