As the dust began to settle following Sunderland's promotion back to the Championship, Alex Pritchard recalled a promise from Lee Johnson that would ring true. The former Norwich and Huddersfield man admitted he had lost his love for the game and Johnson vowed to get him back enjoying football once more.
The club would part company with Johnson in February with Alex Neil taking over at the helm. Pritchard said he's the fire in his belly once more and is looking forward to life in the Championship next season.
The Sunderland playmaker was a constant thorn in Wycombe's side as they put aside any Wembley fears to secure their place in the second tier of English football. There was a general feeling of optimism ahead of the tie but it was still a nervy occasion for supporters.
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When asked if Pritchard had any doubts about signing for the club, he said: "No, not really. I give a lot of credit to Lee Johnson. I spoke to him and he knew my situation and my love of football probably wasn't there. He rang me and said 'I need to make you love football again.'
"I remember the words he said. 'If you love football again, I've got no doubts. If you don't love football, I don't know what will happen.'
"To be fair to him, I've got that fire in my belly again and obviously things happen in the season - he went - and Alex Neil has come in. I've been under Alex Neil. I know what he's about.
"It's all about working hard and he'll give you freedom up the top of the pitch, we've got the quality up there. The problem was conceding goals and we've stopped doing that and now we can see why.
"The togetherness is unbelievable. We've had some bad moments this year but we keep coming back. We keep coming back and the fans deserve it."
He added: "I think it's my first promotion so for me I've played in the leagues above I've played in League One when I was 19-years-old, I didn't want to play in League One.
"When I first came to the club I told a lot of people close to me, 'I don't want to be in this league.' I've come here and I've given absolutely everything. I've played through.
"It's just unbelievable to do it. I'm really buzzing because it's my first year here and we've done it. This team has done it. People like Lynden Gooch who have been here for years.
"For us to do it for players that have been here a long time, they've had so much hurt and now it's time to enjoy it. But, we can go again next year."
Sunderland are not expected to compete at the top end of the Championship next year but stranger things have happened. Pritchard was keen to down play any talk of back-to-back promotions and focus on getting fit for the summer.
"I don't know," he said. "Time will tell. There's going to be a rebuild in the summer and that's not my job I'm just here to come back for pre-season and get as fit as I can."
