Sunderland’s Grant Leadbitter With the Best Goal Celebration of the Season

By: Daryl | October 5th, 2008

First, check out Grant Leadbitter’s goal for Sunderland against Arsenal. 25 yards and in off the bar. Good stuff. But even better than that was his celebration. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much emotion for a goal that didn’t win a trophy.

But here’s the reason: 22 year old Leadbitter is a Sunderland lad. Born eight miles from the city in Chester-le-Street and a lifelong Sunderland fan. He’s also been with the club since he was 16. Which might explain why it looks like he’s literally crying tears of joy after finding the net.

Puts the now cliche badgekissing celebration to shame, eh? Next time you hear a player say they love their club, think about Grant Leadbitter.

UPDATE: It’s since been pointed out that Grant Leadbitter lost his father during the summer, and his father’s ashes were buried at the Stadium of Light. A much better informed article about Leadbitter’s celebration can be read here. Apologies for any offence or misinformation caused by my lack of knowledge. Leadbitter’s celebration was an excellent tribute to his father.

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Category: English Premier League

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Mustafa

Whether its support of the team, or in the memory of his father... it's still nice to see the genuine emotion he showed during his celebration

that's the reason we love the game so much... all the "me-first" players and all the stadium riots seem to disappear when something magical like that happens (and if Arsenal didnt get that last-second goal, it would have been a even better moment)
Baz

Dary,
hang your head in shame,get your facts straight before you try to be cleaver..........
thats what Google used for,its amazing what info I got in 30 secs

Goal was for my dad - Grant

GRANT Leadbitter's magnificent strike for Sunderland sparked emotional scenes at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The 22-year-old despatched a tremendous 25-yard effort in off Manuel Almunia's bar to give the Black Cats an 85th-minute lead – less than two minutes after he had come on as a substitute.

He marked the goal by running to the patch of turf under which father Brian's ashes were buried in the summer and kissing it.

The midfielder was in tears as the game kicked off again, remembering his dad, who died at the age of 50 in June.

"The people who know me know why I kissed that area of the ground," said Leadbitter.

"My dad's ashes were buried there. I don't want to go on about it, it just means a lot to me and my family.

"It's exactly that spot and it was always my intention to do something like that when I scored my first goal here (since he died).

"He was my dad, so he was obviously a big supporter of mine, but Saturday was not just about me – I didn't want it to be like that – it was about the team.

"We got the point and that's what matters. I had people in the stand who were close to me, I looked towards them and they know what it's all about."
BorisBear

It has to be said though that it was a magical moment.
muggy

He was kissing the pitch where his father who died in the summer ashes are buried. Thats why he was emotional!
Grant Leadbitter Fan

The reason for the emotional celebration was not just because he's a local lad, his father died in the summer and his ashes were scattered by the dug out. You'll notice Grant ran over and kissed the ground...
Drabik

What about the fact he lost his dad in the summer?