THERE was an immediate sense of a homecoming and familiarity when Grant Leadbitter strolled up Blandford Street in the centre of Sunderland on Thursday. Sporting a grin as wide as Wear as he chatted with local people and retailers, the experienced midfielder was clearly delighted to be back, wearing the club crest on his tracksuit he always dreamed of when he was a child.

Leadbitter, fresh from leaving Middlesbrough behind despite thoroughly enjoying his six-and-a-half years there, has never forgotten his roots; Fencehouses-born, a boyhood fan from a Sunderland supporting family and a graduate of the youth system at the Academy of Light.

Little wonder then that the 33-year-old is glad to be back, and he was delighted to tell anyone willing to listen as he embarked on his first community event since signing a two-and-a-half year deal earlier this week.

Speaking with a scene of devastation behind him, supporting Shop Sunderland following the huge fire at the Peacocks store, Blandford Street, he was keen to help and inform other shoppers that other retailers on that stretch are operating as usual.

Leadbitter, who recalled often walking down there during his younger days after a few nights out, said: “It has been a few years since I have been back in the town, the city, so it feels weird.

“It feels home from home, from the day I went into the academy this week, I was speaking to Lee Cattermole about it, it was funny, and I couldn’t believe how I settled in straight away. The banter has been flying.”

Much has changed since Leadbitter left the club in 2009, having been an important part of the charge to the Premier League under Roy Keane two years earlier.

He said: “I am happy to be back. It is a great challenge for me. I didn’t want any regrets, any missed opportunities, and these don’t come around too often.

“I am at an age now where it isn’t just about emotional ties, or whatever, it is about achieving something as well. This club is in a good place at the moment and I want to be a part of that.

“I left this club ten years ago, a lot has gone under the bridge since then. I can only judge from Tuesday, it doesn’t feel like a club that has endured back to back relegations.

“That is testament to the manager and coaching staff here, they have a young bunch of lads all hungry to succeed. It’s credit to this squad they have got themselves in a good position and now we want to finish it off and I am a part of that.

“I want things to be taken from today though, judged on now and not ten years ago. It is about my time at this club from now on. I want to help my teammates to succeed.

“You only get there by taking things slowly. I have been promoted before and you have to keep working hard every day to get results. I have watched teams and it helps on a Saturday when everyone is focused on the job ahead.”

Leadbitter, who goes straight into contention for today’s visit of AFC Wimbledon, could now find himself lining up alongside Lee Cattermole in the centre of Sunderland’s midfield. There is an unsubstantiated theory that the pair haven’t got on since going head-to-head when they clashed during a Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside in 2007-08.

“Me and Catts get on like a house on fire, trust me,” said Leadbitter. “That incident when we clashed, I think that side of football has gone a bit these days. that was just two young kids wanting to win a football game. Catts would say the same, two young lads wanting to win a derby.

“We have both been chatting this week. You get judged on your performances and that’s what I want to do here now. Am I a leader? I have always tried to instil what I have learned on the players younger than me, it’s up to them whether they want to listen. People like Catts are already here and he is held in high regard too.”

Leadbitter had struggled to play under Tony Pulis at Boro this season so the time felt right to move on, having also been targeted by the Black Cats last summer soon after Stewart Donald had taken control of the club.

“I was overwhelmed by the response I have had since I left Middlesbrough,” said Leadbitter.

“From the fans, the media, people in Middlesbrough, everyone has been great.

“I have heard people calling me positively, different things, and now that’s gone. I would have fought for my place and stayed, I would have continued to do that. But when this opportunity came about I didn’t want to give it up.

“Massive thanks to Neil Bausor and Steve Gibson for making it happen.”