Hated at Bury, Chris Maguire is considered royalty at Sunderland

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Sunderland continued their great run of form with a comfortable 3-0 win over Southend United in League One yesterday. George Honeyman got the ball rolling and Aiden McGeady finished things off, but sandwiched in between was a strike for Chris Maguire.

It was the 29-year-old’s fifth goal in 18 games for Sunderland and he has been in fine form for the club this season. Sunderland fans have joked he should be on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, such is his form, and he has been handed the nickname ‘King’ by the Black Cats’ faithful.

Such form is helping Sunderland to a promotion push this season but has come as a massive shock to fans of his former team.

Sunderland brought Maguire in on a free from Bury in the summer following the Shaker’s relegation from League One. They finished dead last in League One last term and were relegated to League Two.

It was a poor season and Maguire’s exit was not mourned by Bury fans. When he was snapped up by Sunderland, some Bury fans were wishing to drive the Scotland international to Wearside to complete the deal.

However, Maguire has an entirely different rapport with the Sunderland fans, who appear to have fallen in love with the winger.

He is considered in familiar regard at Oxford United, the club he played before landing at Bury, and Sunderland’s decision to gamble on that has paid off dividends.