NYRON Nosworthy intends to reward Sunderland's loyal supporters with a quick return to the Premiership after hailing the club's fanatical following for being 'in a league of their own'.

Nosworthy, like many of his Sunderland colleagues last term, found the Premier League a tough nut to crack.

But the defender insisted the players will have learned from the experience and will bounce back.

"We've learned that there is a fine line between success and failure in the Premiership," said the 25-year-old full back, who made 30 Premier League appearances last term.

"You can't make too many errors otherwise you get punished, whereas in the Championship you can afford to make the odd mistake and get away with it."

Despite his first season being tinged with the disappointment of being relegated back to football's second tier, Nosworthy believes his move to Wearside has been the highlight of his career.

The former Gillingham stopper says he had heard some special things about the club's fanatical following but revealed nothing had prepared him for what he was about to witness.

"Sunderland is a massive club and the appreciation the fans give you when you play makes you realise just what a big club it is and what it means to them," admitted Nosworthy.

"That spurs you on to that little bit extra if you can. I had heard about the fans being passionate about the club but I think they're in a league of their own.

"I remember when Sunderland beat Gillingham (4-1) in my last season in the Championship. Their travelling fans made plenty of noise.

"It's been a bad season yet they still were out in their thousands supporting us just trying to spur the players on and help the team to do the correct things.

"The only way we can pay them back is to give 100 per cent and try to make a quick return to the Premiership.

"We're determined next season to put things right and give them that feeling of winning games and being happy."

Niall Quinn's takeover bid may have been whetting supporters' appetites on Wearside for the last three months, although it does seem to be dragging on.

However, Nosworthy admitted it was something the players hadn't really concerned themselves with despite it having a direct bearing on their immediate futures.

He added: "We don't talk about stuff off the pitch. If it happens then it happens.

"If he comes in we will have to concentrate on fighting for our places so we can stay here."

Nosworthy is enjoying his end-of-season break. "Most players have a family where they can chill out and that's what I am doing," he said.