From the league champions at the start of the 20th Century to the ‘Bank of England team’ of the 1950s and on the FA Cup winners of 1973, Sunderland have always boasted plenty of star players.
But who did you decide deserves a place in the Black Cats’ greatest line-up? We selected a shortlist of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards – and asked fans to pick a team in a 4-3-3 formation.
Voting closed on Thursday, July 13 and the winning team is published in The Northern Echo on Saturday, July 15, 2017.
Johnny Mapson
1935-1953
Appearances: 382
Signed at the age of 18 after Sunderland’s previous goalkeeper, Jimmy Thorpe, suddenly died, Mapson did not take long to establish himself as one of the club’s all-time greats. He helped the Wearsiders claim the First Division title in his first season at Roker Park, and claimed an FA Cup winners’ medal a year later as Sunderland beat Preston in the 1937 final. In total, he spent 18 years with the club.
Jimmy Montgomery
1961-1977
Appearances: 623
Whether judged in terms of longevity, success or talent, Montogmery deserves his place on any list of Sunderland legends. His tally of 623 appearances remains an all-time record, indeed it puts him more than 170 games clear of his closest rival. His greatest moment came in the 1973 FA Cup final, with his remarkable double save from Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer providing one of the all-time great Wembley moments.
Tony Norman
1988-1995
Appearances: 227
Signed for a then club record of around £500,000 in December 1988, Norman spent the best part of a decade in Sunderland’s first team. Remembered as an assured, reliable presence between the sticks, his performances against West Ham and Chelsea did much to take Sunderland to the 1992 FA Cup final. He left to join Huddersfield in 1995, before taking up a role with Durham Constabulary when he eventually retired from the game.
Jordan Pickford
2016-17
Appearances: 35
He didn’t even spend a full season in Sunderland’s first team, but in time, local boy Pickford might be remembered as a true goalkeeping great. He made his debut in an FA Cup defeat at Arsenal in January 2016, and shone for the majority of last season despite the Black Cats’ relegation at the foot of the table. He left to join Everton last month, with his £30m price tag making him the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.
Chris Turner
1979-1985
Appearances: 223
Having initially battled against Barry Siddall following his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday, Turner’s shot-stopping skills quickly made him a fans’ favourite. He helped Sunderland win promotion in his first season on Wearside, and kept a record-equalling six clean sheets in the 1982-83 season. His memorable penalty save against Tottenham was a key factor in Sunderland’s run to the 1985 Milk Cup final.
Len Ashurst
1958-1970
Appearances: 458
Goals: 4
Signed after Liverpool opted not to offer him a professional contract, Ashurst spent more than a decade with Sunderland and set a record for outfield appearances which still stands. A formidable left-back with a thunderous tackle and seemingly limitless energy, Ashurst was an ever-present as Sunderland won promotion in 1964. He was awarded a testimonial in 1971.
Gary Bennett
1984-1995
Appearances: 444
Goals: 26
A fans’ favourite throughout much of the 1980s and 90s, Bennett signed from Cardiff for £65,000. He scored past Peter Shilton within two minutes of his Sunderland debut, and appeared in the Milk Cup final in his first season at Roker Park. He was named Sunderland’s Player of the Year on two occasions, captained the Division Three winning side in 1988 and also played in the 1992 FA Cup final. A consistently whole-hearted performer, he was famed for his barnstorming runs out of defence.
Michael Gray
1992-2004
Appearances: 363
Goals: 16
A born and bred Wearsider, Gray spent more than a decade on Sunderland’s books and was respected as a talented, energetic and skilful left-back. He scored a stunning long-range goal on his first full appearance, and was a perfect example of the modern full-back, equally at home in attack or defence. He overcame the disappointment of missing the decisive penalty in the play-off final defeat to Charlton to force his way into the full England team.
Charlie Hurley
1957-1969
Appearances: 401
Goals: 26
Lovingly known as ‘the King’, Hurley is many Sunderland supporters’ idea of the club’s best-ever player. He was elected the club’s ‘Player of the Century’, even though his first season on Wearside ended in relegation. Tall, aggressive and commanding, he was a fearsome centre-half, although he was also respected for his sense of fair play. He skippered the 1964 promotion-winning team and eventually left after 12 seasons on the Wearsiders’ books.
Cecil Irwin
1958-1972
Appearances: 352
Goals: 1
A native of Northumberland, Irwin watched Sunderland from the Roker End before signing for the club in the late 1950s. A polished right-back, he formed a formidable full-back pairing with Len Ashurst for the majority of his Sunderland career. He missed just three games of the promotion-winning season in 1963-64, and is remembered as a tough tackler who was admired for his positional sense.
Dick Malone
1970-1977
Appearances: 276
Goals: 2
An energetic, attacking full-back, Malone was dubbed ‘Superdick’ by the Sunderland fans, in response to Newcastle’s adulation of ‘Supermac’. His Sunderland career blossomed under Bob Stokoe, and he played in every round of the club’s FA Cup winning success in 1972-73. His greatest moment came at Wembley, as he successfully marked Eddie Gray out of the game, forcing the Leeds star’s substitution.
John O’Shea
2011-
Appearances: 216
Goals: 3
O’Shea had already won a host of medals with Manchester United prior to his move to the Stadium of Light, but he has spent the last six seasons carving out a new career with Sunderland. A passionate captain, adept at marshalling the heart of central defence, he helped keep the Black Cats afloat during some difficult seasons prior to their relegation last term. He could have moved on this summer, but recently signed a new one-year deal on Wearside.
Colin Todd
1966-1971
Appearances: 191
Goals: 3
He might have been an uncompromising centre-half, but Todd was as well known for his skill, speed and pinpoint long-range passing during his five seasons on Sunderland’s books. Born in Chester-le-Street, he forced his way into Sunderland’s first team as a teenager, and made almost 200 appearances in the Second Division. His talent did not go unrecognised though, and he moved on to Derby, where he won the First Division title.
Barry Venison
1981-1986
Appearances: 205
Goals: 3
Born in Consett, Venison made his league debut at 17 and racked up more than 200 senior appearances prior to making a £250,000 move to Liverpool in 1986. An aggressive tackler with a fierce will to win, he spent most of his time at right-back, although he also appeared at the base of midfield. A long-time vice-captain, he stood in for the suspended Shaun Elliot as captain in the 1985 Milk Cup final.
Dave Watson
1970-1975
Appearances: 209
Goals: 33
Remembered as one of Sunderland’s best aerial defenders, Watson spent more than a quarter of his long, successful career with the Wearsiders. He spent the whole of his Sunderland career in the Second Division, but was a key performer in the 1973 FA Cup-winning campaign, with his whole-hearted defensive display helping the club pull off a Wembley shock. By the end of his footballing career, he had made a remarkable 657 league appearances.
Stan Anderson
1952-1964
Appearances: 447
Goals: 35
Standing in second position on Sunderland’s all-time appearance list for outfield players, Anderson is a rare example of a player who skippered all of the North-East’s big three clubs. He made his name on Wearside though, with his commitment, resolve and leadership qualities making him a natural captain. He was a member of the promotion-winning team in 1963-64, with the vast majority of his appearances coming at right-half.
Gordon Armstrong
1984-1996
Appearances: 414
Goals: 61
One of Sunderland’s best-ever local products, Armstrong spent more than a decade on the club’s books and is in the top-ten for all-time appearances. Twice voted Sunderland’s Player of the Year, he was the first midfielder to score more than 50 goals in the club’s colours since Bobby Kerr. An attacking midfielder with prodigious aerial ability, he is best remembered for his last-minute header against Chelsea in the 1992 FA Cup quarter-final.
Kevin Ball
1990-1999
Appearances: 376
Goals: 25
He might have started his Sunderland career as a central defender, but Ball is best known for his performances as a formidable central midfielder, patrolling the area in front of the back four. A tough-tackling captain who was committed and resolute, his physical strength made him a firm fans’ favourite throughout his career on Wearside. Skipper of the record-breaking First Division champions in 1999, he is still involved with the club behind the scenes.
Raich Carter
1932-1939
Appearances: 276
Goals: 127
Born in Hendon, Carter was an explosive inside-forward who was rightly regarded as one of the best players in the country for the majority of the 1930s. Having made his league debut as a 19-year-old, by the time he was 24 he had won a League Championship medal, an FA Cup winners’ medal and appeared for England. A superb all-round talent, he skippered Sunderland to victory in the 1937 FA Cup final and also played cricket for Durham CCC.
Jordan Henderson
2008-2011
Appearances: 79
Goals: 5
A product of Sunderland’s academy, Wearsider Henderson came through at a time when the Black Cats were struggling to produce their own players. An accomplished central midfielder capable of ticking all boxes, he made his debut in the 2008-09 season and quickly established himself in the first team. He left in a £16m move to Liverpool in 2011, and has subsequently established himself as a fixture in the England team.
Billy Hughes
1966-1977
Appearances: 332
Goals: 82
During more than a decade at Roker Park, Hughes appeared in a variety of midfield and attacking positions, with his pace, technical prowess and ability to shoot with either foot making him an extremely valuable asset. He was part of the side that was relegated to the Second Division, but was also a key member of the team that won the FA Cup in 1973, scoring four goals en route to the final. His two goals at Old Trafford in November 1974 are also fondly remembered.
Bobby Kerr
1966-1979
Appearances: 427
Goals: 67
He might have been small in stature, but Kerr is a towering figure in Sunderland’s post-war history, having skippered the sides that won the FA Cup final in 1973 and Division Two championship three years later. Dubbed the ‘little general’ by Bob Stokoe, Kerr was a ferocious competitor who ran the heart of midfield when he was on song. He played in all nine matches during the successful ’73 cup run.
Gary Owers
1987-1994
Appearances: 320
Goals: 27
A native of Birtley, Owers made his Sunderland debut under Denis Smith in the Third Division. He was an immediate success, whether in midfield or at full-back, with his whole-hearted commitment immediately endearing him to supporters. He claimed a Division Three winners’ medal in his first full season, and was a fixture in the first team for the next six years, featuring in the 1990 play-off final and 1992 FA Cup final at Wembley.
Ian Porterfield
1967-1976
Appearances: 266
Goals: 19
A Scot who moved to Sunderland from Raith Rovers, Porterfield will forever be cherished as the scorer of the first-half goal that shocked Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup final at Wembley. Never a prolific scorer, Porterfield’s volley was part of a hugely accomplished display that saw the left-footed midfielder outplay his opponents in the Leeds side. An intelligent probing midfielder, he recovered from serious injuries in a car accident to continue his Sunderland career.
Dennis Tueart
1968-1974
Appearances: 214
Goals: 56
A talented left winger, Tueart boasted an abundance of pace as well as excellent close control and a powerful shot. He was a central figure in the 1973 FA Cup success, appearing in every round of the competition and excelling in the final at Wembley. Perhaps his most famous Sunderland goal came in the club’s first ever European tie, against Vasas Budapest, and he is also remembered for a sensational scissors-kick volley against Oxford United.
Charlie Buchan
1910-1925
Appearances: 413
Goals: 224
A legendary name from the start of the century, Buchan was a hugely successful inside-forward who could also play through the middle. His record of 209 league goals for Sunderland has never been surpassed, and he could score all kinds of goals, although his speciality was the glanced header. He was top scorer in every season from the Championship winning campaign of 1912-13 to the 1923-24, and was the country’s leading scorer in 1922-23.
Brian Clough
1961-1965
Appearances: 74
Goals: 63
Signed from his hometown Middlesbrough, Clough scored five hat-tricks in his first season in Sunderland colours as he immediately endeared himself to the Roker Park faithful. He had already added another 28 league and cup goals in the first half of the following season before fate intervened to wreck his playing career. Chasing a loose ball into the box against Bury, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that effectively signalled the end of his playing days.
Jermain Defoe
2015-2017
Appearances: 93
Goals: 37
He might have been coming towards the end of his illustrious career when he joined Sunderland from Toronto FC, but Defoe still established himself as one of the club’s modern greats in his two-and-a-half years at the Stadium of Light. An old-fashioned poacher, who came alive in the box, he will best be remembered for a sensational volleyed winner in a Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle. He left to join Bournemouth last month.
Marco Gabbiadini
1987-1992
Appearances: 185
Goals: 87
An effective marksman who combined slick acceleration with accomplished finishing skills, Gabbiadini joined Sunderland in an £80,000 move from York. He scored 21 league goals as Sunderland won the Third Division title in his first season at Roker Park, and continued to find the net on a regular basis as the Wearsiders enjoyed mixed fortunes in the second tier. He left in a £1.8m move to Crystal Palace, a week after hitting a six-minute hat-trick against Charlton.
Eric Gates
1985-1990
Appearances: 218
Goals: 54
Gates was a proven performer thanks to his time at Ipswich when Lawrie McMenemy made him his star signing in the summer of 1985. It proved £150,000 well spent as Gates struck up a successful partnership with Marco Gabbiadini over the next five seasons. A penalty-box predator, who came alive in front of goal, he scored 19 goals in the 1987-88 Third Division championship campaign, and claimed his final Sunderland goal in the 1990 play-off semi-final win at Newcastle.
Bobby Gurney
1925-1939
Appearances: 388
Goals: 228
Born in Silksworth, Gurney’s involvement with Sunderland spanned some 22 years if the war period is included. An inside forward who evolved into a centre-forward playing down the middle, Gurney was a resourceful forward who boasted more than a goal every other game throughout his career. Top scorer for seven successive seasons, his 228 goals make him Sunderland’s record scorer, and include ten hat-tricks and two fours.
Kevin Phillips
1997-2003
Appearances: 239
Goals: 134
A natural goalscorer who combined speed and finesse with an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, Phillips was a revelation after completing a £325,000 move from Watford in 1997. He scored 35 goals in his first season in a Sunderland shirt, helping the club reach the play-offs, and bagged 23 goals from 26 league games as the following season brought promotion. His 30-goal tally in the 1999-2000 season saw him win the European Golden Boot.
Niall Quinn
1996-2002
Appearances: 222
Goals: 71
Aerially dominant, but deceptively effective on the ground, Quinn formed the ‘large’ part of the ‘little and large’ partnership with Kevin Phillips that took Sunderland into the top half of the Premier League under Peter Reid. Having cost a then club record fee of £1.3m, Quinn was a superb target man and claimed 21 goals as the Black Cats won promotion in 1999. Famed for his ‘disco pants’, he also filled the role of manager and chairman during his Sunderland career.
Gary Rowell
1975-1984
Appearances: 293
Goals: 102
Born in Seaham, Rowell made his Sunderland debut in the 1975-76 season and immediately helped his hometown team win the Second Division title. A clinical finisher with energy to burn, he is best remembered for his hat-trick at St James’ Park as Sunderland claimed a 4-1 win over Newcastle in the 1978-79 season. He helped Sunderland win another promotion in 1979-80, and claimed another memorable treble against Arsenal at Roker in 1982.
Len Shackleton
1947-1958
Appearances: 348
Goals: 101
Throughout all their history, Sunderland have not had many players with the wizardry and trickery of ‘Shack’. He was the first footballer to cost more than £20,000 when he moved to Wearside in 1947, and spent ten seasons at Roker Park, playing mainly at inside-left. He was a hugely talented forward – a maverick both on and off the pitch – and helped Sunderland finish in third and fourth position in the First Division.