Sunderland pay tribute to membership legend Gary Rowell after he passes away aged 68 following battle with leukemia
Sunderland have paid tribute to club legend Gary Rowell following his death at the age of 68.
Rowell passed away on Saturday after a battle with leukemia, having played 297 games for Sunderland between 1974 and 1984, scoring 103 goals. He also spent time with the likes of Norwich, Burnley, and Brighton.
The Black Cats said in a statement on Saturday: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Rowell. A Sunderland icon and legendary goalscorer.
‘Tomorrow, Wearside will come together and pay tribute to him ahead of a fixture he made his own. Rest in peace, Gary.’
In 2005, Rowell was voted the club’s all-time cult hero by fans on Football Focus.
His best moment in a Black Cats shirt came in 1979, when he scored a hat-trick in an away win against rivals Newcastle – the last player to achieve the feat in a Sunderland shirt.
Sunderland have paid tribute to club legend Gary Rowell after his death following a battle with leukemia
Rowell was the last Sunderland player to score a hat-trick against Newcastle and the two teams will remember him before their game on Sunday
Rowell was never capped by England’s senior team, but did play once for his country’s Under-21 side. He passed away alongside his two sons, Christopher and Peter, having battled leukemia.
Former team-mate Shaun Elliott said in a tribute, via The Sun: ‘I remember jumping on him when he completed his hat-trick against Newcastle. It made him a legend.
‘We played together in the youth team. We got on well, and I sometimes used to stay with him. Gary was just the nicest person ever.
‘We got in the first team together and went away with England Under-21s. He was a great finisher, and he never wanted to leave Sunderland.’
Peter Stronach, another ex-teammate, added: ‘My first recollection of Gary was in Under-15s schools’ football when we played against each other.
‘We then signed as apprentices for Sunderland at the same time and became good friends, as we played in the youth team together.
‘He was a lovely warm person. He always had a lovely smile and dazzling eyes. He was a beautiful person.’
