Happy 70th birthday to Cec Irwin. Long time full back for the Lads. And scorer of one of the flukiest goals ever scored at Roker , or one of the greatest if he meant it.
I remember watching Cec in the pre game kick around at Roker Park; he was messing around out on the right wing and kicked the ball with his left foot behind his right leg intending to knock the ball into Monty but it sailed over Monty's head into the net to the amusement of all and a deafening roar from the crowd. Happy memories, I stiil see him quite a lot around my local area in Northumberland and I am tempted to ask him if he remembers the incident.
Great player Cec, got up and down that wing but never looked like a footballer too me, I often wonder how many of those in that early sixties team would cope today, it was certainly a different game then, a lot of hard men who neither asked for or expected any quarter given, todays fall over merchants wouldnt have a clue. Happy birthday Cec. If hes 70 then I must be getting old too, horrible thought.
I was at Roker when he made his debut at right back .... Mind you I must have been in short pants ... LOL... He replaced Colin Nelson, a local lad (from East Boldon I believe) .... Left back was Lenny the Lion - Ashurst
Cec Irwin was the finest exponent of the slide tackle that the world has ever seen, he could slide in from 6 yards and take the ball cleanly, no problem, mind you , if he missed, then we were in the **** because Cec was flat on his back and about 10 yards from the ball. Another Sunderland player who was an expert at it was a half-back called Martin Harvey, he could slide tackle someone then come away from the tackle with the ball behind his knee, - incredible to watch. Todays prima-donna's would be falling all over just at the thought of it.
Back in those days the first three numbers on the team sheet picked themselves , 1 Monty , 2 Big Cec , 3 Lenny the Lion. Slot in big Charlie at 5 and Alan Brown only had to pick 7 players. Easy job
That's right. It would be 1958. Somewhere in the attic I have the match programmes for that season! It was the start of Alan Brown's youth policy. An enforced policy as, despite big crowds, there was little money in thetransfer pot. ( Max wage, by the way, was not abolished until 1961 or so).. Cec was quite hard and I recall him looking after Billy Bremner once or twice in the mid 60s ...
Nice one, I didnt know that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,HAPPY BIRTHDAY CEC, and thanks for the autograph, on the disgarded Woodbine packet, you always were a gent. And always had time for the youngans who waited till you left roker park, to get your and others signatures, and you never left until the last one was signed. top man.
You`ve got to be kidding me? Do you know where? will knock on his door and take him for his dinner with the greatest of pleasure.
He had a Newsagents in Ashington until he retired, he now lives in the Knoll and plays golf at Newbiggin.
