The Cult Hero in football is a romantic and sentimental side to the beautiful game that will never fade away. Weather it be for a silly haircut, on pitch demeanor or simply a memorable goal. Cult heroes can take many forms. This isn't about the best, though greatness can certainly earn you the status, it's simply who makes you smile, who gives you fond memories or even a stand out incident that will live forever in your mind. Ned Doig 1890â1904 please log in to view this image Ok, nobody can remember him for obvious reasons lets face it. But that doesn't mean He wasn't an interesting character. Ned Doig , the man between the sticks in the Team of All Talents, was famous not only for his skill at keeping the ball out of the net but for his bald head, hidden by a never removed cap; that is, unless the wind removed it for him. So important was the cap to Doig, he famously ran after it if it was blown from his head, its capture taking precedence over preventing the opposition from scoring. Even allowing for this eccentricity, he was by all accounts a fine stopper with 417 appearances to back it up. Jimmy Montgomery 1960â1977 please log in to view this image [video=youtube;PZmFoo4payA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PZmFoo4payA[/video] What can I say? The man is a God. The double save in the 73 cup final was the pinnacle of his career that spanned 20 years, 17 of which (537 apps) at his hometown club of Sunderland where he made his senior debut at just 18 years of age. He was a fantastic keeper who was robbed of a senior international career but who cares? It just makes it more special as he was all ours. He also coached at the club and can be often be seen hosting the stadium tours. I met him while he was shopping in Darlington with his wife. What a nice bloke and the fact that so many fans have met and spoke at length is a testament to what a thoroughly good man he is and what a fantastic ambassador to our wonderful football club. Lional Perez 1996â1998 please log in to view this image [video=youtube;zCkAMu_PpN4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCkAMu_PpN4[/video] Ok, he was a ****e Keeper in most aspects but boy was he a phenomenal shot stopper. The Eccentric keeper was as mad as a hatter and didn't the Fulwell end just love him? Breaking from the team applause to sing his name as he approached the goal mouth every home game. We didn't even seem to mind him signing for the Mags as we knew they'd signed a **** Keeper. His positioning for Cantona's goal at Old Trafford still gives me nightmares. But he's one of those player who makes you smile as he's just so lovable. Lionel racked up 75 Sunderland appearances. Thomas Sørensen 1998â2003 please log in to view this image [video=youtube;qlcJKCzWSCQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlcJKCzWSCQ[/video] When you become the greatest keeper since Monty you know you're going to achieve cult status at Sunderland. Tommy had an exceptionally safe pair of hands in an era that provided a shining light in amongst decades of darkness. He also smashed the sunderland clean sheet record in a season with 29, guiding us to the League Championship title in 1999. While most in this country remember him for his stinker of a game against England for Denmark, we'll always remember him for the penalty kick he saved from Shearer in the dying moments of the derby game, to preserve a valuable win over the stinky Barcodes. Tommy took to the sticks 171 times for Black Cats Mart Poom 2003â2006 please log in to view this image [video=youtube;sQpS2kf0ZwU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQpS2kf0ZwU[/video] I wish we had him for his whole career but unfortunately he only amassed 58 appearances in what was an impressive career of consistent goalkeeping. Though he was only a stop gap keeper in dark times he easily achieved cult status thanks to headed goal that any corner attacking outfield player could only dream of. POOOOOOOOOOOOM! Apologies to anyone I've missed. but by all means chip in with your memories. Shout outs to Johnny Mapson 1936â1954 Barry Siddall 1976â1982 Chris Turner 1978â1985 Tony Norman 1988-1995 Shea Given 1996 The Mig 2010â2013
Imo, cult heros have to be a little bit ****. My cult hero goalies are: Lionel, because he was a mad bastard Jugen Macho, because he had one stormer of a game. Poom, because pooooooooooooooominator. Shout outs to tony cotton, shay given, marton fulop, darren ward, thomas mhyre and others
My sentiments exactly. No one could hold a candle to Monty, years of loyal service and gave his all in every game.
Monty, for obvious reasons, Tommy a class act, shame he could replicate his form when he left us, could and should have been a world beater, Chris Turner in that order.
chris turner, if he had been a little taller he'd have the worlds best and by saying this i dont mean any disrespect to all the other keepers weve had over the years.
In my time of watching Sunderland it has to be Sorensen. It's a pity that Gordon was blighted by injury.
I loved Perez for his quirkyness, but also Sorensen for denying Shearer. But I will also have to throw into the mix Mr Johnny Mapson keeper for our 1936-37 F.A cup winning team. Also my cousins grand-father. I met the Mr Mapson twice and what a man.
What about Jimmy Thorpe? He died for the cause. Also his death changed the rules that have probably saved the lives of other keepers. A true Sunderland hero. RIP
The season we won the league 35/36 he played 28 games before losing his life. We won 75% of them!! The season before 13 clean sheets at a time when 7-1 and 6-4 where par for the course. A Durham lad as well.
