http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2012/august/cult-heroes-nyron-nosworthy Cult Heroes: Nyron Nosworthy Nuggsy's in our Cult Heroes spotlight. Footballers are remembered for many different things by many different people. Some are loved by all. Some split opinion. Others rarely leave their mark. But rapping, dancing, straw hats, supernatural tumbles, Amy Winehouse, lethal back-passes, Cruyff turns in his own box, mixed with assured defensive displays, mean this Cult Hero will always raise a smile whenever his name is mentioned among the Sunderland faithful. Born in Brixton, South London, Nyron âNuggsyâ Nosworthy began his career as a trainee at Gillingham, where he would become famous for running to training as a âwarm-upâ despite living a considerable distance away. He would mark his Gills debut in 1998 by being a âsubsituted substituteâ but soon established himself as a regular starter in the first eleven, earning praise for his solid performances. Making the majority of his 412 Gillingham appearances in his more natural role as a defender, Nosworthy would often be called upon as an emergency striker, scoring twice in one game against Crystal Palace. In 2005, after seven seasons at the Kent-based club, Nyron would make a surprising move to Sunderland on a free transfer as back-up to first-choice right-back Stephen Wright. His introduction to Premier League football would come sooner than expected, coming on as a substitute for the injured Wright in the opening game of the season. Nyron would take full advantage of the opportunity, impressing during a difficult season which would see Sunderland finish bottom of the top flight with 15 points. The following season heralded a new dawn for the Black Cats as much as it did for Nosworthy. Under new manager Roy Keane, he would flourish at centre-half alongside on-loan Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans in the second half of the campaign. Nosworthy would later say the move from right-back helped improve his concentration and organisational skills, a comment that was echoed by Keane. During the season he would establish himself as a firm fan favourite, with chants of âThey try to take the ball past Nyron, but he says no, no, noâ to the tune of Amy Whinehouseâs âRehabâ reverberating around the Stadium of Light, and would hold off competition from Dean Whitehead to win the clubâs 2006-07 Player of the Year gong. His most abiding image came against Luton at the end of the season where an iconic video of a topless Nyron wearing a straw hat while signing into a camera and celebrating Sunderlandâs promotion with red and white fans would become a YouTube hit, receiving over 70,000 views. But he also showed a serious side. With community being an important part of Nosworthyâs life, he was chosen to act as Sunderlandâs Kick It Out anti-racism ambassador during this period, as well as representing the club as part of the Football Associationâs âGet on with the Gameâ initiative. In the 2007-08 season, Nosworthy carried his impressive Championship performances into the Premier League, and continued to do so when Ricky Sbragia replaced Roy Keane as manager the following year. But Sbragiaâs resignation at the end of the 2008-09 season signalled a downturn in fortunes for Nosworthyâs Sunderland career as he barely featured under new manager Steve Bruce. A memorable moment from that era came against Portsmouth in December 2009 when, with no-one around him, he inexplicably fell to the ground and performed a few commando rolls before getting to his feet as if nothing had happened. After the game, Nosworthy would lay the blame at the feet of the âthe Black Cat ghostâ before adding: âI lost my footing, and thought Iâm going down anyway, I might as well go down gracefully, roll around and then get up and have a laugh. âIt was probably my mad five minutes.â He was eventually allowed to leave on loan to Sheffield United in February 2010, and remained at Bramall Lane until the end of the season. That summer, he moved back to the Blades on a temporary basis, making 32 appearances as United were relegated to League One in 2011. After again struggling to force his way into Bruceâs plans, Nosworthy moved to Watford until January 2012, making the move permanent after his loan expired. All in all, the laid-back, charismatic defender made over 120 appearances for the Black Cats, giving everything he had during seven fun-filled years on Wearside. Present-day football is short of cult heroes, but try to take that status away from Nyron and weâll say âno, no, no.â TRY TO GET THE BALL PAST NYRON BUT HE SAY A NOOOO NOOOO NOOO
Ah nosser. Used to have me in stitches when he ran out of defence with the ball. At least he had the bollocks to bring the ball out of defence, even if he wasn't very good at it.
Dunno, i would edit just in case, you would get an instant ban on smb, but there mods are so full of there own self importance its ridiculous
I still recall one of his backpasses from the half way line,against sheffield wednesday I think, he just say gave away a corner instead of a throw in.
Legend for his attitude, not ability. Besides, he was more a legend in the championship than premier league. Shame he didnt have 15% more ability, and he would have been awesome. We havent had a CB with his pace since he left and we need one.
Agree with this 100%. What did he actually do to warrant 'hero' status'. He was part of the team that embarrassed Sunderland football club with that pathetic points tally. Hero my arse!
When he first joined Sunderland I saw him in the B&Q in Millfield, he was covered in dust and doing home improvement. The following Tuesday I believe we were at home against Man City and Nozza came onto the pitch with a massive bandage on his thumb...........you can only imagine.
At least someone has some common sense. He was every bit a £50k 3rd division/3rd rate footballer. Canny lad and all that but utter garbage and the fact he is heralded as a hero is one of the main contributory factors as to why we have been absolutely ****ing ****e for 40 years. Sadly, our problem is that there are not enough real quality players in the last 5 decades to really celebrate for us, so we turn to ****e ones and give them a status they never deserved or earned.
He was a character, not a great footballer but you could not fault his effort he always gave 100% and I don't think anyone should lose sight of that. I think if a lot of the players in that dreadful 15 point season had give 100% of their ability like Nos then we would have had a lot more credibility - so before you criticise him so freely consider that.
SAFC 83 was the first to actually focus on him being a ****e footballer is what I meant, rather than a legendary player.
