Rest in Peace. A true Sunderland legend
Gary Rowell has died
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Absolutely gutted, well before my time but my mam has made sure I knew all about him growing up. Her favourite player of that time and maybe all time. Met him once at the SoL when he commentated and he seemed like a genuinely lovely bloke! RIP Gary!
Awful awful news. I’m absolutely gutted tonight. As a man once said “there are no gods and precious few hero’s” But this man was a true hero That 1979 away game man.
Sad, sad news. Rest in peace a genuine Sunderland legend.
Leukemia is a bastard RIP Gary Gary Rowell another hero lost.
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I got this signed photo during Martin O Neill's reign when I was recovering from my cancer
RIP Gary Rowell....local lad Sunderland legend
Sunderland AFC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Club legend, Gary Rowell.
Born on 6 July 1957, Gary represented the Club from 1972 to 1984, scoring an incredible 103 goals in 297 games.
On Sunday, Wearside will come together to celebrate his immense contribution to our Club and remember his unforgettable time in red and white.
A close friend of the iconic striker, Club Historian Rob Mason, has paid tribute to Rowell, whose Wearside legacy will forever endure.
We are truly devastated to announce the death of the legendary Gary Rowell, who has passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with leukaemia.
Gary passed away on Saturday afternoon – 50 years to the very day he made his Sunderland debut – surrounded by his sons Chris and Peter, who accompanied him when he was inducted into the SAFC Hall of Fame in 2020.
A moment and honour richly deserved; Rowell described this as ‘the best night of my life’.
Alongside Kevin Phillips and Len Shackleton, he is one of only three players to have scored a century of goals for Sunderland since World War Two.
Gary achieved this without often playing as an out-and-out forward. He was a midfield player with the knack of arriving late in the box and snaffling up half-chances.
He was also a brilliant penalty taker, converting 25 of the 26 spot kicks he took for the Lads.
Gary’s hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in 1979 – when he set up the other goal for Wayne Entwistle – earned him iconic status.
To this day, fans still chant, ‘we all live in a Gary Rowell world’ at the Stadium of Light and beyond.
Rowell is the last Sunderland player to hit a derby hat-trick. He also scored a hat-trick in a thrilling win over Arsenal at Roker Park.
“I remember jumping on him when he completed his hat-trick against Newcastle. It made him a legend,” says former team-mate Shaun Elliott.
“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.”
Former team-mate Peter Stronach 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.”
After over a decade with Sunderland, Gary also played for Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Brighton & Hove Albion, Dundee, Carlisle United, and Burnley, but he always remained red and white to the core.
As a youth team player during the FA Cup run, he once rang in sick so he could travel as a supporter to see the team in a cup-tie.
He idolised the 1973 team in the way fans of his own generation came to idolise him.
Later, he became a hugely popular radio summariser of Sunderland games alongside Simon Crabtree, who said, “Gary lived his dream playing for the city and team he adored.
“He was the greatest commentary partner anyone could ever wish for and the best big brother I never had.
“We had so much fun, so many laughs. Long live the legend.”
Born on 6 July 1957, Gary represented the Club from 1972 to 1984, scoring an incredible 103 goals in 297 games.
On Sunday, Wearside will come together to celebrate his immense contribution to our Club and remember his unforgettable time in red and white.
A close friend of the iconic striker, Club Historian Rob Mason, has paid tribute to Rowell, whose Wearside legacy will forever endure.
We are truly devastated to announce the death of the legendary Gary Rowell, who has passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with leukaemia.
Gary passed away on Saturday afternoon – 50 years to the very day he made his Sunderland debut – surrounded by his sons Chris and Peter, who accompanied him when he was inducted into the SAFC Hall of Fame in 2020.
A moment and honour richly deserved; Rowell described this as ‘the best night of my life’.
Alongside Kevin Phillips and Len Shackleton, he is one of only three players to have scored a century of goals for Sunderland since World War Two.
Gary achieved this without often playing as an out-and-out forward. He was a midfield player with the knack of arriving late in the box and snaffling up half-chances.
He was also a brilliant penalty taker, converting 25 of the 26 spot kicks he took for the Lads.
Gary’s hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in 1979 – when he set up the other goal for Wayne Entwistle – earned him iconic status.
To this day, fans still chant, ‘we all live in a Gary Rowell world’ at the Stadium of Light and beyond.
Rowell is the last Sunderland player to hit a derby hat-trick. He also scored a hat-trick in a thrilling win over Arsenal at Roker Park.
“I remember jumping on him when he completed his hat-trick against Newcastle. It made him a legend,” says former team-mate Shaun Elliott.
“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.”
Former team-mate Peter Stronach 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.”
After over a decade with Sunderland, Gary also played for Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Brighton & Hove Albion, Dundee, Carlisle United, and Burnley, but he always remained red and white to the core.
As a youth team player during the FA Cup run, he once rang in sick so he could travel as a supporter to see the team in a cup-tie.
He idolised the 1973 team in the way fans of his own generation came to idolise him.
Later, he became a hugely popular radio summariser of Sunderland games alongside Simon Crabtree, who said, “Gary lived his dream playing for the city and team he adored.
“He was the greatest commentary partner anyone could ever wish for and the best big brother I never had.
“We had so much fun, so many laughs. Long live the legend.”
God bless you Lord Rowell, thanks for the memories, RIP
Such sad news and just before the game tomorrow.
When you think about what he achieved…
He played for his home town club.
Scored a hat trick at SJP.
Is one of only 3 players since World War 2, to score a 100+ goals for Sunderland. Along with Ken Shackleton and Kevin Phillips
he certainly left his mark!
RIP Gary
When you think about what he achieved…
He played for his home town club.
Scored a hat trick at SJP.
Is one of only 3 players since World War 2, to score a 100+ goals for Sunderland. Along with Ken Shackleton and Kevin Phillips
he certainly left his mark!
RIP Gary
A legend in every sense of the word. He lived the dream and did what we all dreamed of. SAFC will be top class tomorrow.
Doesn’t seem that long ago when I was enjoying a few beers with him & his son at The Roker Hotel after a match.
Classy bloke.
I’m feeling very sad.
Bart
Classy bloke.
I’m feeling very sad.
Bart
Terribly sad news. Makes tomorrow even more meaningful and to ensure we win it for him! Met him at the Roker Legends event after our final home game against Everton at Roker Park back in 1997
Number 1 is Gary Rowell.
Met him a load of times when he was on Comms for Real Radio, always had time for a chat after the match. The word Legend gets banded around alot.... true in this case. RIP
Met him a load of times when he was on Comms for Real Radio, always had time for a chat after the match. The word Legend gets banded around alot.... true in this case. RIP
a brilliant striker and that famous 4-1 at their ground fantastic not many SAFC players have scored derby hat-tricks very sad news though, too young at 68 should be a minutes silence tomorrow (if possible)
One of my strongest memories as a kid was being on a school exchange in France in 1979. My parents didn't have a phone. Even if they had had, an international phone call would have been way too expensive to consider. I was desperate to find out the derby result.
In the middle of Paris with the French family i was billeted with I saw a newsagent with British papers. I rushed there, looked at the sports section and saw the great 4-1 result!
Thanks Gary!
In the middle of Paris with the French family i was billeted with I saw a newsagent with British papers. I rushed there, looked at the sports section and saw the great 4-1 result!
Thanks Gary!