Gary Rowell has died

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Robertson said:
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.”
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Fantastic that, well done the club
 
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Was out yesterday so missed this awful news. I had no idea he was unwell.
Gary Rowell is the first football player I knew, my first hero but someone I never saw play in the flesh - he was sold the summer before we moved down to England and I got to see my first game. Had the pleasure of meeting him before a match back in 2003 when he was hosting a bunch of us in one of the hospitality suites - you could not wish to meet a nicer guy than Gary.

RIP Legend
 
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Northumberland Rocks said:
Fantastic that, well done the club
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I didnt know him personally but he was of my generation and lived the charmed life we all wanted as kids playing for there greatest team in the land. Today the stadium of light will be a little dimmer for his passing but im sure he will have a warm welcome in the heaven branch and will be looking down today sitting with Raich and Len and the rest of the safc family hoping for a win.

Gary will always be a is a SAFC icon and unlike most of us will always be remembered by generations of safc fans to come and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.
 
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I was fortunate to have been around when he broke into the 1st team and was also there when he scored his hat trick up the road. Loved the lad to bits and was gutted when he sustained his injury, was never the same after that. As others have said, he was also my first non 73 hero. RIP.
 
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Lord Rowell played just before my time as a lads fan but of course I know the legend, the history and I’ve sang his song countless times through the years following the lads.

Seems oddly symbolic that it has happened on the eve of the game he had his greatest moment in, will add to the charged atmosphere today.

They say legends never die and there’ll be a rousing rendition today.

News that every Sunderland fan will be gutted to hear and more motivation, not that it’s needed, to raise the roof today.

RIP Gary.
 
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Absolutely devastated !

I played against Gary in the early 70's when I was at Seaham Secondary School (SSS).

SAFC challenged a jont select senior school team from our schools, including, Northlea, a senior school from Dawdon, and Ryhope.

Richie Pitt was our coach ffor the day.

We got battered....I forgot the final score, but we were 6-0 down at half-time......enough said!

Lord Rowell got two in that first half....

In the second half Richie Pitt made an appearance for us as a CF. he scored a penalty.....because all the Sunderland team kept pulling his shorts down.

Ha ha ha !
 
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