This was during an era where i was somewhat occupied elsewhere... I know the stories, and seen the players mentioned many times, but during this season i was un-available. Plus we should never have been in that league anyway.. Opinions on Dennis Smith..cheers. Ahead of every Barclays Premier League game at the Stadium of Light, a special guest takes to the Black Cats Bar for a pre-match question and answer session with fans. Before Sunderland's 4-0 win over Stoke City, former manager Denis Smith was in the spotlight. SAFC TV's James Craggs hosted the 20-minute session as Smith reflected on his time at Roker Park. Smith guided the Lads to the Third Division championship in 1987-88, with a record 101 points, a league Smith believed 'Sunderland should never have been in.' The former boss also reminisced on working with two key players during his time at Sunderland - Marco Gabbiadini and Eric Gates, a strike partnership that was dubbed the G Force. Smith said: "They worked like a dream. I signed Gabbiadini to play alongside Eric Gates - the two of them destroyed teams. "They were great times, I look back as fondly on those times as much as the fans." One interesting fact that was thrown up during the talk-in, was how Smith saw his name entered in the Guinness Book of Records for being the most injured player, during his 14 years as a Stoke City player. Smith laughed: "I am very proud of my playing career and my full-blooded approach to the game. "I had something like 27 broken bones. But I was playing against some greats - Geoff Hurst, Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks - and fans wanted to see people challenging these players. "Everybody loves a full-blooded tackle - no-one more than Sunderland fans!" On the subject of tackling, Smith recalled bringing Kevin Ball to Sunderland. "I knew the fans would like him, that's why I brought him in. "When we signed him some of the coaches said 'this fellow is as mad as you' - I replied, 'that'll do for me!'" Following the talk-in Smith signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans. The talk-ins are part of the new Black Cats Bar matchdays, where fans can enjoy a complimentary home-cooked meal in the revamped bar which has new décor throughout, featuring epic moments from the club's history, and new plasma TV screens. Tickets for individual games can be purchased from £50.
Billy, I agree. Denis Smith is probably the single most important manager in our history. He came to us in our darkest hour when the club could have gone under and ended up like a lot of old traditional clubs had. Forgotten memories. He got us out of the 3rd division at the first go and then the 2nd and that play off game. He brought us Marco and the legend that still is Kevin Ball and will always be my top pick as manager. Who knows how far he could have gone if he had been given the financial support he fully deserved. I met him a few years ago and a found him to be as big a man in real life as if was as manager. Top, top bloke.
