The manager? Been some good players that have gone on to be manager at SAFC. But who was the best in their day? Maybe Keane. Maybe O.Neil. some may say PDC or even Poyet. Bruce was a cracking defender. Peter Reid got skinned alive by Maradonna i seem to remember. But still he played for England. Any favourite?
Just looking at the names. Got the makings of a canny team. Hoy in Kevin ball and big Mick mac and we are getting somewhere. Wonder if we have ever had an ex goal keeper as manager.
. I had to google him. Dont think many would have seen him play of this forum. Cos it was git yonks ago. Like before colour tv and atari.s.
Bob Stokoe, he actually won something as a player and a Sunderland manager....LEGEND. You didn't say a SUNDERLAND player
He did. He won the FA cup with the skunks. One of the last things they ever won probably. No idea how good of a player he was. Dont think ive even seen any git old black and white footage of him playing.
Well, although he didn't manage Sunderland he was one of the best Managers ever and one of the best players ever to don a Sunderland shirt and was a veritable "Goal Machine" and that was of course Brian Clough. And YES I did see him play.
How do you compare players from different era's and different positions? Three suggestions from when I was a kid Monty! In my eyes only second to the great Gordon Banks! Colin Todd, a real quality player Dave Watson, went on to get over 60-70 England caps. Going back further, Shacks, Cloughie, Raich Carter More recent, SKP.
If we could have one in his prime at Sunderland I'd pick Bruce to sort out that shambles at the back. In general though I think Keane is the best we've had.
I'd find that impossible to pick. Hardwick is regarded as one of England's greatest ever full backs and captained England. He had to retire from international football because of injury (around 1949/50) with only about a dozen caps to his name. He's still regarded as one of Middlesbrough's top four greatest ever players (along with George Camsell, Wilf Mannion and Brian Clough). Ian McColl was part of Ranger's famous 'Iron Curtain' defence, playing alongside legends like Big George Young. For a period, that Ranger's defence was also Scotland's defence! Bob Stokoe won a cup winner's medal with Newcastle in 1955, alongside players like Jackie Milburn, Jimmy Scoular and Bobby Mitchell. I think he started as a left-half, but moved to centre-half when Frank Brennan retired. That was a good team and you had to be good to get into it. Reid was good (sorry Commo, but in 1986, Maradona skinned everybody on the planet!). Butcher was good. Bruce was good. O'Neill was good. Keane was good, and on his day, di Canio could be amazing. Quinn and Poyet weren't slouches either. Ask five people and you'll probably get five different answers. Pass.
I have to say Chris turner was better than Monty, should have played for England but the quality was fantastic in the mid 1980's with Shilton, Arsenal's keeper (I forgot his name !). Bob stoke for me as best manager.
I found this quite tough to call. no stand out candidates based on win percentage, honours, ability as a player or manager.
Forgot all about Butcher. Did you know he was born in singapore? One of the iconic pictures of football. Him with his head all bandaged up and claret everywhere. Good solid player. I asked earlier. Any ex goalkeepers?
Well he played for us in the 20's apparently so Relic might remember him. Don't think he managed us though Vince.
