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#80: John Harvey
1889-91 & 1892-97

Points: 32 Appearances: 108 Goals: 17

John Harvey was a tenacious diminutive midfielder who played for both Sunderland and Newcastle. The central feature of Harvey’s play was his exceptional partnership with Johnny Campbell. The two men enjoyed a great understanding, and played together for the Lads and the Scum. In his second spell with Sunderland, Harvey won a League Championship in 1893. Amazingly neither Harvey nor Campbell were capped by Scotland. This is truly astounding with Campbell as his goal tally of 150 goals in 215 games certainly isn't bad.

 

 

#79: tom porteous
1889-1894

Pts: 32 Apps: 93 Goals: 0

Tom Porteous was right-back in the " Team of All the Talents” and has the distinction of being Sunderland’s first England international. Porteous gained his solitary cap against Wales in the familiar surroundings of the Newcastle Road ground. Porteous was a speedy, tough-tackling defender, who always looked to find his team-mates when clearing his lines. In his 5 seasons with Sunderland, Porteous enjoyed great success, winning the League Championship in both 1892 and 1893. In both of these illustrious seasons, Porteous was an ever present.

 

 

#78: Dickie Davis
1946-1954

Pts: 33 Apps: 154 Goals: 79

Before SuperKev in 1999/2000, Dickie Davis had been the last Sunderland player to finish as the top division’s top scorer. Davis’ tally of 25 goals in 1949/50 gave him the golden boot and put Sunderland 3rd in the league. Capable of playing as an inside-forward or as a centre-forward, Davis was a very useful player whose opportunism gave him such an impressive goal tally. Davis ended his career at Darlington, where he averaged a goal every 3 games. Davis spent 3 seasons at Feethams before retiring at 35.

 

 

#77: James Oakley
1922-1930

Pts: 33 Apps: 90 Goals: 0

Blyth-born James Oakley was a right-back who was never able to firmly establish himself in the team because of the superb form of Warney Cresswell. Despite being considered a reserve, Oakley usually made a significant contribution to the first-team every season. During his time with the Lads, the team achieved relative success in the top flight. Sunderland finished 3rd in Division 1 in 1924, 1926, and 1927. Oakley wasn’t even able to secure the right-back spot when Cresswell left the club in 1927. New signing Bill Murray obtained the position and kept it for the next 10 years.

 

 

#76: Dave Watson
1970-1975

Pts: 33 Apps: 209 Goals: 33

Sunderland’s most capped England international, Dave Watson was an integral figure in the 1973 cup run. Watson featured at both centre-forward and centre-half during the campaign, and scored vital goals in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and the quarter final against Luton. In the final, Watson reverted to centre-half and was the foundation to the team’s success. In 1975, Watson secured a transfer to high-flying Man City where he enjoyed League Cup success and a 1st Division Runners-up medal in 1976/77. In total, Watson was capped 65 times by England, 14 of these whilst at Roker.

 

 

#75: Eddie Burbanks
1935-1948

Pts: 33 Apps: 152 Goals: 28

When Jimmy Connor was seriously injured in the FA Cup 4th round in 1937, Sunderland turned to Eddie Burbanks as a replacement. Burbanks had been recruited from non-league football in the Midlands, and quickly adapted to life in the top division. In the Cup Final, Burbanks scored the third goal of the 3-1 victory, as Sunderland clinched the Cup for the first time in their history. Burbanks was a polished left-winger despite being naturally right footed. After leaving Sunderland, Burbanks joined former team-mate Raich Carter who had been appointed as Hull's player-manager.

 

 

#74: Fred Hall
1946-1955

Pts: 34 Apps: 224 Goals: 1

Fred Hall was another subscriber to the Paul Butler School of pie eating (see William Gibson, number 65 on the list). Joining Sunderland in 1945, Hall’s weight had risen dramatically since his pre-war career with Blackburn. However, Hall was a very able and versatile defender, able to play anywhere along the back line. After arriving at Sunderland, Hall was soon appointed captain and proved a very influential and commanding figure in defence. Despite Hall’s admirable leadership skills, Sunderland remained trophy-less during his time at the club.

 

 

#73: George Mulhall
1962-1969

Pts: 34 Apps: 289 Goals: 66

Before joining Sunderland, George Mulhall had enjoyed a successful spell at Aberdeen where he had scored 42 goals in 150 games. A professional from the age of 15, Mulhall was a pacey left winger who had an eye for goal. Mulhall joined a Sunderland side that was chasing promotion with Brian Clough scoring goals for fun. Unfortunately, Clough’s career ending injury in December 1962 severely affected the team and Sunderland weren’t promoted until the following season. Together with Charlie Hurley, Mulhall was released on a free transfer in 1969 and allowed to negotiate his own contract.

 

 

#72: Colin McLatchie
1898-1902

Pts: 34 Apps: 130 Goals: 29

Colin McLatchie was a big, powerful left-winger who became the first Sunderland player since Johnny Campbell to register double figures in goals in a season. McLatchie was a very direct winger who loved to get into the penalty box. His blistering left foot shot gave him a respectable goal tally during his time with the Lads. During his time at Sunderland, McLatchie won the League Championship in 1902. His performances at other clubs were less impressive, and he failed to make an impression at either Grimsby or Preston.

 

 

#71: Niall Quinn
1996-2002

Pts: 35 Apps: 219 Goals: 67

The Lord of the Disco Pants arrived at Sunderland from Man City to spearhead Sunderland’s Premiership campaign of 1996/97. Unfortunately, Quinny’s first season was largely an anti-climax, as he suffered knee ligament damage. When joined by Kevin Phillips the following season though, Quinny became a different player. His exquisite control, fantastic knockdowns and quality headers made the Quinn-Phillips combination the most dangerous in Division 1. After 2 years of tormenting Division 1 defences, Quinn and Phillips turned their sites on the Premiership with devastating results. Undoubtedly Quinny’s greatest moments came at Sid James Park. In 2000/01, Quinny scored the winner to beat the scum 2-1. Quinn’s head met Mickey Gray’s huge looping cross and the ball flew into the top corner. Despite giving away the penalty that Sorensen saved from She-Ra, Sunderland held on to win and Quinny’s disco pants were definitely the best.

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