|
|
 |
 |
 |
ALS
are you still here? XI
where'd he go ?
|
| |
|
|
|
In Kevin Phillips’ first season at the Stadium of Light he scored 35 goals, to become Sunderland’s highest goalscorer in a single season since the war. If he had left Wearside in the summer of 1998 his impact at the club – albeit a lot less than what it eventually was – would still have been remembered for years to come. In contrast though, there are countless players whose contribution to the red and white cause has been instantly forgettable. Of those players, at least some have the excuse of not being around very long – but others have wasted years of their career at the club doing very little indeed. This is the side for whom the phrase ‘Are you still here?’ was invented.
Goalkeeper:
Michael Ingham
Two appearances in six seasons (1999 - present)
.jpg) |
|
If players in one position have a ready made excuse for not playing very often it is goalkeepers, as only one can ever play at a time. Even so, Ingham’s total of two league cup appearances for Sunderland since he signed in 1999/2000 is a pretty poor return. Then again, shipping four goals against both Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield did not exactly have anyone clambering for his inclusion on a more regular basis. Must sign permanently for one of his many loan sides eventually.
|
Right Back:
Paul Williams
13 appearances in five seasons (1989 - 1993)
.jpg) |
|
Wherever this bloke is now, it is probably a safe assumption that he still shudders on hearing the name Lee Sharpe. On his only top flight start in the 1990/1991 season, Williams was given such a comprehensive torturing by the then Manchester United winger that he had to be taken off at half-time with his side 3-0 down. Williams started just nine times in five seasons in the squad and his best run in the team amounted to starting the first three games of 1991/92 as deputy for John Kay.
|
Left Back:
Anthony Smith
25 appearances in five seasons (1990 – 1995)
.jpg) |
|
It was something of a surprise that Anthony Smith’s nine top flight starts during his debut season – 1990/91 – proved to be his best haul of appearances in his Sunderland career. Having looked like a real future prospect, Smith made just two starts a year later and then had his leg broken in a tackle by Bristol City’s Andy Llewellyn at Roker Park in 1992/93. He recovered to play in a 4-1 win against Charlton in August 1993, but made just one more appearance for the club – as a sub against Swindon in one of Peter Reid’s early games in April 1995.
|
Centre Half:
Mickey Heathcote
Nine appearances in three seasons (1987 – 1990)
.jpg) |
|
Like Dicky Ord, Mickey Heathcote made his debut in the 7-0 win over Southend in 1987/88. Unlike Ord though, Heathcote had an unremarkable stay on Wearside. After Southend he did not play again until the 1989/90 promotion campaign when he made six starts and another two as sub. With Sunderland reaching the top division, the former Spennymoor man realised his chances would be even more limited and he jumped ship for a successful career in the lower leagues.
|
Centre Half:
Ben Clark
14 appearances in five seasons (2000 – 2004)
.jpg) |
|
An England Youth international, Ben Clark was tipped for the top from the moment he arrived at the club. He made his debut in Peter Reid’s League Cup reserve side in 2000/01, but was not given a chance in the Premiership until Howard Wilkinson was manager. However, neither Sgt Wilko or Mick McCarthy ever gave the assured defender a proper run in the side, which was all the more surprising given that they were picking Phil Babb. Clark was eventually given a free transfer to Hartlepool in October.
|
|
|
Right Wing:
Tony Cullen
34 appearances in four seasons (1988 – 1992)
.jpg) |
|
Tony Cullen was used primarily as a substitute in his four seasons at Sunderland – only 11 of his appearances were from the start. His only goal came in the 6-1 demolition of Bristol City in a League Cup tie at Ashton Gate in the autumn of 1990. Cullen’s limited appearances became even more sporadic during 1990/91 and his only game the following season – a 3-0 defeat at Cambridge – proved to be his last.
|
Central-Midfield: John Cornforth
37 appearances in seven seasons (1985 – 1991)
 |
|
After making his debut as a 17-year-old late in the top flight relegation season of 1984/85, John Cornforth did not make another appearance until the 1987/88 Division Three title-winning campaign. Never a regular in his time at Roker Park, Cornforth was once rumoured to have benefited from a Gordon Armstrong sending-off in a reserve match because his dad (a sports journalist) had informed the FA when the referee had not.
. |
Central-Midfield: Jonjo Dickman
One appearance in six seasons (1999 – March 2005)
.jpg) |
|
It is absolutely astounding that Jonjo Dickman will be 24 this year and yet he made only three appearances in senior football while at Sunderland – none of which lasted the full 90 minutes. He made just two loan appearances at York last season to add to his sole game for Sunderland – as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City as we slipped out of the Premiership. Always a decent player in the reserves, let’s hope his recent departure on a free to Darlington can kick-start his career.
|
Right Wing: Sam Aiston
24 appearances in five seasons (1995 – 2000)
.jpg) |
|
In 1995/96 Sam Aiston burst onto the scene and alongside Michael Bridges, was viewed as the next big thing. Despite earning a championship medal, Aiston made no more than a handful of appearances during the following three seasons and none at all in 1999/2000. Indeed, when he finally left the Stadium of Light, Aiston had played more times on loan for Chester City than he had for Sunderland.
|
Centre-Forward: Stephen Brodie
12 appearances in six seasons (1991 – 1997)
.jpg) |
|
A lack of growth, basically since primary school, restricted Stephen Brodie’s appearances in red and white to just one start and 11 run-outs as substitute. Brodie could always find the net in the youths and reserves, but it took two years for him to get involved in the first team after turning pro. Peter Reid eventually gave him his first start in the final match of 1994/95, but Brodie did not play for the club again before leaving for Scarborough in early 1997.
|
Centre-Forward: Warren Hawke
29 appearances in five seasons (1988 – 1993)
.jpg) |
|
Amongst this particular eleven, Warren Hawke has something of a spectacular CV. Although he never started more than three games in a season during his time at Roker Park, he played in the 2-0 play-off semi-final win at Newcastle in 1990, while one of his 19 substitute appearances was in the 1992 FA Cup final. Hawke has spent the last ten years finding the net regularly in the Scottish lower leagues.
|
Keith Watson
(First appeared in issue 134 of ALS 04/05 season)
For ALS Sunderland AKA XI Click Here...
Back to XI's menu
|
|
