Sunderland AFC devastated by death of “legendary” striker Gary Rowell

Sunderland AFC have said they are “truly devastated” by the news former striker Gary Rowell has died. The club described Rowell as “legendary” following his death at the age of 68 after a battle with leukaemia.

Seaham-born Rowell, who scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 Division Two win over arch-rivals Newcastle at St James’ Park in February 1979, died on Saturday (December 14). His death comes 50 years to the day since he made his Sunderland debut and just a day before the Black Cats host the Magpies in the first Premier League derby between the clubs since March 2016.

A club statement said: “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.”

Rowell was spotted playing for Seaham Juniors and signed as an apprentice in 1972 before being handed a first professional contract two years later. He went on to make a total of 297 appearances for the club of which he was a lifelong supporter and scored 103 goals during a 12-year stay at Roker Park.

Making his league debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Oxford on December 13, 1975 and having registered his first senior treble on Tyneside, Rowell repeated the feat in a 3-0 Division One win over Arsenal in December 1982.

Capped once at under-21 level by England, he is one of only three men – Len Shackleton and Kevin Phillips are the others – to have scored 100 goals for the club in the post-war era. He left Sunderland for Norwich during the summer of 1984, but was injured for their victory over his former club in the 1985 League Cup final.

Rowell later had spells with Middlesbrough, Brighton, Carlisle and Burnley. After his retirement, he worked as a financial consultant and radio pundit.