SUNDERLAND legend Gary Rowell has died at the age of 68.
The Black Cats icon sadly passed away after a long battle with leukaemia.
Rowell played 297 for Sunderland during a glittering 10-year spell between 1974 and 1984, scoring 103 goals in the process.
A Black Cats Hall of Famer, he was voted the club’s all-time cult hero by fans on Football Focus in 2005.
But his place in Sunderland folklore was earlier cemented with a hat-trick in the 1979 derby away win over Newcastle – with Rowell the last Black Cat to hit a treble against the Magpies.
He later enjoyed decent spells at Norwich, Middlesbrough, Brighton and Burnley.
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But a series of knee injuries plagued his career, meaning he was never able to become a full England international after earning one cap for the U21s.
Rowell retired from football in 1990 and ended up working as a local newspaper columnist and radio commentator.
He was later sadly diagnosed with leukaemia and passed away surrounded by his sons Christopher and Peter.
Sunderland paid tribute to Rowell with a heartfelt statement on X, revealing that fans will have the opportunity to say goodbye ahead of tomorrow’s North East derby against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Rowell. A Sunderland icon and legendary goalscorer.
“Tomorrow, Wearside will come together and pay tribute to him ahead of a fixture he made his own. Rest in peace, Gary.”
Former teammate Shaun Elliott also paid tribute to Rowell.
He said: “I remember jumping on him when he completed his hat-trick against Newcastle. It made him a legend.
“We played together in the youth team. We got on well, and I sometimes used to stay with him. Gary was just the nicest person ever.
“We got in the first team together and went away with England Under-21s. He was a great finisher, and he never wanted to leave Sunderland.”
Peter Stronach, another ex-teammate, added: “My first recollection of Gary was in Under-15s schools’ football when we played against each other.
“We then signed as apprentices for Sunderland at the same time and became good friends, as we played in the youth team together.
“He was a lovely warm person. He always had a lovely smile and dazzling eyes. He was a beautiful person.”
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