Club legend Rowell dies aged 68
- Published
Sunderland club legend Gary Rowell has died at the age of 68.
Rowell, who had leukaemia, died on Saturday afternoon - 50 years to the day he made his debut for the Black Cats.
As a midfielder, he scored 103 goals in 297 games for the club between 1972 and 1984.
A hat-trick in a 4-1 win over North East rivals Newcastle in 1979 earned Rowell iconic status at Sunderland, and he remains the last player to score a derby hat-trick for the club.
Sunderland, who face Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday (14:00 GMT), said in a statement: "Wearside will come together to celebrate his immense contribution to our club and remember his unforgettable time in red and white."
