My Three Favourite-Ever Sunderland Players: #1 — John Wilson

03/19/2025 02:00 AM

We've all got our own list of all-time favourite Sunderland players, so who would make your top three? Kicking off this mini-series is John Wilson - with a bunch of cult heroes making his list!

When we were asked to consider our favourite Sunderland players of all time, I used my default position of who comes to mind immediately, from the gut. No research of most goals or appearances, just 'favourite' players.

It's hard to define why a player hits you in the heart, but here's my top three.

Third position was the hardest, because the top two just picked themselves. There was an almighty battle for third spot.

Impossible really, but I plumped for Steed Malbranque. We signed him from Spurs in 2008, and he graced the Stadium of Light for three years. He belied his smallish stature of 5ft 7ins with his tenacity and gritty performances in our midfield.

I always remember he had an eye for a clever pass that could unlock defences, but he was also a tough tackler and very difficult for opponents to get the ball from. When a player receives the ball and the crowd all just chant "Steeeed" — you know we had a hero on our hands. I loved watching him play.

In second position is Marco Gabbiadini. What a striker!

When I think of Marco, I recall an absolute rocket. He could chase down a ball or overtake any defender. Often it would be Eric Gates who'd put a ball through, and there was Marco.

He may have had speed to burn, but he was also very strong and not easily knocked off the ball. During his four years with us, he wasn't far from scoring a goal every other game. And who can forget the playoff goal at a wet Sid James' Park?

As I stood in the Fulwell End, there was always an expectant buzz when he was on the ball. So glad he's got through his recent illness and is back supporting the lads through the media.

At number one, and always the first name in any Sunderland discussion for me, is 'Little' Stan Cummins.

The tag 'little' always seemed to be attached to his name, seeing as he was only 5ft 6ins. He had two separate spells with us in the early 80s. He was a wizard on the right wing.

I'm not sure how many assists he would have got if it had been 'a thing'. A proper winger for me, in that he hit the byline and crossed the ball.

My immediate memory of Stan would be him being surrounded by two or three defenders (so that I couldn't even see him), but like a rabbit out of a hat, he would appear with the ball. He was also responsible for quite a few great strikes. An absolute joy to watch.

Maybe he had many poor games — I don't know — he's just my favourite player and will always conjure up happy times at Roker.