roker report 
25-04-2024 11:56
25-04-2024 11:56
Editorial Comment: The King, Charlie Hurley
I’ve barely had time to try and process this news, but quite honestly all I feel right now is devastated. I never had the good fortune of watching Charlie play in a Sunderland shirt as he came well before my time, but I like every other Sunderland supporter have been taught to understand just how important this man was to the people of our city.
Charlie’s passing will conjure up memories for supporters who were lucky enough to see him in red and white in the coming days and it’s the fact that people only have good things to say about the great man that should be the greatest lesson to us all about what a fantastic person he clearly was.
At the recent international fans party which took place the night before our game with Bristol City I spoke to a man in his 80s from Ireland who still to this day speaks with such passion and love for Charlie, and he told me a story about meeting him by accident at a religious gathering when he was just a young boy — he couldn’t quite believe his eyes that his hero was stood before him, as though he was sent down from God himself to be in his presence. That was how Charlie was viewed - as a god.
When we spoke to Martin O’Neill for an episode of the Podcast a few years back, I wanted to thank him for taking the time to join us and I sent him one of my most treasured pieces of memorabilia — the season review programme for the 1963/64 campaign, signed by the man himself, which saw Charlie captain Sunderland to promotion back to the top flight. Martin credits Charlie as the reason why he’s been a lifelong Sunderland supporter, as back in Ireland ‘the King’ was just as beloved by the people there as he was on Wearside.
He was, and still is, dearly loved by those who stood on the terraces at Roker Park and watched as he fought, headed and kicked everything in sight — his playing style resonated with the people because he played for Sunderland in the manner that they would if they had had the chance to do it themselves.
Still to this day his name is sung by supporters of all ages at games up and down the country — his legacy as a Sunderland hero will forever live on, and I hope an appropriate tribute is paid by the club and supporters on the final day of the season.
There will never be another like Charlie Hurley. Rest in peace, marra. Martin Wanless: Co-Editor & Podcast Host
As a young supporter in the 80s, the name of Charlie Hurley - the legend of Charlie Hurley - was one I was brought up with. He was regularly at Roker Park, coming onto the pitch for various things - but I have two memories of Charlie Hurley that stand out.
The first was after the abandoned game at Grimsby. Early 90s, torrential rain, the game was live on Tyne Tees and should never have kicked off. It was abandoned after 5 or 6 minutes, and we stayed in the pissing down rain for what seemed like hours afterwards. ‘We want money back’ was one of the first chants but as time wore on, the classics were revisited. ‘We all live in a Gary Rowell world’ was one, ‘who’s the greatest centre half the world has ever seen’ was another.
The answer was, of course, Charlie Hurley.
The second was at Luton after we got the championship under Keano. As we celebrated, Charlie came onto the field. With Drumaville, Quinn and Keane taking over, the Irish connection had been restrengthened, and as Hurley came out we all started with the chant - Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! It was probably the loudest chant of the day - the King crowning out return to the top flight. And it was special for us and for him.
Rest in peace Charlie Hurley. A true Sunderland legend.
As an aside, the club should name a stand after him. They should have done it years ago.
Charlie’s passing will conjure up memories for supporters who were lucky enough to see him in red and white in the coming days and it’s the fact that people only have good things to say about the great man that should be the greatest lesson to us all about what a fantastic person he clearly was.
At the recent international fans party which took place the night before our game with Bristol City I spoke to a man in his 80s from Ireland who still to this day speaks with such passion and love for Charlie, and he told me a story about meeting him by accident at a religious gathering when he was just a young boy — he couldn’t quite believe his eyes that his hero was stood before him, as though he was sent down from God himself to be in his presence. That was how Charlie was viewed - as a god.
When we spoke to Martin O’Neill for an episode of the Podcast a few years back, I wanted to thank him for taking the time to join us and I sent him one of my most treasured pieces of memorabilia — the season review programme for the 1963/64 campaign, signed by the man himself, which saw Charlie captain Sunderland to promotion back to the top flight. Martin credits Charlie as the reason why he’s been a lifelong Sunderland supporter, as back in Ireland ‘the King’ was just as beloved by the people there as he was on Wearside.
He was, and still is, dearly loved by those who stood on the terraces at Roker Park and watched as he fought, headed and kicked everything in sight — his playing style resonated with the people because he played for Sunderland in the manner that they would if they had had the chance to do it themselves.
Still to this day his name is sung by supporters of all ages at games up and down the country — his legacy as a Sunderland hero will forever live on, and I hope an appropriate tribute is paid by the club and supporters on the final day of the season.
There will never be another like Charlie Hurley. Rest in peace, marra. Martin Wanless: Co-Editor & Podcast Host
As a young supporter in the 80s, the name of Charlie Hurley - the legend of Charlie Hurley - was one I was brought up with. He was regularly at Roker Park, coming onto the pitch for various things - but I have two memories of Charlie Hurley that stand out.
The first was after the abandoned game at Grimsby. Early 90s, torrential rain, the game was live on Tyne Tees and should never have kicked off. It was abandoned after 5 or 6 minutes, and we stayed in the pissing down rain for what seemed like hours afterwards. ‘We want money back’ was one of the first chants but as time wore on, the classics were revisited. ‘We all live in a Gary Rowell world’ was one, ‘who’s the greatest centre half the world has ever seen’ was another.
The answer was, of course, Charlie Hurley.
The second was at Luton after we got the championship under Keano. As we celebrated, Charlie came onto the field. With Drumaville, Quinn and Keane taking over, the Irish connection had been restrengthened, and as Hurley came out we all started with the chant - Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! It was probably the loudest chant of the day - the King crowning out return to the top flight. And it was special for us and for him.
Rest in peace Charlie Hurley. A true Sunderland legend.
As an aside, the club should name a stand after him. They should have done it years ago.