Who’s Our Favourite Geordie To Have Represented Sunderland?

Michael Bridges, Sunderland (Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images Andrew Smithson says… People might assume that they’re rare, but there’s quite a few that deserve name checks or to be classed as a favourite. Gordon Armstrong and Gary Owers were both massive parts of the team when I first started going and in more recent times you’ve had the likes of George Honeyman, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and Chris Rigg — all lads from various parts of Tyneside that were committed to Sunderland. The definition of the word ‘Geordie’ is vague these days and different people have contrasting ideas about whether they wish to be considered as one or not, but if we look purely at figures born in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, you realise that they’re represented at nearly every major success in Sunderland history.

Tom Porteous became the club’s first England international, for instance, and was part of Tom Watson’s glorious title-winning run in the 1890s, whereas David Young and Dennis Tueart both featured in our 1973 cup glory. I think my personal standout is Len Duns. Born in Newcastle during World War I, he was a very pacy and very creative winger that went on to serve the club for many years and was a star of the team either side of World War II.

A league and FA Cup winner on Wearside in the 1930s, he was a one-club man in terms of senior football, staying at Roker Park until his retirement in the 1950s. Although he guested for several clubs during the war, doing so alongside duties for the Royal Artillery, he was red and white through and through, and remained faithful to the town after hanging up his boots through his business interests. John Wilson says… For personal reasons as well as footballing ones, I’m choosing Michael Bridges.

Bridges was chosen by myself to play for North Tyneside U11 County when I ran the area team. He was selected for trials from his middle school — Marden Bridge — and was easily picked out as a fast, talented lad. Like several North Tyneside players I had, it was a proud moment to see him develop and go on to represent Sunderland.