Legends of the Faithful
Legends are in the memory of the beholder.
The eyes lie.
Too soon we rush to anoint fan favorites only to discover our hopes dashed and our faith unfulfilled.
Because it takes time to create a legend. Time to savour what a player did over his Sunderland career, how that career stacks up and how close did we hold each other to our collective hearts.
Few would dispute that Carter was one, Shack obviously another as was Hurley and, if for nothing else other than that hat trick, Rowell.
But what of players such as Bolton, Marco, Siddall, Halom, Herd, Baxter? Some were long serving, others talented, others tough. Is it enough?
No, it’s not.
They must rise above the favorite phase and be truly remembered as something special; a player who brought something unique to the field and to our memory. So much so that the whole becomes more than the parts of his performances.
Colin Todd is such a legend. He spent the vast majority of his career away from Roker Park, but that speed, power and grace in a player so young is still remembered by all who saw him and the thought of what could have been… no… what should have been, marks Toddo as the personification of a mythical successful Sunderland.
Because myth is the twin sister of legend. Players who are spoken about by father to son in that awed tone of someone who has seen something not to be seen again.
As a boy whenever I’d get excited over some exciting player my dad would almost whisper in reverence: “Ah, but you never saw Shack. Now that was a player.”
How could you argue?
For myth gives power to the believer. Just as I now tell my son: “Ah, but you never saw Toddo.”
Kevin Phillips will be spoken about like that some day.
Not now, however.
A true legend can’t still be playing. He needs the fine wine of time to flavour the drink.
But in 20 years time dads will say to their sons: “Ah, but you should have seen Superkev. Now there was a striker:”
And the sons won’t argue. They’ll just wish they’d been there.
Back then, in those legendary times.
Sharkey’s Shadow
(Our Canadian Correspondent)
