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Gary Rowell funeral today.

Peter rowell said:
My dad would ask Barry to stay after training to help him practice taking penalties. Dad told me he would take about 25 pens, he take the first 5 without telling Barry where he was putting them, then he'd tell him which side he will put the next 5, without saying if it was top of bottom then 5 on the opposit side, then he'd tell him exactly which side and hight hw would put them. Barry said to me, "even when your dad told me the exact position he was going to put the penalties, It was so accurate I still couldn't stop them.
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Your dad is my all time SAFC hero a proper Legend both on and off the pitch.

I was at the funeral at the Sunderland Minister and it was a fantastic tribute to a fantastic man

I had the great honour of meeting him many times at a gig you were playing in Seaham a talk in at Coxhoe and loads of times at the Quayside Exchange post match when he was doing the radio work.

He was always the same friendly genuine and a pleasure to be with.

I know all your family are proud of him and rightly so.
 

Peter rowell said:
My dad would ask Barry to stay after training to help him practice taking penalties. Dad told me he would take about 25 pens, he take the first 5 without telling Barry where he was putting them, then he'd tell him which side he will put the next 5, without saying if it was top of bottom then 5 on the opposit side, then he'd tell him exactly which side and hight hw would put them. Barry said to me, "even when your dad told me the exact position he was going to put the penalties, It was so accurate I still couldn't stop them.
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Your dad was a complete legend .

But a dad first and foremost .


Top bloke all round .
 
Lostinlancasire said:
I travelled over to Burnley from Blackpool and met an old SAFC/Burnley player ( Phil Malley) who I used to teach. He introduced me to all the players. Some I recognised . 3 I didn’t . Entwhistle/Henderson/Stronach.
McCoist was by far the friendliest and came across brilliantly..
Tears in the Crematorium when our anthem was played right at the end.
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DH4 said:
Elvis "Can't Help Falling In Love" ?
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Yes mate, there was only one song me and my brother wanted to be played to say goodbye to our dad.
Eric gates hair said:
Your dad was a complete legend .

But a dad first and foremost .


Top bloke all round .
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Thanks mate, it really does mean alot to hear our fans say such nice things about my dad. He really was my hero, and the best dad anyone could ever wish for!
 
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Peter rowell said:
Yes mate, there was only one song me and my brother wanted to be played to say goodbye to our dad.

Thanks mate, it really does mean alot to hear our fans say such nice things about my dad. He really was my hero, and the best dad anyone could ever wish for!
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He was my first hero growing up.

but my loss is nowhere near yours .

Legend.
 
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As a boy growing up a Sunderland fan in a Durham pit village and dreaming of playing at Roker Park, Gary Rowell was my hero. He was like me but just a lot better at football. Will never forget that famous hat trick at Sid James Park. Later listened to him on the radio with Simon Crabtree and he just came across as a warm, genuine bloke and Sunderland fan with a good sense of humour. Reading stuff on here, especially from one of his sons just reinforces that impression. True fan, great player and a lovely human being to boot.
 
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