Gary Rowell, Sunderland Hero, Dies Aged 68 on Eve of Derby with Newcastle
Gary Rowell, the former Sunderland striker, has died at the age of 68 after battling leukaemia, Sunderland AFC announced on Saturday 13 December 2025.
His death coincided exactly 50 years after his Sunderland debut on 13 December 1975.
Rowell made 297 appearances for Sunderland over a 12-year period at Roker Park, scoring 103 goals. He notably scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 Division Two victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park in February 1979.
He began his association with Sunderland as an apprentice in 1972 and earned his first professional contract in 1974.
In the summer of 1984, Rowell left Sunderland to join Norwich City, where he was injured during Norwich's 1985 League Cup final win over Sunderland.
He later played for Middlesbrough, Brighton, Carlisle, and Burnley before retiring from football.
Following his playing career, Rowell worked as a financial consultant and as a radio pundit.
He was inducted into the Sunderland AFC Hall of Fame in 2020.
His passing came the day before Sunderland hosted Newcastle United in their first Premier League derby since March 2016.
