Campaign for statue of Sunderland legend Charlie Hurley gathers pace

Martin O’Neill is calling on supporters across the generations to join him and other diehard fans, to fulfil a dream of having a statue of Charlie Hurley placed in the city.

The former Sunderland player, who turns 80 this year, has been described as “the best centre-half in the world” and Mr O’Neill believes this would be a fitting tribute to his career.

On Saturday, fans were invited to show their support at an informal meeting held after Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Manchester United, held at St Mary’s Parish Centre.

Mr O’Neill said: “This is the first step to setting up a group, we are looking for people with IT skills to help us on social media, fundraising skills and contacts, to help us to take this campaign onto the next level.

“We have already received support from the senior supporters group for the statue.

“The next step is to now bring together a group and take this idea forward.”

The meeting was attended by writer and journalist Mark Metcalf, who wrote The Greatest Centre Half in the World – a book dedicated to the man nicknamed King Charlie.

Mr Metcalf said: “We do need a statue for Charlie and it is going to cost a lot of money, but it can be done.

“I have spoken to Charlie about this and he is absolutely delighted.”

Showing his support, fan Alan Dovaston, from Chester-le-Street said: “Charlie was before my time so I can’t pretend I have seen him play, but my dad’s generation idolised him.

“It is nice to think someone who has finished his footballing career is still being revered in the way he is.

“So for me, if people from that generation can think so highly of a player, then people from my generation should take an interest and support such a worthy cause.”

Charlie, played for SAFC between 1957 and 1969, when he made 400 appearances for the club. He also played for the Republic of Ireland.