HA'WAY BACK WHEN: Your thoughts on Sunderland legend Dave Watson

We asked you for your memories of 1973 FA Cup-winning star Dave Watson.
Dave Watson tries on some shiny headgear!Dave Watson tries on some shiny headgear!
Dave Watson tries on some shiny headgear!

The big defender, who made 212 appearances for the Rokermen and scored 33 goals, turned 70 last year.

Here’s what you said about the player, who won 65 England caps in his career.

Watson checks out a shirt for sizeWatson checks out a shirt for size
Watson checks out a shirt for size
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John Pallas: Best centre half we had, and I saw Charlie. He was playing centre forward and was then moved to centre half against Carlisle at Brunton Park in that game we went back to playing in black shorts and as the saying goes the rest is history

Andy Wilkie: Bloke was an athlete ... in the 70s at a Texaco Cup game him and Monty were sitting on the ash track next to the dug-out. The man’s neck and legs were huge – a veritable man mountain

Eddy Collins: Tommy docherty sold him to us and said to Bob stokoe he is playing centre forward now but he will be a great centre half. True story, he was magnificent for us.

Tom Crangle: When he jumped to head the ball he would hang there for about 3 seconds – remarkable, great player and yes i think our best CH.

Watson in action for Sunderland against HullWatson in action for Sunderland against Hull
Watson in action for Sunderland against Hull
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John Lowes: He was a centre forward when he first came to Roker Park, and ended up the best centre half in the country.

Jill Strachan: He lived round the corner from me and i remember going to his door for his autograph.

Stan Sharp: A great centre half without a doubt, Was outstanding in both the semi & final in 73. Fantastic in the air. A true great

Brian McKeown: Good footballer...think he came from Rotherham?? On a par with “King Charlie” & Ray Daniels

Watson checks out a shirt for sizeWatson checks out a shirt for size
Watson checks out a shirt for size
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Ian Farnan: He was a gentle man enjoyed many a party with him and his wife. Best centre half since Charlie Hurley

Rob White: Yes he was a great centre half, but I remember that after he got picked for England he suddenly became very big-headed, and SAFC were not good enough for him. He stopped trying and forced us to sell him.

Billy Wright: Saw his debut at Watford, he scored both goals in a 1-1 draw

John Houghton: Brill player could play centre half or centre forward. legend

Watson in action for Sunderland against HullWatson in action for Sunderland against Hull
Watson in action for Sunderland against Hull

Jan Behling: Great player for man city as well

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Anthony Blacker: Jeff Clarke wasn’t bad either & Jack Ashurst vastly underrated.

Jean Simmons: One of my favourite players

David Harrison: Remember the game when he switched from centre forward to centre half and was just a natural in that position

Ronnie Scott First player to be capped at 5 different clubs

Elizabeth Wake: Outstanding player for Sunderland!

John Arkley: Big man big heart

Patrick McCardle: I think it was Billy Bingham that 1st played Date Watson at centre half just before Bob Stoke arrived?

David Tindale: The number of games he played for England shows how good he was. Great for Sunderland.

Gary Allon: Best Centre Half SAFC Has Ever Had .

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George Taylor: 1973 team that beat Leeds in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Dave Watson was the kingpin. What a great team.

Gareth Davies: best player I saw play for Sunderland

Mark Ftm Sutherland: 90 min equaliser at Notts county in 3rd round Fa cup 1973

Kevin Blakey: Great player nice bloke too caught me up his apple tree in his orchard when he lived next to me haha got me down and gave me a bag of apples

David Bray: Dave started off as a striker then centre half. He is 2nd only to King Charlie

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Barry Nelson: We signed him as a centre forward and Stokoe put him straight in at centre half what move what a player best centre half we have had since the big man himself Charlie Hurley

David Harrison: Remember the game when he switched from centre forward to centre half and was just a natural in that position

Peter Edwards: My favourite player as a kid. Indestructible, still haven’t seen thighs like Daves...

Ann Clay: My favourite ever player

Terry Ward: Watson is our king we used to chant