Ex-professional footballer Stan Anderson published an autobiography in 2010
entitled Captain of the North (see here). Never can a book have borne a more
appropriate title: for the man in question is the only individual, ever, to
have captained each of the region’s ‘Big Three’ football clubs – Sunderland,
Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Stan was a
cultured, whole-hearted midfielder with an eye for goal; considered to be ahead
of his time by many in the way he played and thought about the game.
Anderson was born on 27th February 1934* in Horden,
Co.Durham. After turning out for the
colliery’s team as a teenager whilst learning plastering and plumbing, he
eventually signed professional forms for Sunderland in 1951 and made over 400
appearances for the red and whites – gaining two England caps in 1962 and
forming part of his country’s 1962 World Cup squad.
In 1963, he moved to rivals Newcastle United, where he stayed for two
years, steering them to promotion in 1965.
He then signed for Middlesbrough as player-coach, then became manager
during 1966-73 (amazingly, he had been rejected by the Teesside club whilst
playing for Horden Colliery).
Thereafter, he had spells as a manager at AEK Athens, QPR, Donaster Rovers
and Bolton Wanderers, before retiring to care for his wife in 1981.
He is now into his late 70s and lives in Doncaster.
* Strangely, his exact date of birth varies between sources – 27th
February 1933 and 12th December 1933 are also given. If you’re reading this, Stan, do put me
straight!
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