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...I HAVE THE POWER!!
OK, OK that's enough of the 80's action movies, now on to business, because boy do we have something good for all you loyal followers.
The Northern leg of the Selco Masters has been announced, taking place at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Sunday 12th June as the Sunderland old boys look to defend their title against the likes of Rangers, Celtic, St. Mirren, Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
After the jump we take a look at the Sunderland squad, which is full to brim of cult heroes and offer you the chance to take in the action as we have some tickets to give away! That's right! FREE TICKETS! You can't say fairer than that!
As the resident purveyor of all things Cult Heroes here at Roker Report I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the squad that has been put together to represent SAFC for this year's Selco Masters competition.
Sean Musgrave (GK)
OK, I'll be honest, Musgrave is somewhat of an unknown quantity for me. The perennial bench warmer for the lads returns to the Masters side following last year's victory... and well, that's about all there is to say for the man between the sticks.
Chris Makin
Now this is more like it! The tough tackling full-back is also returning to the fold for this year's competition. Makin was a £500,000 from French outfit Marseille and a natural replacement for the Polish legend Dariusz Kubicki. Chris went on to become a massive fan favourite during his time on Wearside where he struck up a formidable partnership with Nicky Summerbee on the right wing. Sunderland fans in Glasgow will no doubt revel in another chance to reprise the old shouts of SHOOT whenever Makin gets the ball.
Chris' full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Andy Melville
The most recent entrant into the Cult Heroes hall of fame here on Roker Report will also be making the trip to Glasgow. The ever dependable and underrated central defender was part of a £500,000 plus Anton Rogan "Josh" deal with Oxford in 1993. A powerhouse in the air but also not too shabby with the ball at his feet, Mary is probably best remembered on Wearside for his defensive partnership with Paul "Pies" Butler.
Andy's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Alex Rae
The tough tackling Scot will no doubt stamp his authority on the competition and I would fully expect the midfield general to be a big success for the SAFC Masters side. Alex was a £1m signing for the black cats in 1996 and became a firm favourite with the fans due to his commanding performances on the pitch and his eye for a goal or two. Rae has recently made the transition to the managerial side of the game and was part of the Notts County backroom team that masterminded victory over his old club in the FA Cup this season. Cheers Alex!
Alex's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Martin Smith
The skillful local lad will no doubt bring his brand of football to Glasgow and has the ability to win the game for the lads in the blink of an eye. In fact Smith managed just that in last years Selco Masters competition when with seconds left on the clock, the scores level at 1-1 against arch rivals Newcastle, Martin let fly to win the game for the Wearsiders. Smith is perfectly built for the six-a-side format, something I have seen first hand in a local five-a-side league, where the lad still outshines all opposition without ever breaking a sweat.
Martin's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Craig Russell
Ah, the Jarrow Arrow! One of the first player's in red and white to catch my eye as a young fan making his first trips to Roker back in the mid nineties! Now employed as a masseuse with the lads after a stint with them up the road, Craig's eye for goal will surely make Sunderland a force to be reckoned with in Glasgow.
Craig's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Allan Johnston
Magic was a key cog in the Sunderland machine that was so successful in the early days at the Stadium of Light and has all the attributes to bamboozle the opposition defences up North. The tricky winger was a £550,000 signing from Rennes in 1997 and formed a superb, almost telepathic, understanding with Michael Gray on the left hand side. Expect to see the Scot jinking inside from the wing before sweeping the ball into the far corner with his exquisite right boot.
Allan's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
Marco Gabbiadini (C)
Last, but certainly not least, taking on the Captain's armband from last year's skipper Michael Gray, is the massive fan favourite Marco. The £80,000 1987 signing was to capture the hearts and imagination of a whole generation at Roker Park and his goal scoring exploits alongside Eric Gates will live long in the memory.
Marco's full Cult Heroes article can be read here!
An impressive squad I'm sure you can agree! The lads in red and white certainly stand a great chance in defending their Selco Northern Masters crown and we're offering you the chance to be there cheering on your heroes!
We've got some Family Tickets (2 x Adults/2 x Kids) to give away, TWO lots in fact courtesyt of our friends at Selco Northern Masters Football. To win just answer this question...
From which French club did Sunderland pay half a million quid for Chris Makin?
Send your answers to rokercomps@gmail.com before the closing date FRIDAY 10TH JUNE (6AM) and you could be taking in all the action in Glasgow on Sunday 12th June.
If that squad is enough to tempt you to get your backside to bonny Scotland for what will undoubtedly be a cracking summer's day out you can get all the information and tickets here.
Note: Winners drawn at random, and you've got be able to make your own way there. We've only got tickets, which you'll pick them up from the ticket office at Braehead Arena.